Happy Canada Day long weekend!

Psst…it’s someone’s birthday soon. You know who we mean, don’t you? Canada, of course! The first long weekend of summer has finally arrived and with it an abundance of activities to celebrate Canada Day. You can find a full list of all of Huntsville’s Canada Day celebrations here, but these are some of the highlights:

• O Canada in River Mill Park, 10 a.m. – dignitaries, cake, the Muskoka Concert Band and eco-crafts (if you’re hungry, arrive early for the Lions Club Peameal on a Bun breakfast at 9:00)
• Strawberry Social and Steam Up Day, Muskoka Heritage Place, 10–4 – entertainment, strawberry scones, and demonstrations (village/train admission fee required)
• Huntsville Train Station open house, 10–4
• Brunel Locks celebration, 11–4 – free hot dogs and drinks!
• Trillium Jazz Band on the Town Hall steps, 11–1
• Royal Canadian Legion, starting at noon – pipe band, wildlife exhibits, and dunk tank, plus a free roast beef dinner at 5 p.m.
• Fireworks, Avery Beach in Huntsville – at dusk (10:00)

As for the rest of the weekend, there’s still lots to do:

• Check out Huntsville’s newest farmers’ market, the 100k Farm, Fresh & Homemade Market on Saturday from 9-1 (beside Pharmasave downtown)
• Stop for ice cream
• Take a cruise on Lake of Bays in the newly refurbished SS Bigwin (Sunday at 11:00)
• Go hiking, biking, take a driving tour, go golfing, try geocaching, or do some watersports (even surfing!)
• And if you’re staying at Colonial Bay you can (taking a deep breath here): swim, canoe, kayak, read a book, boat, play badminton, tell tales at the campfire, play volleyball, go fishing, play horseshoes, sail, build sand castles, sun bathe, go water tubing, go paddle-boating, play a board game, roast marshmallows, watch wildlife, or relax in a Muskoka chair, all without ever leaving the property!

We hope you have a wonderful long weekend. If you’re still looking for somewhere to relax, we have just a few waterfront cottages still available. Details here. 

Happy Canada Day!

The Howell Family

Sweet treats in Muskoka

After a hot day spent playing in the water, on the beach or on the trails, a cool treat is the perfect end to the day. Whether you prefer ice cream, frozen yogurt and gelato, Muskoka has them all!

Some delicious-looking scoops from Belly Ice Cream

• Kawartha Dairy, Highway 60 east of Huntsville – Ice cream by the cone or tub, treats and locally produced condiments, maple syrup and honey.
• The Nutty Chocolatier, Downtown Huntsville – Ice cream and lots and lots (did we say lots?) of chocolate and candy.
• Belly Ice Cream, Downtown Huntsville – Unique flavours of ice cream hand-made right here in Huntsville!
• Yogs, Downtown Huntsville – Frozen yogurt and ice cream.
• That Little Place by the Lights, Downtown Huntsville – Authentic gelato…yum. (And delicious food, too!)

If you’re heading out to Algonquin Park, check these out, too:

• Two Rivers Store, Highway 60 in Algonquin Park at km 31.4 – Soft serve and scooped ice cream, milkshakes and sundaes.
• Opeongo Store (Algonquin Outfitters), 6.2 km north of Highway 60 in Algonquin Park at km 46.3 – Scooped ice cream and sundaes (you can even build your own: Cherry Chocolate Smores, anyone?).

And if you don’t like ice cream but are still craving something sweet, check out one of Muskoka’s delicious bakeries:

• Schat Bakery and Café, Downtown Huntsville – Dutch pastries and artisan breads (plus a full café with sandwiches, soups and salads).
• Henrietta’s Pine Bakery, Highway 60 in Dwight – Pastries, breads and sandwiches to go.

The weather is getting warmer, the lake temperature is rising and summer is just a week away! We hope you’ll come for a visit – summer is the ideal time to experience the best of Muskoka. You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here. 

We hope to see you soon!

The Howell Family

Summer, Straight Ahead!

Muskoka is a beautiful place to be any time of year but she really shines in the summer. With an abundance of water sports, outdoor activities, cultural events and opportunities to just relax, summer in Muskoka is fabulous! Here are some of the things you can look forward to if you plan to visit us in the next few months:

• For anytime fun, try hiking, biking, driving tours, golf, geocaching, or a variety of watersports (even surfing!)
• Muskoka Lakes Spring Art Tour, June 8 & 9
• Farmers’ Markets in Dwight (NEW!) on Tuesdays, Gravenhurst on Wednesdays, Huntsville on Thursdays, Rosseau on Fridays and Bracebridge on Saturdays
• Canada Day Fireworks in Huntsville and a Strawberry Social at Muskoka Heritage Place, July 1
• Nuit Blanche North street festival, July 13
• Algonquin Park Wolf Howls, Thursday nights in August
• Huntsville Jazz Festival, Aug 1-3
• Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend, Aug 17-18

Come and see what else Muskoka has in store! You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

With warm summer thoughts,

The Howell Family

Let Summer Begin!

After a few false starts, it looks like summer temperatures are here to stay! Check out these temperatures for the coming long weekend:

Victoria Day weekend, a.k.a. May 2-4, is the unofficial kick-off to summer. It’s been eagerly anticipated this year. So what to do with this sunny weather?

• Canoeing and kayaking – We have canoes, kayaks and paddleboats available for use by our guests. Take a quiet paddle around our bay and look for the loons (you’ll probably hear them before you see them!)
• Swimming – For some, a dip in the lake on the May long weekend is an annual tradition, no matter how cold the water is. Why not join them?
• Fishing – Pen Lake is home to a variety of fish species, making for some great fishing. (But remember that a fishing license is required before you head out!)
• Hiking – There’s a fabulous selection of hiking trails all just a short drive from Colonial Bay. Don’t forget to take your camera—you never know what you might encounter!
• Art-walking – Take a walking tour of the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, large-scale reproductions of some of the Group of Seven’s famous works. Stop for ice cream while you’re at it.
• Stargazing – Yes, we know this isn’t a sunny weather activity, given that it’s at night. But the starry skies in Muskoka are truly spectacular. If you have a smartphone or tablet, download Google Sky (for Android) or Star Walk (for Apple devices) to find out exactly what you’re looking at.
• Visiting the past – Muskoka Heritage Place offers a glimpse into Huntsville’s history with its pioneer village, train and museum.
• Relaxing – You come to Muskoka to relax, of course. And for that, there’s a Muskoka chair waiting just for you.

We still have a few waterfront cottages available for the long weekend. You can see our availability here and we hope to see you soon!

With warm summer thoughts,

The Howell Family

Muskoka is Wheelie Fun!

Now that Spring appears to have finally arrived, it’s an ideal time to get out on two wheels to explore the roads and trails around Muskoka.

Old Railway Bike Trail in Algonquin Park

For cyclists, there are plenty of both moderate and challenging routes for both road and mountain biking. Check the Bike Muskoka website for routes and maps. Among the favourite local routes for road cyclists are Limberlost Road, directly across from Colonial Bay, and the Spin the Lakes routes through Lake of Bays. If off-road is more your style, check out the Buckwallow Cycling Centre between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. They have more than 30 kilometres of both single and double track trails. For more family-friendly cycling, head to Huntsville’s Fairy Vista Trail, a paved 3.4-kilometre path or try the 10-kilometre Old Railway Bike Trail in Algonquin Park.

Motorcycles and other vehicles can enjoy the same road routes as cyclists, with the advantage of being able to go longer distances. We’ve mentioned these local driving tours before, but they’re worth mentioning again. Spring, with its lack of foliage, is an ideal time to travel these routes looking for wildlife that might otherwise be hidden amongst the trees.

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

• 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.

Huntsville Chain of Lakes tour: approx. 100 km (2+ hours, depending on the number of stops)

• 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

Algonquin Park Tour: approx. 180 km to the East Gate of Algonquin Park and back (3+ hours depending on how often you stop)

• 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. 

The big news in Muskoka right now is all of the recent flooding. Our thoughts are with the homeowners and businesses who have been displaced or sustained damage from the high waters. Fortunately, the water level has begun to recede in northern Muskoka and clean-up and restoration efforts have started. If you’re inclined to help those who have been affected, donations can be made to the Salvation Army in Huntsville at 4 Mary Street E.

From our Muskoka chair to yours,

The Howell Family

Thinking of Spring

We’re thinking of spring here in Muskoka! We had a great winter with some of the best conditions for outdoor activities in years. Even though spring has arrived on the calendar, it’s taking its time making an appearance. There are signs that spring is on its way, though. Some spring birds have arrived, the snow has disappeared in sunny spots and is receding in others.

Here are some of the other things that generally happen this time of year in Muskoka, as the natural world awakes from winter.

In April:

• Bears, reptiles and amphibians start to emerge. (There are reports that bears have emerged in Algonquin Park. We’ll have to wait until May to hear those spring peepers, though!)
• Ice on the lakes breaks up. (There are some patches of open water on some lakes, but still lots of ice out there this year. For a fun contest to predict the ice out date in Algonquin Park, check out the Canoe Lake Ice-Out site.)
• Wolf pups are born.

In May:

• Moose calves are born.
• Monarch butterflies return.
• Trilliums bloom.

Some of these events may be delayed this year, but Spring has definitely begun. For what happens year-round in the natural world in Muskoka and Algonquin Park, check out this Calendar of Natural Events created by Algonquin Eco-Watch.

This is a beautiful part of the world in which to watch nature in all its glory. If you plan to come and visit, we have waterfront cottages ready for you arrival! You can see our availability here. And if you book a 2-night stay for spring, you could be eligible for $100 in gas and travel vouchers from the Explorers’ Edge Spring Fuel and Fun program. You have to book before April 19, though!

We look forward to seeing you soon,

The Howell Family

Signs of Spring in Muskoka

The Easter Bunny at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area

Spring may have arrived on the calendar but there’s still some winter left in Muskoka. With Easter weekend falling at the end of March this year, conditions are perfect for a long weekend full of snowy activities that normally aren’t possible at Easter. Local ski slopes and Nordic ski/snowshoe trails are all reporting good spring conditions. It’s not too late to play in the snow one last time! Even the Easter Bunny likes to ski.

He’ll have to take a break for the Annual Muskoka Heritage Place and Nutty Chocolatier Easter Egg Hunt, though. Head over to Muskoka Heritage Place from noon – 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 31. Kids of all ages can embark on a chocolate treasure hunt, searching for the golden eggs to win prizes. Admission is free.

Our recent cold nights and warm days mean another sweet treat is on its way. The maples that provide such a beautiful show in the Fall begun to offer up the beginnings of yummy maple syrup. The best place to buy maple syrup is right at the farm gate of local producers. You can find a list here.

We hope you’re out enjoying the spring weather, no matter what it looks like right now. And summer will be here sooner that you think. Whether you plan to visit Muskoka for the Easter long weekend or once summer weather arrives, we hope you’ll choose to stay with us! You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

With thoughts of Spring,

The Howell Family