2012
The Boys and Girls of Summer
I don’t know about you but I’m not ready to let go of summer just yet. Has it not been one of the best summers in years? Labor day always seems like an official marker that summer is complete. Personally I like to stretch it out to Thanksgiving weekend if I can. I noticed these kids having a blast on Lake Muskoka recently. Enjoy the summer weather this labor day long weekend.
2012
Two Suns in the Sunrise
How many of these flawless early mornings on the lake do we have left? No I don’t mean in a Nibiru cataclysm doomsday sort of way, just for this season – LOL. Shooting into the sun while balancing my big Nikon on the Seadoo can be a bit of a challenge while attempting to create a little bit of Muskoka minimalism.
2012
On Board the Historic 100 Mile Cruise
This past weekend I had the privilege to board the RMS Segwun steamship and take part in the 100 Mile Cruise. This historic event was the highlight of the summer in Muskoka and will provide enduring memories for many years. Here are a few pics of the journey which departed Gravenhurst at 8:30am and returned 12 hours later. Please click on each photo to get a 1600 pixel shot.
There was a very large crowd waiting for us as we entered the Port Carling locks. The Wenonah II steamship was following closely behind us.
Looking out from the Port Carling locks to the Lake Rosseau side.
There were many cottages and boathouses crammed with people cheering us on as we passed the shorelines.
Arriving in Port Sandfield at the swing bridge was astounding with more large crowds greeting us and taking photos. As we passed through the channel you could see an amazing flotilla of wooden boats waiting to join us.
This is the Wenonah II passing through Port Sandfield with other boats starting to tag along for the journey.
A large number of the most beautiful vintage boats toured alongside of us. It was breathtaking to see just how many there were. Unfortunately I was not able to recreate the scale of it through photos from one ship. When the aerial photos come out you will see how grand the entire event was.
Take me to your Captain. I had the opportunity to go up on the bridge and visit the Captain and navigator. Very cool people with nerves of steel.
The final destination was up on Little Lake Joseph. I was surprised the route we took as I have often taken my own boat through here and you need to be very careful of the shallow water. I had heard the Captain had spent the day before testing depths for this journey. At the end of the Bay in Little Joe is a large cliff once called the Natural Park where the steamship would stop and let people out for a walk. Today it is private property. At this point the entire flotilla of boats jockeyed around the two steamships while helicopters zoomed bove taking aerial footage of this remarkable event.
The Wenonah II coming back from the top of Lake Joe heading towards Port Sandfield
I shot this photo off the bow of the Segwun as we passed through Port Sandfield heading back towards Port Carling in the late afternoon. We were just about to be called to the dining room for a great dinner.
The RMS Segwun returning home after a very long day. I’m just glad I didn’t have to shovel the coal.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2012
The Famous 100 Mile Cruise
For the first time since 1958 this Saturday August 18th, 2012 the 100 Mile Cruise will be recreated with the RMS Segwun and the Wenonah II tracing the original route of the SS Sagamo steamship. There will be over 100 other historical wooden boats accompanying the steamships on their journey on the Big 3 Muskoka Lakes . The proceeds of this event are being donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. More info here
Photo I took a few years back of the Segwun steamship on Lake Joseph
If you are interested in seeing the steamships and the large flotilla of classic boats they will be traveling through the locks at Port Carling and Port Sandfield. Itinerary below.
8:30 am Depart Gravenhurst Wharf
11:00 am Arrive at Port Carling Locks
12:00 pm Arrive at Port Sandfield Locks
2:00 pm Arrive at Little Lake Joe
2:30 pm Depart Little Lake Joe
3:30 pm Arrive at Port Sandfield
4:30 pm Arrive at Port Carling
8:00 pm Arrive at Gravenhurst Wharf
A historical handout on the 100 mile cruise here
View Big Cruise for a Big Cause in a larger map
The original 100 mile cruise brochure from 1950
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Tracking Cloudburst
Taking a drive around what I call the far side of Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka on Hwy #141 is always an interesting trip. These tracks are near Falkenburg Station now a ghost town located just outside of Bracebridge on Manitoba Street. Its great that Google has a lot of these Muskoka roads mapped out.
2012
In the Morning Light
Normally I’m an early riser (5:30am sharp) however as time progresses over the summer at the cottage I find it much more difficult painful to crawl out of bed early. Of course much of this is in direct relation with the time one retires to bed, age and how much aqua vitae was consumed the night before. Occasionally I do make it out on the lake to partake in the magic hour and it rarely disappoints. Please click on the image for super size 1600p shot.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
