2012
Mouth of the Indian
Traveling from Lake Rosseau into the Indian River towards the locks in Port Carling. If you have ever made this trip you will probably remember seeing this nautical styled boathouse at the mouth. Please click on the image for a larger sized photo.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
125th Anniversary Flyby
In celebration of the Segwun Steamship’s 125th anniversary the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds performed a flyby at the wharf in Gravenhurst on Friday June 29th, 2012. I found a cool 35 second video on Youtube below.
Note: the Segwun and Wenonah II along with a flotilla of over 100 antique and classic boats will be recreating the original 100 mile tour on the Muskoka Lakes Saturday August 18th, 2012. Apparently the last time this journey was made was in 1958 so there is plenty of interest in this years 125th anniversary celebration. The Segwun steamship is listed as sold out however you may be able to get on the Wenonah II. Details here.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
The Heldena II
I had a chance to peruse the Antique and Classic Boat Show on Saturday meeting a few familiar faces. I find it somewhat difficult to take photos due to the crowds and the fact that boats are static. I prefer to see a gentleman’s racer ripping up the lake. I caught the beautiful 1917 built Heldena II, a 36 foot racing boat powered by a V12 Liberty aircraft engine.
The Heldena was manufactured by J.J. Taylor and possesses a very impressive racing history including gold cups, championships and world speed records. Her owner Fred R. Miller of Toronto loved to race her and unfortunately he passed away at the young age of 44. Heldena II was sold to the Toronto Harbour Commission and used as a fast rescue boat from 1922 to 1958. She was later saved from a scrap yard in Scarborough, Ontario in 1984 with restoration starting around 2000.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
Woodies Galore
The 32nd annual Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show is on this Saturday July 7, 2012 at the Gravenhurst wharf. If you have a passion or even a mild interest in the old Muskoka boats I would highly recommend you attend this event. The show includes live music, a flea market, vintage cars and boat tours. Here is a 3:45 min. video of last years event showing some of the beautiful boats and festivities around the wharf. The show is put on by the ACBS Toronto (Antique & Classic Boat Society) and is very well organized. Please click on their link for further details.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Cybernetic Vegetation
I was cruising on the east side of Lake Rosseau and noticed a lone tree jutting out of the landscape. I don’t recall ever seeing that tree before and it just seemed very odd to be towering 20 feet above all the others. It turns out to be 1 of 20 new communications towers that Bell has installed around the Muskoka district.
Many of you know I’m a techie and love to be connected to the world however there’s just something that doesn’t sit well with me on this. Sure its better than looking at a steel communications tower but knowing that its a fake amongst the natural beauty of a Muskoka landscape bothers me on some level. We have become colonized by technology and its near impossible to escape it. I think in the future we will see that man-machine-nature will eventually mesh to where its imperceptible but right now welcome to talking trees version 1.0
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2012
In Search of the Grouch in Port Sydney
I was in Port Sydney recently, the town with the cool welcoming sign that says “Home of 800 families & 1 old grouch.” Politician Tony Clement kicks back here except when hes not doubling as Superman and rescuing people from drowning in the Muskoka river. The quiet little town is situated on the shores of Mary Lake where the North Muskoka River flows through. Like a lot of small towns in the Muskoka region, Mary Lake was known for its lumber industry bringing many settlers into the area around the 1860’s. At its peak there were over 25 lodges and Inns located in this area with quite an interesting history. I took this photo at the south end while standing on the town dock looking out to the lake.
- Mary Lake Port Sydney, Ontario
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2012
Bent River School House
I took the long way around Lake Rosseau on Hwy #141 recently and discovered a little village by the name of Bent River. This is their old school house now called the Historical Hall . When researching Bent River I discovered they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the old school house on June 30th, 2012. Info below.
100th Anniversary Celebration of Bent River School. The event is from 10am to 4pm Saturday June 30th 2012 at 1120 Rosseau Lake Rd 1, off Hwy 141 in Bent River. Bring any copies of family or school photos that you may have to share. Let anyone you know who attended or taught at the school of the festivities. For more information contact June at: 705-769-3515. Map Here
2012
Who do you Love?
George Thorogood and the Destroyers were in at The Kee to Bala this past Saturday night and the house was a rock’n. Being a big music lover I like to visit the Kee at least once a season. Keeps us young, … hehe. I will never forget seeing Lonesome George open for the Rolling Stones in front of 100,000 people in Rich Stadium back in the day. I guess I’m dating myself but good Rock n Roll doesn’t show up that often especially in cottage country. There are still a few other good bands coming to The Kee this year including 54-40 and David Wilcox.
2012
6:32am Lake Rosseau
I’m usually an early riser except when you have certain individuals over the night before that put the hurt on you. One recent morning I had the bright idea to dash out on my trusty Seadoo at 6am to see if I could get a photo of a boathouse on Lake Rosseau that I have been trying to snag for over 2 years. I was too late! By the time I arrived it was saturated in intense sunlight. Oh well, another day. The effort was not entirely wasted and I managed to find a few subjects as I leisurely glided back to the cottage. Being out on the lake alone in the early morning is absolutely enchanting.
2012
Fairy Falls in Baysville
I heard good things about the Lake of Bays Brewing Company, a microbrewery in Baysville, Ontario located on the south end of the Lake of Bays. We were privileged to take a little tour, sampled product and stocked up on some palatable liquid assets. (love the coffee & chocolate infused Mocha Porter) This microbrewery is owned by a very impressive 25 year old. I love to see thriving businesses like this in little communities and I always try to support them.
On the way back to the cottage we passed a sign with an arrow, “Fairy Falls” – that away. A quick jaunt down a side road and an easy walk through a trail that follows alongside the Muskoka River and your there. A few minutes in and I lost my navigator to the swarming black flies as he scurried back to the parking lot like a spooked Sasquatch. I wouldn’t really classify this as a significant water falls however maybe rapids would be a more suitable description. In spite of the killer fly attacks I held my ground and managed to get some photos. I have included a little experimental 53 second video that I made with my smart phone followed by the final photo below.
Please click on the photo below for a large shot.
2012
The Historic S.S. Bigwin Steamship
It was one of those murky days as I made my way through the town of Dorset and noticing the S.S. Bigwin steamship moored at the town docks with not a soul around.
A little history – In 1910 James Kuhn a Pittsburgh, PA industrialist launched a steamship on Lake Muskoka named after his wife Ella Marie. They spent their summers on Belle Isle (recently destroyed) just north of Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka. After experiencing financial difficulty the Ella Marie was sold some 15 years later and relocated to the Lake of Bays where she served as the ferry boat for Bigwin Island for the next 45 years.
At 66ft in length and a registered 25 tons the S.S. Bigwin would carry guests such as Clark Gable, Louis Armstrong, Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo and many other famous people out to the world-class Bigwin Inn on Bigwin island. Around 1970 the Bigwin Inn went out of business and the steamship was left to rot in her slip. In 1991 the Dwight Fire Department floated her to a local dock and then hauled her onto a property in Port Cunnington where restoration started in 2002.
The S. S. Bigwin was relaunched again on July 10, 2010.
The Bigwin Floats Again
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2012
The Muskoka Mirror Grand Theft Photo Debacle
I recently discovered my photos showing up on a Facebook page promoting a local Muskoka magazine. How I ended up on that Facebook page is another story. They opted about 3500 people into their group without anyones knowledge or permission, very surreptitious. Anyhow, I am honored that people like my photos and share them with friends however in this case I noticed something rather peculiar. The watermarks I normally use to promote this blog were missing and replaced with someone else’s name. That’s odd I thought and started thinking maybe someone took a similar photo but as I continued to search I found additional photos of mine with someone else’s name.
As I dug into it I discovered many other peoples photos were being ripped off as well. What reputable magazine would operate like this I thought? Especially when the person posting and accepting comments as their own work claims they are a photographer and graphics artist. Well it continued and I ended up getting a lawyer to fire off a cease and desist order to stop this nonsense. They stopped, however the editor and owner of the Muskoka Mirror, Mr. Brian Seater didn’t have the gonads to step up and take action or apologize. We did hear reports he was “out of the country” however he continued to hit the like button, make comments and add people to his Muskoka Mirror Group on Facebook. His choice in managing this situation is to hide and hope it goes away, after all its only a bunch of photos, right? I wonder how Muskoka Mirror advertisers would feel about these deplorable tactics? Oh, I did receive several responses from the lady who’s name appears on the photos. She claims, “it was a innocent error with the photos being sent through our routine watermarking process”. Huh? I’m now responsible for ruining someones marriage, job and life turning me into the bad guy. I’m disheartened that no one took any action or responsibility in this matter.
** Innocent error = go to Blog, download photos, remove watermarks, add your name, re-post on-line, take compliments for your new work, bad mouth the original owner
2012
Pulchritudinous Reflections
I’m not particularly adept at identifying birds however I would hazard to guess that this little guy is some sort of Sparrow? (Update it is a Pine Siskin – thanks Ellen) He ( I’m assuming it’s a he) spent the entire weekend pecking, drooling, fluttering and doing the mambo in our windows proudly admiring his pulchritudinous reflection. After a few hours this little routine became annoying so what to do but shoot him .. with a camera that is.
2012
High Falls Hike
I went for a little adventure up to High Falls near Bracebridge hoping the water would be rushing over like a mini Niagara. High Falls is fed by the north branch of the Muskoka River and is one of the steepest falls in Ontario. The area is actually a park with washrooms, picnic tables and BBQ’s setup. The gates were closed when I arrived so I had to perform some rudimentary ninja navigation techniques to get in, Shush! Here is a Map
FYI – There are quite a few other falls around Muskoka that I have been to including; Bala Falls, Rosseau Falls, Bracebridge Falls and the Wilson Falls. All worthy of a visit.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
I Wonder What’s Down This Road?
I’m constantly looking around for something to take photos of. I think its part of having a blog, the love of photography and being in a great place like Muskoka. Heck, we all drive by roads everyday and have no idea whats down them, right? I mean who has time for that? It appears I do, well at least when I’m in Muskoka searching out the next scene. I was cruising down Judd Haven Rd just as the sun was rising and I noticed a road called Bluff Rd. Little did I know there was a public access dock at the end with this beautiful vista of Lake Rosseau to take in.
2012
Best Day Video by Dala
A short and very dreamy little ditty by a Canadian group called Dala. There is some great historic video taken on the shores of Georgian Bay around the Honey Harbor area.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Thorel House, Lake Rosseau, then and now
I headed out in the early morning determined to get a photo of this cool boathouse that I knew about on Lake Rosseau. I was aware there were a few cottages around the bay and was very careful not to disturb anyone. Who wants to see and hear the boathouse papparzi while awakening to fresh morning coffee.
I discovered that this is the original site of the Thorel House Hotel. Details are sketchy however I did find someone that passed me an old photo from years gone by. (see below) When I took this shot I was standing just to the left of the old car. The house on the left is still there and it has been beautifully restored. In fact when doing research I discovered it was available for rent.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario
2012
Chill Out
Right now the mornings are quite chilly freezing around the Muskoka area. A big shift from what we enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. I took this shot the other day about 9 in the morning and you can see the thin layer of ice on the water surface. In-spite of the temperatures I still see people out boating. Now that’s the spirit!
2012
Going to the Chapel
Last year I noticed construction of a new chapel going up on the Wallace Marine property on Lake Rosseau. I immediately thought maybe it was going to be a non-denominational chapel in support of the many weddings booked at the Red Leaves Resort right next door. Nope, it turns out to be the new home of Abbey’s Bake House opening this season. Looking forward to checking out the gooey butter tarts.
2012
My Photo on a Kindle Book
This is one of my photos that I took on Lake Joe a while back, sans birds, little boy and his pet baby moose, Mortimer – LOL. The photo was used for the Kindle book “Follow a Wild Heart” by Bobby Hutchinson who has published an amazing 55 books so far. Most are in the romance category and if you are into that genre please have a look at her Amazon page for digital deals.
