2021
1939 Photo of a Dippy
This is a photo from 1939 taken right in front of our cottage. The previous owners were kind enough to share a treasure-trove of old photos. The Dippy or Dispro boat was originally manufactured right here in Muskoka. Dispro is short for the Disappearing Propeller Company. They have a 1-cylinder engine mounted in the middle but you cannot see it in this photo. The inventor had a very innovative way of tucking the prop up inside the boat preventing it from hitting rocks in shallow water. There are still lots of Dippy’s cruising the Muskoka Lakes. It is always cool when you see a flotilla of them on the lakes.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2021
Vaccine Rollout
With no traveling this winter due to Covid I was hunkered down in my studio dreaming up internet memes among other things. It is going to be another season at the cottage with no visitors and reduced social outings. Here is to hoping our Canadian Government can get enough vaccines in peoples arms more timely. A little bit of a slow start compared to our American friends. I hope you got yours. 🙂
2021
Low Water levels – No Floods!
Us property owners on the Muskoka Lakes have been somewhat consumed with water levels these past few years. We have had floods on the Big 3 Lakes in 2013, 2017 and 2019. Lake Muskoka has taken most of the damage from these floods. I have documented some of it and you can see it here. This year the water levels appear to be quite low. I’m told by our trusty Mayor Phil Harding that we are at about the same levels as last year. I have no reason to doubt his word as I wasn’t visiting in April last year however when I arrived in early May the water levels were great. The big lakes are now open with all of the ice off them and the spring runoff has tapered off. This week the forecast is calling for lots of rain. It will definitely bring the lake levels up a bit.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2021
The Start of a Brand New Season
As the ice melts off the lake I look forward to another great season stumbling in around Muskoka, Canada. I have been a bit remiss in updating the blog as I find that it really doesn’t get much interest until the warmer weather starts and everyone returns to one of the best kept secrets on earth. I do far more updates on my Instagram with at least a photo a day. You can always follow me on IG by clicking here.
Most of you that have found this Blog have probably done so by searching a place that you visited or had a lifelong or childhood memory in Muskoka. There’s been hundreds of comments, lost connections made and wonderful shared memories within the pages of this site. I find it quite amazing actually that by posting photos that all these magical things happen.
I guess I should mention at least for the time capsule that the world is still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have endeared a year without travel and a sense of normalcy. I’m sure hoping that my American and International friends will be able to return to their beautiful piece of Muskoka paradise this summer. In the meantime, please stay positive, healthy and safe. I’ll do my best and bring you some Muskoka magic with the clock starting now …
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2021
Muskoka Spring Melt by Drone
Welcome to the spring melt in Muskoka. I took this 60 sec drone video on April 3, 2021. You can see that the Joe River, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau were all starting to open up. Boating season is around the corner. Yippee!