Exploring Muskoka by Gravel Bike: Two Rides from Port Carling

Bayley and I both got gravel bikes recently and decided to try out some local routes around Port Carling. I usually have to bribe Bayley with a coffee and snack stop to get her to join me. This time it worked out well and we ended up discovering a few great spots.

Windermere Loop

Our first ride was a loop up towards Windermere. Brackenrig Road is hilly and full of winding sections but it makes for a nice route and isn’t too busy. Falkenburg Road is paved and surprisingly lush with trees all around almost like riding through a rainforest. Doherty Road was the highlight for gravel with long sweeping descents and quiet surroundings. Along Doherty there’s a little cemetery in Ufford that is very well kept and was kind of neat to come across in the middle of a gravel ride. After Doherty there were a few more ups and downs on Windermere Road before we rolled into Windermere. We stopped at the pub at Windermere House for lunch and a beer. The food was regular pub fare and a bit pricey but sitting out on the patio with our bikes right beside us was great. We were the first ones there just after noon but by the time we left the patio was almost full. After lunch it was an easy ride back down Brackenrig into Port Carling. The only real gravel stretch on that ride was Doherty so if you’re looking for a mostly gravel route this one has a lot of pavement but it was still a really nice ride.

Mortimers Point Ride

Our second ride was out towards Mortimers Point. Ride with GPS thought there would be quite a bit more gravel than there actually was but it still turned out to be a good route. Foreman Road was in pretty rough shape but traffic was light so it wasn’t a big deal. We turned onto Cooper Point Road which was proper gravel and really scenic with rolling hills but nothing too steep. Near the end of Cooper Point Road there’s a short singletrack trail maybe about 500 meters that links over to Pleasant View Point Road. It was fun to ride on the gravel bikes though we did have to hop off once to climb over a log. After that it was back on pavement but on quiet roads all the way to Mortimers Point Marina where we stopped for smoothies and iced coffee. The ride back down Mortimers Point Road and Eveleigh Road was smooth sailing though both of those roads are paved. In town the traffic always feels a bit hairy but it’s also fun flying through on the bikes. Overall the only real gravel section on this ride was Cooper Point but it was worth it for the scenery and the snack stop.

Both rides were great ways to see Muskoka from a different perspective and even if they weren’t pure gravel the mix of quiet roads and beautiful views made them worthwhile.

Chris Inniss (he/him)

Click here for a pre-filled and addressed email template. Be sure to personalize the two parts in square brackets before sending.

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Subject Line (Suggested for Email):

Opposition to MZO for Muskoka Regional Centre Development

Address to:

Info@gravenhurst.ca

Or copy and paste the following block into the “to” field:

heidi.lorenz@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, sandy.cairns@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, peter.johnston@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, erin.strength@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, penny.varney@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, jo.morphy@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, michelle.robinson@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, randy.jorgensen@gravenhurstcouncil.ca, christina.hunter@gravenhurstcouncil.ca

CC: see below

Body:

Dear Mayor Lorenz and Members of Gravenhurst Council,

[Insert 2–3 sentences about your personal connection to Muskoka. Are you a resident? Cottager? Life-long visitor? Mention the lake or area if you can – anything that makes this real to you.]

I’m writing to express serious concern about the proposed development of the former Muskoka Regional Centre by Cliff Bay Muskoka Corp., and especially their request for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO).

An MZO would allow the developer to bypass all local planning processes—no public hearings, no zoning review, and no opportunity for appeal. That’s not how responsible development should happen in Muskoka.

[Optional: Insert 1–2 sentences about what concerns you most. This could be environmental, community, traffic, transparency concerns, etc.]

I respectfully urge Council to:

• Pass a resolution opposing the use of a Minister’s Zoning Order for this site
  
• Insist that any development follow the regular municipal planning process, with environmental review and public consultation
  
• Refuse to support or endorse any resolution that facilitates the MZO

Thank you for your time and for standing up for Muskoka.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your connection to Muskoka – e.g., Resident on Lake X]

[Optional: Address or contact info if you’re comfortable]

Optional: CC Key Provincial Contacts

Even though the MZO decision lies with the Province, your email will have more impact if you also copy the key decision-makers:

MPP Graydon Smith (Parry Sound–Muskoka, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry) – graydon.smith@pc.ola.org Note: While MPP Graydon Smith does not control the MZO decision, his ministry oversees Crown lakebed leases. He has described himself as a “strong voice for Muskoka” during the 2022 campaign and in flood season messaging. Muskoka needs that voice now more than ever.

Premier Doug Ford – premier@ontario.ca

Minister Rob Flack (Municipal Affairs and Housing) – rob.flack@pc.ola.org Note: Minister Flack is the one who ultimately decides whether to approve or deny the MZO request. He has the authority to sign the zoning order that would override local planning rules and fast-track this development.

Minister Kinga Surma (Infrastructure) – kinga.surma@pc.ola.org

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) – minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Enjoy our latest YouTube video where we pay tribute to Clevelands House on Lake Rosseau, a beloved Muskoka landmark set for demolition. Our exclusive drone footage captures the resort’s charm and the stunning natural beauty of Lake Rosseau, offering a unique farewell to a place many have held dear.

The Beauty of Clevelands House

Explore the scenic wonders and historical charm of Lake Rosseau and Clevelands House Resort through breathtaking aerial footage. You can view and share more aerial footage of Clevelands House Resort and Lake Rosseau on our instagram reel here.

A Final Farewell to a Muskoka Icon

Clevelands House in Minett, Muskoka Lakes was beloved by so many, its demolition marks the end of an era in Muskoka’s storied landscape.

Muskoka Ice Out: a Sign of Spring

Experience the Muskoka Ice Out phenomenon, a herald of spring and a captivating natural event captured in our exclusive footage. We do not anticipate spring floods so far this year, so this phenomenon marks the beginning of boating season!

Preserving Memories: a Legacy at Clevelands House

Reflect on the legacy of Clevelands House Resort and how it has shaped the community and memories of those who visited this iconic site. Check out the comments on our Clevelands House pics here, and join in the conversation!

As we say goodbye to Cleves, we cherish the memories and beauty captured in our exclusive aerial footage. This farewell tour not only commemorates a significant piece of Muskoka’s heritage but also celebrates the natural beauty and community spirit that continue to thrive in the region. Stay connected with us for more Muskoka real estate insights and captivating content from the heart of cottage country.

My parents live in Port Carling, in an old house now known as ‘Caledonia House’ (formerly Heart’s Content). It has spent portions of it’s life as a: private home, resort, music venue (more on that soon), and who knows what else. But the coolest part? It didn’t start out where it lives today – it was moved across Indian River and Mirror Lake by barge! Here is an excerpt from the 1995 book Indian River Tales by Ann Duke Judd.

The Moving of Heart’s Content

“The old Heart’s Content was built around 1916 at Indian Point. In early spring, around 1928 it was put onto two scows, using horses and the high water to help.

Cribwork on the scows kept it level at the old elevation; the scows were borrowed from one of the lumber companies, and Allan Dixon was in charge of the operation. One scow sprang a leak, and since there was no electrical power at the point, it had to be hand-pumped all night. Art Duke and others took turns keeping the pump going.

The next day, they set off across the river, but about half way across Mirror Lake, the steering mechanism on the Vedette broke, and she had to be taken up to Port for repairs. The wind blew the scows and house down to Arcadia point. The centre timber caught on trees along the riverbank and pulled out – fortunately, the two outside timbers stayed secure and the house remained level.

A second time, the men attached the scows to the Vedette, and pulled their cargo close to its new site on the eastern shore – but because the boat could not tow it in from the front, the lines had to be untied while the Vedette manoeuvred to the stern to push it in.

Again, the house got away, the wind blowing it ashore at the Schreibers’. By the time it was securely tied at the proper place on the shore, daylight was gone. There was electricity on this side, but it was not very reliable then, so an electric pump was left running overnight.

The next morning, Heart’s Content was moved ashore, and lowered – one crib timber at a time – onto its site at the bottom of Silver Creek Hill.

Here it remained the home of Arthur and ‘Did’ Duke (née Elizabeth McCulley) and their sons Thomas and Reay until 1948, when the couple’s retirement home was built. The sign still identifies that home, now the residence of Rev. Tom Duke and his wife Charlotte. Tom’s main memory of the house moving is the disappointment he felt at having to go to school, and miss the excitement of the move.”

I’ve just spent my first Christmas away from my family – because I’m in the UK! You can find more info on that in my last post, but long story short, I was on an extended trip and didn’t want to travel home for Christmas and help spread Omicron to Muskoka. Since I’ve just experienced my first British Christmas, I thought I would write about a few differences between Canadian Christmas and Christmas in the UK.

The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast

Every year, the Queen delivers a Christmas message reflecting on current issues and concerns the UK faces, and what Christmas means to her and her followers. More than 9 million viewers tuned in for her address this year. Though this isn’t a tradition in every household, it is in many, and even families who don’t watch every year seem to tune in from time to time.

For some, it is a very serious occasion – my dad Steve remembers visiting his Great Grandmother (born in England) every year on Christmas morning. She would be dressed up for the occasion, and he and his brother Chris would be kicked out of the room for the Queen’s Christmas message. You are also supposed to stand for the National anthem (God Save the Queen). Or maybe for the entire speech… it’s been different depending on who I’ve asked. This investigative reporter has been inundated with sherry and pigs in blankets, so I’ll settle on reporting that some standing is certainly involved.

Obsession with Chocolate Orange

As kids, we would often get a Terry’s chocolate orange in our Christmas stocking. I know many families enjoy chocolate oranges at Christmas, but England takes it to another level entirely. I pointed this out to my friend when Christmas items started appearing in stores at the beginning of November. My friend responded with “well, we definitely have a few but I don’t think there’s that many?” And so my quest to find as many chocolate orange items as possible began.

I made an instagram post the other day where I counted through 49 of them (forgetting about the chocolate orange milk in our fridge, and the chocolate orange subway cookie we had picked up). This also doesn’t include a few items that we had seen in November but could no longer find, like yorkies and lion bars. Cookies, chocolate, even diet bars – if you like chocolate orange, England is the place for you.

Christmas Day Foods

Many of the traditional Christmas dinner items in Canada are the same as in the UK – some sort of fowl as the main, stuffing, potatoes, sprouts, green beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The stuffing is different – it does use breadcrumbs, but it seems much heavier on the sausage and has the addition of chestnuts. British Christmas dinner includes a few things that the Canadian version doesn’t – Christmas pudding (except for in some families), and pigs in blankets (an absolute must here).

It’s also traditional to have mincemeat pies on Christmas Day and at Christmas celebrations here – something I’ve never known anyone to do in Canada (but let us know if your family does!).

White Christmas

In recent years, this has changed a little… but growing up you could pretty much always expect to have a white Christmas! In England this is a rarity. We actually ended up having snow on Christmas night this year… and at home in Port Carling there was none! Notwithstanding this role reversal, generally you can expect snow in Muskoka and a green (no, really!) Christmas in England… well, and grey. Grey skies always.

Brussels Sprouts Products

Okay, so we may have sprouts at Christmas… but we don’t love them nearly as much as the Brits do. I was amazed when Christmas season hit and they started popping up everywhere – I’ve seen Brussels Sprouts:

• Ornaments
• Socks (I bought these – Brussels ‘pouts,’ and all the sprouts had big red lips!)
• Stress balls
• Truffles
• Milk Chocolates
• Gift bags
• Wrapping paper
• Gin
• A suit (seriously, yes – I’ll include a picture)
• Sauce
• Cards

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is one of the biggest shopping days in Canada – that’s not much of a thing in England. I found most shops closed, aside from grocery stores. There is a different tradition though – a boxing day dip! The friend I’m staying with has parents who live near the coast, where people run into the ocean on Boxing Day – sometimes for charity, sometimes just for fun. Sounds a little less cushy than our tradition!

My friend’s mum also told me about her grandparents, who were married on Boxing Day. A lot of people struggled for money back then, so they would get married on Boxing Day to take advantage of the Christmas leftovers. Smart!

And that’s it – all the differences between Christmas in England and Canada that I’ve found so far. Did I miss anything? Leave a comment and let me know! And Happy New Year to all!

I am lucky in my career. I live in a gorgeous place, spend much of my time with people I admire, and tour incredible cottages on the regular. I am also lucky to live in a place with a bustling summer season, and a real estate partner I can take turns covering in-person business with during the slower winter season.

I decided to take advantage of that this year, and take a trip to visit a friend in England. I booked my trip for four months down the road (in the end of October), crossed my fingers, and waited. When the time finally came there were no travel advisories. I had been double jabbed, and I was all set to go. After six amazing weeks of exploring England, driving the North Coast 500 in Scotland, visiting endless castles, and taking my first trip to Ireland (Dublin), it was time to come home.

There was only one problem… Omicron! My return was originally scheduled for December 15th, in time for me to be home for Christmas. By a week before my planned return the new variant had started to become a major news story. By a few days before? Cases were surging, and travel advisories were being issued. The UK was ahead of Canada in cases – Omicron was set to be the dominant variant in London (where I’d be flying out of) by December 16th – just one day after my flight. I didn’t want to risk flying home & potentially being part of the spread, so I hopped online and booked a new flight – for March! Thank goodness I did. Cases continued to surge, and I was able to book a booster shot here sooner than I would have been able to at home.

Anyway, remote work it is! And there’s another way I’m lucky – aside from a few in person meetings like showings and listing appointments, I’m able to do the majority of my work online. I will have to post another blog about that… it’s amazing how much we are able to do remotely these days! And I have my partner Catharine Inniss on the ground in Muskoka to cover the rest.

If you want some information on the market, or if you’re looking to buy or sell, please don’t hesitate to contact Catharine at 705-801-2304, or to email me at len@cottageinmuskoka.ca.

See you next time, when I talk about some differences between Christmas in Canada and Christmas in the United Kingdom! Merry Christmas everyone – I’m off to eat some pigs in blankets!