Cottage projects in Port Carling

Big-lake country, booked work

Port Carling sits on the Indian River, where the locks have joined Lake Muskoka to Lake Rosseau since 1871, expanded twice, in 1903 and 1922, to keep up with the steamships and then the pleasure boats. They call it the hub of the lakes for a reason, and the boat works here was building its disappearing-propeller launches back when the village was still its own municipality, before it folded into the Township of Muskoka Lakes in 1971. Today it's a few hundred year-round residents and thousands of cottagers, and the cottages here run big. So does the work: I come to Port Carling for renovations, deck and stair rebuilds, and repair lists long enough to fill a booked day or three. Everything this far out gets a written quote with the travel priced in, so the number you sign is the number you pay.

One more thing worth knowing: my watch route already reaches the Rosseau end of Lake Rosseau. If your place is on the north lake, ask, because you may be closer to my route than you think.