May sunrise in the mist on Gull Lake
Last weekend marked the beginning of the Muskoka summer season here in God’s country and those fortunate enough to be here were blessed with mid-summer like temperature, non-stop sunshine and endless hours of opportunity for fun on the water, the dock, the golf course, the mountain bike trail or whatever other activity you could possibly enjoy here.
This summer, Gravenhurst’s legendary floating icon, the RMS Segwun, is celebrating her 125th anniversary. The celebration kicks off with a parade on June 29th with Saturday, June 30th providing additional festive opportunities for people to experience what it would have been like to be here 125 years ago. For the first time ever, 1 hour cruises will be available on the Segwun throughout the day Saturday, for the cost of a voluntary donation. While partygoers are on shore the festivities will continue throughout the day including all day live entertainment, games and crafts provided by the new Gravenhurst YMCA, a building workshop from Home Depot and presentations from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. The live entertainment will wrap up for the day with a performance by Les Stroud and his band. (yes…the Les Stroud of Survivorman…he does call this area home)
Here at Robbins’ Tuktawayin the availability calendar is filling in. We started the summer season a bit early on Mother’s Day weekend with a lovely mother-daughter team as our guests. Mom was visiting daughter in Toronto and they managed to find time for a couple of days in Muskoka. As luck would have it the sun shone for them all weekend and they were able to enjoy a lot of time in the canoe and on the dock quietly enjoying the pre-season solitude. We, that would be Dave and I, spent most of last weekend in the yard or garden putting the finishing touches on a few projects.
The boats are at the dock, we’ve all had our first of the season ski, I’ve been out rowing or kayaking several times and even took the canoe for a spin early one morning this week. The canoe has beautiful new wooden gunwales this season and is ready for your enjoyment.
Purple iris blooming in Tuktawayin garden
The gardens are flourishing. This is one of my favourite times in the garden when everything is fresh and new. Our gardens here at Tuktawayin are quite extensive and one has been rebuilt on the lakeside this year.
For the next week or two the irises are in bloom as the Solomon Seal and Trilliums are fading. The Douglas Phlox is beginning to die off the but annuals are filling out. Every day there is something new to enjoy and admire. We have great garden views from both sides of the house, either from the breakfast room, Muskoka room or the front porch.