(Above) Maple Lake sunrise after storms~
Also have your bug report here. 
Our spring shall soon yield to summer and from what I can see, this area of Ontario is quite similar to us (Chicago area) in that to be able to enjoy lovely, warm temperatures you have to be willing to “enjoy” the rain as well. And so the long range forecast for the Maple Lake area going through June 13 is a mixed bag of below normal temps, plenty of rainfall, and a few above-average temperature days, two of which we’ll be at the Lake.
I don’t really have a problem with it raining at Maple Lake as long as the temps. are pretty good and as long as it stops periodically to let things dry on the clothesline. However, what I like and what will be is not always quite the same. Read on:
And the bugs:
One would think after viewing the bug report that there is a good chance of getting eaten alive. I have a few strategies to attempt to avoid that.
1. Stay in the Lake –always. Only come up for air.
2. Stay inside. I don’t employ this one too much but then again, I haven’t been at Maple Lake in early June since I was an infant. Read along and learn with me.
3. Wear DEET and wear long sleeves and long pants, shoes and socks.
—-
It’s raining on and off here in Illinois today and it appears to be doing so in areas of Ontario as well. I just took two shots of Wawa on Lake Superior.
Without sounding like I’m snarking, I’d like to again note that there really is no point in Cams Across Ontario, a provincial-sponsored entity, approving a webcam feed that employs a lousy and or dirty lens. All one sees _all the time_ is blur. It’s really just shame– a waste of potential and bandwidth. With that said, I commend the various waterside entities that consistently offer clear, beautiful views of their area. They are truly appreciated.
It’s raining. Still pretty, though.
Above: The companion photo to the one I earlier posted of my dad, this is my mom and her dogs, Pug and Cindy. I believe the year is 1955.
As I was waiting for a very slow printing job to finish for son’s Gifted Expo tomorrow night I went through a few more old Maple Lake Ontario photos.
In some ways it’s rather sad doing so as people that seem so vibrant in their photographs are no longer so. Many are no longer with us. Just as troubling are fractured relationships, justified as they may be. It’s still not picture-perfect, no matter how long I work on the photographs.
Another one I like because it is how I remember the family and especially because I’m in my grandmother’s arms, is this one:
My grandmother and I are all the way in back. My cousin’s head is partially obscuring me. She’s being held by her father, my dad’s best friend.
My other cousin, 5 months my senior, is held by my aunt, who is also her aunt. We are all sitting just outside the cottage at the top of the hill.
Below is the same day, has to be my dad sneaking up on my mom again. I cannot tell you how many times he did that and how much it annoyed her and he never stopped, I think because he enjoyed that look of “Whaa?”
She’s wearing cute shoes. Oh, and that’s “Tad,” my grandparent’s dog there at her feet. Nice dog.
One more:
My uncle before he was my uncle and on the right, my dad (circa 1955).
Above~ Reach Harbour, Lakefield
While here in the United States Memorial Day weekend has kicked off, it’s just another beautiful Saturday to be on a lake–any lake in Ontario. Here are some webcam stills that I just finished taking and cleaning up.
Word is that the summer in Ontario is to be drier and warmer than usual. At least the warmer part sounds welcome. Much like our area has experienced an oddly cold May so has Ontario.
The “Eye in the Sky’ webcam which sat high in the hills of Haliburton remains missing. I’m still hoping it’s because they are going to install a new one (that has a clean, focused lens and is not crooked). Haliburton deserves a true representaton of it’s beauty and by using a decent- to- good webcam, it’ll have that! 
Mulligan’s Bay, Chapleau River~
Toronto Windsurfing Club~
Bay~ East Barrie
Bay~ West Barrie
Kee Cam ~ Bala
Dysart~ (Haliburton Highlands)
Rock Island Lodge, Lake Superior (Nav Beacon), Michipicoten River
Silver Lake Cottage Resort, Ontario~05.19.08
Actually, spouse found it in the exact place where it “should have” been. The “safe” place. lol. Where I keep it with other important Canadian stuff –border crossing-card, birth certificate. I’m still trying to get a photo for my CDN passport that is acceptable to the Canadian government. <eyeroll>. It’s come to, I’m just going to go to a Canadian prof photographer and if you think about it, that may be the whole point. I just wanted to get it done a while ago. Because from what I read, many folks* got exasperated w/American photographer’s unreliable rendering of Canadian photos that they shrugged and got it done in Canada–where apparently the residents Canadian have very little trouble getting an accurate passport image of themselves that the Canadian government will not reject. I may as well have one done of my youngest son as now that we know he’s got dual citizenship. He has the choice either or both. If you had your choice. would you prefer to travel the world as an American or as a Canadian (living in the US) which would you pick? It’s fun that he gets a choice.
Here’s the bad deal though. Canadian passports are only good for 5 years. And they cost about $30 more for each one. Bah.
American is good for 10. Supposedly, the Canadians are just a “step ahead” in the process of giving you less for your money (blame the terrorists) and the US will be dropping the years that a US passport is good, to five years as well.
The key was in a dresser “summer” drawer which normally wouldn’t get used much in the winter except that I went swimming quite a bit over the winter. I’ve now surmised that I need to toss a couple of swimsuits that chlorine and usage have wiped out–and maybe clean out some of the greetings cards I have stashed in there, too. Anyway, no worries about the key–I can go on now <phew> and stress about something else. I just bought a new swimsuit and it’s not a Speedo for the first time in a while. Hopefully it’s as utilitarian as I need it to be but somewhat less “one colour.” It looks good for swimming and it’s black with little pink polka dots. We’ll see how it goes when it gets here. I’m planning on swimming often this summer. In Maple Lake. :)
*Canadians not living in Canada–there’s lots of us.
I had a lovely week last week with the privilege of being able to sit outside on our mini-deck 2 mornings in the nicest weather this place has. On day three I went straight to work with my cup of coffee inside with the windows open–fresh air is good. Wish we had it (fresh air) lol. Super lucky to work at home sometimes.
Lake Superior (Nav Beacon), Michipicoten_River I want to walk along this shore right now!
On Friday, I realized that I was way overdue in posting Maple Lake Ontario-picked webshot photos of around the Ontario, CA, region. I try to pick at least one somewhat near Maple Lake Ontario or even the Haliburton Highlands, it’s hit or miss. I found some cool new ones this week. Also, one of the local ones is down–I hope it’s for replacement of the Eye in the Sky webcam, oh please, oh please. The picture was one of the worst on the entire network. Anyway, here are some of the nicest ones plus wishes that Haliburton with it’s gorgeous lake in the center of town, should show the world how truly beautiful it is by, getting at least two webcams. Get one for Minden–by the river, too. please.
“Around Ontario” May 16, 2008, afternoon via Cams Around Ontario~
Hats off to whomever added three Wawa, Ontario webcams with nice images (and labelled, as well–nifty!) this week past. Thank you and please clean the lens periodically.
Kincardine Harbour–do a search on the left there and watch it go from late winter through now..and beyond…
Mulligans Bay, Chapleau River, Ontario
Ontario Webcams
Our plan for our long car trip to Maple Lake Ontario has changed dates again.
My son’s summer school schedule coupled with an appointment–at the Lake– to put the Internet satellite dish in (first on the Lake–booyah!) is making things shift but it’s probably best.
Now we are going not Memorial Day weekend (May 26) but almost two weeks later–from the last day of high school to getting home just-in-time to start summer school Driver’s Ed. on June 11th. Yay for quick car trips far away!
I still can’t find my key to the cottage! 
This is why I’m not sad to wait ’till June to open the cottage:
and then…
The weather–cold! It’s a summer cottage– temps. need to warm up a bit. As my father reminded me, the blackflies are pretty thick in May as well. The graph above spells that out as well.
Warmer is better!
Mark your calendars because the second annual Timberfest is going to kick off the second week in June and there are some not-to-be missed events, just a few of which I’ll talk about as the ones I would most like to see/attend.
Firstly, I think I need to adjust my perception of Minden Hills Township as a sleepy little area because none of the activities that are slated for Timberfest sound the least bit sleepy!
Wandering street musicians downtown! Timberfest has them. How cool is that?! Uber cool, IMO!
Alright then. Are you they type who would you enjoy something a bit more out-of the ordinary?
Would souped-up chainsaws at the Fairgrounds meet that order? They would for me.
If I could, I would absolutely attend the broad-ax hewing demonstrations because I must admit, I’m not at all sure what they are but they don’t sound like any kind of demonstration I’d see in the mass suburbia in which I live. EDIT/ I found a photo of broad-ax hewing and it’s shown above. Now I want to see it even more!
Oh, and there must be food, right? Of course there is!–and it’s sounds delish–a “Bunkhouse Brunch,” with both music and storytelling!
According to Rick Cox, Director of Community Services at the Township of Minden Hills,
“There’s something for everyone whether you’re from far away or right here in Haliburton County.”
Just to give you a taste of what is in store musically here’s is some of the musical line-up: The Wakami Wailers performing logging-camp tunes and folk melodies. The Wailers will be performing some acoustic street music on Friday afternoon (June 13), followed by headlining a coffee-house style performance at the Community Centre on Friday night. Opening act John Foreman & Friends will share their Appalachian-Celtic sound.
All of this sounds perfectly delightful and I’m quite sad that I cannot attend due to my son’s summer school schedule here in the States. However, if anything changes in that regard I will be there as I’m sure it will be a truly fun time.
(A limited number of all-access VIP passes will be offered for sale giving the holder admission to the entire weekend’s events, including all performances and the Beef BBQ and the Bunkhouse Brunch. For more information contact Rick Cox at 286-1260 ext. 220.)
Top: Bala Bay Lake, Muskoka~
Yacht Club, Ottawa~05.06.08
I need to pay for my trip to Maple Lake, Ontario so I’m writing some posts for certain advertisers. It probably won’t last too long as it’s kind of fluky but truly I have absolutely no idea what will happen, when. I’ll explain another time, probably with/in 6 weeks.
Also, there may be seemingly crazy pop-up ads which you can minimize and if you click away and come back/ or look for a 1-second countdown thing and click it it will minimize out of sight. It will be gone for 24 hours. Just thought you should know.
At most, you may see every other post as an advert.
So some lovely pics. Very tired today so I’ll be back to explain the latest in the ongoing but so-far-so-good saga of satellite high-speed Internet service on Maple Lake, Ontario.
Some webcam stills—>
Finally got a decent shot of Barrie~
Hamer Bay~ Lake Joseph~
Mulligan’s Bay, Chapleau River~
Many people reach a point in their lives where they are ready to shed the lifestyle of hustle and bustle and settle down somewhat into a more peaceful, though still active lifestyle.
The Virginia Gated Community of The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake is just such a place.
Located in the southwestern Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, sitting snugly in a the tranquil, natural setting, The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake were created with the singular vision of offering a beautiful retreat situated on the waterfront, which provided a true feeling of community.
Because being close to amenities is usually high on most everyone’s list The Coves are located less than a hour’s drive from Roanoke so residents of The Coves enjoy the benefits of convenient access to “modern life” together with the peacefulness of natural seclusion in a carefully planned community.
Here are a couple more web shots I took at around sunset on the last day of April, 2008.
I’m really starting to pay very close attention to the weather as we will be at Maple Lake to open the cottage in a matter of weeks. <excitement building!>
Spouse will be taking 3 full weeks off in a row later on and to him, time off (plus two long weekends to open and close up) means puttering around with large rock slabs and the like. There’s lots of that up there. I want to swim and go in the canoe and putter a bit. But go checking our surroundings is tops on my list, too. Cannot wait!
We also have the anticipation of what exactly winter brought upon the area and how the continued less-than-great weather will effect things. The long-range weather forecast which is for about 2 weeks, is indicating quite a mix– nothing that seems severely cold but lower than the norm temperatures for the most part, with a continuation of a fair amount of moisture for next weekend.
Silver Lake, Parry Sound~ April 30, 2008
Burlington Ontario Waterfront, April 30, 2008
