2009
Waiting for the Big Thaw in Muskoka Canada
I usually like to have my boat in early however it appears like this guy will beat everyone to it this year. They must have hightailed it out of Muskoka back in the fall.
Taken near Bala, Ontario on Lake Muskoka near The Kee
2009
Highway 118 Revisited Near Port Carling
I made it up to Muskoka this past Easter weekend. The ice still remains on the big lakes however some of the smaller lakes have opened up already. This photo was taken as you travel on highway #118 into Port Carling.
2009
Ice Out Milford Bay, Muskoka Lake
The sun was sinking fast and I wanted to try and get one more photo in before dark. I was driving across highway #118 towards Bracebridge and remembered Milford Bay. As I cruised down the side road I noticed this little creek draining into Lake Muskoka.
It won’t be long now until the ice has disappeared and us Canadians can don the obligatory, shorts, T’s and Sneaks.
Click Photo for a Glacier Sized Image
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2009
The Rushing Waters of Muskoka’s Bala Falls
I was finally able to get up to Muskoka this past weekend after being away for a month. For some reason life just keeps getting in the way. I was curious to see how the water levels were as we move into the spring thaw. It appears the lakes are not as high as last year around this time even though we have had almost as much snow. This is a shot of the Bala Falls with the water flowing out of Lake Muskoka down the Moon River and into Georgian Bay.
As I hiked down the rocks I found this abandoned boat resting on the sunny shore.
2009
The Old Fireplace in Muskoka
This old stone fireplace was originally part of a small cabin that was built in the 1920’s.
It sits peacefully by the lake ready to rekindle those friends and family outdoor gatherings we all cherish.
It won’t be long now.
For a hearth sized photo please click on the image.
2009
Rocky Roads of Muskoka
As you drive around in Muskoka or anywhere within the Canadian Shield areas you will see these rock cuts with giant icicles oozing out of them. This only takes place during winter of course but they do tend to hang on for a bit into the warmer spring weather. This photo was taken on Highway # 169 between Glen Orchard and Bala, Ontario. Please click on the photo for glacier sized images.
A close up of the oozing ice that comes out of these road side rocks.
Click image for glacier sized photo
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2009
Port Sandfield in Muskoka Sleeps
Port Sandfield is the dividing point for Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Once you cross the swing bridge coming from Port Carling you will see the Silver Stream Farms Market on the right side. This general store is very popular with cottagers and locals alike. I can’t wait for those delicious cinnamon buns from their bakery.
2009
Blue Muskoka
After a few days of mild temperatures and a February thaw we are back to more snow. Well it sure seems like its been a long winter. It won’t be long now until we shed the winter bleakness.
Can you see the ghost in the window?
click on image for larger 1280 size
2009
The Ghost Town of Swords, Ontario (Muskoka)
This is the general store and former post office in the ghost town of Swords, Ontario located in the district of Muskoka. It is abandoned uninhabited now and has been for quite a while. In 1894 a lumber company was established here and the town was called Maple Station with trains passing through up to 20 times per day. Later the towns name was changed to avoid confusion with another Maple Station. The Sword family operated the general store until 1930. The lumber ran out, the train station closed in 1946 and the post office shut down in 1966 with most residents moving away.
NOTE: Although many of these types of properties are abandoned or unoccupied please remember they are still private property. Please respect the rights of these owners and do not go crawling through them without obtaining prior permission. (Swords photos taken from the roadside)
Ontario Abandoned Places
For a General Store Sized Photo Click on the Image – 1280
Click Image for Biggie Size
Click Image for Super Sized 1280 version
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2009
Put up your Dukes in Muskoka Canada
Things looked a little quiet and bleak when I passed by Dukes in Port Carling recently. Dukes is a historic place in Muskoka with a long history of classic boat building. I had a chance to tour the facility last year and witnessed the restoration of some old Ditchburns and Minett-Shields classic woodies. They occasionally have an open house for the public and if you get the chance I highly recommend you take the opportunity to step back in time.
Click on the image for a large launch sized photo
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
The Rick Mercer Report visits Muskoka Canada
For a good laugh here is the Rick Mercer Report filmed in Muskoka last year.
2009
Muskoka Steamships Frozen in Time
Most of us that spend time in Muskoka have been out for a tour on these steamships or have at least seen these babies around the lakes. The Gravenhurst wharf is their full time home. I was surprised to see that they were frozen right into the ice. I would have thought they would be protected with ice-out bubblers around them.
For a good laugh check out The Rick Mercer Report where he visits the Muskoka Steamships
For a Steam Ship sized image click on this photo 1280 res
2009
Up Against the Wall in Port Carling
Port Carling, Ontario – located in the hub of Muskoka features one of Canada’s great roadside attractions. The worlds largest historic photo mosaic spanning 111 x 45 feet.
“The Wall” as locals refer to it is made up of 9028 individual photos of Muskoka’s first 100 years – 1860 to 1960. Each photo was digitally manipulated to show the superimposed S.S. Sagamo steamship circa 1922 which regularly passed through these locks. When you get up close you can see the original log cabins, the bearded homesteaders and the nautical machines of Muskoka’s great historical past.
click the image for a Steamboat Size photo
2009
The Muskoka Sleds chill’n at Bass Lake House
Driving down Hwy #169 towards Port Carling you can’t help but notice the many snowmobiles around. The trails are busy. These guys were settled in at the Bass Lake House which is a great place to hang for some wings and pints. Glad to see people are doing their part to keep the economy going.
Click on the image for SkiDoo Sized Photo
2009
ffffrozen creature in Muskoka
Looks like we were fortunate to dodge all the hoop-la in Muskoka over the holidays. I understand there was a combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, flooding, extreme high winds followed by hydro outages for thousands. By the time I got back up to check on things it felt like frozen arctic tundra at a mere minus 22c. Here is a shot of a creature discovered on the Gravenhurst waterfront.
click on image for biggie size
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
Welcome to 2009!
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and successful 2009!
I’m back from a glorious vacation in Grand Cayman Island. It was a welcomed change from the nasty weather we have been experiencing here in Canada these past few weeks.
I want to thank the many thousands of people who discovered my blog this past year. Your comments are very much inspiring and appreciated. I was fortunate to have some of my photos featured in magazines and newspapers. Most of the photos are taken in and around Muskoka, Ontario where I spend a great deal of time as a “cottager”
Some of you mention that the photos look weird, surreal, dreamy and even fake. Many of the photos I post are HDR or High Dynamic Range. This is a technique where multiple images are combined and then Tone Mapped to create amazing details and tonal ranges. Your brain interprets imagery far differently then what you see in a typical photograph. Have you ever tried to capture a special moment while on vacation, a wedding or a special event and then later when showing someone the photo remarked, “… well you had to be there”? – HDR is an attempt to trick your brain into capturing memories and emotions in a deeper way, as you may have remembered it.
Happy New Year from the beaches in Grand Cayman
Click for biggie, 1280 pixels
2008
The Church on the Hill in Gregory
On the Lake Rosseau side of the fence there is an old Anglican Church – The Christ Church of Gregory.
Well its time to take a small Blog break. I have not had many chances to get up north this winter but will return for New Years. I’m headed to the Caribbean in search of sandy white beaches and mixed concoctions. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all the other correct Seasonal Greetings. See you in 2009 – Cheers!
Click Image for Santa Claus Belly Size
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Beware of Swamp Monster
Beware of Swamp Monster – found this sign on a trail in the woods up near Minett, Ontario. There was a small lake at the end with a private camp setup for wakeboard training . Click for biggie size
2008
Conn Stafford Smythe R.I.P. in beautiful Muskoka
Toronto Maple Leaf fans are hoping for the turning over of a new leaf (no pun intended) with the signing of Brian Burke as the new President and GM announced recently. With this news I thought of Conn Stafford Smythe who rests peacefully across the road from my cottage overlooking Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. Stafford was the son of the great Conn Smythe and only lived to the age of 50 while embroiled in controversy with control of the Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens.
They have changed Stafford’s headstone in recent years as it used to read; “He was dearly loved by his wife, children, and many friends, he was persecuted to death by his enemies. Now he sleeps peacefully in the quiet north country that loved him for the person he was”
Please click on the photo for a larger image
2008
Henshaw Lake in Muskoka
I took over 100 new photos last weekend and my CF card crapped out on me. Thanks to the data recovery software I got them back. Henshaw Lake on #118 towards Port Carling . Some of the smaller lakes are freezing over. You don’t dare walk on them yet though.
Click Image for Wooly Mammoth Size
