2011
Parry Sound Air Show
If you are interested in vintage aircraft, taking a helicopter ride or hanging out with airplane people, check out the Parry Sound Airport annual Fly-in and Drive-in this Saturday September 10, 2011. There is also a bunch of other things like face painting, antique & classic cars, art work and a BBQ or you may want to put on your dancing shoes and sway to the rhythms of the Northern Lights Steel Orchestra. This is a photo I took at last years event of a DC-3 aka Gooney Bird.
Directions Here
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2011
The Artful Gardens
If you have a green thumb (or even if you don’t) I highly recommend you check out the The Artful Garden near Bracebridge. In the summer The Artful Garden features the work of 40 or more artists each with their outdoor and garden inspired work. Jon & Suzann Partridge have created a very unique place and are very cool about people coming in for a stroll. While Suzann tends to the numerous and mind blowing gardens, Jon is busy working as a gifted potter.
Please click on the photo for a cavalcade of colours and a plethora of pixels!
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2011
Peeping Mantis
Say hello to my little friend. This Praying Mantis spent about 48 hours on a window looking in at us. They are predatory eating other insects and are known to engage in the occasional act of cannibalism. I wish I had a macro lens so I could really look into his eyes.
2011
Tuggies
I made a trip to Parry Sound last weekend to have lunch with a friend and we stumbled upon the Georgian Bay Tugfest. There were many a Tugboat on the main pier ranging from 6 feet to 130 feet in size. We were just in time for one of the main features – the tugboat race. This is a shot from the breakwater near the marina on Georgian Bay.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Sundowner on Lake Joe
Do you notice how the sun doesn’t seem to hang like it does in mid summer? I was visiting friends at the bottom end of Lake Joe and thought I better depart soon as the sun was dropping ever so quickly. So north bound I headed on my trusty jet-ski weaving through islands and little bays when I saw this little island with the sun veering through the trees. I stopped and snapped a few interesting scenes around the area and just made it back before dark. Please click for a large photo.
2011
Best Buns!
Have you ever tried the Cinnamon Buns from Silver Stream Farms located in the Port Sandfield General Store? They are to die for! I recommend you get there early because they sell out fast.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2011
Bala Falls Power Struggle
This is a shot from the south side of the Bala Falls on Lake Muskoka. There is a lot of controversy with regards to turning the falls into a new hydro electric dam site. Swift River Energy, a power company has been fighting to develop this site and many of the long term cottagers and locals are not too happy about it. Its been a war.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2011
Windermere Buzz
I had dinner over at Windermere House just recently. No, not in the pub or on the patio but in the main dining room. Yup, they let me in, I couldn’t believe it either – LOL.
The food services are now managed by Oliver & Bonacini this season and I have to say the food quality, ambiance and service was just superb. I don’t normally go plugging places on here but I do have to say after experiencing every resort and restaurant around Muskoka and area I have yet to find something that compares. It will be interesting to see how the off-season goes though.
I was at Windermere on a Friday night and the entire resort was just buzzing with everyone in such a great mood. The veranda area was jam packed with a gentle breeze drifting off the lake. A small band was performing with just the right jazzy rhythms. I closed my eyes and imagined what it must have been like back in the day. It felt like we were there. I’m going to have to swing by Windermere again just to see if I can capture that same feeling.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Muskoka Gal
Another shot from the Jump for Ooch ski show. I think it works well in B&W.
Please click on the photo for a larger shot.
2011
Barefoot Blaster
The annual Jump for Ooch ski show held last Saturday August 13, 2011 at the Lake Joe Club. This guy came blasting by the docks, barefooting. Lots of great entertainment and a very worthy cause. All proceeds went to Camp Oochigeas which is a privately funded, (No Gov. $$) volunteer based organization that sends kids with cancer to camp.
www.ooch.org
2011
Riding Off Into the Setting Sun
I usually tour new cottage guests around Lake Rosseau for their first visit due to the proximity of all the unique landmarks. Lake Rosseau has Winderemere, Red Leaves, Clevelands House, the Church in Morinus, a Lighthouse and a bunch of other interesting and historical sites. I’m not discounting Lake Joseph or Lake Muskoka, by any means as both have their own unique sites to see.
It was a long day and we were on our way back to the cottage after touring the lake and stopping for a swim in a quiet bay. BBQ strip-loins and big bold Cabernets were on our minds as we zoomed back into the setting sun.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Inside Purks Place
I was given a tour of Purks Place in Bala by the owner. It is quite a historical place and many of you that travel the Bala area will most definitely be familiar with Purks. Their motto “Boats and Bait since 1908.” I took this shot from the upstairs area looking down into the retail store. Please click on the photo for a much larger shot.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
The Old Shed in the Forest
I’m always curious at what you might find at the end of an old trail that leads into the forest. I continued walking deeper into the forest and all of a sudden I came to a small clearing with this weathered old shed in the middle. Yes, I did have a peek inside and no I didn’t find any skeletons or precious artifacts. Its amazing how well some of these structures have stood up to the elements after being abandoned for decades.
2011
Absolutely on the Cover
One of my old Segwun Steamboat shots appears on the cover of the Summer and Fall (Huh, Fall?- that’s a bad word right now) edition of Absolutely the Best – the ultimate shoppers guide to Muskoka. They were also nice enough to include a full page about the MuskokaBlog in the rear section. You can browse the shopping guide Here or click on it for a large sized original photo of the Segwun on Lake Joseph.
2011
Fairview Island
The sun was descending quickly as I was running a group of visitors back to the cottage after one of my mini tours on Lake Rosseau. There is a passage way between a group of islands and the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club. This is the tip (no don’t run a boat through here) of Fairview Island which has a beautiful cottage that was built in the late 1800’s. Cottage Life Magazine did a story on it which you can see right here.
2011
Screened In Perch
A quick iPhone shot of the Screened in Perch adorning the wall in one of the guest rooms. This was a quirky piece I found in Port Carling by Toronto artist Kevin Roach.
I figure why buy the same old print as everyone else when you can get something original for the same cost or less.
Please click for Biggie Perch.
2011
Photo (Synthesis)
They sat in total silence.
Not a word was spoken.
Mesmerized by the blazing orange sun that slowly dipped below the tree line.
Total absorption in progress.
2011
Lake Rosseau Boathouse
With the recent extreme temps I have been spending quite a bit of time on the water. While driving up the eastern side of Rosseau I spotted this interesting boathouse on a magnificent point of land.
Each and every cottage and boathouse in Muskoka has a story behind it. The family history, the architecture, who has owned it, etc. I don’t know anything about this one other than it being unique. More Eye Candy on the Lakes.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Little Miss Muskoka
Serena is 4 years old and traveled across the country to visit Muskoka for her first time. She did boat rides, caught a few fish, kayaked, fine dined, and took in the real Muskoka experience. She will be back!
2011
Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show Video
A short video for those of you that didn’t make the annual Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show in Gravenhurst on July 9, 2011. As always, lots of interesting boats and things to see at the show. The boat show is put on each year by ACBS and it is a must visit for any boat enthusiast. This years feature boat was the Kittyhawk a 32-foot Gidley once owned by Orville Wright. Yup, the airplane guy who used to cottage on Georgian Bay. Thanks to CottageCountryNow.ca for the video.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
