The true beauty of cottage country is on full display as we head into the Thanksgiving long weekend. For many, it’s a time to snap a few last pictures before closing the cottage for the season and, of course, a great, traditional family meal. “Well we never have Thanksgiving anywhere else but here in Muskoka and yes, it’s the one time probably besides Christmas where the whole family gets together,” says Simcoe County resident Richard Buck. This is also the last weekend of the season for boaters who use the locks on the Trent-Severn waterway. “We are coming from Lefroy today taking this boat up to Midland and going through four locks - beautiful day. We’re trying to get through before it closes,” says Simcoe County resident Rob Dondy. Boaters were able to take advantage of the Canada Strong pass this summer where it was free to travel through by boat. However, that is no longer in effect and boaters will have to pay. “A lot of the times right now at this time of the season, the majority of the boaters who are coming through the locks are putting their boats away, they’re going to the marinas to take it out for the winter. A lot of the pontoons and bowriders who were living at the cottage, they’re putting their boats away for the season,” says Lock Operator Lock 42 Ian Saya. Jayne McCaw owns Jayne’s luxury rentals in Muskoka and says it has been a terrific season for cottagers and out-of-country visitors to the area and says many people are deciding to keep those properties open a little bit longer than usual. “We are up about 30 per cent from a year ago. About 30 per cent of our audience is U.S., five per cent is overseas and yeah, we have had a banner year,” says McCaw. “We are seeing up here like we haven’t seen before on weekends and long weekends and stuff like that, so, no I don’t think people are really thinking of closing up until the end of October.” The forecast is looking like it’s on our side ahead for people heading to cottage country for the long weekend. For those coming to the area, keep in mind traffic will be heavy and likely start first thing in the morning.
