DEVIL'S GAP

Today we hiked the first section of the Devil's Gap Trail, originally the colonization road between Gravenhurst and Bala. It was still very muddy in places with several pools of water to negotiate around. We encountered several species of mushrooms flanking the trail, such as this Fly Agaric crowned with a colourful leaf. Local folklore claims an early pioneer, after getting his wagon and team of oxen stuck in the mud, went for help but when he returned there was no trace of them. If the bugs were as bad as today I'm sure the team managed to extricate themselves and hightailed it out of there!

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW

From the top of Huckleberry Rock Lookout one can get a bird's-eye view of Lake Muskoka and several islands from Bala to Port Carling. Following a brief rainshower, I climbed up to capture some of the islands surrounded with mist, and was joined by a Turkey Vulture.

TREK TO BETHLEHEM

Shalom was the greeting we exchanged with people we encountered on our trek to Bethlehem, around the block in Bala. Hundreds came to take this recreated journey, decreed by Caesar to pay taxes and be counted, and were led in formed groups, the story of The Saviour narrarated by actors and vignettes set up around the neighbourhood.
[Cameras didn't exist then and weren't permitted for pictures now.]

THE CROSS

The cross, standing guard at the base of Bala Falls, bears life saving equipment donated by the Bala & District Lions Club, and is a grim reminder of the people that drown in these waters every year. The levels of every waterfall in the region are very high, exacerbated by the heavy rainfall and runoff accumulations of the past two months.

THE MORE THE MARRIOTT

Today I found myself in Bala again, this time to volunteer with other Marriott employees from both The Rosseau and the Residence Inn in Gravenhurst, who spent the day working together on the Habitat for Humanity home currently being built. Matched with the regulars, we accomplished a lot and learned some interesting tricks of the trades.
[Picture taken by Sarah Lehman from the HR Dept at The Rosseau.]

BALA BOGS

Northrup, a third generation Johnston in the family owned business, harvests cranberries using the wet rake method, where a mechanical picker combs the berries off the vines. His grandfather Orville began the business close to Bala in 1947, not only attracted by its potential but also the proximity to Dunn's Pavilion, for he was also a musician.

Another method of harvesting is called beating, demonstrated by this machine with a water reel that beats the berries off the vines where they float to the surface, and are manually corralled for pick up. This enterprise, started in the 1960's, is owned and operated by the Wahta Mohawks, who arrived here from Oka, Quebec in 1881.

HAPPY HUNDREDTH

A special celebration was held to recognize the hundredth birthday of the Bala Bay Inn. Once named the Swastika Hotel, the controversial symbols are gone but the ghost of the original owner still remains. Moose FM was there live and is also owned by the same family who rescued this historic inn from possible demolition and renovated it.

BEAT THE HEAT

When in Bala I found the best way to beat the heat and humidity was to stand under the cascade of water pouring over the lip of the dam at the smaller falls, where I was totally enveloped. Both sets of falls receive their volume from the entire Muskoka watershed which then empty into the Moon River, and from there travels to Georgian Bay.

OPENING WEEKEND

Visitors and cottagers arrive for the long weekend and the opening night of The Kee, with a sold out concert by Blue Rodeo. Originally known as Dunn's Pavilion during the era of dancing to the Big Bands, the name, times and music have since changed, and it continues to attract crowds with their resort nights and popular concert line up.