My favourite rock has been on this beach a very long time.
Now it is the bottom step.
Cool, no?
Both sets of stairs are wicked awesome. Spouse is very industrious and exacting whenever possible. This is repurposing these rocks back to what they were doing long ago.
Very pretty and through manual labour–lots of it–the steps have been re-built. I think they look great.
“Powerboaters and sailboaters are a different breed. Powerboats are turn-the-key, turn-the-wheel. As a sailor you’re working the entire time…” Alan Veenstra, owner of Chicago Sailing
This a quote from today’s Today’s Chicago Tribune newspaper about how motorboat users are feeling the pinch in gasoline costs.
The article goes on to talk about how many people have difficulty conjuring up sympathy for those well-heeled enough to be able to pay for a slip at the Chicago Yacht Club or the like, never mind burn up fuel on the Lake Michigan–the source of our drinking water.
I’m not going to present this as a non-biased viewpoint–the powerboat people certainly are not.
Quote: “I’m more conscious of gas prices this year, but it hasn’t spoiled my fun,” Blackwell said.
“I’ll drive 2 miles, shut the engine off, and turn on the radio. It’s like I’m in a different world.”
This powerboat owner is in a different world alright, the world of denial.
The owners of motorboats should be looked at more sympathetically because “studies say” (what studies–the “American Motorboat Association”?) that “most motorboat owners come from the middle class.” A-ha! The middle class likes motorboating so us non-motor-boating middle class folks should endorse motorboaters as we are all just ya know, middle class.
Sorry. Here is the deal locally, in the Chicago area. The “middle, middle class” scrimp and save and get a previously-owned small-by-any-yacht-standard, motorboat, which they keep in their own garages in the winter and their driveways in-the summer.
They can’t afford to rent a frelling slip on Lake Michigan! OK? Got that?
They take off to the Chain O’ Lakes on the weekend to fish, come back, and park their boats in their driveway until the next time they are able to take the boat out.
On the other hand, the so-called “middle class” whose boats are docked at the Chicago Yacht Club or Waukegan Harbor are upper middle-class and beyond and though they may cut back on engine running time whilst out polluting the great Lake Michigan (as well at adding more noise to the cacaphony that many boats in one general area make). The well-heeled who don’t have to care where the money goes have very little in common with the true middle class. After all, we have a have a short summer season, right?
The Tribune story goes on to report that boaters, in addition to taking shorter trips, are practicing “buddy-boating,” where people take turns whose boat they take when fishing, spending more time at the slip, and using it like “their summer resort.”
All I can add is, what took you so long? (And, you are fooling no one–we all know that you have at least one summer resort north of here). And why won’t you cozy up to the non-fuel using, previously mentioned sail-boating? Or, on a big lake like Michigan or Ontario for that matter, kayaking? On smaller lakes canoing, paddle-boating or how ’bout row-boating? I know it’s quaint but if you put a bit of back into it you can get far enough out on a typical smaller lake to get a good catch. As for those folks whose livelihood is tied to the water? You need to adapt. Carry less motorboat-related items and start catering to the non-fuel using alternatives. There are many. Just let it sink in that we are never going back to the petroleum hogging excesses of our immediate past and embrace the future in which you can still make a living off of water-related activities–they just don’t have to take such a toll on-the environment. It’s my predication that motorboat people will alter their lifestyles significantly in the next 5 years to go beyond using their big gasoline-ingesting boats to smaller, alternate ways of water transport. Hopefully, this blog will still be around then and I can check back to see if I was correct. 
Hi there!
The good news is that I’ve recently been able to put a few brand new real (not webcam stills) photographs of Maple Lake, Ontario up for all to see. I’m very much looking forward however to adding many more as we move towards the end of next month–when Illinois obligations ease up.
In the meantime, the “not bad, either” news is that I have brand spanking new webshots that I took from a number of locations around Ontario today. Enjoy!
In case you missed: Web Cam shots going back to Winter, 2008~
Mulligans Bay~ Chapleau River~
Ed Huck Marine~ Rockport, Ontario~
Port Carling Indian River Cam~
Silver Lake Resort~
In case you missed: Web Cam shots going back to Winter, 2008
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
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.
Happy Earth Day, Ontario and the rest of the world!
As you’ll see by having a look at the webcam stills that I captured today, it was a gorgeous day in many places in Ontario. The place pictured today closest to our cottage on Maple Lake is Lake Kawagama. Despite the fact that it appears that bug juice is smeared on the camera lens (I did some photoshopping in an attempt to minimize it) at least one can see that Lake Kawagama’s ice has melted! I’m sure that water is quite cold–but one step at a time! Enjoy the the cam photos. I know I had a blast looking around the province today, enjoying the sights.
Lake Kawagama, Haliburton County, Ontario~ Earth Day (4.22) 2008
Healey Lake, Georgian Bay, Ontario~ Earth Day, 2008
Peck’s Marina, Lansdowne, Ontario~ Earth Day, 2008
Kincardine Harbour Marina, Ontario~ Earth Day, 2008
The boats are docked!
Silver Lake, Parry Sound~Earth Day 2008
Mulligans Bay, Chapleau, Ontario ~Earth Day, 2008 ~Northeast view
That ice really seems to be thick! It looks like it’s going to be some time before this bay is very bay-like.
Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst, Ontario ~Earth Day, 2008
Oh, oh! Looks like the ice melt has caused a bit of a disaster. No joking, this water line looks seriously high. That water is up the sides a good two feet. I hope the owners are aware of this!
Port Carling ~ Indian River, Ontario ~Earth Day, 2008
This has become one of my favourite spots to “hang out.”
Fourteen Day Weather Forecast~ West Guilford, Haliburton County
Nordic Trails, Gravenhurst
Hi! Today I went for a look see via about 20-25 active webcams of various vacation destinations and areas of interest in Ontario, Canada.
As you know, Ontario is a large province with potential for quite a diversity of weather conditions. By taking still shots of each location, I’ve tried to give you a snapshot of the province on April 15, 2008. I am a bit heartened to see that the snow and ice is receding quite nicely in some areas. I’m also excited about the weather outlook for the Maple Lake Ontario area for the next 7 days!
West Guilford, Ontario 7-Day Forecast
This is Lake Kawagama in Haliburton County. This shot were taken on 04.05.08. It was reported that there was 2 feet of ice on the lake then.
Mountain Trout Aerial Shot of Lake Kawagama
Compare these next 2 shots of the same harbour.
Kinkardine Harbour, Lake Huron ~03.30.08
Kinkardine Harbour, Lake Huron .~04.15.08 Looks like a lovely day on Lake Huron (Can you spot the changes from 2 weeks ago?)
Port Carling (north of Santa’s Village) looks delightful!
Rockport, on The St. Lawrence River, Eastern Ontario
Nordic Trails, Gravenhurst
Silver Lake, Parry Sound
Len’s Cove Marina, Big Rideau Lake, Portland. This too looks like a lovely area!
And the snow is melting nicely in Gravenhurst.
This is Lake Kawagama in Haliburton County. This shot was taken on 04.05.08.
Port Burwell, Lake Erie
And as much as I love Toronto as my birthplace, it’s the last place I want to be this summer–it, or any city. Toronto:
In my former hometown, Etobicoke’s Peregine Foundation’s Nesting Cam
I‘ve noticed that recently folks are searching for “Maple Lake Marinas.”
I’ll look into it further but for now I can show you Northland Marine & Storage–B on the map–which is pretty close to Maple Lake. I have to pass by it near the Hwy 35 and 118 juncture. I know of two public boat launches on Maple Lake as well. I’ll illustrate one to the best of my abilities –considering that Google has failed, despite Maple Lake’s size and population to put Maple Lake on Google maps! I need to get more info on the exact location of the other Maple Lake public boat launch.
Northland Marine & Storage
Contact: Neil Griffin
9179 Hwy 118, Carnarvon, Ontario
Tel: 705-489-3229
Mailing Address: RR #2, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0
Boat Launch Maple Lake:
