ME, MYSELF & IRENE

On a lighter side I posed twice for this picture, borrowing the title from the Jim Carrey comedy. I cannot find any reference to a ship named Irene and hope someone can enlighten me. The ship makes up part of the Muskoka Adventure Playground, one of the best I've seen, sponsored by the people who literally purchased a stake in it.

SAD TIMES

I arrived at Baycliffe Park and was disturbed to find a sign posted warning swimmers about the risk from the high bacteria count. My guess is that it's due to the hot summer we've had and the amount of traffic on the lake. At least with fall and its cooler temperatures approaching nature has a chance of recovering and restoring itself.

BLOGGER'S BIRTHDAY

My eldest son Alistair turned eleven earlier this month and today Blogger turns the same. Founded by Evan Williams of Pyra Labs, it was bought by Google in 2003. I have used Blogger for the past year and appreciate it as a forum for communicating with my family and friends, as well as following some of my favourite Muskoka bloggers.

FLY HIGH

I first saw this Falcon Tandem hang glider serve a double function as a sun canopy on the beach before it was picked up by a special boat. It is launched from a platform at the stern of the cruising boat and the tow-winch line released when it soars up to a gliding altitude of 1,000 feet, then landing later on the water with its fitted pontoons.
[Visit their website and watch their Boat Tow HG Adventure video.]

BAYWATCH

The lifeguards of the popular TV series Baywatch, wearing their red iconic swimsuits, patrolled the beaches of Los Angeles County while the lifeguards at Clevelands House patrol the beach and water park at Wallace Bay, complete with their stand and a red iconic Muskoka chair, the end of another day and season drawing to a close shortly.

FOR THE BIRDS

Older boathouses often boast two storeys, the upper level originally used as staff quarters or venues for social events, then converted to primary dwellings or guest accommodations, however since 1990 the MNR has decreed that construction of any new two storey boathouses was no longer permitted, but for this owner that rule is for the birds.

BEAUTIFUL BEAUMARIS

Named by the original pioneers after a resort destination in Wales and their own fond memories, its namesake provides cottagers and tourists with similar experiences. During the summer the marina is
a popular stop and in addition to selling boating paraphernalia they carry souvenir clothing printed with the logo, Beautiful Beaumaris.

WITH LIME

These two kayaks would blend in if you were to have "beer on the pier" as the expression goes, in this case Bud Light Lime with lime. These two models, the Edge 12.5 made by UK manufacturer Riot look like they would also be a riot to use, and offer a lot of bang for your buck. Just remember that if you do go out it's "water on the water."

HIGH FALLS

Often referred to as the waterfall capital of Canada, Bracebridge is naturally blessed with twenty in the area, with High Falls the largest of all and one of five that flow into this bay, a national record itself. Across from the falls, boats of the High Falls Water Park languish by the water's edge, reminding me of crocodiles basking under the sun.

WATERFRONT RETREET

Imagine yourself surrounded by nature with this charming and rustic waterfront retreet. All season road access allows you to enjoy every season and experience the best this place has to offer: nestled high among the trees commanding a bird's eye view of the Muskoka River while only steps away from the water! Viewing by appointment only.

PAYING TRIBUTE

On this occasion I was fortunate to arrive in time to witness the Wenonah II locking through, with the bridge raised and her mast lowered. I like to think that as she is passing the Wall she is paying tribute to the Sagamo, the former patriarch of the steamship line, its picture eclipsed by this newest ship, who carries on the legacy.

TOURISTS & TRUCKERS

During the summer months Paul Fatijewski of Waterway Tours offers sightseeing cruises of Lake Rosseau aboard his pontoon boat. When the season finishes he returns south to his home in Tillsonberg, then during winter's coldest period he gets away... to the ice roads of the Northwest Territories! There he helps police the truckers for safety.
[Watch for his cameo role in Ice Road Truckers: Dash For The Cash.]

INTO THE PAST

Covered and camouflaged with historic photographs this doorway is also a portal into the past, for beyond is a collection of antiques run by dealer Steve Hinton, a former history teacher who aptly operates his business from the storeroom of the Hanna building, a historical landmark of Port Carling and popular tourist attraction with the Wall.

MARMILWOOD

Every time I drive by Milford Bay I always glance at this boathouse cottage, as viewed from the highway. Once part of Robert Eaton's estate, a relative of department store founder Timothy Eaton, he named it after his daughters Margaret and Mildred. During WW II it served as a convalescent hospital for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
[My August entry, "Broadcasting Live" features their original boat.]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Normally I would abstain from taking pictures when I have to contend with flare from the sun but in this instance I used it to my advantage to place a passing boat in the spotlight. The elevation of Armstrong Point offers one of the best views of Lake Rosseau with some of its islands, and with the trail not marked, one of the best kept secrets.

MUSKOKA'S AMAZING RACE

Last year's winners, Kailey and Matt Richter arrive at the finish line, hoping to defend their title at Muskoka's Amazing Race however fail to after missing one of the checkpoints. Starting at The Landscapes site in Baysville, 17 teams competed in a variety of challenges and locations throughout the day, ending at Hanna Park in Port Carling.

A DOUBLE DOSE OF PMS

Tonight my attention was occupied by a double dose of PMS. One was the Property Management System that I utilize in my work at The Rosseau and the other, the Perseid Meteor Showers that kept distracting me during the night. My camera isn't designed for this nature of photography, but did capture the resort under darkness.

FLY FISHING

A fishing rod acts like a trawler's outrigger for this web waiting to net flies. I don't know what kind of spider weaved this web or who the rod belongs to either. It was left behind at the dock pavilion of the Christ Church in Gregory and reminds me of when Jesus said to the fishermen, "Come, follow Me, and I'll make you fishers of men".

PORT CARSLING

The main street of Port Carling congested with traffic over a typical summer weekend. I was told by residents when I moved here last fall that, following Labour Day the volume of traffic slows down and then after Thanksgiving dies! Counting returning cottagers the population of Muskoka doubles to over 130,000 and that's not including tourists.

THE PAST

The Wall at Port Carling welcomes visitors to take a closer view figuratively into the window at the past 100 years of its history. A photomosaic mural made up of over 9,000 individual photographs, it covers the period from 1860-1960 in chronological order. The Wall is featured briefly in the recent movie One Week with Joshua Jackson.

WHAT THE DUCK

I like to think that these ducks don't know what to think about this tiny sea flea, one of a pair of models that attracted a lot of interest. The Dan-O-Myte, at 8 feet long with a 9.9 outboard, is capable of a top speed of 35 mph and is driven by eleven-year-old Daniel Osborn, who helped to build this with his father Derek, of Osborn Model Kits.

BROADCASTING LIVE

Berthed beneath an awning in the shade was the Marmilwood, a 32 foot Minett-Shields, her raised cover capturing the reflection of the scenery and action of the day, broadcasting them live like a show on a flat panel TV. When the current owners purchased her they had it restored by my former relative, Gary Clark of Clark Wooden Boats.
[Visit his website to see more of his past and current masterpieces.]

RACE BOATS

The Muskoka Lakes Association held their bi-annual Antique Boat Show at Port Carling and with 75 on display and a beautiful day the crowds were pleased. The theme this year was Race Boats, with a third in attendance to show their support, including the newly built replica of the Rainbow I and the fully restored Miss Canada III one.

DUCK RACE

I captured this photograph a few days ago of these ducks portaging around the falls at the scenic dam outside Port Sydney. I learned since that today is the Stephenson Lion's Club annual Duck Race, where hundreds of rubber ducks shoot the falls, starting from the dam to the finish line at Indian Landing, for a $2,000 grand prize.

TILTING

The last challenge was the tilting competition. Teams of two engage in battle with one member trying to maintain control of the canoe and the other their balance while sparring against their opponent, attempting to knock them overboard or overturn their canoe to win. On the licenced patio other variations of tilting were taking place.

DIFFERENT STROKES

Different strokes for different folks. A couple of teams demonstrate different techniques in the no paddles race, one of a pair of amusing challenges, the other being the out and in race: at the sound of the siren at the midway point the paddlers have to jump into the water and change positions before climbing back in to continue the race.

MLA REGATTA

Rain was forecast but held off for the 117th annual Muskoka Lakes Association Regatta, located at the Muskoka Golf & Country Club. This popular event is the oldest in North America, featuring canoes and skiffs in a variety of races and categories, with multiple families and generations vying for prestigious trophies and bragging rights.