2014
Merry Ho Ho
Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Mall Shopping. Have a wonderful winter solstice and I wish you good health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year!
2014
Icey Dicey Docks
The ice-out bubblers and illuminated warning signs are installed. I noticed the water levels to be high for this time of year. I like to have the ice cleared from forming around boathouses and docks. The Ministry will drop the lake levels on some lakes at some point leaving tons of ice hanging which can cause serious structural damage. Sledders and people out on the ice need to be properly warned of these open and dangerous areas.
2014
Don’t Spook the Moose
I have seen Moose around Muskoka and of course there are more frequent sightings as you travel north or go deeper into the woods. I almost hit two of them that were running down a dark road one night. These large beasts can stand close to 7 feet tall and weigh up to 1500 lbs. They are normally not very aggressive but if you cross paths or annoy them they can be nasty. Don’t Spook the Moose.
2014
The Eleventh Month
If you haven’t heard, Muskoka and area has experienced some significant snow fall recently. I was hoping for one of those slow transitions where the snow would arrive in some leisurely way around Christmas. That doesn’t seem to happen much anymore. This year it arrived with a wallop. I hope you have all of your outside work completed.
2014
Last Ride
I usually keep the machines in as long as I can and that’s usually up to when we start seeing snow. My last ride of the season was on Lake Rosseau around the Venetian group of Islands. The colors have disappeared and so have most of the seasonal residents. There has been a few small snow flurries and it won’t be long until Muskoka gets blasted with old man winter. The season has switched.
2014
Video – Flying Above the Bala Falls
Someone shared this beautiful video of Bala Falls with me. It was taken from a drone in and around the Bala Falls. You can see the Muskoka fall colors and the beautiful cascading waterfalls. I recommend you play it in full screen with the highest resolution you can.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2014
The Brand
You don’t need a big expensive camera to get some decent photos. Experimenting with an iPad camera in the warm fall weather.
2014
A View from the Top
The view from the top of the Dorset Lookout Tower. It can be a bit of a shaky walk up the stairs especially when the winds are blowing. The tower is about 100 feet high and the overall elevation is about 500 feet over the Lake of Bays.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2014
Peaking
If you are interested in experiencing the fall colors in cottage country, now would be a good time. Many areas are currently at peak. Visit the Algonquin Park fall color report page for updates. Also check out the parks live webcam here
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2014
Cavalcade of Color
The fall colors are extra brilliant this year in Muskoka. I was out for a ride on Lake Rosseau recently and noticed this small aircraft anchored in a quiet bay with a pretty color backdrop. I hope you get out and take some of this beauty in.
2014
All Alone
I started out early as the sun was beginning to peek above the horizon. I was concerned about the sound of my engine awakening people as they lie nestled between their sheets. The air was cool and crisp and the lake was as still as it ever gets. I was all alone and it was good.
2014
As long as we can sail away
While traveling on Lake Joseph recently I noticed this property with a tepee on it. You really don’t see tepee’s very often and this is the second one I’ve spotted this season. The other is located on Tobins Island, Lake Rosseau. I wonder if there is any real cultural or historical significance at these locations?
I could live inside a tepee
I could die in Penthouse thirty-five
You could lose me on the freeway
But I would still make it back alive.
~ Neil Young, Sail Away
2014
Diplomatic Scavengers
While traveling around the lakes I notice that the only birds that hang out with the cormorants are the seagulls. I suspect the opportunistic gulls hang around picking up the fish scraps that the cormorants drop. A diplomatic scavenger of sorts. Ahhh excuse me sir, don’t mind me while I borrow these french fries.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2014
Eye Candy on the Lakes
There is without question some beautifully designed cottages and boathouses on the Muskoka Lakes. Here is a photo of a newly built boathouse on Lake Joseph across from the Lake Joe Club in Port Sandfield. It is built on one of the lots that were created from the tear down of the historic Marygrove or Glen Home Hotel.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2014
Screened In
These four winged flying machines can fly backwards, change direction in mid-air and hover for up to a minute in one place. They are predators and consume lots of mosquito’s, flies and other insects. They are no nonsense and get straight to work and I love to watch them in action.
2014
The Mystical Powers of Sunflowers
The weather was rather crappy in Muskoka last weekend so we headed home early. On the way back I noticed this large field of sunflowers and it drew me in. I met a very kind farming couple who were selling vegetables here. After an interesting chat I asked if it would be OK to setup my tripod for a few shots. I’m going to print a canvas version and drop it off for all the positive vibrations they have given to others.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2014
Throw Back Thursday, Live at The Kee 1986
#TBT – Throw Back Thursday. I’m a big music lover and always support our great Canadian artists. Here is the lineup from the summer of 1986 at the Kee to Bala in Muskoka. I went to some of these shows but can’t remember which ones. I’ve had the pleasure to see most of these bands at least once except Doug and the Slugs who I regrettably never got to see. (RIP Doug Bennett) Some of these bands are still performing and two of them still playing The Kee like David Wilcox, Kim Mitchell, Grant Fullerton and Paul James. May they Rock On!
2014
Sundown
She’s been looking like a queen in a sailor’s dream
And she don’t always say what she really means
Sundown, you better take care If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
– Gordon Lightfoot “Sundown”
As I drove across Lake Joseph Road (highway #169) I could see this blazing sunset in my rear-view mirror and it was dropping quickly. I stopped, setup the tripod and took a few shots before it disappeared.
2014
Where Gnomes Live?
I don’t recall the exact location of this little cabin I found. I think its near Home Island on Lake Joe, I need to circle back. Its refreshing to see these places carved out of the woods instead of the obligatory McMansions on the Big 3 lakes in Muskoka. I’m pretty sure I saw some gnomes scurry about in the background when I showed up.
2014
Nooks and Crannies
One of the cool things I love about exploring the Muskoka lakes are the abundance of hidden channels, islands and private bays, the nooks and crannies so to speak. Year after year I try to archive these places in my head, kind of like learning the streets around a neighborhood. For some reason it is very difficult for my brain to process these places in any uniform manner. Trying to recall exactly where I am, whats up ahead or even remembering if I have been here before proves to be difficult. (and I’m sure I have been everywhere at least once) Of course there are significant markers like that island of weird birds, the 7-slip boathouse or that shallow bay where I sucked up a rock on my Seadoo.