All posts by cottageinmuskoka

Gravenhurst, Gull Lake

Gull Lake, Miles of Beautiful Boating

We were out on Gull Lake today. The early heat wave blown away by crisp north westerlies. Thanks to Dave and Sandra who have spent many happy years on Gull Lake; now selling their Gull Lake home.

I had no idea that there was anywhere near this much boating on scenic Gull Lake. Heading south east takes you to a cut, through which you discover the equally beautiful Silver Lake. There are miles and miles of open water as well as small coves and granite rock faces. Perfect for power-boat cruises as well as kayaks and canoes.

Gull Lake narrows to admit you to Silver Lake

Some of the waters from Kahshe Lake run to Silver Lake, then to Gull Lake and then through the Hoc Roc river into Lake Muskoka.

Gull Lake has lots of space for water sports of all types, or just for those big views.

Gull Lake looking north west to Highway 11

We saw so many gorgeous rock faces dropping straight into blue water, and made mental notes of where to return.

Granite cliffs on south Gull Lake

There are cottages dotted up and down Gull and Silver Lakes. We heard many stories of the history of some of these cottages and Gull Lake itself. One is the story of Dead Horse Island; we wonder if you know this story…

Cottagers have been enjoying Gull Lake since the 1800’s.

Buying a cottage, cottage for sale, home for sale, Lake Muskoka, Muskoka Properties, Uncategorized

NOW SOLD! Serene Pine Point, Lake Muskoka

We are very excited, and justly proud to be able to offer such a rare Muskoka property.

Private cove for kids … or floatplanes.

There is no question that the majority of people we take to see Muskoka properties spend 80% of the time inspecting inside the buildings and 20% on the property. This doesn’t seem right. Although lots of us do it this way, we should spend most of the time wandering the property.

Ahhh, but so many properties are not really wanderable; they have nicely built decks and stairs, to take us from the cottage to the waterfront to the boathouse because they are often steep.  The perfect cottage properties were developed many decades ago.

On this property the superb architecture of the cottage and boathouse, although beautiful, are secondary to the level point, cooling in Lake Muskoka, comprised of almost 900 feet of waterfront.

A simple path, not stairs, wends its way to the boathouse.

Once you have satisfied yourself that the property itself is incomparable, then it’s always nice to have buildings like these.

Pine Point’s boathouse.

Lake Muskoka, dotted island views from cottage
Grand kitchen area
Main cottage Muskoka Room
Architectural details
Inside the boathouse

Additional details are here.

Muskoka Activities, Volunteer

Winter Carnival Bed Race

This year’s Winter Carnival had lots of events throughout the weekend. One of the highlights for the crowd was definitely the bed race.

All out effort for the last seconds...

Catharine and 3 colleagues pushed Chris for the 4 blocks, defeating a very fit and capable team (see below) in their heat, and were declared Most Outrageous Team!

Don't let the floppy feet fool you, these characters are very serious about their sport.

 

Muskoka Activities, Muskoka Properties, Uncategorized

January in Muskoka – get out on the lake.

We’ve certainly experienced some unusual weather so far this winter in Muskoka. According to Environment Canada: “the milder-than-usual temperatures in December did result in lower snowfall accumulations as compared to normal amounts, and few major snowstorms. Instead, there were more frequent freeze/thaw cycles resulting from the passage of cold or warm fronts.”

This freeze/thaw cycle has continued in January, and we were definitely on the freeze end this weekend.

Catharine on snowshoe inspection

It was -26 C, crisp and sunny. We went out to take a look at a cottage by snowshoes – often a mush quicker way to get directly to a cottage. Although there was little wind to speak of inland, out on the lake there was a steady movement of wind from the NW. It was enough to push the perceived temperature well into the -30 – 40 range.

All in all a beautiful way to spend a day.

Invasive Species, Muskoka Activities, Muskoka Watershed Council, Stewardship, Uncategorized, Volunteer, water

International Year of the Forest 2011 – a link to a MUST WATCH video below.

We are very privileged to live in Muskoka where we enjoy healthy forests, with much natural cover.
Although I am a volunteer with the Muskoka Watershed Council, I recognize the current and past work done by all the volunteers and staff of the MWC for 10 years now. With the release of the 2010 Report Card, benchmarks for future Report Cards have been established; best ensuring that we do not lose our incredible resource.

Please watch this great, great video. Thank you!

Muskoka Activities, Volunteer

Catharine Inniss Top 10% Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Donor

We were proud to receive a message from the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation which included in part:  “Thank you for your incredible commitment to helping “put abuse out of commission” in your community”

Then, it was truly a wonderful feeling when Catharine got a message that said: “CONGRATULATIONS on being recognized as a Top 10% Donor!”

“2010 was the Shelter Foundation’s most successful year ever, thanks to you and your colleagues across the country. Through your generosity, we raised $1.8 million, increased the number of commission donors, set new records for our fundraising events, like the National Garage Sale for Shelter, and helped more women and children than ever before!

We are extremely grateful that you are such an important part of the Shelter Foundation family. You have helped us restore hope and provide a safe haven for more than 30,000 women and children each year. In addition, Shelter Foundation supporters like you are working to ensure the next generation won’t experience the devastation of family violence.”

Buying a cottage, cottage for sale, Muskoka Properties, Uncategorized

Morrison Lake Muskoka Cottage Listing

A reminder about this cottage mentioned here with more info here.

This is a wonderful cottage property for an active family.

It’s a fully renovated, four season, open concept cottage with 2 bedrooms in main cottage and two bunkies, all with beautiful views. Hardwood floors, tumbled marble in bathroom, expansive decks – wonderful outdoor living lakeside. There’s a great area for evening bonfires and a hot tub overlooks the lake.  The owners have put substantial renovations in and simply won’t be getting their money back.

Also, here’s the link to the Lake Data Sheet for Morrison Lake, and the Interpretation of Water Quality Data sheet.

Listing, Muskoka Properties

Excellent Port Carling Real Estate Investment – now even better

We mentioned a terrific potential investment in a listed Muskoka property on the main street of Port Carling in this post. There’s also more info here.
Originally built in 1922, then rebuilt/added to in the 70’s, with a reasonable amount of work this will be a magnificent Port Carling home – steps to the locks and public beach.

This 3 bedroom home on a large stately lot has just been reduced to $189,900.00!

Muskoka Activities

Innovation Muskoka

It was great fun on Friday!

Steve introducing the panel of Muskoka entrepreneurs

It was a pleasure to be the Master of Ceremonies for the day for Innovation Muskoka at the University of Waterloo in Huntsville. Innovation Muskoka was created and hosted by Muskoka Community Futures and Muskoka Community Network.

We had 5 successful Muskoka entrepreneurs present a history of their businesses, the successes and challenges, to the crowd.
They were:
Jan Nyquist of Pipefusion – stable floating docks that last, and anything else you can imagine made from polyethelyne pipe.
Amie Colquhoun of Axiom Audio -Loudspeakers; the most exciting, realistic sound experience on the market, designed and built in Muskoka.
James Solecki of Integra Lighting – the finest level of lighting design, custom installation and service to the Muskoka marketplace.
Don Waddington of Cottage Spot -Canadian source for the cottage products that you are looking for; with delivery right to your door.
Wendy Hogarth of Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh – Fabulous cranberries, fun destination, fantastic wine.
These presentations were informative and inspirational to say the least. Would-be entrepreneurs in the crowd soaked up many tips and advice offered by these generous people.

In the afternoon everyone thoroughly enjoyed something called the Innovation Sandbox. As it turned out, 13 people qualified for this event. Each had 5 minutes to “pitch” their business ideas and then were questioned and offered advice to a maximum of 10 minutes. Great fun, and some terrific people, ideas, and pitches.
The three with the combination of the best pitch and most viable businesses were awarded prizes ( an IPad, BlackBerry Playbook and a $250.00 Staples gift certificate).

Check out these Muskoka businesses, now or soon available to you:
Shelley Raymond of Solterra Co-housing
Scott Young of inventory-excess.com
Jenn and Emma of The Grumpy Hedgehog