2012
125th Anniversary Flyby
In celebration of the Segwun Steamship’s 125th anniversary the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds performed a flyby at the wharf in Gravenhurst on Friday June 29th, 2012. I found a cool 35 second video on Youtube below.
Note: the Segwun and Wenonah II along with a flotilla of over 100 antique and classic boats will be recreating the original 100 mile tour on the Muskoka Lakes Saturday August 18th, 2012. Apparently the last time this journey was made was in 1958 so there is plenty of interest in this years 125th anniversary celebration. The Segwun steamship is listed as sold out however you may be able to get on the Wenonah II. Details here.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
The Heldena II
I had a chance to peruse the Antique and Classic Boat Show on Saturday meeting a few familiar faces. I find it somewhat difficult to take photos due to the crowds and the fact that boats are static. I prefer to see a gentleman’s racer ripping up the lake. I caught the beautiful 1917 built Heldena II, a 36 foot racing boat powered by a V12 Liberty aircraft engine.
The Heldena was manufactured by J.J. Taylor and possesses a very impressive racing history including gold cups, championships and world speed records. Her owner Fred R. Miller of Toronto loved to race her and unfortunately he passed away at the young age of 44. Heldena II was sold to the Toronto Harbour Commission and used as a fast rescue boat from 1922 to 1958. She was later saved from a scrap yard in Scarborough, Ontario in 1984 with restoration starting around 2000.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
Woodies Galore
The 32nd annual Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show is on this Saturday July 7, 2012 at the Gravenhurst wharf. If you have a passion or even a mild interest in the old Muskoka boats I would highly recommend you attend this event. The show includes live music, a flea market, vintage cars and boat tours. Here is a 3:45 min. video of last years event showing some of the beautiful boats and festivities around the wharf. The show is put on by the ACBS Toronto (Antique & Classic Boat Society) and is very well organized. Please click on their link for further details.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Cybernetic Vegetation
I was cruising on the east side of Lake Rosseau and noticed a lone tree jutting out of the landscape. I don’t recall ever seeing that tree before and it just seemed very odd to be towering 20 feet above all the others. It turns out to be 1 of 20 new communications towers that Bell has installed around the Muskoka district.
Many of you know I’m a techie and love to be connected to the world however there’s just something that doesn’t sit well with me on this. Sure its better than looking at a steel communications tower but knowing that its a fake amongst the natural beauty of a Muskoka landscape bothers me on some level. We have become colonized by technology and its near impossible to escape it. I think in the future we will see that man-machine-nature will eventually mesh to where its imperceptible but right now welcome to talking trees version 1.0
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2012
6:32am Lake Rosseau
I’m usually an early riser except when you have certain individuals over the night before that put the hurt on you. One recent morning I had the bright idea to dash out on my trusty Seadoo at 6am to see if I could get a photo of a boathouse on Lake Rosseau that I have been trying to snag for over 2 years. I was too late! By the time I arrived it was saturated in intense sunlight. Oh well, another day. The effort was not entirely wasted and I managed to find a few subjects as I leisurely glided back to the cottage. Being out on the lake alone in the early morning is absolutely enchanting.
2012
High Falls Hike
I went for a little adventure up to High Falls near Bracebridge hoping the water would be rushing over like a mini Niagara. High Falls is fed by the north branch of the Muskoka River and is one of the steepest falls in Ontario. The area is actually a park with washrooms, picnic tables and BBQ’s setup. The gates were closed when I arrived so I had to perform some rudimentary ninja navigation techniques to get in, Shush! Here is a Map
FYI – There are quite a few other falls around Muskoka that I have been to including; Bala Falls, Rosseau Falls, Bracebridge Falls and the Wilson Falls. All worthy of a visit.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
I Wonder What’s Down This Road?
I’m constantly looking around for something to take photos of. I think its part of having a blog, the love of photography and being in a great place like Muskoka. Heck, we all drive by roads everyday and have no idea whats down them, right? I mean who has time for that? It appears I do, well at least when I’m in Muskoka searching out the next scene. I was cruising down Judd Haven Rd just as the sun was rising and I noticed a road called Bluff Rd. Little did I know there was a public access dock at the end with this beautiful vista of Lake Rosseau to take in.
2012
Best Day Video by Dala
A short and very dreamy little ditty by a Canadian group called Dala. There is some great historic video taken on the shores of Georgian Bay around the Honey Harbor area.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Going to the Chapel
Last year I noticed construction of a new chapel going up on the Wallace Marine property on Lake Rosseau. I immediately thought maybe it was going to be a non-denominational chapel in support of the many weddings booked at the Red Leaves Resort right next door. Nope, it turns out to be the new home of Abbey’s Bake House opening this season. Looking forward to checking out the gooey butter tarts.
2012
Muskoka Spring Runoff
Spring has sprung a little early this year and the ice has now melted off the lakes. Last week I noticed that the big three Muskoka lakes were quite low which is normal for this time of year in anticipation of the spring runoff. We don’t need the flooding we experienced a few years ago. I didn’t get a chance to go up and check out the spring run offs since the mid-week meltdown so this is a photo from previous years spring run off at the Bala Falls.
2012
It’s Melting, It’s Melting …
This warm weather has officially slammed the winter season to an abrupt halt. The sledders and ice fisherman only enjoyed about half a season this year. It will take a few weeks for the ice to disappear and who knows what will happen for the duration of March. You know, in like a Lamb out like a screaming Orangutan. Stay off the ice, its opening up quickly on the big lakes.
2012
Where are the Humanoids?
We finally had a decent batch of freshly fallen snow so I decided to take a drive over to Tondern Island to see what was shakin’. If you haven’t been there you simply drive over a small bridge and all of a sudden you are on an island in Lake Muskoka. It looks real cool on a GPS because it doesn’t display the bridge part. As I drove around this little community I saw no signs of humanoids whatsoever. Only the sound of bubblers keeping the ice open.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Back to Muskoka
Happy 2K+12! I have just returned from exploring the fabulous beaches in Grand Cayman. I love to escape the stresses of last minute shopping, crazy traffic, mall parking, pushy people, etc – you should try it. Now back to the beauty and reality of our Canadian winter.
We seem to be having one of those winters that hasn’t quite found a steady trajectory just yet. It’s been warm, it’s been cold, we’ve had snow, and gaps with no snow. One thing for sure the big lakes are not completely frozen yet, so be careful. I noticed a cool photo from our friends up at Gordon Bay Marine out boating on Lake Joe, Christmas day. Now that’s extending the season.
2011
Muskoka Lakes 100 Mile Cruise
I was contacted by the folks crew at Woody Boater recently, a very cool website that is dedicated to classic boating and watercraft. I was honored that they asked if they could use some of my Muskoka Blog photos for a story they were working on.
On Saturday August 18th, 2012 departing from Gravenhurst the 100 Mile Cruise will be recreated on the RMS Segwun tracing the original route of the SS Sagamo steamship. There will be over 100 other wooden boats accompanying the 1887 built Segwun on her journey. The proceeds of this event are being donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
For additional details Click Here for the Woody Boater article.
Vintage 1950 brochure of the 100 Mile Cruise
2011
Vivienne II
Most of the boats are now put away for the season. Sometimes when you prolong the inevitable you get lucky and catch a nice day with the opportunity to squeeze in one last boat ride. I caught the Vivienne II out for what was probably her last cruise of the season. I was on the leeward side of Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau and noticed the 31ft Minett-Shields built in the 1920’s gracefully gliding towards us like a dream.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Lions Lookout
The skies around Muskoka have been a little on the ominous side these past few weeks. We all know the inevitable is quickly approaching and a reminder to get the boats out and complete all that other jazz we cottagers do to prepare for the approaching winter. This is the view over Fairy Lake about 5 minutes from downtown Huntsville at the Lions Lookout. Click for biggie view.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
The Islands of Muskoka
Most islands on the Big 3 lakes in Muskoka have unique names such as Sunbeam, Monyca or Lookout and have long and interesting histories associated with them. And then there are these numerous small insignificant islands that are basically rocks jutting out of the lake. We like to make up our own names for them – LOL. Some are completely barren with few trees or they can be occupied by flocks of weird birds. You need to be careful navigating around these chunks of granite as they are usually located in shallow waters. Captain – red marker port side!
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Travelling Down the Joseph River
Another scene from a Jestski – I left Lake Joseph and found my way into the Joseph River headed towards Lake Rosseau with the sun sinking on my back. I did a little spin-o-rama to try and catch the sunset at the top end of the river. There is an interesting boathouse here and I think maybe I will return on another day to capture it in more detail.
I have always wondered if the Joe River is a real river? It seems to be a rock cut that connects Lake Joseph to Lake Rosseau. I have heard Lady Eaton had the rocks blasted out many moons ago so she could have her steamship navigate through the rocks instead of traveling down to Port Sandfield. If you know the story please set me straight.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2011
Tuggies
I made a trip to Parry Sound last weekend to have lunch with a friend and we stumbled upon the Georgian Bay Tugfest. There were many a Tugboat on the main pier ranging from 6 feet to 130 feet in size. We were just in time for one of the main features – the tugboat race. This is a shot from the breakwater near the marina on Georgian Bay.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2011
Sundowner on Lake Joe
Do you notice how the sun doesn’t seem to hang like it does in mid summer? I was visiting friends at the bottom end of Lake Joe and thought I better depart soon as the sun was dropping ever so quickly. So north bound I headed on my trusty jet-ski weaving through islands and little bays when I saw this little island with the sun veering through the trees. I stopped and snapped a few interesting scenes around the area and just made it back before dark. Please click for a large photo.
