Unique Muskoka August

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{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
HillTop INTERIORS YOUR STYLE YOUR HOME YOUR LIFE Innovative. Inspired by nature. Infused with tradition. BEDROOM KITCHEN / BATH LIGHTING FURNITURE / DÉCOR 705.732.4040 HILLTOPINTERIORS.COM 1150 HIGHWAY 141, ROSSEAU, ON P0C 1J0
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Muskoka’s Steamship Revolution AU
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...telling the Muskoka story Featur
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Your Muskoka law firm. …telling t
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YOUR VISION, our experience. www.ta
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KNOWLES PLUMBING Muskoka’s Bath &
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member at Fleming College’s Schoo
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