Port Carling, Muskoka District - en route to Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

Township of Muskoka Lakes

We packed up at Oastler Lake Provincial Park this morning after enjoying two great days next to Parry Sound on the stunning Georgian Bay, and headed south toward the Muskoka region passing through that classic Canadian shield landscape - rocky outcrops, tall pines, and sparkling blue water of countless lakes.

Indian River connecting Lake Muskoka and Lake Rosseau

Our first destination was Port Carling, a charming town often called the “Hub of the Lakes” because of its location between Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph. If someone with money wants a "cottage" for summer fun, it's the Muskoka District they seek.

View of lock from the bridge above

Lock connecting Lakes Rosseau the Lake Joseph

We stretched our legs with a walk along the locks, which are a key feature to the town allowing boats to lazily navigate back and forth between the two lakes. It was fun to watch the variety — from personal water crafts to aluminum fishing boats to big gleaming cruisers. 

Muskoka Lakes Museum

Just a short stroll from the locks sits the Muskoka Lakes Museum, a small but fascinating stop that tells the story of the region’s past. 

Beautiful old wooden boats

Established in 1964, the museum highlights local First Nations history, early settler life, and of course, the boating culture that made Muskoka famous. The area became a summer retreat for city dwellers in the late 1800s, and pleasure boating quickly grew into the heartbeat of the region. From sleek wooden launches to today's pontoon boats, cruisers and Seadoos, the lakes have always been a playground.

Inside, one of our favorite exhibits was the collection of restored wooden powerboats — reminders of a time when style and craftsmanship were as important as speed. 

The Wall in Port Carling

We come upon this photo mosaic the locals fondly call 'The Wall'. It provides a breathtaking welcome to Port Carling comprising 9,028 pictures that together create the image of the RMS Sagamo passing through the Port Carling locks circa 1922.

Viewed up close, The Wall  comprises individual photos capturing a moment of time in the lives of residents of Port Carling during the village's first century (1860-1960) Very cool

After soaking in the history, we climbed back into the truck and drove another 1.5 hours east, passing through Huntsville and into the wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park, where we'll spend the next 3 days. 

Pog Lake - Algonquin Provincial Park

We are booked into Pog Lake Campground and have scored a very nice, large campsite surrounded by tall pines. When we booked these sites 5 months ago on-line, sometimes you win and sometimes you get a compromise. There is a local fire ban, which meant we wouldn't have the scent of campfire smoke drifting in the evening air, but that's okay, too!

After supper, we wandered down to the beach just in time for the sun to sink low, painting the sky in oranges and pinks. Canoes rested quietly along the shoreline, silhouetted against the water — the perfect ending to another day on the road.