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.

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.

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.]

LAST RUN

A wakeboarder returns to the cottage at dusk after a last run while a spectacular cloud formation moves in, with the promise of an equally impressive sunset. Milford Bay is a sheltered stretch of lake that lies behind the protection of Tondern Island and is often busy with skiers and tubers on the water, and swimmers at the Baycliffe Park beach.

MUSKOKA WHARFARE

A model German U-Boat surfaces in Muskoka Bay, the rocky point in the distance the former site of a PoW camp, where ironically during WWII some submarine crew were interned. Norwegian pilots training at Little Norway used to fly over and drop potatoes at the PoWs' and occasionally practised divebombing and strafing runs on the Segwun.

WOOD & WATER

I consider this my Study for Wood & Water, not only as it resembles a painting but also because its details remain incomplete. Each time I visit the wharf I am always drawn to this wood boathouse with its chair, but know nothing about it except that a Sea Ray boat named Sand Bank berths there, and that I wish I could learn more about it.

CLASSIC CARS

The second day of the show featured "glassic" boats, a variety of fiberglass ones with and without fins, classic cars and combinations, such as this AmpFicar that attracted a lot of attention when it began cruising around the bay, and raised a lot of questions, including: "Do they also require a Pleasure Craft Operator's Card now to drive that?"

WOODEN BOATS

Gravenhurst hosted the 30th annual Antique & Classic Boat Show
and as this event spanned all weekend the first day was devoted to wooden boats. The selection was varied with their manufacturers, ages and lengths, their varnished surfaces reflecting the sky and polished hardware, such as this Minett-Shields Gentleman's Racer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MAIDEN VOYAGE

As peers in the tourism industry, we were invited on an introductory cruise of Muskoka Bay to the lighthouse which stands at the entrance to Gravenhurst Narrows. This was my maiden voyage aboard the Wenonah II, a diesel-run replica of the early Muskoka steamships, combining turn-of-the-century charm with modern conveniences.

HUCKLEBERRY ROCK

"View the beauty of Muskoka" beckons the sign at the parking lot entrance, the trail leading to Huckleberry Rock Lookout which boasts one of the best views of Lake Muskoka. One vantage point features this white pine, its upper formation suggestive of a bird in flight, like many of the birds that frequent this area riding the thermals.