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
2020
The Joseph River Bridge 1965 to 2020
The Joseph River Bridge, 1965-2020 – the original owner of our cottage dropped off a treasure trove of old photographs and slides they’ve had in their family. I found these two vintage photos of the Joe River Bridge going back to 1965 and made a comparison to today’s view. Apparently the old bridge design was called a Baileys Bridge and it was installed just after WWII. Previous to that there was a wooden bridge here. Peninsula Rd was designated as Provincial Highway #632 between Port Carling and Rosseau in 1961. It looks like there was a bridge replacement in 1966 so I am assuming its the one that is there today. Also part of the road was relocated in 66/67. as a result of the bridge replacement.
More interesting details and photos on this link.
http://www.thekingshighway.ca/PHOTOS/Hwy632photos.htm
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2020
Vintage Muskoka Postcards
Last year a gentleman showed up at the cottage and told us he grew up on the property. Apparently his Grandfather had purchased the land in the 1920 and built a cabin. He promised to send me lots of photos of the old cabin and surroundings. He dropped them off a few weeks ago and these post cards were included.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2019
Bruce the Moose is Loose
Meet Bruce the Moose. He’s been hanging out at a friends cottage for a couple of days. He is uncharacteristically friendly for some reason. A few people have chimed in on my Instagram page thinking that poor Bruce may be suffering from a deadly brain worm called Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis. I was out taking photos a few years back when a White-Tailed Deer walked right by maybe about 3 feet away. It was very strange at the time experiencing this. I now wonder if maybe he was suffering from the same affliction as Bruce.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2018
Show Ski Canada – Off the Docks at Clevelands
I was enjoying lunch and a brew at Pie Wood Fired Pizza on the upper deck at Cleveland’s House recently and noticed Show Ski Canada practicing. The SWS Muskoka people with the marina next door are very involved with some of their people on the team and their Mastercraft boat powering up the talented skiers. It’s SWS that runs the amazing water ski shows around Muskoka. If you haven’t seen a show I highly recommend you check one out. Schedule here. This year the Deerhurst in Huntsville Ontario is hosting the World Water Ski Show Tournament September 7-9, 2018.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2017
The Spring Melt
I visited Muskoka yesterday for the first time since the fall season which explains my Blog inactivity. I spent the winter months in the warm climes of the Hawaiian Islands. It was blissful!
I was in Bala yesterday checking out the falls (and the construction) and there is significant water flowing out of Lake Muskoka into the Moon River to Georgian Bay. The ice should be off the lakes by the end of this week. Water levels are down to summer levels on the lakes at present and will rise over the next 10 days. Hopefully no flooding this year.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2016
The Iconic Muskoka Chairs
This is a well recognized scene when you visit Clevelands House on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. Americans know them as the Adirondack chair however we refer to them as the Muskoka chair. You will see them on almost every dock or lawn throughout the Muskoka and cottage country region.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
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
2016
Muskoka Drone Proposal
I’m so stoked about the upcoming season in Muskoka. Here is a sweet little video with some beautiful drone flying to get you in the mood. Thanks to Jon Corbin from CorbinVisual for permission to post. Congrats Jon on such a cool marriage proposal. Jon confirms she said Yes! 🙂 Check out Jon’s Youtube page with some of his other fine video work.
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)
2015
Fall into Muskoka Video
This is a cool video with some drone shots around Bala, Torrance, Port Carling, and Gravenhurst areas of Muskoka. Thanks to Jon Corbin of Corbin Visual
Fall into Muskoka from Corbin Visual on Vimeo.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2015
The Peak is Over
Unfortunately I missed the best of the fall colors and the warm Canadian Thanksgiving this season. I had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and see some beautiful sites. Even though the Muskoka color has peaked there is still some colorful foliage hanging on. Here is a photo from yesterday just off Tally Ho Road.
2015
The BBQ Graveyard
I ventured out to buy a new BBQ recently. I recall the last time spending almost an entire day putting one together so I wanted to avoid that ordeal. I noticed some beauties at Muskoka BBQ located at the Glen Orchard General Store. While there I was asked if I had seen the BBQ graveyard. Thanks to Pete for the help and the walkabout in the graveyard.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2015
Saving the Bala Falls
This is probably the last snowy photo I will put up for this season since spring is on everyone’s mind now. I took this photo a few weeks ago while touring around Bala. There has been a lady living in this van (down by the river) who is in protest of the Bala Falls being turned into a generating station. This controversy has been going on for a few years and was originally led by ex Mayor Alice Murphy who lives downstream to the falls. I see the pros and cons for both sides and personally feel that the citizens and taxpayers in Bala are the ones that should be making the decision to determine the outcome. You have to admire someone so entrenched in what they believe that they sacrifice their lifestyle and make a stand.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2015
Peaceful Church in Bala
This is a church in Bala near the Bala Falls. It was very quiet on a cold winters day when I passed by recently. Only a few people around on snowmobiles. I believe they use this church to sell arts and crafts now.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2015
Waiting for the Kee
I took a drive past the Kee to Bala recently and noticed lots of sled activity visiting the pub next door. Looking forward to those hot sweaty nights listening to some fine tunes at the Kee.
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
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
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
