Storm Scene

 High winds. Emphasis on High.  A tornado Watch in effect from Environment Canada.  Rain. Lots and lots of rain.


It opened up the view -- we lost one of the big willows at the lake, very sadly.

 The water trampoline dragged its anchor, and had to be rescued, but its fine and ready for bouncing again!


The waves were really impressive. Sherry took a short video.

The only real casualties were the Canadian flag at the Lodge -- which was bent straight down by a falling limb from the maple tree. A tree, we add, that has never shed a branch in its lifetime. It shed one today...  




With impeccable timing, it shed that branch in the windstorm not even a half hour after the BMD had brought the guest's red canoe out of storage, and carefully placed it where we always do, right by the door of the Lodge, next to the gazebo...



The rain was impressive, too. And it contributed to one rather soggy poodle.


On the plus side, there was no funnel cloud. We go away lightly, all in all.

Hydro went out, but with the help of generators we can keep the water supply on. All the cottages have bbq's, and there were restaurants open nearby working from back-up generators too.  It made for a rather peaceful interlude.  Amanda and Frank spent the time sitting on the cottage deck, sheltered from the wind, just watching the light show, and quite happy to be 'disconnected' from the grid for a few hours.  They came to visit Napster at his art gallery during a break in the storm, too.

With every break in the weather Brian, Dave and Mike -- and Sarah! --  were out with the truck and chainsaw repairing and cleaning up.


We are very fortunate indeed to have these guys here, all able to run a chainsaw, drive a truck, climb a ladder... essentially all able to FIX STUFF.  The ability to Fix Stuff is not to be taken lightly.

 The hydro was out for several hours, but it's back on now. The trees have been cleaned up, lawns raked again. The moon is out as I write this.  Storms pass...

Summer's getting Started

 Summer is just getting started, and already it's busy!  Canada Day weekend with picture perfect weather, fireworks and festivals got everything off to a splendid start.

With lake temperatures here in the very high 70's, verging on 80 degrees, the water was where everyone wanted to be.

Getting to the lake entailed having a short conversation with the Lawn Deer... Not to be confused with the Back Field Deer, Pasture Deer or Forest Deer, so we are given to understand.

Some folks wanted to be busy -- the paddleboats, water trampoline and our new iceberg were getting a workout.  Others wanted to find that silent place, and we were able to provide that as well.  Under the big willow between Clover and Lantern there is a veritable haven, with lawn chairs and a hammock, that attracts the seekers of solitude.




Roger couldn't wait to get out on the bay with his beloved sailboat.  We had other guests who took canoes and paddled from Bondi, crossed the Portage, and voyageured all the way to Marsh's Falls, before turning about to follow the current and return home. They couldn't stop raving about the wonders of that day's outing.

For others, it was the pace of the paddleboat, with Dad doing most but not all of the work, that did the trick.

Kim found an enormous turkey feather in the back fields.  Zack and Alli discovered some deer bones, from a much earlier wolf kill, while they were exploring our trails.

Dorset was a big draw, with the Lookout Tower and the evening fireworks. Remember that on the August long weekend the fireworks happen at Dwight Beach!

Summer's on the go. If you haven't secured a week's holiday yet for you and your family, give us a call!

Go Fish

Opening day of Bass Season, and our fishermen took to the Lake.

With success.  They practice catch-and-release, and were just delighted to land these beauties.

This should put an end, too, to their lament that the sport is called "Fishing," it is not called "Catching."

With over 300 miles of shoreline, and deep deep water, Lake of Bays is home to trout, bass, and (now) pike. The latter were introduced by people who did not give any thought to the consequences of transferring species from one body of water to another, and once into the lakes, it is hard to remove anything. As anyone who has tried to spoon dissolved sugar from a cup of coffee can attest.

This is why there are constant warnings about not using live bait in certain lakes, in only buying bait locally, about cleaning off the hulls of your boats if you use them in different lakes. The inadvertent introduction of species has given us a whole list of invasive things in Canada.

Lake of Bays is still home to beautiful native species, like these bass. We all need to work to keep it that way!  So think before you toss anything into a waterway, be it bait or the boat you just enjoyed on a southern lake with zebra mussels...

Look at the smiles on Dave and Mike, as they proudly show off their catch! 

There are many fishing derbies that take place in Muskoka. If you're in the area on July 14th, the Dorset Kids' Fishing Derby is on. For kids ages 12 & under accompanied by an adult. Lots of prizes & bait provided. $2 per child. Kooky winning categories like "funniest fishing hat". Register 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. behind Northern D'Lites. Judging 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. & prize ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Bring your own pole. Rain date is Sunday, July 15.

Go with the Flow

Dave and Megan spent a gloriously sunny afternoon canoeing down the Oxtongue River last weekend.





This is a beautiful river, with virtually no development along the shoreline, and plenty of spots for wildlife and birds to hang out.

We have an access point at the end of one of our hiking trails, where we can put in a canoe, or kayak.  It is a short paddle upstream to the base of Marsh's Falls -- the only section where you paddle against the current.  From the Falls, it is all downstream, all flat water, all good.

Upstream of Marsh's Falls, it is a bit of a different tale. This river starts in Algonquin Park, spilling over the Tea Lake Dam.  There are large stretches of the river that make a wonderful day's outing starting close to Tea Lake.

 Working it's way down to the Lake of Bays, it plunges over Ragged Falls,  This is one of our smallest Provincial Parks, but well worth the visit. There are over 9 distinct forest communities in this compact space, along with the most dramatic of waterfalls and plunge basins.  Canoes can put in at Oxtongue Lake and paddle upstream to the base of Ragged Falls,

Still not done with descent, the river comes through the Hog's Trough narrows, and the Oxtongue River Rapids -- the site of a beautiful picnic area and a favourite year round with artists. 

Elbow Falls, which takes its name from it's 90 degree angle (not recommended for trying to run the falls... truly not recommended) is the last of the waterfalls before it reaches Marsh's Falls.

The lower portion of the river is designated as an Heritage area by the Township.  After the quiet paddle downstream, you have the option of following the shore to Thompson's Portage, carrying across this narrow isthmus and returning to Bondi Village Resort; or paddling up to Dwight Beach, and calling us for pick-up... 

This river trip is a favourite experience for many of our guests. Thanks Megan for the photos from your day!