Early settlers in Upper Canada, particularly those living in rural areas, sought ways to break the isolation and monotony of long winters and heavy snows. Dog sleds and snow shoes that we regard as entertainment today were common 1800s instruments of travel over frozen lakes and rivers. So what did pioneers do for fun?

Tobogganing, commonly spelled traiboggining, was a pastime enjoyed by the young. In Minnesota and the Far West, British author Laurence Oliphant (1829-1888) wrote zealously about couples traiboggining. A traiboggin, he explains, is a First Nation traîneau made of birchbark and turned up at the end. The lady sat up front, with the gentleman kneeling behind her. “He tucks one leg under him, and leaves the other to trail on the snow behind, acting as a rudder.”

Skating, as introduced by the Dutch, grew in popularity although many thought it improper for girls to engage in such pleasurable pursuits. In the 1700s, officers at a Quebec garrison introduced curling which spread in popularity, especially where Scots prevailed. Matches were held on frozen rivers across Canada. While played in Scotland with granite rocks, players in Fergus, Galt and Guelph played with hardwood blocks affixed to iron handles. In one Quebec game, metal-rimmed hubs removed from guncarriages were used in place of rocks.

Horse races on ice thrilled audiences and paid generous prize money. In a 1931 interview, an elderly man recounted his races on the Bay of Quinte, Lakes Scugog and Simcoe, and at Port Hope and Peterborough.

Sleigh rides were a popular pastime, with rural travellers layered in furs to stay warm. Officers could join Tandem and Cariole clubs like the one in Toronto. Members gathered and drove their ornate one-horse sleighs to extravagant destinations like the Peacock Inn where they could enjoy a fine dinner and socialize.

(Photo credit: Library and Archive of Canada: Governor of Red River driving is family on the frozen Red River in a horse cariole with Fort Garry in the background (1822-23))

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I love the company of curious people. Our conversations leave me feeling lighter and joyful. New ideas tumble inside my head after we part ways. In correlation to curiosity, they are introspective and keenly interested in other people’s view points. Ideas, humanity, and the natural world light them up. They extend the pleasure of their discoveries to others. Upon reflection, in detailing attributes of an interesting companion, I’ve also described a writer.
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