Around the Lake

The long weekend is here, and with it some of the finest weather of the year. The colour could not be better, so it's a great excuse to get out there, and tour the Lake of Bays.

Start at the Oxtongue Craft Cabin. Jim's got the most wonderful collection of artwork and crafts from local artisans, beautifully set in a log cabin. You can probably scoop up ALL your Christmas list here, without even trying!


In Dorset, the Tower offers a fantastic view. Last weekend there were so many visitors to this site that they had to close it down, and limit the number of people coming and going. There are 118 steps -- one of our guests counted them for me, so we hope you have a head for heights! If the tower isn't your thing, you can always hike to the top of our Lookout Trail -- it doesn't sway as much, and the view is just as wonderful! Pause at the Dorset Museum to see the new murals they installed this summer, and to take a peek at the exhibits. It is amazing how much change there has been in the past century, and this museum will whip you through it in a really fun way.

No trip to Baysville could be complete (at least for us!) without stopping in at Miss Nelle's Antiques. This is one of the oldest houses in Baysville, and the architecture of the building is worth going to see. In addition to that, it houses a great collection of antiques and collectibles -- AND it doesn't stop there! Don's got a great little lunch counter there, with wonderful sandwiches, and great coffee (including the Lake of Bays Blend) and baked goodies. Sit for a spell, admiring the view of the dam. You can't dine at the old Lincoln Lodge (Wendigo) anymore, because sadly it burned last month -- which ends its long run of advertising that it was the best place to eat by a dam site. We think that honour now goes to Miss Nelles'!

Come back along the South Portage Road, and pause at the municipal dock there to look at the Heritage Plaque celebrating the shortest commercial railway in the world -- the Portage Flyer, at one mile in length!

Then work your way back here, and put your feet up, watch the deer -- or, since the weather is SO nice -- perhaps fit in that one last swim before winter!