2011
Kicking off the Season
Yes – the ice is out, finally! Its been taking a while for spring to arrive and there are still a few dusting’s of snow in the Muskoka area. This time last year I had my boat in the water so I would say the season is behind a tad. Nevertheless warmer weather is on the horizon. I suspect this Easter weekend will be the return for many people starting spring cleanups and opening their cottages. This is a photo of the Christ Church in Gregory which is between Port Sandfield and Minett, Ontario.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2011
Hey Look Ma I’m on the Cover
The spring edition of Sideroads Magazine has hit the streets and I am happy they chose my Bala Falls spring run-off photo for the cover shot. They also wrote an article about my adventures around the Muskoka region and you can download the PDF File Right Here.
Thank you Cathy and Sarah of Metroland Media
2011
Looking out over Lake Rosseau
Yup – Sorry folks the lakes are still frozen in Muskoka. With the warmer temps arriving this weekend the meltdown should accelerate. With any luck we should see open water before Easter. This is a shot looking out at Lake Rosseau with Clevelands House Resort below. There is a little trail that will bring you up to this cliff. I believe its called Resort Lookout which gives you a great panoramic view of Red Leaves, Cleves and Lake Rosseau.
2011
Little Red Boathouse
I talked with a local the other day and he said, “We are still making ice”. The nights have been below zero therefore things are not melting down yet. The open water around this dock is a result of bubblers being used. Its the time of year when the ice can rip apart your dock or boathouse. I noticed water levels are down about a foot on Joe, Rosseau and Lake Muskoka. The spring run off will top them up a bit more. The Saps been running and people are making Maple Syrup so the spring should happen any time now.
Please click on the photo for a larger sized Pic
2011
Look, up in the sky, its Supermoon
By the time I got out to photograph last weekends Supermoon up in Muskoka the clouds had moved in and it was quickly sinking in the western sky. Nevertheless it was a spectacular site being the biggest and brightness moon we have seen in the past 18 years. (14 percent larger and 30% brighter) I took this shot around 6AM and I could hear a low growling noise emanating from the bushes around me which certainly kept me alert and hastened my departure.
By the way, for those of you in the Toronto area this weekend, Friday March 25th to Sunday March 27th is the annual Spring Cottage Life show at the International Centre near the Pearson International Airport. This is a fairly large show that contains everything from real estate, outdoor gear, building contractors, wildlife to numerous seminars. Its worth checking out.
2011
Muskoka March Meltdown
Can you feel it? Spring is near and we are experiencing a bit of a meltdown. Don’t get too exited though, the ice is usually not gone until about mid April. I’m going to say April 13th this year as my prediction for the ice out. As always please click for a bigger and better shot.
2011
Beaumaris Dock
Beaumaris is a well known settlement located on Tondern Island within Lake Muskoka. You can reach it by traveling off Hwy #118 at Milford Bay. It was an important transit point in the steamboat era and once hosted the Beaumaris Hotel and a post office. Today there is a general store, marina, church, summer camp, yacht club and this cool government pier.
Please click on the image for a large size
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Frozen Boathouses in Muskoka
This is Cox Bay on Lake Joseph which is not far from Port Sandfield in Muskoka. You can see how much the water level has dropped, maybe down about a foot. I believe this is in anticipation of the spring melt. Please click on the image or HERE for a much larger sized photo.
2011
Going Solo
Ice fishing out on Lake Joseph. You can see a bunch of markers scattered around where lines were dropped.
Please click on the photo for a larger sized shot.
2011
Dangling Shooz
So I am driving in the middle of nowhere and I see these shoes dangling from a hydro wire. Does anyone know if this means something? Did some kids just drop by and throw a perfectly good pair of sneaks up for fun? One person told me it represents a death that happened near by and another said its gang related or drugs are sold here. Huh? Perhaps it was the giant Muskoka vultures that swooped down and picked someone up and as they kicked their legs in the struggle the laces got tangled and the shoes fell off?
Please click on the image for a size 1600
2011
Winters Tranquility
I wanted to grab a hot beverage and walk down to the seats at the end of the dock and ponder life for a bit. It just didn’t seem right to mess it up. This is a dock at the north end of Lake Rosseau near the Village of Rosseau. In a few months it will be bustling with boats and people.
Please click on the photo for an extra large size
2011
The Sled Factor
As I was cruising by the Bass Lake House restaurant on Hwy #169 last weekend I noticed the entire parking lot was crammed with snowmobiles. I have been passing by here for many years and have never seen it so busy. I believe its got to be some kind of indicator so I have devised a new economic benchmark called “The Sled Factor” – more sleds = better economy. The snowmobiles saw their shadows on groundhog day therefore its 10 weeks until ice-out 🙂
Please click on the photo for biggie size
2011
Frozen Feat in Rosseau
I almost froze to death getting this shot. We were headed up Peninsula Rd. to the community of Rosseau to have dinner at Crossroads (I do recommend) and I pulled over and jumped out as the sun started to drop below the treeline. Oopps … I did not realize the ditch contained three feet of snow with a foot of ice water at the bottom. There were only a few people who stared as I fine dined in my wet socks.
Please click for a larger image.
2011
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
I was recently contacted by the people at Kobo who specialize in online eBooks. They asked if they could use one of my previously blogged photos, “Three Girls and a Dock” for the cover of the great Canadian writer and humorist Stephen Leacock’s novel, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. The novel was originally published in 1912 and is apparently based on his experiences around Orillia, Ontario. The novel is now part of Project Gutenberg along with many others and is in the public domain. You can download the book for free HERE.
2011
Skateaway
At first its a very daunting task for a young one to strap on two boots with steel blades attached. Once over the emotional and mental barriers the confidence builds. Who knows this boy could be the next Wayne Gretzky. We all have to start somewhere. I will never forget the cool crisp air and the sounds the blades made as we spent the entire day out playing hockey or chasing our sisters around. Back then, Mom had to yell to get us to come back into the house.
Please click for a larger photo.
2011
Road to Joe
Passing by Lake Joseph on highway #169 near Bass Lake
Please click for a 1280 pixel size photo.
2011
And the Sign Says?
It appears someone is living in this little place alongside the road. I have no clue what the sign says or means.
Click for a larger sized photo
2011
Birds Eye View
I made it up to snowy Muskoka this past Sunday after basking in the balmy Caribbean sun for 10 days. Yup – back to reality. I was surprised to see that the ice was as thick as it was. I turned the bubblers on and I hope they manage to break through before they drop the level of the lake and rip the docks apart. This is a shot just before the holidays when there was less snow and the ice was just forming. Happy New Year to all!
