2016
The New Builds in Muskoka
There is an architectural renaissance happening on the Muskoka lakes with plenty of new cottage and boathouse builds. As the new money flows in people are moving away from the traditional Muskoka look to a more contemporary design. I have noticed some of the new boathouse builds have boat-slips turned into entertainment areas with pool tables, gyms, bars and large screen TVs. Here is an example of one of the new boathouses located near the top of the Joe River.
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2016
Dark Clouds Rolling
Whoever is in charge of sunsets this season has done a remarkable job. On this particular night it appeared that we were going to get some well needed rain. I took off on my trusty Jetski and found these ominous clouds on Lake Joseph near Fairy Island.
By the way – I just started using Instagram and I’m finding it useful and fun to post photos on the go. You can follow me here and I will follow you back.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2016
The Grand Old Boathouses are Disappearing
While wandering around the Big 3 Muskoka Lakes over the past decade I have noticed the gradual disappearance of the old Muskoka boathouses. They are slowly being replaced by modern multi-slip McMansion type buildings (cottages too). There is no doubt that some of the new architecture is absolutely astounding. People pour a small fortune into their boathouses now. Perhaps it’s the loss of our old world charm, the history and memories that connect or our bittersweet longings for the past. I intend to feature some of these beauties that are still with us.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario
2016
James Lumbers, Twilight Cruise
I purchased this print by well known Canadian artist James Lumbers many years ago. The print still hangs in our cottage today. It is a scene that would have been once viewed from the road side in the early days of Gordon Bay Marine located on Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Who knew that years later Mr. Lumbers and I would become friends. We had the opportunity to travel together to explore a charity project about the Sutter Brothers from Viking, Alberta. We were trying to raise funds for the rebuilding of the famous Viking Carena that had burned down. Unfortunately the project never came to fruition but I struck up a friendship with a fantastic person and great artist.
Most Canadians have probably viewed Jim’s work at some point with his trademark “ghosting” reflecting memories from days gone by. Jim has done a number of iconic paintings with Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Joe Montana and others as the subject matter.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2016
Lake Rosseau Boathouse du Jour
A beautiful day for a jetski cruise. I don’t recall exactly where I was when I took this. Somewhere near Tobin Island and the Venetian Group of Islands on Lake Rosseau.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2015
New Construction on the Lakes
Touring around the Big 3 lakes this season I see plenty of new cottage, boathouse and dock construction going on. This photo is of a cottage and boathouse on Lake Rosseau. The previous cottage and boathouse use to look just fine. You can see them in the background of this old photo. By the way that 6 slip boathouse in the old photo has been removed as well.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2015
9 Slips
There are plenty of boathouses in Muskoka with 1, 2 and 3 slips but it is very unusual to find one with 9 slips. I discovered this 9 slip boathouse while cruising around Lake Rosseau recently. I think having a fleet of 9 boats would consume some time just on the maintenance alone.
2015
Unusual Lake Rosseau Boathouse
It is great that we have such diversification in architecture around Muskoka. Especially on the water front. You can find this one near the Venitian islands on Lake Rosseau. You need to be careful navigating around this area as its very shallow.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario
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.
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2014
Fairy Island
I have been cruising around Lake Joseph for the past decade or so always discovering interesting places. I find Lake Joe to have a lot of hidden areas especially the islands once you get towards the north end of the lake. I believe if my coordinates are right this place is Fairy Island. Waterfront property is very expensive in Muskoka and you don’t often find places that are boarded up like this one. I suspect some time in the future we will see this place refreshed to something more beautiful.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2014
Shelter from the Storm
I would like to thank the owners of this boathouse, whomever you are. While traveling down the Joe River recently with a group including kids we got caught in a wicked thunder, lightning and torrential rain storm. It came upon us so quickly with the lightning blasting around us! The wind and rain blew so hard I couldn’t dock the boat so I ended up jumping in the lake and pulling the boat in. Just as we landed another boat arrived with 4 teenagers that were visibly shaken. Fortunately the boathouse was open as we waited for the storm to clear. Someone from the cottage came down later to see if we were OK. Our apologies for the intrusion and thank you for the shelter!
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2014
Bubbling
I don’t know about you but in the back of my mind I’m always thinking about Muskoka. Well, after a refreshing trip south I finally got the opportunity to get back up to the cottage and check things out. I went for a little stroll out on the ice as it appeared to be fairly thick even though I didn’t see any fish huts. You can see the bubblers are working, keeping the ice off the boathouse cribs and docks. I setup my tripod and camera for some shots and ended up taking this one with my Android phone.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2013
Before the Big Freeze
Anticipation of high water levels in Muskoka if we get the 40-50mm of rain forecasted these next few days. And we thought we were done with high water after this past spring. A Muskoka boathouse before the big freeze.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2013
Easter Weekend Freeze-Out
I was up at the cottage for Easter and found that winter still exists in Muskoka. Two hours south in the Toronto area most of the snow has disappeared meanwhile snowmobiles are still buzzing across the lake up north. I chopped a hole through the ice to try and free a frozen bubbler and was surprised to see the ice is still about 8 inches thick. I predict the ice will leave about April 23?
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
Wawina
I pass by Wawina en route to one of my favorite swimming holes on Lake Rosseau. I haven’t been able to find any information with regards to the history of this place. Please click on the photo for a larger shot.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
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
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
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.
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2011
Riding Off Into the Setting Sun
I usually tour new cottage guests around Lake Rosseau for their first visit due to the proximity of all the unique landmarks. Lake Rosseau has Winderemere, Red Leaves, Clevelands House, the Church in Morinus, a Lighthouse and a bunch of other interesting and historical sites. I’m not discounting Lake Joseph or Lake Muskoka, by any means as both have their own unique sites to see.
It was a long day and we were on our way back to the cottage after touring the lake and stopping for a swim in a quiet bay. BBQ strip-loins and big bold Cabernets were on our minds as we zoomed back into the setting sun.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Lake Rosseau Boathouse
With the recent extreme temps I have been spending quite a bit of time on the water. While driving up the eastern side of Rosseau I spotted this interesting boathouse on a magnificent point of land.
Each and every cottage and boathouse in Muskoka has a story behind it. The family history, the architecture, who has owned it, etc. I don’t know anything about this one other than it being unique. More Eye Candy on the Lakes.
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