Johnston's Cranberry Marsh and a quick ride around Muskoka

This is definitely my last drive up to Muskoka for 2014, absolutely 100% for sure.  :)  Probably not, I have a hard time staying away from this beautiful part of Ontario.  I picked up my good friend MJ at 11:15 and off we went.  Sky is a little gray, around 10 degrees, but no rain.  We are off.

Great drive up, we are at the Muskoka Wharf by 1:45 and sitting at a lovely table looking over the Bay at the Dock of the Bay restaurant in Gravenhurst.  Their soups are amazing and the Dock Steak Slider appetizer is phenomenal which MJ and I split.  That way we didn't feel guilty about having a Brocolli and Potato 3 cheese soup - mouth watering.  The next 2 pictures are the views from the restaurant.  Next time I see this area it will be white and icy.





Impossible to stop at the wharf and not take a picture of the Segwun and Wenonah.


The only 4 legged wild life we saw today.  Looking a little skinny, hopefully he has lots of acorns hidden and not in my cottage.

This is our 17th summer at the cottage and I can't believe my first visit to the Johnston's Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery.  It will not be my last.  Lots of beautiful walking trails.  I had seen pictures of the marsh before but never expected this.  Red water, and we missed the high harvest time.  Next year I will be back in early October.  

The red to the left are cranberries waiting to be harvested.  

Harvesting the cranberries.  That water must be pretty cold.  

There is a pretty little store with all sorts of wine, knick-knacks, jams, jellies and you can also have a tour showing how the cranberries are processed.  

The marshes are full of life with herons and birds, but also amazing petrified trees and branches.  

The one below here reminds me of a rabbit and a squirrel.  Must be getting close to Halloween.  

I don't think my arms are long enough to do this selfie justice, but here it is :)

We drove home down the 400, a total different view from Hwy 11, great vistas overlooking Georgian Bay.  Looks like I may have to go back up next week.  When we dropped by our cottage we seem to have acquired another dock.  So pick up some rope and the blower and I'll be back up on the weekend.  Please stay away rain and snow :))

Fall in Muskoka, beautiful Grandview golf course

The cottage is basically closed and so are the Muskoka golf courses.  We are heading to Fort Lauderdale on Thursday (only 4 days - not snowbirds yet).  I gather the weather is quite different than what we have had in Muskoka for the last couple of weeks (29C vs 2C).  I am sure it will help me recover from the shock of summer being over.

In the last couple of weeks Jim and I managed to play Lake Joseph and Grandview.  I spent more time over my pictures than I did over my shots.  The golf courses are a great way to really see the colours as they have such nice big fairways and you are up and down hills, just amazing again this year (yes I know it happens every year but every year I am awed by Mother Nature).

These shots are all from Grandview.  Also known for the best ladies tees in the system.  There are about 4 holes where Jim barely makes it to my tee box.  Jim calls this a "blew by you" which means I get to sing "I'm going back some day, come what may to BLEW BY YOU".  I take every opportunity I can to sing.  Next year I will have to learn a few more lines.  :)

This is the 2nd of the "Blew By You" holes.  If the guys are lucky enough to get a good hit, 80% of the time it rolls back down the hill.  Too bad  My tee box is at the top of the hill. :)

Beavers have been busy getting ready for the winter.  

This is the famous 9th hole.  Jim definitely doesn't make the red tees.  Not only does he have to hit it over this wall of rock (which he does easily) but then my tee box is another 50 to 100 yards away.  I love IT!!!!

Wouldn't be Muskoka in the fall without another beautiful wedding.  

The entrance to the pro shop.  Don't tell King's Riding I said this, but definitely the most beautiful clubhouse in the ClubLink chain.  

 We made it through 9 holes without any rain, a little chilly and a little slow.  So off we went back to the cottage for a nice fire and a glass of wine to go with our pizza.

Have you been to a Farmers Market yet? Try the one at Gravenhurst

"Tis the season to be merry."  Or at least be overwhelmed with the colours of all the fresh produce at our Ontario Farmer's Markets.  Everything you eat tastes like a little bit of sunshine.  Ontario apricots, peaches, raspberries and oh my those wild blueberries.  I was devastated when I found out they only take cash.  I had $30 and needed tomatoes, potatoes, raspberries and peaches.  The wild blueberries were $24 but oh so worth it.  You only spoil yourself once right.  OK maybe 2 or 3 times over the summer.  But you have to get your dose before the snow comes - right!!.  Yes these are peppers, red, orange, green, baskets and baskets of them.  So fresh.  

The wonderful thing about the Gravenhurst Farmers Market on every Wednesday from 9 to 2, is if you are lucky enough to cottage on Lake Muskoka you can take your boat over, rather than drive.  It just makes the whole experience a little more special.  No I didn't take the boat today, I was sneaking in my visit between fixing up resumes, and I was a little nervous being by myself in the boat.  OK OK excuses excuses, next time.

trying to be artistic

sign me up for a trip on the old wooden Muskoka boat.  

The farmers market is for all ages.  And they can all find something to buy.  Lots of little outfits for little ones, and all handmade, knit sweaters, smock dresses, tie-dye - yes I said tie-dye.  I actually had a couple of them growing up (definitely dating myself now).  Then there are crafters and artisans.  Absolutely beautiful granite and wood cutting boards.  Metal fire pits and decorations.  Yes you can even order a wooden boat, definitely a row boat.  Painters, sketchers, jewellers, something for everyone.

Northbound Elements, can definitely picture that bear welcome sign at the cottage.

Jessica's artwork speaks for itself.  Beautiful

Peter Wainwright meets you at the entrance with some of his lovely guitar melodies. 

Everytime I have been here the homemade sausage on a bun has been the longest line-up.  Next time I will definitely have to try it.  There is also a pizza oven making fresh pizza.  Tacos, homemade donuts, you could spend all day there just eating.

I always make a stop at the Milford Bay Trout Farm for their smoked trout.  A family and friend favourite.  A little fresh baquette, some butter, a little trout, washed down with a little wine, perfect on the dock, or anywhere :).

 The Farmers Market is for all ages, put it on your list of things to do this summer.  Every small community in Ontario has one.  You could go to a different one every day.  Here's a list of our Muskoka Farmer's Markets.  

These are just a few of the vendors at the Gravenhurst Farmer's Market.  oh btw there is an ATM machine in case you run out of cash.  :))