Magical Muskoka in the Fall - October 12, 2013

Every year as October approaches, I am totally amazed at how our world is transformed as the trees start changing.  First go the pines, our property was totally orange from all the pine needles that had dropped, and then the trees start, the reds and yellows on the Maples, yellow birches and not so bright but still colourful oaks.

Saturday had a bright sun which added a beautiful blue to the sky to contrast with all these wonderful colours.  This is at the Lake Joseph Golf Course.  It was very hard to focus on the golf with all the beautiful colours.  Luckily I didn't lose any balls amongst the leaves.

Even Ollie enjoyed the leaves, the cats were chasing them around as they were falling from the trees.

It really is a wonderful time of year and perfect walking weather.  Now that the cottage is closed, I'll have to rediscover the beauty of Aurora.

Enjoy this beautiful fall in Ontario.

The Torrance Barrens - Dark Sky Reserve - September 15, 2013

The air was a little crisp on Saturday, but not a cloud in the sky.  Guys had gone golfing.  surprise, surprise.  Sitting at the cottage with my 3 girlfriends, Lindsey, Maryjo and Sharon, (probably talking about our husbands - actually there is no doubt that we were talking about our husbands!!!), we decided to put on our running shoes and head over to the Torrance Barrens for a walk around one of the most beautiful trails in Muskoka.  http://muskokatrailscouncil.com/trailguides/muskokalakes


The Barrens are classified as a "Dark Sky Reserve", you can see 360 degrees of the sky, at night there isn't a light anywhere other than the natural beauty of the stars and planets.  I haven't been able to talk myself or anyone else into going over at night.  It is beautiful but I think at night it would be a little scary.  One day, when there is a full moon I will drag someone over (watch out girlfriends)....

The rock formations are wonderful, huge vistas of rock with nothing growing on them, no powerwashers here to keep them clean, just the wind, rain, ice and snow.  You can see the quartz veins running through them.  These rocks are part of the Canadian Shield and 2 billion years old.
There are 3 trails, we thought we had walked the large one, but looking back at the map - sorry girls I think we only did the 3.5 km one.  lol  Before too long, sweaters were coming off.  MJ was gloating over the fact that she had her shorts on.  And to boot there weren't any prickly bushes to walk by as most of the time you were walking on the ROCK.  Running shoes definitely a good idea.

We came upon this little group of Standing Stones, needless to say we all started thinking about the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon with most of the talk being about our darling "Jamie".  http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/ it is now being turned into a tv series.

A beautiful fall like day in Muskoka what more could you ask for.

Muskoka Boathouses and Cottages - August 7, 2013

What would a trip in the boat be without taking pictures of some of the wonderful boathouses and cottages on Lakes Muskoka, Rousseau and Joseph.

Boathouse just being built across from Lake Jo Golf Club and Waters Edge

Water's Edge a great place for lunch or dinner

If there isn't enough room in the cottage you can stay in the boathouse O:)

A humble abode, room for a few close friends and family

A new style boathouse starting to appear on the Lakes, reminds me a little of a pagoda

A very old, original boathouse as you approach Port Carling from Lake Rousseau

One of my favourite on Millionaire's Row on Lake Muskoka.
 I would love to see the cottage.

On the Indian River, does the job, keeps the boat dry

Another beautiful piece of property on the Indian River, connecting Lake Muskoka to Rousseau and Joseph

Love this sign.  The speed limit on the Indian River is 9 km.  This sign
does a good job of getting the point across.

This is just a few of the 100's of beautiful boathouses on the Muskoka Lakes.  I never get tired of taking pictures of them.  So be prepared for another blog on them.

Have a wonderful day.

The Artful Garden in Muskoka - August 3, 2013

A windy Monday up in Muskoka, a little too cool for swimming, and luckily my good friends Janine and Arlene were up visiting.  Janine who loves art shows suggested we go up to the Artful Garden for a visit.  I couldn't wait, usually when I get in the car at the cottage my husband and I are off to a golf course.  We grabbed our visa's and off we went.  

Adding a little bit more of an adventure I thought it  would be fun to drive the full circle, we headed off towards Bala and Port Carling and then would come back through Bracebridge.  The exciting thing about going this way that we didn't know at the time is that we discovered Wendy Moses Gallery, which is just down the road from the Artful Garden.  An absolutely delightful setting with pictures that just oozed happiness and colour.  Wendy was just like her artwork, bright and breezy with lots of energy.  Definitely worth a visit.  

Just down the road is the Artful Garden an absolutely delightful, whimsical perennial garden owned by John and Susan Partridge.  John is a well known potter in the region and their garden is open to 100's of visitors for 3 weeks every summer just at the height of the summer colours.  Huge cone flowers, black eyed susans, etc intermixed with bark pathways, little shacks, roosters and chickens running around make a wonderful setting for displaying over 40 artists and potters.  I was absolutely mesmerized.  Everywhere you looked were pieces of art intermingled amongst natures beauty.  John and Susan have put together a truly memorable experience.  I think I might have to take a book and a coffee for my next visit O:)

Admission is free, there is a donation jar, but no pressure to donate.  Needless to say the 3 of us purchased some beautiful pieces.  My first piece was by David Hickey, “3 birds on a branch” – bright blue little sparrow looking birds done in metal on a long pole with a branch at the top.  I had just the perfect spot for it.  My next piece was by JP Schoss – “Cat with Bird” .  LOL  the names don’t leave you guessing.  Yes Cat with Bird was a bright red metal cat with a bird on its tail.  (much better than the way my Cleo likes her birds).    The hardest part of the whole day was picking the piece you wanted.  There was also an “Ugly Fish” that I am going to drag Jim up to see, maybe, hopefully, possibly  LOL

The Artful Garden is definitely worth the visit, in fact I am marking it on my calendar for next year.  

1 week later and the water keeps rising - Sunday, April 28, 2013

What a difference 6 days can make.  The water has risen 12 inches and there is lots of damage up on Lake Muskoka and probably more to come.

Last week our dock was still above water, not this week.

These pictures are just down the lake from our cottage.  Pretty well every dock is either under water or has been lifted from the water and snow.

This boathouse has had it's door bashed in by the boat inside which had started floating.

It is amazing how much water is being let out at Bala and how much is still in Muskoka.  They say the Moon River is up by 8 feet.

 This wall at the old church is just barely hanging on.