Unique Muskoka August

{Muskoka Moments
Boyhood adventures inspire
Survivorman TV show
By Les Stroud
{
It is ridiculously difficult to pick only one
defining moment in Muskoka, when in
reality, Muskoka is made up entirely of
moments. Wonderful, whimsical, inspiring,
memory-laden moments. Those of us lucky
enough to enjoy it here know this with all
our hearts.
I travel the world for a living and yet
when I am asked to name the places I
believe to be “world class,” Muskoka is
always on that list. It is Muskoka that I tell
others about when they ask me, “What
beautiful places on this planet should we
see?” In fact, I carve my travelling schedule
around my favourite months to be in
Muskoka; spring thaw, dead of winter and,
of course, the autumn. I will not be in
jungles or deserts or on mountains or across
the oceans during those times, I will be in
my home – Muskoka. And no doubt, I will
be having a moment.
My family was connected to the Muskoka
River. I grew up having summers at what
was once my grandmother’s house, which
subsequently became our cottage when she
passed away. A small, yet classic Muskoka
cottage, with a “screen room” and windows
overlooking the river. My bedroom had no
insulation and was open to the 2x4 studs,
which had the added advantage of offering
up a place to put my glass of water for the
night. A dysfunctional family life took its
toll back in the city, but here in Muskoka I
found my refuge, my escape. It was an
escape to the natural world.
Back in Mimico, Etobicoke, I would
watch Jacques Cousteau films and Tarzan
movies on TV. Ahhh, but here in Muskoka,
I would chase and catch frogs and snakes. I
would explore endlessly in the swamps. I
would spend all day fishing for that “big
lunker” bass that I just knew was out there,
somewhere. I would smell the fresh forest
72 UNIQUE MUSKOKA August 2016
breezes and climb the rock outcroppings in
behind the cottage. I would learn to swim at
Muskoka Beach, just off Highway 118. In
my mind I would actually live and experience
what I witnessed during the winters down
south, my face stuck in the “boob tube.”
My fascination with the natural world
ran deep within my soul, so getting dirty
while clambering through the Muskoka
forest was a daily occurrence. Ants fascinated
me and I remember when, every spring, the
flying ants would take wing and fill our
horseshoe and Frisbee field. I learned to
respect yellow jackets! I felt like I was in the
most exotic place on the planet when a luna
moth would land on our window. It was just
so big!
I developed a solo game I would play up
on the rocks, far from the call of my mother
(so I could pretend I couldn't hear her). I
would use moss as a pillow and make these
little shelters out of branches and pine
bows. In my young mind I was surviving in
all the far-flung places that Tarzan and
Jacques Cousteau went. I even remember
thinking, wouldn’t it be cool if I could be a
professional at this surviving and adventure
thing? Well, that dream came true. Truer
than I could have imagined. It was my
Muskoka moment on that rock to which I
owe my current professional life. If there
ever was a defining moment in my life, it
surely was when I first moved around a little
club moss and propped up a few sticks on a
rock in Muskoka and called it “survival.”
Les Stroud is best known as the Canadian
Screen Award winning producer, creator and star
of the hit TV series Survivorman. He has been
nominated for 21 Canadian Screen Awards
(formerly the Geminis) and has won for Best
Writer (twice) and Best Photography. A celebrated
keynote speaker, musician and author, his books,
Survive!: Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You
Out of Anywhere – Alive! and Will to Live made
the New York Times bestseller list. Visit lesstroud.ca
Photograph: Laura Bombier