CottageBlog.ca - Stumbling in and around Muskoka Canada » Tripin around Towns

Grace and Speed

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:42:39 +0000

This is Grace and Speed located at the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre in Gravenhurst. It contains a great museum that features the history of Muskoka’s boat building, grand hotels and the steamship era. The boat slips contain many different antique wooden boats that were built in Muskoka. It is well worth a visit especially if you are planning on going out on one of the Steamships.

Please click on the image for a boathouse sized photo

Pipe Dreams

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:29:53 +0000

Pipe Dreams as seen on the streets of Waubaushene, Ontario just off Hwy #400

lLease click on the image for biggie size

Took The Long Way Home

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:05:16 +0000

We decided to head back home a little earlier as it was a rainy and somewhat chilly day. (Although that usually does not matter) I spotted another road side distraction on Highway #11 south of Gravenhurst (probably more like Orillia) at The Lazy Farmers Antiques. I think its a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 but I could be out a year or two?

Please click on the image for Le Grande sized Mustang

Tractive Force

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:12:36 +0000

I don’t recall exactly where I discovered this old Tractor. I was driving around in circles for a while that day. It was someones lawn ornament in front of their home around the Milford Bay area of Muskoka – me thinks. You never know what you will find meandering through the back roads sometimes.

Please click on the photo for a tractor sized 1280 pixel shot

The Quiet Hills of Mount St. Louis

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:39:06 +0000

I was surprised to see that there was still some snow on the ski hills of Mount St. Louis. For those of you that travel up the highway #400 route to cottage country this will be a familiar view compared to the road side distractions of highway #11. As they say – there are only two seasons in Canada. Winter Summer and Hockey.

Please click on the image for a ski hill sized photo

Highway 69 Before the Meltdown

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:32:15 +0000

This was taken from the side of the road on Highway # 69 near Mactier, Ontario just before the meltdown.
And a real bargain on fuel at 70.9 cents per liter.
Please Click on the image for a large sized photo

The Ghosts of Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:28:50 +0000

I decided I would take the long way home and drove through Bala early this morning. It was dead quiet and I noticed an empty Bala Bay Inn parking lot so I did a little u-turn and headed back for a few quick snaps.

The Bala Bay Inn was built in 1910 by Ephraim Browning Sutton from Leads in Yorkshire, England. Initially it was named The Swastika Hotel and due to the unpolitical correctness of the times it was renamed to the Sutton Manor in the early ’30s. In 1945 the name was changed to The Bala Bay Lodge, and in 1998 to The Bala Bay Inn.

E.B. Sutton died in room #319 of the hotel in 1917 and many of the staff and patrons say the Inn is haunted by him. There are Muskoka ghost tours and even seances that have been held here for you paranormal types.

Please click on the image for a 1280 pixel sized photo

Roadside Distractions

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:21:55 +0000

I have been driving by this abandoned old farm house on highway #400 for years now. The traffic was light Sunday morning so I pulled over and took a few quick snaps, sans tripod. I don’t recall when it was last occupied. Most cottagers that travel on Hwy #400 which was once referred to as “the extension” would see this place neatly tucked in the field near Mt. St. Louis.

Please click on the image for a large sized photo

Weird Waubaushene Walk Way

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:33:28 +0000

Many cottagers that take highway #400 will be familiar with a place just south of Port Severn called Waubaushene Ontario. You cannot see the town or village from the road as its nicely isolated from the highway. I did the obligatory main street drive and at the very end of the street found this walkway that reached out onto Georgian Bay.

Click for biggie size photo

A Pinball Wizard, There’s got to be a Twist

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:37:42 +0000

Ever since I was a young boy
I’ve played the silver ball
From Huntsville down to Barrie
I must have played them all …

Just a few doors down from The Kee I could not resist a little peek inside the Balacade. It was like a journey back in time (gee now I’m dating myself) with vintage pinball machines and games crammed into the small room. Balacade is an arcade shop that was started in Bala Ontario over 50 years ago and is still run by the original owner Paul Arney and his wife Patricia. Please click on the pic or HERE for a biggie 1280 pixel photo

Balacade Story

The History of the Old Stone Crypt

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:20:55 +0000

Driving around the back roads of Muskoka I recently found this old stone crypt near Torrance, Ontario.

I discovered this is the final resting place for William Odell Darling Pine Whiting and family. (Boy, they had long names back then) W.O. Whiting was from England and fell in love with Muskoka in 1885 when he was returning to Toronto while serving with the Northwest Grenadiers after the Riel rebellion.

He later returned in 1892 and bought a large piece of beachfront stretching from Sandy Point to Coulter’s Narrows on Lake Muskoka. William built a 210 room, 4-story hotel called the Brighton Beach Hotel which was a replica of a hotel back in Brighton Beach England. Unfortunately the hotel burned down before it ever opened. Later, William and his wife Clara Cronkhite built a second smaller hotel named the Brighton Beach II which operated for a short while until it burned down in 1917.

Here is a good article about the Whiting family called; Ninety-Three Muskoka Summers

Please click for a large photo

Rocky Roads

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:29:13 +0000

Its quite common to see rock cuts through the granite outcroppings around Muskoka or Northern Ontario. In order to make roads you have to blast them out. This is Peninsula Road near Minett, Ontario. Most of the trees have started to shed however there are still some vibrant colors hanging on.

Please click here or on the image for a giant sized photo

I’ve got a Trike and you can Ride it if you Like

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:54:58 +0000

Going Green – another photo from the Cranberry Fest.
I noticed this dude in his electric tricycle thingy cruising down the road in the CranFest traffic.

Click for a larger photo

The Organ Grinder

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:37:56 +0000

The Organ Grinder Klaus seen at the Bala Cranberry Festival this past weekend
Click on the image for a large sized 1280 pixel photo

Crowds with no Clouds at the 25th Annual Cranberry Festival

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:17:33 +0000

The 25th annual Cranberry festival was on in Bala, Ontario this past weekend. I don’t recall seeing crowds like this at the Cranfest before. Usually its cold and rainy so I think the sunshine brought many people out to Muskoka this year.

More photos to follow soon.

Please click on the image for biggie sized photo

Blazing a Kodachrome Trail

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:57:51 +0000

I got a Nikon camera …
I love to take a photograph
so mama don’t take my Kodachrome away
(Paul Simon)

There are explosions of colour everywhere you turn in Muskoka but not for long. Natures final emancipation preparing for winter.

The photos on this blog are 72 dpi and contain relatively small files in order for the blog to load quickly. Unfortunately that diminishes the quality of the photo substantially. I wish I could show you some of the high resolution shots like this one which is about 15mb in size. The colors and details are truly mind blowing on a large sized high res monitor.

Don’t forget Muskoka’s Cranberry Festival is on this weekend in Bala Oct 16, 17, 18 – if you spot me in the beer tent I’ll buy you a beer

Please Click on the Image for a Biggie 1280 pixel size

Gazing Down the Line

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:57:33 +0000

The trees were utterly vibrant and near peak this past weekend in the Muskoka area. The trails and back roads were very busy with many out of town visitors sucking in the raw natural beauty. Sunday afternoon revealed snow and ice pellets a welcoming gift for our friends from the city. Still waiting for that Indian Summer.

Please click for a large 1280 pixel photo

Dead Trees and Dark Skies

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:49:28 +0000

I was driving across Hwy # 169 towards Gravenhurst looking for the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve.
I made a wrong turn into the community of Torrance and just kept driving and discovered this field of dead trees on the side of the road. You can see that the fall colours are starting to set in now. I later discovered Torrance Barrens was on the other side of the highway.
Please click on the image for a higher resolution 1280 pixel size.

Johnny Winter, Still Alive and Well in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:47:14 +0000

The legendary guitarist Johnny Winter played Muskoka this past weekend. There were only 100 tickets available and of course this concert sold out months ago. If you are not familiar with Johnny Winter he is one of the greatest guitar legends of all time having played with Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and even touring with and producing the great Muddy Waters. Johnny and his brother Edgar were both born albino and have forged careers as great white blues rockers. It was almost to the day that they both performed at Woodstock 40 years ago.

Saturday nights concert was performed at Peters Players in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The room is built like a giant rec room/bar connected to the rear of Peters home. Peter is in the music promotion business with deep connections and the ability to book unbelievably high quality performers. One of the most intimate concert experiences you will ever have.
Check out Peters website and see who else is coming: www.petersplayers.com

Update: I was contacted by Peter of Peters Players who saw my photo and asked if they could use it for a promo.
Click HERE

Ding Dong, No Shoes Please

Ed Boutilier — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:29:26 +0000

The girls wanted to shop for shoes (again) so I was left to wander the streets of Bracebridge solo. I found a cool looking doorway with four ringer buttons . Then all of a sudden I seemed to attract a few people watching what I was doing. Really people it was not that exciting – well maybe a bit more exciting than looking at shoes.

Please click on the image for shoe size 1280

Snooping on Snoop Dogg at the Kee to Bala

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:57:45 +0000

Snoop Dogg in The House Cottage
The rapper / hip hop artist, Snoop Dogg or formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg played two sold out nights at The Kee to Bala August 13 & 14, 2009. I took a drive by (perhaps not the best choice of words) just to see what kind of crowd he would draw in Muskoka’s cottage country. It turns out the Snoopster drew a large crowd … of Cops.

Unfortunately I did not get a chance to take a decent shot under the high security situation. (required high ISO and there were lots of moving) There have been a lot of interesting bands come through The Kee including, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong in the old days. There has also been other great bands like Rush, Max Webster, David Wilcox, George Thorogood, The Ramones, Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo and others that have rocked The Kee.

Back Road Boogie

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:45:42 +0000

I followed Butter and Egg Road off of Hwy #118 towards Bracebridge, Ontario and soon and ended up on a road called Falkenburg Road. This 1942 Dodge tandem truck was sitting in a farmers field waiting for a new owner.

Click on the Image for a large photo – thanks

Classic Cars in Muskoka, Ontario

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:41:34 +0000

The classic car and boat show in Rosseau, Ontario on August 01, 2009.
These shows always bring in hoards of people that wander around and admire the beauties. I wonder whats in the little black bag?
Please click on the photo for a large size

In the Belly of a Muskoka Steamship

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:54:28 +0000

I had a chance to spend some time in the pilothouse with the Captain of the R.M.S. Segwun steamship in Gravenhurst earlier this month. I thought it would be rather fitting to also visit the engine room to see whats happening. Well you can see by the look of crew Grumpy that he was none to pleased to see me and my camera. Oh well, I’m sure he got over it.

Look up … Look Way Up

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:24:09 +0000

Things are looking up in Parry Sound, Ontario the hometown of one of the greatest hockey players ever Bobby Orr no less. This is a shot looking straight up from under the Canadian Pacific Railway train trestle. Its quite an engineering feat from the early 1900’s.

Please click for a 1280 pixel sized photo

Click on the image for a biggie shot

Peeping Through Marty’s World Famous Window

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:04:58 +0000

Most everyone in Muskoka by now knows about Marty’s World Famous. Mary is the Michelangelo of butter tarts so they say. I couldn’t help but notice Marty’s “Big Ass Apple Pie” sitting in the window as I strolled down the streets of Bracebridge recently.

Please click on the image for a Big Ass Photo

The Dolly Durkin JR

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:14:07 +0000

This is the bow ornament of the Dolly Durkin Jr. named after the original 1922 Ditchburn built for Sir John Eaton. This beauty was built by the Picasso of boat building Mr. Peter Breen who invested 7000 hours into this masterpiece.

More about the Dolly Durkin Jr. and Peter Breen in The Muskokan

Please click on the image for a Ditchburn sized photo

Mary Lake at Port Sydney, Ontario

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:08:32 +0000

The welcome sign says “Home of 800 nice families and 1 old grouch” in Port Sydney, Ontario.
Located approximately 12 km’s south of Huntsville and just off highway #11. This is the area next years G8 Summit will be held.

Port Sydney is situated on Mary Lake and is also part of the North Muskoka River. See Google Map

Please Click the image for a G8 sized photo

Three Girls and a Dock

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:31:15 +0000

Oh, sunny, sunny, sunny days
Ain’t nothin’ better in the world, you know
Than lyin’ in the sun with your radio

The Port Carling town dock works for a little chat fest while the wake boarding boys sneak in for little peek.
Ahhh those sunny sunny days …

Please click on the image for a dock sized photo

The Amphibious Car

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:44:36 +0000

I caught these AmphiCars cruising around the docks in Gravenhurst at the annual antique boat show this past weekend. These bad boys were manufactured in Berlin, Germany from 1962 to 1967. Only about 4500 were ever built with most of the production going to the USA. I would like to know how they would handle the wake of a 31ft Ditchburn

Click on the image for a Biggie Pic

The Gravenhurst Antique and Classic Boat Show

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:07:40 +0000

I noticed this mammoth monster sized boat in Port Carling last year. Someone told me it used to be Conrad Black’s boat but I’m not sure about that. Connie did like things a tad grandiose so its always possible.

Just a reminder that this Saturday July 11, 2009 is the 29th annual Antique and Cassic Boat Show down in Gravenhurst. All the classic boats will be there along with a flea market, steam boat rides and more …
Its definitely worth checking out. More info here and here

Right Off the Dock in Parry Sound, Ontario

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:57:09 +0000

Parry Sound Ontario is the home of Bobby Orr, one of the greatest hockey players ever.
It was a very ominous day looking off the town wharf and out into the mammoth sized waters of Georgian Bay.
Please click for a large sized image

Under the Parry Sound Train Trestle

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:29:15 +0000

The train trestle crosses over the Seguin River in the heart of Parry Sound, Ontario. Located right on the shores of Georgian Bay this bridge can be seen for many miles. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1908 this trestle spans 1695 feet long and is 105 feet in height. It is one of the oldest and longest trestles in Canada.

There is a beautiful waterfalls under the bridge where I noticed a fly fisherman doing his thing. I will post on a later date.
Please click for a train trestle sized photo.

Bracebridge Falls in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:10:54 +0000

The Bracebridge Falls is located right downtown in Bracebridge, Ontario. Bracebridge was the first municipality in Canada to embrace hydro electric power back in 1894. This is the last drop of the north branch of the Muskoka River before it meets up with the south branch.

It was a miserable rainy and cold day when I passed through last weekend. Quite a few people were still exploring, fishing and taking photos. (Canadians are tough!) The Muskoka area has an abundance of waterfalls throughout and I plan to get out and capture a few more.

Please click on the image for a large sized photo.

Please click for a large sized photo

Lunch at Red Leaves in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:26:36 +0000

This is the newly opened Red Leaves Resort in the village of Minett, Ontario. This section is called The Rosseau and it is where Canada’s first J.W. Marriott hotel resides. It is a huge $750M undertaking transforming over 1 mile of Lake Rosseau shoreline on about 1400 acres. It has not been totally embraced by the locals in the area due to its mammoth size, environmental footprint and more.

While having lunch in the resort restaurant called “Cottages” I noticed our Minister of Industry, Tony Clement chowing down with his family right beside me. He had mac n cheese with a Pepsi and I had the seared ahai tuna and a long cool Muskoka lager .. or two. Tony baby has been spreading some tax dollars around the area as next year Muskoka will be hosting the G8 Summit

This photo is a panoramic shot of two photos stitched together. Behind me was a spectacular view of Lake Rosseau which I shall post another time.

click the image for a large 1280 pixel photo

Highway 118 Revisited Near Port Carling

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:00:53 +0000

I made it up to Muskoka this past Easter weekend. The ice still remains on the big lakes however some of the smaller lakes have opened up already. This photo was taken as you travel on highway #118 into Port Carling.

Please click the photo for an Easter Egg sized image.

Rocky Roads of Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:13:53 +0000

As you drive around in Muskoka or anywhere within the Canadian Shield areas you will see these rock cuts with giant icicles oozing out of them. This only takes place during winter of course but they do tend to hang on for a bit into the warmer spring weather. This photo was taken on Highway # 169 between Glen Orchard and Bala, Ontario. Please click on the photo for glacier sized images.

A close up of the oozing ice that comes out of these road side rocks.
Click image for glacier sized photo

Port Sandfield in Muskoka Sleeps

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:29:49 +0000

Port Sandfield is the dividing point for Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Once you cross the swing bridge coming from Port Carling you will see the Silver Stream Farms Market on the right side. This general store is very popular with cottagers and locals alike. I can’t wait for those delicious cinnamon buns from their bakery.

The Ghost Town of Swords, Ontario (Muskoka)

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:27:17 +0000

This is the general store and former post office in the ghost town of Swords, Ontario located in the district of Muskoka. It is abandoned uninhabited now and has been for quite a while. In 1894 a lumber company was established here and the town was called Maple Station with trains passing through up to 20 times per day. Later the towns name was changed to avoid confusion with another Maple Station. The Sword family operated the general store until 1930. The lumber ran out, the train station closed in 1946 and the post office shut down in 1966 with most residents moving away.

NOTE: Although many of these types of properties are abandoned or unoccupied please remember they are still private property. Please respect the rights of these owners and do not go crawling through them without obtaining prior permission. (Swords photos taken from the roadside)

Ontario Abandoned Places

For a General Store Sized Photo Click on the Image – 1280

Click Image for Biggie Size

Click Image for Super Sized 1280 version

Put up your Dukes in Muskoka Canada

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:26:17 +0000

Things looked a little quiet and bleak when I passed by Dukes in Port Carling recently. Dukes is a historic place in Muskoka with a long history of classic boat building. I had a chance to tour the facility last year and witnessed the restoration of some old Ditchburns and Minett-Shields classic woodies. They occasionally have an open house for the public and if you get the chance I highly recommend you take the opportunity to step back in time.

Click on the image for a large launch sized photo

Up Against the Wall in Port Carling

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:08:07 +0000

Port Carling, Ontario – located in the hub of Muskoka features one of Canada’s great roadside attractions. The worlds largest historic photo mosaic spanning 111 x 45 feet.

“The Wall” as locals refer to it is made up of 9028 individual photos of Muskoka’s first 100 years – 1860 to 1960. Each photo was digitally manipulated to show the superimposed S.S. Sagamo steamship circa 1922 which regularly passed through these locks. When you get up close you can see the original log cabins, the bearded homesteaders and the nautical machines of Muskoka’s great historical past.

click the image for a Steamboat Size photo

ffffrozen creature in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:22:13 +0000

Looks like we were fortunate to dodge all the hoop-la in Muskoka over the holidays. I understand there was a combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, flooding, extreme high winds followed by hydro outages for thousands. By the time I got back up to check on things it felt like frozen arctic tundra at a mere minus 22c. Here is a shot of a creature discovered on the Gravenhurst waterfront.

click on image for biggie size

The Church on the Hill in Gregory

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:32:26 +0000

On the Lake Rosseau side of the fence there is an old Anglican Church – The Christ Church of Gregory.

Well its time to take a small Blog break. I have not had many chances to get up north this winter but will return for New Years. I’m headed to the Caribbean in search of sandy white beaches and mixed concoctions. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all the other correct Seasonal Greetings. See you in 2009 – Cheers!

Click Image for Santa Claus Belly Size

Sun Trees

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:11:51 +0000

In the middle of snow flurries everything stopped for a minute and the sun peaked through the clouds. I was hoping it would drop so I could shoot it between the trees but it disappeared and continued to snow again.

Click on the image for a larger 1280 pixel size

Snow Horses

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:11:14 +0000

It was snowing pretty hard when I approached the fence and these two zeroed in on me with blank stares almost immediatley.

The Tours Over

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:25:59 +0000

Stumbled upon this Bus parked in a wooded area. It appears the road tour may be over for a while. Not sure if anyone was living in it or not. Please click for a larger size.

Click on the image for a bus sized photo

The Leaning Doors of Rosseau

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:46:42 +0000

I posted a similar shot of these doors I found up in Rosseau back in June. Many liked them so I thought I would show from the opposite angle.

Lest We Forget

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:15:37 +0000

Remembrance Day, also know as Poppy Day. We are so removed and insulated from what it was like for our dads, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and friends to go off to war and never arrive home again or return changed forever. We now take those sacrifices for granted. Please ponder it a moment…

Taken in Bala Ontario overlooking the Moon River

Looking Back at Bala Falls

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:55:47 +0000

While taking a drive through the town of Bala in Muskoka its hard not to miss the Save the Bala Falls signs. Many locals and cottagers are very upset at the possible destruction of the natural beauty of these falls with a proposed hydroelectric plant being built. This photo was taken “looking back” at the road over the dam and railway bridge near Purks Place and the old stone church.

The Old Cranberry Truck in Bala, Ontario

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:49:45 +0000

Just before the Cranberry Festival hit the Town of Bala I made a trip over to Johnston’s Cranberry Farm. The leaves were almost peaking and the sun was warm at least compared to now. This old truck was or is used for the harvest of cranberries on the farm. It looks like it probably still works.