Longer Days are coming

The snowbank gives you an idea of the amount of snow we've got right now.  No shortage!

Which is to say, quite a bit!  After the wild winds and snowstorm on Saturday, today was brilliantly sun drenched.  But cold. It's going to be 20 below for the next few evenings, they tell us, before spiking back up to about 12 degrees.  The milder temperatures on Saturday plus the weight of the fresh snow caused the snow to slip on the metal roof of the woodshed. That created this interesting overhang.

It also helped create some interesting icicles.  With the March Break almost upon us, there is still great outdoor opportunities for families up here in North Muskoka.  If you haven't had a chance to get out on the toboggan hills, build a snowman, skate somewhere other than in a stuffy arena, ski down an alpine ski hill or glide through silent forests, if you are pining to just sit quietly near a fireplace, watching the world and the wildlife parade past the window, well, be of good cheer. You haven't missed the dog sled to winter.  Or the dog sled rides come to that.  

On the other hand, if the March Break is gently turning your attention to your plans for the summer holidays, keep in mind that National Geographic Travel Editors have TWICE named Muskoka as one of the very top destinations.  We are currently booking cottages for the summer. Give us a call!

The days are getting longer -- this sunset was just getting itself started at 5.30 p.m. today. That means summer will be here, sooner than you think.  You should be here too.

Record Setting

Brian has been keeping an eye on the thermometer -- someone has to. Can't be our guests because they are far too busy playing in the lake!
He chimed in with the following:

"Yesterday, we set an all time record for the hottest day.  The Past record was 34.5C on July 6, 1988


Thursday,  it reached a little over 36C but this is not an official Environment Canada number of course, just the one that popped up on our temperature gauge.  However you measure it, it was hot.

By way of interest the coldest day in July so far was in 1965 when on July 6 it dropped to 4.4 C. I assume this was the overnight low but still pretty cold.

The most rain in July was in 2000 when on the 31st we got 65.2 mm of rain.

Why do I tell you this? I haven’t got a foggy clue, but enjoy it while it lasts as the fish huts will be going out in about 6 months."

Now, much as we are fond of the fish huts, we are in no hurry to let this stretch of summer leave us.


These are the days when families are spending time together, precious moments happen all day long, the lake is silken and enticing...

Canadian summer, at its very best, at the Lake of Bays.

Strawberry Fields

Walked up the road tonight to our Pioneer Fields.  Just across from the Firehall, this lovely doe went on 'high alert' when she saw me.  She didn't run far, just into the bush.  Two other deer were also up there, and leapt off into the bracken fern.

The lilac tree that is part of the memorial garden up there is just coming into bloom. This is a different type of French lilac, which blooms much later than our indigenous ones.  It is quite striking.  and yes, it is also fenced to keep it away from the hungry mouths of the deer.

By the end of the week, it should be in full bloom.  Down at the Resort, the Mock Orange tree is covered with blossom and smells wonderful.

But so do the back fields.  The wild strawberries are ripe -- they are tiny tiny tiny, but the flavour makes them well worth the gathering. Hiding under the leaves, they can be hard to spot, but the whole field smells of strawberries.

Just in time to welcome back our monarch butterflies, the milkweed is putting on its own flower show.  We've seen some monarchs flitting about already. They will be laying eggs on the milkweed now, and hopefully there will be a HUGE crop of these lovely butterflies later in the season.

The blackberries are in bloom in the back field as well. The blueberries are done blooming and are starting to set fruit.  All of which makes a walk through the fields a smorgasbord experience.