2009
Bracebridge Falls in Muskoka
The Bracebridge Falls is located right downtown in Bracebridge, Ontario. Bracebridge was the first municipality in Canada to embrace hydro electric power back in 1894. This is the last drop of the north branch of the Muskoka River before it meets up with the south branch.
It was a miserable rainy and cold day when I passed through last weekend. Quite a few people were still exploring, fishing and taking photos. (Canadians are tough!) The Muskoka area has an abundance of waterfalls throughout and I plan to get out and capture a few more.
Please click on the image for a large sized photo.
Please click for a large sized photo
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Bracebridge Fall Fair Revisited
Another photo from the recent Bracebridge fall fair. I noticed these two beauties, a Fairlane 500 and a 1931 Ford Model A with a rumble seat. My father used collect cars and had one like this. When I was a kid we would ride into town in one of those bumpy rumble seats -man we thought we were so cool waving to everyone while it put-putted away.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2008
Ride my Llama at the Bracebridge Fall Fair
I took a stroll through the Bracebridge Fall Fair last Saturday. The theme was heavy on the agricultural stuff with giant squash, momma’s best jams and cookies, horse pulling and even a midway with Ferris wheel and the ooooh scary Zipper. As I was wandering away from the hoopla I saw these strange creatures looking for some attention. I did not realize that Lama’s had chompers on them like killer beavers.
2016
High Water Levels in Muskoka
I’ve been visiting Muskoka recently dealing with the high water problems that many of us are suffering through. This is the second time in the past few years this has happened with the first being in 2013. I made a 2 min video showing the extreme volumes of water flowing from the Bracebridge Falls into Lake Muskoka and then out through the Bala Falls into the Moon River. There are some photos of the damage this high water has caused at the end of the video.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2015
Simply Cottage
El Niño is certainly bringing unseasonable weather into the Muskoka area. It will be interesting to see if/when the lakes freeze over or when the snowmobile trails open this year.
I dropped by Simply Cottage located in the old Muskoka Foundry recently and met the new owners. Simply Cottage is housed in the Muskoka Foundry which also has a new owner with big plans to expand the property with a brew pub, live entertainment, food and artisan area. If you haven’t visited here I would recommend you take a stroll through next time you are in the Bracebridge area. It is filled with cool cottage related items for decorating or gift giving. (iPhone 6s+ photo)
2013
Walking the Rails
Walking the rails at Bracebridge Falls bridge. Take that Nik Wallenda. Happy Canada Day to all!
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2013
High Falls Bridge
High Falls Bridge in Muskoka with a little less water running through it. North branch of the Muskoka River. If you are interested in visiting or hiking you can find High Falls – Right Here.
2013
Come Hell or High Water
Here are a few phone camera pics of the high water levels around Muskoka. The first photo is from my friend Cheryl who received it from her friend Lynn. It is taken down stream on the Moon River in Bala where reports of the water levels have hit up to 9 feet high. Check out the boat port roof in the photo – insane!
The other two photos were taken in Bracebridge recently where the water is so powerful it cascades over-top of the damn. Lake Muskoka docks and boathouses are flooded out as well as Lake Joe and Lake Rosseau. Some of the smaller lakes have had high water levels but seem to be recovering faster than the big lakes.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2013
Dangerous Spring Runoffs in Muskoka
The recent rain combined with the melting snow and ice has caused extreme flooding especially around rivers such as the north and south branches of the Muskoka river. The water is now exceeding the capacity of the dams in the Huntsville area. Many road closures and evacuations are taking place. Water levels are up very high on the big three lakes so you may want to have someone check on your cottage and docks. Here is a video taken around Bracebridge that shows the massive volumes of water. thanks to districtmediadesign.
More information here: http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2013
The Lonely Chip Wagon
Are chip wagons & trucks a Canadian phenomenon? I don’t recall seeing them anywhere else in my travels around the globe, although I did see a cupcake and goats head soup trailer once. I notice in the summer the various chip trucks around Muskoka can be lined up with people salivating for fries or the famous artery clogging Poutine. This particular cuisine trailer is located on Hwy #118 as you leave Port Carling heading towards Bracebridge. Gravy on your fries?
Please click the photo to supersize.
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
North Branch of the Muskoka River
This is the north branch of the Muskoka River flowing out of Mary Lake in quaint Port Sydney, Ontario. The river meanders towards Bracebridge into Lake Muskoka and out to the Moon River and down to Georgian Bay. There are 5 dams on this system with power generated at High Falls, Wilson Falls and the Bracebridge Falls.
The Muskoka River Watershed is the largest watershed in the Muskoka district covering an area of 466,000 hectares. The watershed communities are: Dwight, Dorset, Baysville, Huntsville, Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Bala, Port Carling and MacTier
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
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
2011
A Muskoka Transition – Cranberry Fest
The annual Muskoka Cranberry Festival in Bala is on this weekend and to me it’s a symbolic reminder that the season has transitioned. I don’t expect we will see the wondrous thermals that we enjoyed this past Thanksgiving weekend and a welcomed bonus if we do. After the Cranberry Fest has passed the Muskoka area gets very quiet and for many locals its a time when Muskoka is handed back to them, a temporary reprieve.
The photo was taken during a recent visit to the Artful Garden. Please click for a large image
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
49th Annual Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show
If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Muskoka’s oldest and largest outdoor art show is on starting Friday July 15th and running to Sunday the 17th. Muskoka Arts and Crafts Summer Show is held at the Annie Williams Memorial Park in Bracebridge. (directions here with free parking and and a small donation to get in) It is a pretty large event that draws about 20,000 to 25,000 visitors over the 3 days.
I have been to this show a few times and its filled with over 200 very talented artisans offering all kinds of things from gourmet food, furniture, paintings, jewelry, clothing and photography to name a few. If you do visit make sure you drop by and check out my friend Andrew King and his amazing paintings.
2011
The Old Yellow Cabin
Hope everyone enjoyed the Victoria Day long weekend. Finally some decent weather apart from Sunday nights thunder boomers. I noticed plenty of boats out on the water and even one brave water skier. The streets were busy in Bracebridge and Port Carling when I was passing through. A good sign.
As many of you already know I like to stay off the beaten paths. You never know what you will discover down that side road you have been driving by for years or veering off the regular trail. A rougher ride but far more interesting. Please click on the image for a large sized photo.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2010
The Rugged Wilson’s Falls
Located near Bracebridge on the north branch of the Muskoka River is Wilson’s Falls. There is a fairly rugged trail that leads you through some hilly terrain in the bush and out to the falls area. There is a very small hydro damn at the top that is visible in the photo. You can also drive right up to the falls if you follow Wilson’s Falls Road not far from downtown Bracebridge. Here is a Map
Please click for a larger photo.
2010
Leonard Lake
Contrary to what the media reports, the fall colours have not peaked in Muskoka so you still have time to take in one of the most spectacular times of year. Driving across highway #118 towards Bracebridge I found a road to Leonard Lake. At the end of the road is a public boat launch where I discovered this scene.
Please CLICK and enjoy a larger photo
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2010
Spinning into a New Season
Its getting a little cooler on the water and temperatures are dropping into the single digits at night. The fall fairs are a true reminder that the summer season is over. Click Here for a list of fall fairs across Ontario.
Please click on the photo for a larger sized shot – tks
