2016
Frolicking Otters of Muskoka
I arrived to the cottage, switched the waterfall on in the pond and within a few minutes I heard splashing and high pitched squealing. I stood and watched these three Otters perform Oylimpic level somersaults and backflips. They were having a grand old time. After a short time they noticed me standing near by and fearlessly swam up to the edge staring at me in deep curiousity. Obviously I was no threat as they continued on with their antics for the next two hours. I’m not so sure there are any frogs or fish left in the pond though.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
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
Contemplating Life
In a few weeks these young people will be back in University. Hopefully they shall return next year for their Muskoka fix.
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
Chasing Sunsets Up Joe
About an hour before sundown I like to jump on my Jetski race out and chase the sunset. I took this photo about mid-way up Lake Joseph where there are beautiful unobstructed views.
2016
Storms Never Last
Here is a short video I made after a storm blew through the Muskoka area Friday July 8th, 2016. I sat in my dining room and watched these trees come down in the high winds. It was very surreal. We were extremely fortunate that they missed the cottage. We now have a new unobstructed view of the lake with about 30 feet of shoreline being blown out. We heard the next day that there were tornado sightings in the area. Don’t mess with mother nature – 🙂
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2016
Chicks on the Dock
Sometimes there are no words 🙂
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
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
2016
Frog Eyes
I have a small frog pond at my place that starts to come back to life this time of year. This guy allowed me to get real close with an iPhone in hand. Click for a biggie photo.
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
I’m Ready
The water levels have dropped and it has started to warm up a bit. For many it will be a busy season dealing with contractors to repair and rebuild the damage the high water and ice has caused. I’ve been researching the real estate market on the Big 3 lakes and can’t believe how high the property values have climbed. If you invested on these lakes I’m sure you have seen your value increase substantially over the past 10 years. Taxes too. I’m ready to start enjoying the season – starting now.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
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
2016
Aloha from Kauai
Aloha! It’s been an unusual season for me. Usually I’m visiting Muskoka during the winter however I must confess that I have not made it up for some time. I’m fortunate to have someone check in on the cottage for heat, water lines and mice. Im currently exploring the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. Here is a photo from my helicopter ride through the rainforest in Kauai recently.
2016
Hello Winter
I’ve been beach bumming in the Caribbean and haven’t had the opportunity to visit Muskoka recently. Winter was slow to arrive however I think we are in it now. 🙂
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
The Muskoka Water Cab
A friend asked if I would accompany him to look at some island properties that are for sale on Lake Muskoka. We hired this cool Muskoka Water Taxi to take us around in the freezing temperatures. He had a nice little setup with a propane heater inside to keep us warm & toasty. Apparently he does ample business in the warm season dropping and picking up people on the many islands on Lake Muskoka. He will even bring you pizza.
2015
Last Ride of the Season
We have been fortunate to have extremely warm weather these past few days reaching upwards to 21C in Muskoka. I don’t recall a November this warm in a very long time. Well you know its borrowed time and its going change real soon. This is the boathouse on Sullivan Island located on Lake Joseph as I made my way home on the last run of the season.
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
