LOOKING-GLASS

A view of Muskoka Bay through a frosted window below deck on the Wanda III. Although the image appears backwards from being taken inside, I felt it was appropriate as being on board was like taking a trip backwards through time to 1915, when she was commissioned by Lady Eaton and was the fastest steam yacht to cruise the lakes.

NATURE'S ART

Looking like a work of Nature's art, the overcast sky with the leaves and stalks of Pickerelweed are reflected in the surface of Lily Lake. Less attractive by its other known name of Mud Lake, it is home to thousands of water lillies, its famous, solitary skeletal tree and one grouchy beaver who always slaps its tail to ward off any intruders.

CATHY'S TOO

A colourful sign announces that Willmotts Store is now open for the summer season. Although the store retains the name of the original proprietor, Cathy Potts, owner of Cathy's Corner Store in Milford Bay operates this second location, the reason behind the name on the other sign, Cathy's Too, as well as this is her second time running it.

FIRST NATIONS

In the First Nations Gallery of the Muskoka Lakes Museum, a display case features stone implements dating from 8000 B.C.E. to modern ornamental artwork. Native handiwork like this is still carried on by Frank and Phoebe Roads, a Mohawk couple who make and sell their wares to tourists each summer in their craft shop across the river.

BLACK CARS

One of the many black cars that have been busy whisking delegates between The Rosseau and Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, site of the G8 Summit. Due to the hotel's policy regarding guest confidentiality, I am prohibited from divulging which delegation and dignitaries are staying with us, however rumour and another blogger have it right.

ABORIGINAL DAY

Today marks National Aboriginal Day which also coincides with the summer solstice. Hugh McKenzie, an Ojibwa Native elder, prepares for the beginning of the Sacred Sunrise Ceremony, a traditional Native ceremony to honour Grandfather Sun and the first fire of Creation, offering prayer, thanks and gratitude to the Creator.

AFTER THE RAIN

I climbed to the top of Huckleberry Rock Cut following a rainstorm in hopes of capturing photographs in its wake. When the sun emerged afterwards it created a dramatic effect, painting the surface of the rock with gold and highlighting the channels of water runoff. In the distance pockets of mist filled the valley below and valleys beyond.

YOUNG LOVE

They arrived together on his motorbike, her arms wrapped about his waist, before making their way to the end of the dock where they shared laughs and kisses, and spent quiet moments by the water. Have they known each other long before or did they recently meet and was this the budding of a summer romance, we'll never know.

LADY MUSKOKA

The Lady Muskoka cruises past a popular scene of Muskoka chairs and flowerpots at the end of the dock, on its return journey up the Muskoka River to its berth in Bracebridge. Scenic tours start on the river before reaching Lake Muskoka and its highlight of Millionaires' Row, a passage famous for its century old cottages and boathouses.

MOTHER NATURE

With her shell burnished gold by the setting sun and a watchful eye kept on me, a female snapping turtle deposits her eggs in a hole she dug in the sandy soil at the shoulder of the road. Joined by another couple who stopped to investigate, we marvelled at this display of nature, a ritual performed by these reptiles since prehistoric times.

THE BEACH

On a hot and hazy day relief can be found at the beach and one of the best in the area is Kirby's Beach. Its shallow water and sandy bottom make it safe and a favourite with families, while the park offers picnic tables, playground equipment and several large maple trees that provide ample shade for those looking to escape the sun.

DOCKSIDE READER

Some afternoons are meant to be spent on the dock with a good book. I have recently discovered the murder mysteries of resident author Liam D. Dwyer, aptly published by Muskoka Dockside Reader. His series of novels follow the fictional cases and character of a local OPP detective, featuring locations from around the Muskoka Lakes.

CAMP SONGS

The Wenonah II glides past the site of a former German Prisoner of War camp during the second world war, the base of the flagpole one of the few existing relics from this period. During the wartime when any steamships passed by, the organist and passengers would break out singing patriotic songs loud enough for all the prisoners to hear.

PLAYGROUND OF ONTARIO

Overcast skies with a light rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of everyone attending the 17th annual Antique & Classic Car Show in Gravenhurst. The bracket mounted above this licence plate caught my sight and is attached to a 1938 Ford Sedan, the same year and model as the first taxi operated by Orvil Hammond from 1944-1946.

BEAUMARIS BOATHOUSE

Belonging to the Beaumaris marina and backing on to the 7th tee of the Yacht Club's golf course this boathouse, viewed from the bridge, serves a double function, not only providing storage for boats but also shelter for nature, acting as a breakwater, where behind the building water lillies thrive and a beaver has stockpiled a food cache.

TRAIL DAY

Today is International Trail Day and for those looking for a scenic and informative trail, I recommend one I enjoyed a few weeks ago. Hunter's Bay Trail in Huntsville offers easy accessibility, is level and suitable for everybody and my favourite part is its floating section, an unique feature not found elsewhere on the Trans Canada Trail.
[Visit the Ontario Trails Council for further details and directions.]

REFLECTIONS

A glass partition on the patio captures a reflection of Windermere House on an overcast day, the clouds resembling smoke, reflecting the tragic time it caught fire during filming a Hollywood movie and burned to the ground. Established originally in 1870, the resort was rebuilt, restoring its grandeur and her status as "Lady of the Lake."

SUPERSIZED CHAIR

Gravenhurst means "to cut wood" and a lot was cut to make this supersized chair, claims Rob Clark, its builder and owner of the Home Hardware where it's displayed. Measuring 21' high and 16' wide, it's the world's largest Muskoka chair and replaces his first, smaller version that was destroyed by a F0 tornado last August.