'Tis the Week Before Christmas (A Plea to Santa)

‘Tis the week before Christmas and all through Muskoka
We’re watching the skies for falling white snow ‘cause
We want to go skiing and sledding downhill
But instead of the white stuff there’s green grass here still.

We could hurtle down rocks like those guys in the Alps
But we really don’t think that it’s going to help.
We’d rather be skiing in powdery snow
With blue skies above and frozen lake down below.

So Santa, we’re begging you. Help us out here.
Just bring us some snow for Christmas this year.
Our skis, boards and blades are all ready to go
As soon as you send us some glorious snow.

Your magic can make the snow perfect to slide on.
Mother Nature? Who needs her? She can’t be relied on.
(If she’s listening, we’re sorry. Please don’t be mad.
It’s just that we want to go skiing so bad. )

You need snow too, Santa. Think of your reindeer.
If they can’t bring presents, it won’t be a great year
For kids in Muskoka with no snow and no gifts…
You know how kids are, they’re sure to be miffed.

Your very existence could well be at stake.
We’re begging you please not to make that mistake.
With Facebook and Twitter the story will spread
And kids round the world will think Santa is dead.

So please, you must do whatever it takes
To bring us some snow for our hills and our lakes.
Thanks a lot Santa. Please save the day.
Merry Christmas to you from Colonial Bay!

Skiing in Muskoka

Muskoka’s landscape – hilly, rocky and treed – isn’t just beautiful. It also offers amazing terrain for skiing. Whether you prefer the thrill and speed of alpine-style skiing or the tranquil tracks of cross-country skiing, Muskoka is the perfect location for both.

Arrowhead Provincial Park has 29 km of groomed, track-set, cross-country ski trails and 12km of skate skiing trails for beginner to expert skiers. Both classic and skate skis can be rented from the Park Pro Shop. Glide silently through the trees and then warm up next to the bonfire before exploring another trail.

Our local alpine ski area, Hidden Valley Highlands, has surprisingly varied terrain given its size. With twelve runs ranked from easy (green) to most difficult (black diamond) and a terrain park, there’s something for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. For first-timers and those who want to improve their skills, the Snow School offers both beginner group lessons or one-on-one private instruction.

Weather permitting, both Hidden Valley and Arrowhead will have terrain open through the holidays.

If you’re planning to be in Muskoka for the holidays, Hidden Valley has two celebrations: the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and New Year’s Eve family-friendly fireworks. Check out their events page for info.

Other local holiday events include:

• December 17 – A Portage Flyer Christmas at Muskoka Heritage Place - Ride the Portage Flyer to visit Santa from 5-8pm
• December 17, 28, 29 – SantaFest at Santa’s Village - Admission includes horse-drawn sleigh rides by Twin Maples Farm, Ice Skating (weather permitting), sliding, guided ATV rides by Bear Claw Tours, winter Olympic biathlon, gingerbread cookie decorating, craft making, colouring & letter writing, petting farm, marshmallow roasting, story time and visits with Santa
• December 20 – Michelle Wright Christmas at Algonquin Theatre

We hope to see you this holiday season!

Warm wishes,
The Howell Family

Bring on the snow!

While many people think of Muskoka as a summer destination with water sports, hiking or just basking in the sun, it’s just as fun to be here in the winter. Here are some of the ways you can play in the snow in Muskoka:

Downhill Skiing
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is just a short drive from Colonial Bay. With a variety of groomed runs suitable for skiers of all abilities, Hidden Valley is a great place to spend a day with family. They also offer ski and snowboard rentals, a terrain park, night skiing and lessons. Lift ticket required.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
There are lots of trails in Muskoka that are suitable for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The closest to Colonial Bay are at Arrowhead Provincial Park and Limberlost Forest Reserve.
Arrowhead Park, located just north of Huntsville, has trails for everyone from beginners to experts. With 29 km of track-set, cross-country ski trails, 12km of skate skiing trails and 6 km of marked snowshoe trails, you’ll be able to spend the whole day exploring. Classic ski, skate skis and snowshoes are all available to rent. A day use fee applies to access the park.
Limberlost Forest Reserve is just 10 km north of Colonial Bay. Access is free to the public and they have 70 km of trails for backwoods skiing or snowshoeing.

Skating
The Town of Huntsville offers two venues for skating. The Summit Centre has indoor skating available until March 30 2012 during scheduled times (a fee applies) plus they offer a Free Family Skate on Sunday afternoons from January 22 to February 12 on Cann Lake near Muskoka Heritage Place.
Arrowhead Park has an outdoor skating rink overlooking Mayflower Lake. A gazebo at rinkside offers a place to change skates or take a break. The park has two heated warm-up shelters and an open fire when you need to warm up. Skates are available to rent. A day use fee applies to access the park.

Snowmobiling
If snowmobiling is your thing, check out the local trails here or if you’ve always wanted to try it out, you can find tours and guides here.

Tubing
Rock Ridge Tubing Park in Huntsville has thrilling runs with lifts to haul you back up to the top. And when you need a break, warm up by the fire pit or in the snack bar. A fee applies to access the runs.

Dog Sledding
A variety of local operators offer dog sledding tours in Huntsville or nearby Algonquin Park. Try Snow Forest Adventures or Huntsville Dog Sled or check Google for more.

Relaxing Fireside
At the end of a day spent playing outside, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Or you could just spend the day that way too! All of our winter accommodations have fireplaces. If you’d like to experience Muskoka in the winter (and we think you should!) you can see our availability here.

Now we just need Mother Nature to bring us some snow…

The Howell Family

Do Moose Hibernate?

Ever wonder where Muskoka’s most iconic animals go in the winter? We do get a lot of snow, making it a fabulous place for winter play if you’re human. But what about all of our furry and feathered friends?

The Loon, perhaps the smartest of the bunch, heads south. Sort of. There are reports that Muskoka’s loons head…east. To the Atlantic Ocean. Or sometimes south to the Great Lakes. No Florida sun for these beauties. Maybe they're not so smart after all. Regardless, they head back to Muskoka in April, sometimes flying back and forth between here and their winter homes several times before finding open water to call home for the summer.

Moose, on the other hand, are perfectly adapted to living in our wintry northern wonderland. Their long legs make trekking through deep snow a breeze, although they often prefer to hang out in or near a forest where the snow isn’t as deep and there are lots of tasty twigs to munch on. The forest also provides cover from the heat of winter. That’s right, the heat. A moose in winter coat starts to pant if the temperature rises above -5C and they really don’t begin to feel the cold until the thermometer drops down to -30C.

Black Bears are the laziest of our local critters, spending 5-6 months of the year hibernating. They head for winter dens sometime in November and don’t emerge until April when the snow is well on its way to becoming part of the lake.

Raccoons are also on the lazy side, hibernating for a good part of the winter, often in family groups. If we have a warm spell, however, they will emerge from their dens to see what kind of havoc they can wreak.

Beavers, the most industrious of our local animals, build lodges that help to keep the colony warm in winter. They stash piles of wood in deep water near the lodge to sustain them through the winter. Underwater exits from the lodge allow them to swim under the ice to get to their food while keeping away from predators at the surface. They even store fat in their tails for winter energy.

Humans over-winter quite nicely in Muskoka, not by storing extra fat (although that sometimes happens), but by adding multiple layers of clothing and participating in a variety of both indoor and outdoor pastimes to stay warm. At Colonial Bay, you can relax in front of a cozy fire after a day spent playing in the snow. Muskoka has abundant opportunities for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, skating and snowmobiling. If you’ve never experienced Muskoka in the winter, why not try it this year?

See you soon!
The Howell Family

Haunted Muskoka

There are a number of ghostly spirits said to haunt locations across Muskoka. With Hallowe’en just around the corner, we thought we’d introduce you to some of them.

Strange things happen at Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville’s Pioneer Village. In the Hill House, ghostly footsteps echo upstairs, the bed looks as though someone had been sitting in it (despite being blocked from public access) and there are reports of people feeling that they were being watched. It’s thought that Reverend and Mrs. Hill still preside over their home despite both being long dead. Reverend Hill’s original homestead was on the shores of Peninsula Lake in Hillside which is, ahem, where Colonial Bay is. (No ghosts here, we promise.)

The Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge boasts several spirits, including Judge William C. Mahaffy and a trio of ghosts affectionately known as Charlie (who haunts the kitchen), Sarah (who occasionally inhabits the Carriage Room), and Bob (who frequents the upstairs corridors).

The RMS Segwun, a steamship on Lake Muskoka, is purported to have at least one ghost aboard.

The Bala Bay Inn’s original owner, E.B. Sutton, has been haunting the building for almost 95 years. Some people have reported seeing him staring out from the upper windows of the Inn.

You can learn more about Muskoka’s ghosts in the book Cottage Country Ghosts by local authors Maria da Silva and Andrew Hind.

We’re gearing up for the winter season. Are you planning to join us for some snowy fun? We hope so! You can view our availability here. Stay tuned for information on winter adventures in Muskoka.

The Howell Family

Muskoka Brews

A good brew is part of the Muskoka experience. In your world that may bring to mind a cold beer on a sunny dock or a steaming coffee in the morning mist. Either way, there are home-grown Muskoka options that offer some of the best brews around.

Two coffee roasters call Muskoka home: the Muskoka Roastery Coffee Company in Huntsville and Diesel House Coffee Roasters in Bracebridge. Both are staunch supporters of our community and have delicious soul-warming flavours to boot. From Diesel House, you can enjoy 11 varieties including fair-trade organic blends with names like Crazy Goat, Restless Monk Espresso and Viva Libre Decaf. The Muskoka Roastery offers eight 100% Rainforest Alliance certified coffee blends including Howling Wolf, Muskoka Maple, and Loon Call Breakfast Blend, plus a variety of flavoured coffees including a cranberry-vanilla combo. Sounds like a great way to start the day, doesn’t it?

And while the weather is getting cooler, two local craft breweries offer seasonal autumn- and winter-inspired beers. Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge has a Harvest Ale which is “dry hopped and brewed using a selection of premium local ingredients and has a rich malt backbone and a subtle grassy character reminiscent of the freshly cut harvest. It’s our way of celebrating another prosperous growing season.” Lake of Bays Brewing Company in Baysville offers a new Mocha Porter just for the winter. “A brewer, a coffee roaster and a craft beer snob walk into a bar in Muskoka. The result: a rich winter beer, full of coffee, chocolate and roasted barley. Perfect with a hearty meal on a cold winter's night.”

All of these Muskoka brews are available from retailers across Ontario, or remember to pick some up the next time you visit Colonial Bay. Ski and snowmobile season is right around the corner. (We know, we know…it’s too early to be thinking about that, right? But we like winter.) If you’ve never experienced Colonial Bay in the winter, what are you waiting for? You can view our availability here.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Howell Family

All Aboard!

If you’ve ever visited Muskoka Heritage Place, you’ve probably taken a ride on the Portage Flyer but you may not know that this little train originally carried passengers from our very own Pen Lake over to Lake of Bays.

Completed in 1904, the track traveled a mere 1 1/8 mile but what a trip it was. Passengers from the steamship Algonquin got off at the northeastern edge of Pen Lake and boarded the Portage Flyer for a hair-raising ride.

Lake of Bays stands 170 feet higher than Peninsula Lake and the area between is a mix of steep bluffs and rolling hills. From Pen Lake, the little train had to first traverse a steep switchback, followed by a 120 foot climb to the summit in only ¾ mile. The trip down the other side was no better: after following a narrow pass through the hills, the Portage Flyer had to navigate around steep bluffs and a hairpin bend along the shore of Osborne Lake.

When the Flyer arrived at Lake of Bays, passengers then boarded another steamship, the Iroquois, headed for the grand resorts of the lake: the Britannia Inn, the Wa Wa Hotel and Bigwin Inn.

The Portage Flyer transported more than just people. In addition to its two passenger coaches, which were converted, open-side streetcars, the train also had two box cars and three flat cars to carry freight, mail, lumber and tanbark.

With increased use of cars and trucks, the Portage Flyer ceased operations in 1959. But thanks to the efforts of local volunteers and train enthusiasts, you can still experience the Portage Flyer on a scenic ¾ mile route along the Muskoka River to where it empties into Fairy Lake. The train runs from mid-May through mid-October (contact Muskoka Heritage Place for rates and schedule). The Portage Flyer also does a special night-time run in December, carrying children to the end of the line to meet Santa.

Fall is a fantastic time to stay in our waterfront Muskoka cottages . You can see our availability and make reservations on the Colonial Bay website. Imagine if you had to travel by steamship and train to visit us. We still think it would be worth the trip, don’t you?

We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family

Thanksgiving in Muskoka: A Feast for the Eyes and the Belly

There’s nothing quite like Thanksgiving in Muskoka. Crisp air, gorgeous foliage, and the aroma of a roasting turkey all combine to create show-stopping, mouth-watering goodness. And two of the foods most associated with a Thanksgiving feast, turkey and cranberries, thrive right here in Muskoka.

Wild turkeys are plentiful in Muskoka thanks to efforts by the MNR to re-establish them in Ontario. Although they were eradicated from the province early in the 20th century, it’s estimated that the birds now number close to 100,000. And most surprisingly, they are abundant in Muskoka and parts north, an area outside of their historical range. It’s not uncommon to see them strutting down the side of the road, but it would probably be wise for them to hide out this time of year.

Muskoka is also home to two commercial cranberry marshes (and any number of others hidden away on private properties). Both Iroquois Cranberry Growers and Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh are near Bala and every October, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, the town of Bala celebrates all things cranberry at the Bala Cranberry Festival. You can sample cranberry products and take tours of the marshes. (You can also visit the marshes at throughout October and watch the cranberries being harvested.)

If you’re planning to visit Colonial Bay in October, why not make a trip to Bala, Muskoka’s Cranberry Capital, part of your adventure? And watch out for those turkeys!

We still have some availability at our waterfront Muskoka cottages for Thanksgiving weekend and beyond. You can see our availability and make reservations on the Colonial Bay website.

Happy Thanksgiving and we hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family

What's Happening in October in Muskoka

It’s almost October and that means both Thanksgiving and the peak of fall colors are right around the corner.

Muskoka is truly a year-round destination and there are plenty of events to take in this month once you’ve finished oohing and aahing over one of Mother Nature’s finest shows. To catch the peak of fall colors, the first week of October is the best time to visit us at Colonial Bay, but the colors will remain beyond Thanksgiving. Our Muskoka cottages are calling you (can you hear them?).

Here’s just some of what’s happening around Muskoka in October:

• September 30-October 2 - North Words Muskoka Literary Festival
• Saturday, October 1 from 3:30-7:30 pm - Port Sydney Turkey Dinner & Fireworks at the Port Sydney Community Hall. Tickets available at the door. Fireworks at the Port Sydney Beach starting at dusk.
• Saturday, October 1 - WSE Waterski Show - Say goodbye to summer with WSE's final waterski show of the 2011 Summer Season at the waterfront at Deerhurst Resort.
• Saturday, October 8 - 1st Annual Great Muskoka Paddling Experience - Muskoka's first annual paddling race on the Muskoka River in Bracebridge. Features 12km and 20 km events. The event will be hosted out of Bracebridge Bay (by the waterfalls) and will have put-ins at Annie Williams Memorial Park (just down the river a tad). Kayak and Canoe events are scheduled. Proceeds support the Muskoka Watershed Council.
• October 14-16 - The 27th Annual Bala Cranberry Festival - For all things cranberry! Cranberry marsh tours, bazaar, petting zoo, midway and more.
• Tuesday, October 25 Stuart McLean and The Vinyl Cafe at the Algonquin Theatre. Tickets available at the box office or online.
• Monday, October 31 from 5-8 pm "Umpteenth Annual" (23rd) Great Pumpkin Trail at Muskoka Heritage Place. Trick or treating in the pioneer village, especially for the very young. $3.00 per head or $10.00 per family. Head must be attached to a body.

If you’re planning to visit our Muskoka cottages this month, why not take in one of these local events? And, of course, you can just hang out at Colonial Bay’s waterfront or relax in front of the fire. Life doesn’t get much better.

You can view the availability of our waterfront Muskoka cottages and book online here.

We hope you’ll visit us again at Colonial Bay soon!
The Howell Family

Film in Muskoka

Are you a film buff? Then it’s time to make your way to Muskoka for two film festivals happening in Huntsville in the next few weeks.

The second annual Film North is a collection of works by emerging Canadian and International filmmakers. 36 short and feature-length films will screen at Algonquin Theatre this year including two with local connections: West Wind: A Vision of Tom Thomson and The Natural Brook Trout - Lakes of Algonquin Park. Film categories include drama, documentary, comedy, horror, thriller, musical and sci-fi fantasy. There are also Q & A sessions with attending filmmakers, receptions, an awards ceremony and a closing night after-party. For ticket info, visit the Film North website.

On October 7, the Radical Reels Tour, part of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, makes a stop in Huntsville. The program includes short, action-packed adrenaline sport films about climbing, paddling, mountain biking, BASE jumping, skiing, and snowboarding.

Did you know that there are several movies, both for TV and the big screen, that have been filmed in Muskoka?

• The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) was partially filmed at Windermere House in Gravenhurst. (The historic building burned to the ground during the filming.)
• Sunshine Sketches of a Small Town, based on the book by Stephen Leacock, was filmed by CBC in Gravenhurst just this year.
• Purrfect Predators, a documentary on the Discovery Channel, was filmed at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. It starred Kokanee the cougar, Yeti the lynx, Rufus the bobcat, Hyde the wolverine, Kootenay the black bear, Oreo the skunk and Peter the cotton-tail plus a supporting cast of deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, snowshoe hare, caribou, and grizzly bear. Animals from the Centre have also appeared in other TV and big screen productions.

We haven’t had Hollywood come knocking at Colonial Bay’s doors yet but with the gorgeous scenery here, it’s only a matter of time! And the next time you come to stay in one of our Muskoka cottages, why not break out your video camera for a production starring you?

Fall is almost upon us. The leaves are just starting to change colour and while the nights are cooler but our days are still warm and sunny. Perfect weather to head out for a hike and then come back to the warmth of a glowing fire.

You can view our availability and make reservations for our Muskoka cottages on Colonial Bay’s new website.

We hope to see you soon,
The Howell family

Fall fairs and food

Fall is harvest time and towns across Muskoka, as in the rest of Ontario, celebrate autumn with an annual Fall Fair. A more subdued version of big city fairs, Muskoka’s fall fairs, like those in small towns all over Ontario, offer visitors the opportunity to meet diverse local growers; peruse exhibits by local vendors, artists and students; and watch a variety of live shows. Check out these two fall fairs coming up in September:

144th Annual Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show

September 16-18 at the Bracebridge Fairgrounds, 331 Fraserburg Rd.
• Midway
• Live music
• Tractor pull
• Horse and livestock shows
• Exhibits
• Chainsaw carving

Huntsville Fall Fair
September 23-25 at the Huntsville Fairgrounds, Ravenscliffe Rd.
• Midway
• Live music
• Horse and livestock shows
• Exhibits
• Contests

While you’re here, don’t forget to visit some of Muskoka’s farmers’ markets to pick up the best of the harvest. And then you can try these delicious fall recipes courtesy of Savour Muskoka and Ontario Farm Fresh.

Curried Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
Pickerel with Maple, Butternut Squash and Apple Cider Glaze
Ontario Apple, Aged Cheddar and Smoked Turkey Panini
Pumpkin Maple Crème Brulée

Our mouths are watering already. How about you?

Join us this month at Colonial Bay for some gorgeous Fall colors and weather (the long-range forecast looks great!). You can view the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.


We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort

Mother Nature's Paintbrush

Muskoka is beautiful at any time of year but in the Fall, she is adorned with brilliant colors. There’s nothing quite like sitting dockside on an Autumn morning with splendid reds, oranges and yellows reflected in the lake while loons provide the soundtrack.

It’s also an ideal time to tour around Muskoka, either by car, by bike or on foot. For some gorgeous hikes, revisit our list of Muskoka hiking trails. And if two or four wheels are more your style these driving tours, which are also suitable as long bike tours, will have you ooohing and aaahing in no time.

Lake of Bays tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 east through Dwight to Highway 35.

• Turn right onto Highway 35 to Dorset. (If you have time, the hike up to the Dorset Fire Tower provides a beautiful vantage point over Lake of Bays.)


• Right onto Highway 117 to Baysville. (If you detour along Old Highway 117 to Norway Point, you can arrange for a water taxi to Bigwin Island.)


• Right onto Brunel Road in Baysville.


• Right onto South Portage Road (Muskoka Road 9).


• Left onto Highway 60 and back to Colonial Bay.

Distance: approx. 90 km (1.5 hours or more, depending on the number of times you stop)

Huntsville Chain of Lakes tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 East to South Portage Road (Muskoka Road 9).

• Right on South Portage (Muskoka Road 9) to Muskoka Road 23


• Right on Muskoka Road 23 back to Highway 60 (You have just circled Peninsula Lake)


• Left on Highway 60 to Highway 11 (Passing Fairy Lake)


• Left onto Highway 11


• Right on Ravenscliffe Road


• Left on E Fox Lake Road


• Left on Hoodstown Road (Muskoka Road 45)


• Right on South Drive (still Muskoka Road 45)


• Left on Etwell Road


• Left on Aspdin Road (You have just circled Lake Vernon)


• Right on Highway 11 to Port Sydney


• Right on Muskoka Road 10 through Port Sydney (Passing Mary Lake). Consider stopping for a picnic lunch at the public beach in Port Sydney.


• Left on Brunel Road to Huntsville (If you have time, stop at the Brunel Locks and watch the boats or at Lions Lookout above the Canada Summit Centre for a sweeping view of Fairy Lake and the Town of Huntsville)


• Right on Main Street


• Right on Highway 60 and back to Colonial Bay

Distance: Approx. 100 km (2+ hours, depending on the number of stops)

Algonquin Park Tour

From Colonial Bay, take Highway 60 East to Algonquin Park (a visitor’s pass is required for the park - you can purchase one at the West Gate)
The drive through the park is beautiful and offers abundant opportunities for short hikes or viewpoints. The viewing deck at the Visitor’s Centre (at km 43) will give you the most accessible panoramic view in the park.
Distance: Approx. 180 km to the East Gate of Algonquin Park and back (3+ hours depending on how often you stop)

And, as always, the view from Colonial Bay's dock is stunning and is only a few short steps from your door.

Some leaves have already started to turn, but the peak of autumn color is still a few weeks away. It varies from year-to-year, typically falling somewhere in the last week of September or the first week of October.

Come and join us for Mother Nature’s brilliant show.
The Howell Family

September in Muskoka

September is almost upon us with its return to school and work routines, but it’s still technically summer and it’s also one of the best times to visit Muskoka. The weather (and the lake!) is still warm enough for swimming, summer crowds are starting to dwindle, and the trees are starting to show their brilliant colors. And if you get bored of sitting by the water (we’re not sure how that’s possible, but just in case…), there are still plenty of events around to entertain you. Here’s what’s happening in Muskoka in September:

• Sunday, September 11, Pen Lake & Lake of Bays, Subaru IRONMAN 70.3 - Swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles…or just come out and cheer on the athletes in this gruelling competition.


• Saturday, September 17, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Shades of Autumn Antique, Classic and Custom Car Show, Downtown Huntsville - If four wheels are your passion, the 9th annual car show is an adventure that will accelerate your heart rate with 300 auto exhibits up and down the main drag.


• September 22-24 Film North Huntsville International Film Festival, Algonquin Theatre - Three days, 25+ movies, world premieres, old classics, and multiple chances to rub shoulders with film industry professionals - what more could a movie buff want!? Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre


• September 23-25, Huntsville Fall Fair, Huntsville Fair Grounds off Ravenscliffe Road - midway, great food, contests and more!


• September 24-25, 10am-6pm, 33rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour – Visit 25 studios across Muskoka and see the beautiful context in which the artists work at this spectacular time of year.


• September 30-October 2, North Words Muskoka Literary Festival - Join the likes of Margaret Atwood to learn the “Stories Behind the Books”. Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre.

Will we see you at Colonial Bay this fall? Check out our new website for the availability of our Muskoka cottages and online reservations.

We look forward to seeing you!
The Howell Family

Good Reads

August is a time for relaxation. The days are long and warm and the busyness of September is far enough away to be ignored for a little bit. And what better way to relax than to settle into a Muskoka chair with a beverage in one hand and a book in the other?


Muskoka is home to many authors, both seasonal and year-round residents, and some have set their works in our beautiful region. Here are a selection of nonfiction and fiction Muskoka-based tomes from local authors. Check them out online or at one of our local bookstores. And if you have a favourite that we haven’t mentioned, make a note in the comments to tell us about it.

• Trails and Tribulations: Confessions of a Wilderness Pathfinder - Canoeist and naturalist Hap Wilson shares stories of his adventures in the Canadian Shield.
  


• PenLake: Reflections on Peninsula Lake - The Peninsula Lake Historical Committee presents a look back at pioneering and cottaging on our very own Pen Lake!
  


• The Law of Three: A Sarah Martin Mystery - Caroline Rennie-Pattison’s second novel in the Sarah Marin Mystery series.
  


• Getting Rid of Rosie - Lynda Simmons’ fun tale of a ghost that won’t go away. Partially set in Muskoka.
  


• The Drowned Violin - An Alan Nearing Mystery by Mel Malton for kids 9-12.


• Murder in Muskoka series - 4 books by 88-year-old author Liam Dwyer featuring Inspector Murdoch: Murder in Muskoka, Gold & Greed, Muskoka Cross & Double Cross, Muskoka Death & Diamonds.


• The Muskoka Novels (The Summer Before the Storm and Elusive Dawn) - Historical novels set in Muskoka by Gabriele Wills.

If you’ve always wondered what inspires authors to write, consider attending the 2nd annual North Words Muskoka Literary Festival in Huntsville from Sept 30-Oct 2.

The theme is “Stories Behind the Books” and features authors Margaret Atwood, Vincent Lam, Charles Foran, Cathy Buchanan, Gill Deacon, Tish Cohen, Claudia Dey, Richard B. Wright, Camilla Gibb, Terry Fallis, Ed Lawrence and Cynthia Lord. And if you come, you just might catch the first wave of fall colors while you’re at it. Yet another great reason to visit Colonial Bay!

You can see the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!

The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort

Heeere fishy fishy...

Did you know that Muskoka has more than 1600 lakes, rivers and streams? And in those waterways are an abundance of aquatic animals, from tiny water insects to turtles, birds that love the water and, of course, fish. It’s the fish we’re going to talk about today.

In our own Peninsula Lake, fish species include both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Lake Trout and Yellow Perch. Here’s what they look like plus some tips for catching them if you’re so inclined:

Largemouth Bass

Usually weighing 2-6 pounds, these guys have a bone-jarring strike! They prefer warm water with abundant aquatic vegetation and are often found in thick weeds, near sunken wood, below overhanging trees or near docks. They take shelter during the day, so early morning and evening are the best time to catch them.

Smallmouth Bass

Ontario has some of the best smallmouth fishing in the world. They often hang out in schools and, despite their average 2-3 pound size, they’re strong so expect a fight. They like lakes and rivers that are clear and rocky and are typically found around shoreline rocks and points or in deep-water offshore shoals. Like their largemouth cousins, fishing is best in the early morning and late evening.

Northern Pike

These are the big guys in Pen Lake. Pike average 3-6 pounds but fish as big as 15 pounds can be caught. They like bays and shoals with lots of vegetation where they can ambush smaller fish. The eat aggressively and can usually be caught any time of day, but morning and evening are still best.

Rock Bass

These cute little guys are a good choice when fishing with kids. They like to eat and will bite all day long. They are often found hanging out near docks and sunken wood, so they’re easy to fish from dock or shore.

Yellow Perch

A yummy panfish, perch weigh just a few pounds and average 6-8 inches long. They like open water and are usually found near the bottom.

Lake Trout

Lake Trout like deep water and as the water warms up they go deep and special deep-water tackle is often required. In the summer, it’s best to fish in the morning when surface waters are calm. 3-6 pound trout are common, but fish 20 pounds or more can be had.

If you're interested in fishing the next time you're at Colonial Bay, let us know! And don't forget that anyone over 18 needs a license to fish.

The September long weekend is approaching. We still have a few units left...why not join us?

The Howell Family

An Artist’s Life

Muskoka’s pristine beauty has long been a haven for artists, retreating here to fuel their creative souls. The most well-known of these were Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven who extensively painted scenes from both Algonquin Park and the surrounding region. For the past 14 years, reproductions of their works have been displayed in The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery throughout Huntsville and Lake of Bays so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of their art. There are 33 murals displayed throughout downtown Huntsville, with others at the Canada Summit Centre, Muskoka Heritage Place and Huntsville High School. The gallery has expanded with satellite displays in Dwight, Dorset, Baysville and Algonquin Park. You can find a map of all locations here http://www.thegroupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca. Why not check it out the next time you visit?

To see the work of some of Muskoka’s contemporary artists, there are open studio tours throughout the summer that showcase the variety of art forms practiced in Muskoka. The next one is this coming weekend, August 13 & 14. The Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour (http://www.arti​stsofthelimberl​ost.ca/open-stu​dio-weekend.htm​l) runs from 10am-6pm both days and starts just across the street from Colonial Bay (how convenient!). If you’re planning to be here, visit with these artists to find out what inspires them.

We still have some availability for the rest of the summer and into the fall. We look forward to visiting with you!

The Howell Family

Lazy Days of August

We had another fantastic long weekend here at Colonial Bay. Our guests took full advantage of the amazing weather to spend some time on the water.

If you missed it, there’s still the whole month of August, some would argue the best month of the summer, to enjoy. And if fabulous weather and the chance to relax lakeside (or in the lake like this…

)

aren’t enough to entice you, there’s a whole raft of events happening this month in Muskoka. Here are just a few of them:

Concerts in the Park, Huntsville Town Dock, Wednesday nights until Aug 24 from 7-9 pm
Bring a lawn chair and a toonie for some tunes!
• August 10 – Cameron of Lochiel Pipes & Drums
• August 17 – Mahon Family
• August 24 – Northern Lights Steele Orchestra

 

Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour, Aug 13 & 14, 10am-6pm
The Artists of the Limberlost open their doors for visitors to explore their work, techniques and working environments. Enjoy an extensive variety of art and craft by a total of 20 talented creators, all within a compact and pleasurable 20 km route. There is no charge for the tour and it starts right from Colonial Bay’s doorstep!

Huntsville Water Fest, River Mill Park, Aug 13, 1-5pm
A celebration of water and its life-giving qualities with a full day of fun, family-friendly, water-themed events and performances.

Field to Fork Tasting, Brooklands Farm, Milford Bay, Aug 14, 1-4pm (tickets are $65)
Sample a variety of tantalizing locally-inspired food dishes and beverages from Muskoka’s premiere Chefs and Restaurants, while learning about the vast amount of culinary and agricultural resources that Muskoka has to offer.

 

Summer Sidewalk Adventure, Downtown Huntsville, August 20. 9:30am-5pm
The kids will love the activities. Everyone will love the live music. The downtown shops will be bursting out onto the street with bargains during this day-long event.

We hope you’ll join us this month!
The Howell family

Blueberry Fields Forever

One of the most delicious treats of Muskoka summers is the wild blueberry. Bursting with flavour, these tiny berries are best eaten right off the bush but are equally yummy sprinkled over vanilla ice cream or folded into a batch of pancakes. And while you can find them at roadside stands and local farmers’ markets, there’s nothing quite like foraging for them yourself. Popping just as many into your mouth as you gather to take away is part of the fun.

Lowbush blueberries are native to Ontario and are perfectly suited to Muskoka’s conditions. The plants are small but mighty: they grow only 6 to 18 inches tall, but an acre will produce up to 4000 pounds of blueberries. That’s a lot of pancakes.

A favourite place to pick blueberries is along the Old Railway Bike Trail in Algonquin Park. The trail is an easy ride for all ages and passes through an abandoned airfield that’s full of blueberries. It’s a fun day trip from Colonial Bay and if you don’t have a bike with you, they can be rented in the park. Just remember to keep an eye out for bears. They love those berries even more than we do.

The long weekend is fast-approaching. We hope you’re coming to visit us, but if not, there’s still lots of summer left. It’s been a beautiful, hot summer (perfect lake weather!) and we’d like nothing more than to share it with you.

The Howell Family

Corn Roasts and Marshmallows and ‘Smores, Oh My!

A campfire makes everything taste better. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s that little bit of smoky taste or maybe it’s the good times that go along with it. Whatever the reason, a visit to Colonial Bay isn’t complete without a night spent hanging out by the campfire, making new friends and eating some of the delicious goodies that come out of the fire.

First, there’s the classic roasted marshmallow, speared on a stick and slowly browned to perfection or flaming, blown-out, crispy-on-the-outside-and-soft-on-the-inside goodness.

Then there’s the marshmallow’s more elaborate cousin, the ‘smore. There are lot of variations (strawberry-banana ‘smores anyone?), but we prefer the basic but oh-so-good, Graham Cracker, Marshmallow and Milk Chocolate variety.

For something different, try a Banana Boat: a whole banana, sliced down the middle to make a pocket, stuffed with mini-marshmallows and chocolate chips, wrapped in foil, and nestled among the coals until it’s ooey-gooey good.

And then, of course, there’s our world-famous (okay, Muskoka-famous? Colonial Bay famous?) corn roast. Fire-roasted, butter-slathered, fresh cobs of corn. Yum.

What’s your favourite campfire treat? Let us know and if it’s one we haven’t tasted, we can try it the next time you’re here.

Until we see you again!

The Howell Family

Treasure Hunting in Muskoka

Ever wanted to be a pirate searching for buried treasure? While the high seas are a long way from Muskoka, you can still hunt for treasure here. And it’s a bit more high tech than X-marks-the-spot on a faded map.

Geo-caching uses GPS to help you find the location of a hidden treasure. When you find the treasure, or cache, you can take an item from it (making sure to replace it with something else) and then tell other geo-cachers about your experience. It’s a fun activity that can be shared by the whole family. There are more than a million caches world-wide and some of them are right here in Muskoka.

So, what do you need to get started? First, you’ll need to register online at http://www.geocaching.com/ (it’s free!). Then enter a postal code to find geocaches nearby (our postal code at Colonial Bay is P1H 2J6) and use a GPS device or smartphone to guide you to the coordinates of the cache. Once there, you’ll have to search a bit to find it – the caches can be well hidden. Open it up to see what’s inside, sign the logbook and take/leave an item if you choose. Then hide it again exactly where you found it so someone else can find the treasure. Check out the video for more information.

If you decide to try it, let us know! We’d love to hear what you found.

The Howell Family

Summer Fun = July in Muskoka!

Another long weekend has come and gone but the amazing summer weather continues! If you didn’t have a chance to visit Muskoka, we hope you had a fabulous long weekend wherever you were. And remember, only 24 days until the next one!

In the meantime, there’s lots happening around Muskoka this month:

• Concerts in the Park - Wednesdays throughout July, 7pm, Town Docks, Huntsville – Every Wednesday evening, bring a lawn chair and a toonie for some tunes!


• Celebrate the Street – July 9, 9am-2pm, Huntsville – Buskers, children’s games, artists’ demonstrations and performances from the Edge of the Woods theatre company


• Nuit Blanche North - July 9, 9pm-2am, Huntsville – The streets will come alive with an exciting program of free contemporary artistic activities, events and exhibits taking place in unconventional places in and around Huntsville’s downtown core.


• 31st Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show - July 9, 8am-5pm, Gravenhurst Wharf – Features over 100 traditional antique and classic boats plus a display of approximately 100 antique and classic cars organized by the Pink Slips Car Club.


• Firefly Festival - July 15, 6pm-midnight, Downtown Huntsville – Huntsville’s quaint Main Street closes to cars, and opens to a Friday evening of family fun, live music, great food and shopkeeper specials.


• Muskoka Arts & Crafts 49th Annual Summer Show - July 15-17, Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge - Two hundred sensational artists and craftspeople from Muskoka and across Canada show and sell their original and handmade works. Hours: Friday, 10am-7pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm. Admission by Donation. Free Parking. The park is located at the corner of Santa's Village Road and Wellington Street.


• Cushion Concerts - Saturdays from July 16 to August 6, 10am-11am, River Mill Park, Huntsville – A fun-filled program presented by local performers that will introduce children to the wonders of a variety of different musical styles. Sit on our cushion, or bring your own. Best of all, it's free for everyone!


• Firefest - July 30, 5pm, Dwight – Don't miss Muskoka's biggest beach party at Dwight beach! Activities include a BBQ & beach activities begin at 5pm: Northern Lights Steel Band, Lake of Bays Water & Rescue Boat and a Gigantic Fireworks display at dusk. Help support our volunteer firefighters & have a good time. $5.00/person or $20.00/family.


• And, of course, there's always beach fun, watersports and campfires at Colonial Bay!

Have a fantastic July and we hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family

Canada Day celebrations

The long weekend is only 3 days away and there’s lots happening around Muskoka! It’s Canada’s birthday and where better to celebrate than in Muskoka?

Did you know:

• Canada Day was officially made a holiday in October 1982. (The first “Canada Day” was in 1983. Prior to that it was called Dominion Day.)


• "O Canada" became the official national anthem of Canada on Canada Day in 1980.


• Color television was first introduced to Canada on Canada Day in 1967.


• July 1 is the 182nd day of the year, making it almost exactly the halfway point through the calendar year.


• Fireworks were invented in China in the seventh century to scare away evil spirits.


• The largest firework display consisted of 66,326 fireworks in Portugal on 31 December 2006.


• The colors in fireworks are made with bright burning metallic salts. The noise, or salutes, are made with titanium.

And here’s how you can celebrate Canada Day, fireworks and all, in Huntsville and area on Canada Day:

• O Canada & Canada Day Cake at 10 am at River Mill Park - enjoy music from Muskoka Concert Band 9:30-11am.


• Brunel Locks Canada Day Celebration - free hot dogs and soft drinks from 11am to 3pm.


• Muskoka Heritage Place Strawberry Social from 10am – 4pm – Museum Admission Free but Pioneer Village and Train admission applies. Free Strawberry Scones while supplies last.


• Trillium Jazz Band from 11am-1pm on the Town Hall steps.


• Port Sydney Canada Day Celebration from 10:30am – 3pm at the Port Sydney Beach.


• Heritage Huntsville Train Station Tours from 10am-4pm at 26 Station Rd., Huntsville.


• Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232 starting at 11 am - family activities, BBQ lunch, roast beef dinner at 5pm, entertainment from 7-10pm.


• Girl 8 Festival at River Mill Park at 7pm - a concert featuring local female led performing artists. Admission by Donation – Supporting The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation.


• FIREWORKS! at dusk (10 pm) over Hunters Bay - best viewed from Avery Beach.


• Hang out on the beach at Colonial Bay all day, all weekend, all week...you don’t have to go back to work do you? Really?

Wherever you plan to celebrate Canada Day, we hope it's festive, fun and friendly! Just like here.
The Howell Family

Fun in and on the water in Muskoka

It’s officially summer in Muskoka (and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere too, but what better place to experience summer than here?).

Some of the best activities of summer are watersports, and you can do most of them right here at Colonial Bay! We’re excited to have the Muskoka Surfboard available for our guests this year. These Alaia wooden surfboards are handcrafted in Muskoka specifically for our lakes (www.muskokasurfboard.com). It’s easy to learn how to ride one and they can be towed by any speed of boat or propelled with a bungee. Check out the video below of bungee surfing from our dock:



You can also head out waterskiing or tubing, boating and fishing, canoeing and kayaking right from our dock. We've expanded our fleet of kayaks to eight with two new adult kayaks and two new children's kayaks this year. The tubing and waterskiing boat is summer ready and has already been out on the water this week.

And when you're ready for a break, pull up a Muskoka chair, dig your toes into the sand and relax. Ahhh…summer in Muskoka.

The July long weekend is fast-approaching. We have just a few cottages and one studio still available. If you haven’t booked already, come and join us for a fun weekend, fireworks and Canada Day celebrations around Muskoka.

See you soon!
The Howell Family

Summer is Market Time!

You would think the lush greenery in Muskoka would indicate fertile soil perfect for gardening. In reality, if you dig beneath the surface into the rocky, sandy landscape you’ll wonder how it’s possible that anything manages to grow here at all (and you’ll appreciate those who have produced abundant crops all the more!). Fortunately, it’s possible to find summer Farmers’ Markets almost every day of the week in Muskoka. Check out the offerings of local growers and artisans at these markets:

• Bala Summer Market – Mondays from June to Labour Day from 9-2 in Muskoka Lakes Sports Park
• Gravenhurst Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays from May to October from 9-2 at Gravenhurst Wharf
• NEW Port Carling Farmers’ Market – Thursdays from June 20 to September 1 from 9-1 in Hanna Park
• Huntsville Farmers’ Market – Thursdays from May to October from 9-2 in the Canadian Tire Parking Lot
• Rosseau Farmers’ Market – Fridays from July 1 to September 2 from 9-2 at the waterfront
• Baysville Farmers’ Market – Fridays from July 1 to September 2 from 2-6 in the arena parking lot
• NEW Huntsville Downtown Farmers’ Market – Saturdays from July 2 to October from 9-1 in River Mill Park
• Bracebridge Farmers’ Market – Saturdays from May to October from 8:30-1 in Memorial Park on Manitoba Street

If you’ve missed out on the market for the day, try one of these independent stores that offer some local (and some not-so-local) goods:

• Dwight Market – a selection of essentials and one of the best butcher shops around
• Hillside Market - a small selection of essentials and yummy baked goods just across the highway from Colonial Bay
• Butcher’s Daughter on Hwy 60 in Huntsville – deli & takeout
• Farmer’s Daughter on Hwy 60 in Huntsville - deli, takeout and some fresh produce
• Kawartha Dairy on Hwy 60 in Huntsville - Ice Cream!! Plus some local baked goods, preserves and maple syrup.
• Robinson’s in Dorset – food, hardware, clothing, and gifts all in one. It’s worth the drive!

Remember that our Cottages are equipped with full kitchens so that you can prepare everything from leisurely, 4-course nirvana to a box of Kraft Dinner. Our Deluxe Studio rooms have a mini-fridge, 2-burner stove top and dishes, pots and cutlery. Studio rooms have only a mini-fridge.

Then next time you visit us (the July long weekend, perhaps?), we hope you’ll take in some of the bounty offered at these summer markets and support our local farmers. Ask us for directions!

From our family to yours,
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie

Picturesque Muskoka

Muskoka is a photographer’s paradise. There are opportunities for gorgeous shots at every turn, in every season and in any type of weather. The attached photos were taken by our very own (and talented!) Ben Howell.

View Full Album

Here are some tips for capturing your own amazing photos in Muskoka:

1. Listen with your eyes. Some shots will leap up and shout “look here” while others are more subtle. Look beyond the obvious and you’ll find some stellar shots in unexpected places.
2. Love the light. Early morning and dusk are the golden hours of photography. The light is soft and casts gentle highlights on your subject making your pics look like they were taken by a pro. And there’s the added bonus of a gorgeous sunrise or sunset.
3. Remember the rule of thirds. Your subject doesn’t have to be centered in your lens but it should be balanced. By imagining that your photo is divided in threes (both vertically and horizontally) and aligning your subject either with one of the lines or where they intersect, your photo will automatically look more balanced.
4. Find a new angle. Getting closer to ground level or finding other unusual angles can add interest to your shots.
5. Remember your memory (card). The beauty of digital cameras is that you can take lots of photos and trash the ones you don't like. The more photos you take, the more likely you are to come away with one you like.

Check out these spots near Colonial Bay for some fun photo ops:

• Our beach and dock, naturally (it doesn’t get much closer than that!)
• Oxtongue Rapids, just up highway 60 past Dwight
• Ragged Falls, just outside the West gate to Algonquin Park
• Lions Lookout, in the heart of Huntsville behind the Canada Summit Centre
• Algonquin Park, along the Highway 60 corridor – wildlife can often be spotted from the highway and there are many short trails and scenic viewpoints that offer instant gratification if you’re in a hurry (but you’re on vacation so you’re not in a hurry, right?)

If you have some favorite photos taken while you stayed at Colonial Bay, share them with us on our Facebook page. We’d love to see them!

Just a reminder that Father’s Day and the July long weekend are fast approaching. You can book rooms online here.

See you soon!
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie

Summer’s Here! (Shhhh…don’t tell anyone)

It’s seems that summer has arrived in Muskoka. After some wet and gloomy days, we’re enjoying summer temperatures (30C yesterday!). The lake is warming up, the dock is out and the boats are in the water. The only thing missing is you! (Insert you in one of the chairs at right.) Here’s what you can look forward to at Colonial Bay and the surrounding area in June.

• All month long: swimming, boating, and relaxing by the water!
• June 1 Reel Paddling at Algonquin Theatre
• June 18-19 Model Railway Exposition at the Canada Summit Centre (hosted by the Huntsville Train Station Society)
• June 19 Father’s Day – take Dad fishing, golfing, canoeing, or hiking in Muskoka!
• June 21 National Aboriginal Day at Muskoka Heritage Place
• June 25-26 Muskoka Triathlon & Duathlon - There’s still time to register for both the sprint and long course races! Or come out and cheer on the competitors.
• July 1 Canada Day Celebrations & Fireworks

Did you know we're on Facebook and Twitter too? Follow us to see new pictures and get updates on what’s happening at Colonial Bay.

From our family to yours,
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben & Addie

Victoria Day Long Weekend at Colonial Bay

The long weekend is behind us and our guests tell us they had a fantastic time. Some golfed at Grandview, others visited Algonquin Park or sampled the yummy treats at Henrietta's Bakery, but most spent the weekend hanging out at Colonial Bay. On Saturday, a flotilla of canoes and a rowboat ventured out onto Pen Lake. Some brave souls tested the water with some swimming. They said the water was great! (The warm afternoon sun helped to keep the chill off). And lots of people were fishing from the canoes and the dock. Saturday night ended with the annual Wight family fireworks display.

Missed out on the fireworks? The July long weekend is just over a month away. There are celebrations across Muskoka including fireworks in both Huntsville and Dwight and an old-fashioned Strawberry Social at Muskoka Heritage Place. Come and celebrate Canada Day in Muskoka!

Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie

Take a Hike! (in Muskoka)

While Muskoka is known for its abundant waterways, opportunities abound to get out on the trails and enjoy nature from dry land. From trails at the water’s edge to those deep in the forest, hiking offers the chance to get up close and personal with Muskoka’s beauty. There are several trails just a short distance from Colonial Bay:

• Oxtongue Rapids Hiking Trail – 15 km east of Colonial Bay, just off Highway 60. This gem is just a short drive away and is a beautiful spot for a picnic. (The photo above was taken there in the Fall.)




• Ronville Hiking Trail – 15 km southeast of Colonial Bay off Highway 35. This 1.2 km cliffside hike offers views of Lake of Bays.




• Fairy Vista Trail – 7 km west of Colonial Bay alongside Highway 60. This 3.4 km paved trail is suitable for both walking and cycling. It offers varied scenery including forest, farmland and views of Fairy Lake.




• Huntsville Mural Walk – 12 km west of Colonial Bay in the heart of Huntsville. For a more urban experience, this walk takes you through Downtown Huntsville to view the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery.




• Limberlost Forest Reserve Trails – 10 km north of Colonial Bay on Limberlost Road. This network of 70 km of trails is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm (check in at the office before heading to the trails).

For maps and directions to these trails and more, visit these links:
Lake of Bays trails
Huntsville trails
Limberlost Reserve trails

There are also an abundance of trails in both Arrowhead Provincial Park and Algonquin Provincial Park (park fees apply). You can find information about the trails here:
Arrowhead Park trails
Algonquin Park trials

Whether you prefer an easy stroll or a challenging hike, Muskoka offers it all. The next time you stay with us, why not check out a few of them and then head back to Colonial Bay for a refreshing swim.

We had a fantastic long weekend and will post some photos soon.

From our family to yours,
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben & Addie

The Call of the Wild

The mournful call of the loon is one of Muskoka’s most recognizable sounds. In late April or early May (almost as soon as the ice is out), the return of the loons is a sure sign that Spring has arrived even if Mother Nature is trying to convince us otherwise.

We’ve been fortunate to have a pair of mating loons visit us at Colonial Bay and thought we’d share some interesting loon facts with you.

• Loons mate for life and build their nests close to the water’s edge, affording both adults and newly hatched young a quick escape. Chicks can swim and dive within hours of hatching but will sometimes ride on a parents’ back when they are tired or cold.


• While a loon’s streamlined body and strong webbed feet make it an excellent swimmer and diver, on land they are capable of only a slow waddle using their wings as crutches. Their flying talents aren’t much better: with dense bones and short wings built more for swimming, a loon must run and flap at the surface for a long distance, between 20 and 400 meters, to get enough speed for lift off. Their manoeuverability in the air is equally limited. They do, however, have enough stamina to fly to the Atlantic coast where they overwinter.


• Loons are exceptional divers and can remain underwater for up to 3 minutes, often resurfacing a long distance from where they submerged. They dive 2-5 meters below the surface to catch perch and minnows. The attached video (from Minnesota, not Muskoka, unfortunately) shows rare footage of a loon swimming underwater with scuba divers.

• They have four distinct calls which can be heard 2-3 kilometers away.


• The loon is Ontario’s official bird.


• 5,000-year-old loon pictographs have been found on cliffs scattered around the Great Lakes region.

The next time you visit us, listen carefully for the distinctive calls of these beautiful creatures.

Up next: May long weekend, the ‘official’ beginning of cottage season, starts Friday. We still have a few cottages available – why not join us?

Let the fun begin!
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie

Water, Water, Everywhere

Muskoka is renowned for its abundance of lakes. Roads meander all over the map avoiding water here and water there so that sometimes it seems the most direct route anywhere is not “as the crow flies” but as the canoe glides.

If you do want to get out on the water, there are many options for canoeing and kayaking in Muskoka, whether you launch from our own beach or travel further afield to explore some of the region’s other waterways. You can find a detailed map of local canoe routes here. (The map covers Algonquin Park, Lake of Bays and north Muskoka as far west as Huntsville.)

Prefer something with a little more speed? Larger watercraft can be rented from local marinas. (But remember that you’ll need a BOATsmart license to operate any type of powered watercraft.)

However you choose to experience Muskoka’s waterways, here are some safety tips to help ensure your trip is pleasantly memorable:

• Wear a life jacket. The law requires you to have one per person in the boat, but remember that a personal floatation device is only helpful if you’re actually wearing it.


• Watch the weather and plan accordingly. Wind and rain can be more than just an uncomfortable inconvenience. High winds can topple a small craft. Heavy rain can quickly fill a hull. And if there’s any sign of lightning, get off the water. In hot weather, hats & sunscreen will help to prevent sunburns and heatstroke.


• Stay within your limits. Keep both your boating skills and the swimming ability of everyone onboard when you plan your route.


• Keep additional safety equipment onboard: a spare paddle, a bailer or water pump, a whistle, navigation lights if you plan to travel after sunset, a throw-line, and a water-tight first aid kit. Duct-tape can be useful for repairs.

As always, we’re happy to answer any questions you have about local activities. Just ask!

The May long weekend is fast approaching and we still have a few cottages available. Call us at 1-800-916-2008 or you can book online here.

We look forward to seeing you this Spring!
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben & Addie

Beavers and badgers and bears...oh my!

Spring is an ideal time to view wildlife in Muskoka. Some of our local critters are just coming out of hibernation, the ones that endured the winter conditions can now move more freely with the snow and ice gone, and others are moving back into the area after heading south for the winter. And with leaf cover just starting to come in, it’s easier to spot them as they go about their daily lives.

Here are some tips for viewing wildlife in Muskoka (and anywhere else, really):

• Get up early. While it’s possible to see animals at any time of day, many are most active in early morning or late evening (dusk).




• Be patient and observant. Walking slowly or sitting quietly for a few minutes can make smaller animals in particular easier to spot.




• Go where the animals are. You can sometimes see wildlife from the highway, but for the best views you’ll need to get out of your car. Visit local trails or get out in a canoe.




• Look for specific wildlife habitat and signs. Moose are forest animals but can often be found in marshy areas in the spring and where there’s a beaver lodge there’s bound to be a beaver.




• Keep your distance. They are wild animals, after all, and cute doesn’t necessarily mean cuddly. Bring binoculars for a close-up view.




• Don’t forget your camera. You never know where an animal might pop up. Be prepared and you’ll have a picture to show off to everyone at home instead of just having a story to tell.

The Algonquin Visitor Centre is a good source of information about local plants and animals. You can also see orphaned or injured animals that have been rescued and rehabilitated at the Muskoka Wildlife Center and Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Be sure to call ahead for hours of operation.

Here at Colonial Bay, the loons are back on the lake, deer are pruning the shrubs for us, and we eagerly await visits of the human kind (that means you!). We still have some cottages available for the May long weekend and beyond.

From our family to yours,
Bruce, Nicolle, Luke, Ben and Addie