THE POINT

For as long as I can recall, Armstrong Point has always been a popular spot for anyone to visit that knew about its location. Following the unmarked trail, bountiful with wildflowers in the spring, brought you to its lookout with the most scenic view of Lake Rosseau, and a bench from which to watch the spectacular sunsets. When I visited recently I was disappointed to find a number of "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs posted and spraypainted on over a dozen trees at the trailhead. I am not aware of the details behind this change but I get the point.

TRILLIUM TWINS

One of my favourite signs of spring is when the trilliums appear. I intended only to photograph a single flower, however after getting into position I noticed how the second flower dovetailed nicely with the first, and was pleased with this result. The floral emblem of Ontario, trilliums are white at first, then turn pink when they wilt.

MISKODEED

An Ojibwa tale tells of the encounter between two men, the elder Peboan and the younger Seegwun who visits him, where overnight they compare their influences on the landscape. By sunrise the old man melts away, his true nature revealed as Old Man Winter to his guest, the Spirit of Spring, leaving behind in his place, Miskodeed.
[Thanks to fellow blogger Susan Oling, for contributing her photo.]

During my ramblings through the woods today I came across several patches of Spring Beauty, and was reminded of the tale, the Ojibwa calling this wildflower Miskodeed. The name of the young character from this story, Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, is also the source of the name and meaning that's attributed to the Muskoka steamship.

LOOKING UP

After cooler temperatures and all the rain we've been getting, the forecast is looking up with great weather ahead for Thanksgiving and beyond. Today was a perfect day to be out in my kayak again and for a change am looking up to one of my favourite viewpoints, where its bench can be seen at the top directly beneath the moon.

HEADING HOME

I spent several hours kayaking among the Venetia Islands and along the west side of Tobin Island, before heading home through Cayleys Cut and under the footbridge at Woodmere Island, where this photo was taken from underneath it, using it for a top border and the two islands to frame my destination of Armstrong Point in the distance.

STORM WATCH

I headed up to Armstrong Point in hope of catching some dramatic photographs of the storm, with the sky an ominous black and blue, but shortly after an eye appeared, offering a glimpse of the better weather above and it wasn't long before the storm began to break, the sun highlighting the clouds red, resulting in a beautiful sunset.

SUNSETS

A beautiful sunset from my favourite viewpoint and final stop before getting prepared for work. At The Rosseau the sun is also setting on our receivership status after recently being sold to Canadian Niagara Hotels. With a new boat arriving, at the lower left, and replacing the incumbent, I hope it's a smooth trip after the bumps from the wake.

MORNING MIST

With the recent cool weather at nights the mornings bring mist on the lakes, gradually lifting with the emerging sun. As the curtain is raised Edith and Wasan Islands appear, two of several islands that make up the Venetia Group, while between them in the background The Rosseau can be seen perched above the lake on a granite bluff.

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.

IN LIKE A LAMB

I broke my own trail through knee deep snow at Armstrong Point, the terrific view my reward at the top. The hands formation of the tree helped me frame the ice fishing shacks in the centre. The lake, its ice surface covered with snow and snowmobile tracks, looks like it's swathed in bandages, patiently awaiting spring for their removal.