29 Nov
2009
WITH:
7 Comments

The Ghosts of Muskoka

I decided I would take the long way home and drove through Bala early this morning. It was dead quiet and I noticed an empty Bala Bay Inn parking lot so I did a little u-turn and headed back for a few quick snaps.

The Bala Bay Inn was built in 1910 by Ephraim Browning Sutton from Leads in Yorkshire, England. Initially it was named The Swastika Hotel and due to the unpolitical correctness of the times it was renamed to the Sutton Manor in the early ’30s. In 1945 the name was changed to The Bala Bay Lodge, and in 1998 to The Bala Bay Inn.

E.B. Sutton died in room #319 of the hotel in 1917 and many of the staff and patrons say the Inn is haunted by him. There are Muskoka ghost tours and even seances that have been held here for you paranormal types.

BalaBay-800

Please click on the image for a 1280 pixel sized photo



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns

26 Nov
2009
WITH:
2 Comments

Roadside Distractions Part II

The last photo featured an abandoned old farmhouse and a cool looking tree alongside highway 400. This is a wide angled shot that shows a barn on the property. I am uncertain if  the barn is still in operation however it appears to be in decent condition. If you were looking out the window of the farmhouse you would have a direct view of the ski hill and lifts.

Please click on the image for a small mountain sized photo

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In: in and around muskoka ontario

22 Nov
2009
WITH:
6 Comments

Roadside Distractions

I have been driving by this abandoned old farm house on highway #400 for years now. The traffic was light Sunday morning so I pulled over and took a few quick snaps, sans tripod. I don’t recall when it was last occupied.  Most cottagers that travel on Hwy #400 which was once referred to as “the extension” would see this place neatly tucked in the field near Mt. St. Louis.

Please click
on the image for a large sized photo

FarmHouse400-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns

20 Nov
2009
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1 Comment

Bullrush Views

Down by the side of the road near Gravenhurst, Ontario

Please click for biggie size

Fields-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario, uncategorized

16 Nov
2009
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2 Comments

Flashback Blues

Cloudy skies and dead fruit flies
Waving goodbye with tears in my eyes …
~ John Prine

This photo was taken about the peak of this years Muskoka autumn colours.
I am still holding onto the fall season however we all know whats coming soon.

Click for a larger, clearer shot of 1280 pixels

AccrossLake-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario

12 Nov
2009
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4 Comments

Weird Waubaushene Walk Way

Many cottagers that take highway #400 will be familiar with a place just south of Port Severn called Waubaushene Ontario. You cannot see the town or village from the road  as its nicely isolated from the highway. I did the obligatory main street drive and at the very end of the street found this walkway that reached out onto Georgian Bay.

Click for biggie size photo

Walkway-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns

09 Nov
2009
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6 Comments

North End of Lake Rosseau

Up on the north end of Lake Rosseau there is a cool looking boathouse and old house or cottage up on the rock.
It appears they have been rebuilding the house/cottage for the past few years. Not sure of the history.
Just a quick snap while passing by.

Please click on the photo for a large shot

HanselGretel-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario

05 Nov
2009
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8 Comments

A Pinball Wizard, There’s got to be a Twist

Ever since I was a young boy
I’ve played the silver ball
From Huntsville down to Barrie
I must have played them all …

Just a few doors down from The Kee I could not resist a little peek inside the Balacade. It was like a journey back in time (gee now I’m  dating myself) with vintage pinball machines and games crammed into the small room.  Balacade is an arcade shop that was started in Bala Ontario over 50 years ago and is still run by the original owner Paul Arney and his wife Patricia. Please click on the pic or HERE for a biggie 1280 pixel photo

Balacade Story

BalaArcade-800



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns

02 Nov
2009
WITH:
4 Comments

Off the Bridge

It was early morning and the sun was just starting to creep up when I walked onto the Joesph River Bridge looking due west.
It was cool and crisp with a nice fog coming off the water. The lake has given up her warmth.

Please click on the image for a large sized photo

OfftheBridge-800



In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

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