2011
Windermere Buzz
I had dinner over at Windermere House just recently. No, not in the pub or on the patio but in the main dining room. Yup, they let me in, I couldn’t believe it either – LOL.
The food services are now managed by Oliver & Bonacini this season and I have to say the food quality, ambiance and service was just superb. I don’t normally go plugging places on here but I do have to say after experiencing every resort and restaurant around Muskoka and area I have yet to find something that compares. It will be interesting to see how the off-season goes though.
I was at Windermere on a Friday night and the entire resort was just buzzing with everyone in such a great mood. The veranda area was jam packed with a gentle breeze drifting off the lake. A small band was performing with just the right jazzy rhythms. I closed my eyes and imagined what it must have been like back in the day. It felt like we were there. I’m going to have to swing by Windermere again just to see if I can capture that same feeling.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Muskoka Gal
Another shot from the Jump for Ooch ski show. I think it works well in B&W.
Please click on the photo for a larger shot.
2011
Barefoot Blaster
The annual Jump for Ooch ski show held last Saturday August 13, 2011 at the Lake Joe Club. This guy came blasting by the docks, barefooting. Lots of great entertainment and a very worthy cause. All proceeds went to Camp Oochigeas which is a privately funded, (No Gov. $$) volunteer based organization that sends kids with cancer to camp.
www.ooch.org
2011
Riding Off Into the Setting Sun
I usually tour new cottage guests around Lake Rosseau for their first visit due to the proximity of all the unique landmarks. Lake Rosseau has Winderemere, Red Leaves, Clevelands House, the Church in Morinus, a Lighthouse and a bunch of other interesting and historical sites. I’m not discounting Lake Joseph or Lake Muskoka, by any means as both have their own unique sites to see.
It was a long day and we were on our way back to the cottage after touring the lake and stopping for a swim in a quiet bay. BBQ strip-loins and big bold Cabernets were on our minds as we zoomed back into the setting sun.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Inside Purks Place
I was given a tour of Purks Place in Bala by the owner. It is quite a historical place and many of you that travel the Bala area will most definitely be familiar with Purks. Their motto “Boats and Bait since 1908.” I took this shot from the upstairs area looking down into the retail store. Please click on the photo for a much larger shot.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Fairview Island
The sun was descending quickly as I was running a group of visitors back to the cottage after one of my mini tours on Lake Rosseau. There is a passage way between a group of islands and the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club. This is the tip (no don’t run a boat through here) of Fairview Island which has a beautiful cottage that was built in the late 1800’s. Cottage Life Magazine did a story on it which you can see right here.
2011
Photo (Synthesis)
They sat in total silence.
Not a word was spoken.
Mesmerized by the blazing orange sun that slowly dipped below the tree line.
Total absorption in progress.
2011
Lake Rosseau Boathouse
With the recent extreme temps I have been spending quite a bit of time on the water. While driving up the eastern side of Rosseau I spotted this interesting boathouse on a magnificent point of land.
Each and every cottage and boathouse in Muskoka has a story behind it. The family history, the architecture, who has owned it, etc. I don’t know anything about this one other than it being unique. More Eye Candy on the Lakes.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show Video
A short video for those of you that didn’t make the annual Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show in Gravenhurst on July 9, 2011. As always, lots of interesting boats and things to see at the show. The boat show is put on each year by ACBS and it is a must visit for any boat enthusiast. This years feature boat was the Kittyhawk a 32-foot Gidley once owned by Orville Wright. Yup, the airplane guy who used to cottage on Georgian Bay. Thanks to CottageCountryNow.ca for the video.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
The Secret Lookout
This is a cool, private place on an Island in the Muskoka area that is no longer in use. Its part of Secret Muskoka where I am not allowed to reveal its location or a team of wild goats will drag me across the Torrence Barrens. There are not many abandoned places left on the big lakes. The waterfront real estate is so valuable and taxes so high that anyone owning property usually sells it or uses it for themselves.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, secret muskoka
2011
Joe Islands
On occasion, I manage to perform a Cirque du Soleil balancing act by maneuvering my Jetski and taking photos at the same time. Driving towards the north end of Lake Joseph you will find scores of fabulous islands reminiscent of Group of Seven paintings.
2011
Diver Down
I was out for an early morning drive and discovered an early morning dive. Looks like they were giving a scuba diving course at the dam in Bala on the Lake Muskoka side.
Please click on the photo for a larger size
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Crane Island, Lake Joe
Last week (Weds June 9, 2011) we had quite a wicked storm roll through Muskoka. Many trees were uprooted and a few Lake Muskoka cottages and boathouses sustained severe damage. I talked with someone today who was without power for 3 days and another who couldn’t get out of their road for 2 days because of the amount of fallen trees. It’s a different world up here.
This is a shot I took just before sundown on Lake Joseph looking towards Crane Island. With the unseasonable weather there has not been many boats on the lakes or people around the towns. Its a bit quiet. Even the real estate market is much quieter compared to previous years. Its funny how the weather impacts our behavioral patterns.
2011
Sugarbush Bay from the Roadside
If you are a visitor and are driving around the Muskoka area its very difficult to see the cottages and boathouses (Eye Candy on the Lakes) that populate the shorelines. It’s much easier when you are out in a boat. Many of the grand ole Muskoka cottages are very private and you cannot see them from the road. However, there are some roads you can venture down and get a glimpse of things like this photo taken from Scarcliff Road off Hwy #118 between Port Carling and Milford Bay. This is Sugarbush Bay on Lake Muskoka. Google satellite map HERE
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Red Air Boat
As a kid I used to watch a TV show called Gentle Ben, you know the one about the kid and the 650lb black bear. Well OK, um maybe I’m dating myself. Anyhow, they used to blast themselves around the Florida everglades in a cool fan powered boat just like this one. From what I understand these Air or Fan Boats are used in the off season around Muskoka and Georgian Bay so people can still make it out to their islands or remote properties. They are also good for search and rescue missions allowing access where a normal boat can’t go or when the ice is thin. I spotted this one up near the Windermere House.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Brandy Lake in Muskoka
It is estimated that there are around 1600 lakes in the Muskoka district. The “big three” lakes (Muskoka, Joseph & Rosseau) get most of the attention however there are lots of smaller lakes worthy of adventure. This photo was taken near the town of Port Carling where you will find a small lake called Brandy Lake. Many of these lakes have public access ramps where you can drop your kayak, canoe, or Tom Sawyer raft in.
Please click on the photo for a large image.
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
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.
