2009
Gazing Down the Line
The trees were utterly vibrant and near peak this past weekend in the Muskoka area. The trails and back roads were very busy with many out of town visitors sucking in the raw natural beauty. Sunday afternoon revealed snow and ice pellets a welcoming gift for our friends from the city. Still waiting for that Indian Summer.
Please click for a large 1280 pixel photo
2009
Dead Trees and Dark Skies
I was driving across Hwy # 169 towards Gravenhurst looking for the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve.
I made a wrong turn into the community of Torrance and just kept driving and discovered this field of dead trees on the side of the road. You can see that the fall colours are starting to set in now. I later discovered Torrance Barrens was on the other side of the highway.
Please click on the image for a higher resolution 1280 pixel size.
2009
Johnny Winter, Still Alive and Well in Muskoka
The legendary guitarist Johnny Winter played Muskoka this past weekend. There were only 100 tickets available and of course this concert sold out months ago. If you are not familiar with Johnny Winter he is one of the greatest guitar legends of all time having played with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and even touring with and producing the great Muddy Waters. Johnny and his brother Edgar were both born albino and have forged careers as great white blues rockers. It was almost to the day that they both performed at Woodstock 40 years ago.
Saturday nights concert was performed at Peters Players in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The room is built like a giant rec room/bar connected to the rear of Peters home. Peter is in the music promotion business with deep connections and the ability to book unbelievably high quality performers. One of the most intimate concert experiences you will ever have.
Check out Peters website and see who else is coming: www.petersplayers.com
Update: I was contacted by Peter of Peters Players who saw my photo and asked if they could use it for a promo.
Click HERE
2009
Ding Dong, No Shoes Please
The girls wanted to shop for shoes (again) so I was left to wander the streets of Bracebridge solo. I found a cool looking doorway with four ringer buttons . Then all of a sudden I seemed to attract a few people watching what I was doing. Really people it was not that exciting – well maybe a bit more exciting than looking at shoes.
Please click on the image for shoe size 1280
2009
Snooping on Snoop Dogg at the Kee to Bala
Snoop Dogg in The House Cottage
The rapper / hip hop artist, Snoop Dogg or formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg played two sold out nights at The Kee to Bala August 13 & 14, 2009. I took a drive by (perhaps not the best choice of words) just to see what kind of crowd he would draw in Muskoka’s cottage country. It turns out the Snoopster drew a large crowd … of Cops.
Unfortunately I did not get a chance to take a decent shot under the high security situation. (required high ISO and there were lots of moving) There have been a lot of interesting bands come through The Kee including, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong in the old days. There has also been other great bands like Rush, Max Webster, David Wilcox, George Thorogood, The Ramones, Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo and others that have rocked The Kee.
2009
Back Road Boogie
I followed Butter and Egg Road off of Hwy #118 towards Bracebridge, Ontario and soon and ended up on a road called Falkenburg Road. This 1942 Dodge tandem truck was sitting in a farmers field waiting for a new owner.
Click on the Image for a large photo – thanks
2009
Classic Cars in Muskoka, Ontario
The classic car and boat show in Rosseau, Ontario on August 01, 2009.
These shows always bring in hoards of people that wander around and admire the beauties. I wonder whats in the little black bag?
Please click on the photo for a large size
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
In the Belly of a Muskoka Steamship
I had a chance to spend some time in the pilothouse with the Captain of the R.M.S. Segwun steamship in Gravenhurst earlier this month. I thought it would be rather fitting to also visit the engine room to see whats happening. Well you can see by the look of crew Grumpy that he was none to pleased to see me and my camera. Oh well, I’m sure he got over it.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns
2009
Look up … Look Way Up
Things are looking up in Parry Sound, Ontario the hometown of one of the greatest hockey players ever Bobby Orr no less. This is a shot looking straight up from under the Canadian Pacific Railway train trestle. Its quite an engineering feat from the early 1900’s.
Please click for a 1280 pixel sized photo
Click on the image for a biggie shot
In: in and around muskoka ontario, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2009
Peeping Through Marty’s World Famous Window
Most everyone in Muskoka by now knows about Marty’s World Famous. Marty is the Michelangelo of butter tarts so they say. I couldn’t help but notice Marty’s “Big Ass Apple Pie” sitting in the window as I strolled down the streets of Bracebridge recently.
2009
The Dolly Durkin JR
This is the bow ornament of the Dolly Durkin Jr. named after the original 1922 Ditchburn built for Sir John Eaton. This beauty was built by the Picasso of boat building Mr. Peter Breen who invested 7000 hours into this masterpiece.
More about the Dolly Durkin Jr. and Peter Breen in The Muskokan
2009
Mary Lake at Port Sydney, Ontario
The welcome sign says “Home of 800 nice families and 1 old grouch” in Port Sydney, Ontario.
Located approximately 12 km’s south of Huntsville and just off highway #11. This is the area next years G8 Summit will be held.
Port Sydney is situated on Mary Lake and is also part of the North Muskoka River. See Google Map
2009
Three Girls and a Dock
Oh, sunny, sunny, sunny days
Ain’t nothin’ better in the world, you know
Than lyin’ in the sun with your radio
The Port Carling town dock works for a little chat fest while the wake boarding boys sneak in for little peek.
Ahhh those sunny sunny days …
Please click on the image for a dock sized photo
2009
The Amphibious Car
I caught these AmphiCars cruising around the docks in Gravenhurst at the annual antique boat show this past weekend. These bad boys were manufactured in Berlin, Germany from 1962 to 1967. Only about 4500 were ever built with most of the production going to the USA. I would like to know how they would handle the wake of a 31ft Ditchburn
2009
The Rambler – The Gravenhurst Antique and Classic Boat Show
I noticed this mammoth monster sized boat in Port Carling last year. Someone told me it used to be Conrad Black’s boat but I’m not sure about that. Connie did like things a tad grandiose so its always possible.
Just a reminder that this Saturday July 11, 2009 is the 29th annual Antique and Cassic Boat Show down in Gravenhurst. All the classic boats will be there along with a flea market, steam boat rides and more …
Its definitely worth checking out. More info here and here
Update: August 5, 2014 – this boat is called the Rambler and is owned by Bobby Genovese and is part of the BG Vintage Racing Team. Recently restored the Rambler Debuts Saturday August 9, 2014 at Muskoka Lakes Association Show, Port Carling, Ontario. More info here.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
Right Off the Dock in Parry Sound, Ontario
Parry Sound Ontario is the home of Bobby Orr, one of the greatest hockey players ever.
It was a very ominous day looking off the town wharf and out into the mammoth sized waters of Georgian Bay.
Please click for a large sized image
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
Under the Parry Sound Train Trestle
The train trestle crosses over the Seguin River in the heart of Parry Sound, Ontario. Located right on the shores of Georgian Bay this bridge can be seen for many miles. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1908 this trestle spans 1695 feet long and is 105 feet in height. It is one of the oldest and longest trestles in Canada.
There is a beautiful waterfalls under the bridge where I noticed a fly fisherman doing his thing. I will post on a later date.
Please click for a train trestle sized photo.
2009
Bracebridge Falls in Muskoka
The Bracebridge Falls is located right downtown in Bracebridge, Ontario. Bracebridge was the first municipality in Canada to embrace hydro electric power back in 1894. This is the last drop of the north branch of the Muskoka River before it meets up with the south branch.
It was a miserable rainy and cold day when I passed through last weekend. Quite a few people were still exploring, fishing and taking photos. (Canadians are tough!) The Muskoka area has an abundance of waterfalls throughout and I plan to get out and capture a few more.
Please click on the image for a large sized photo.
Please click for a large sized photo
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2009
Lunch at Red Leaves in Muskoka
This is the newly opened Red Leaves Resort in the village of Minett, Ontario. This section is called The Rosseau and it is where Canada’s first J.W. Marriott hotel resides. It is a huge $750M undertaking transforming over 1 mile of Lake Rosseau shoreline on about 1400 acres. It has not been totally embraced by the locals in the area due to its mammoth size, environmental footprint and more.
While having lunch in the resort restaurant called “Cottages” I noticed our Minister of Industry, Tony Clement chowing down with his family right beside me. He had mac n cheese with a Pepsi and I had the seared ahai tuna and a long cool Muskoka lager .. or two. Tony baby has been spreading some tax dollars around the area as next year Muskoka will be hosting the G8 Summit
This photo is a panoramic shot of two photos stitched together. Behind me was a spectacular view of Lake Rosseau which I shall post another time.
click the image for a large 1280 pixel photo
2009
Highway 118 Revisited Near Port Carling
I made it up to Muskoka this past Easter weekend. The ice still remains on the big lakes however some of the smaller lakes have opened up already. This photo was taken as you travel on highway #118 into Port Carling.
