NOT FAMILIAR with my backyard of Muskoka? Located just 2 hours north of Toronto and encompassing an area about the size of Rhode Island, Muskoka is a region clustered around three big lakes: Muskoka, Joseph and Rosseau, where summer cottages nestle in seclusion. It's been known as cottage country since the 1800's to many elite business barons and has gradually become the Malibu of the North, attracting NHL hockey players and celebrities like Martin Short, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell,Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Kenny G to name a few. Cabins on the lake have slowly been replaced by palatial homes; sailboats and canoes with luxury motorboats.
Today we decided to take a roadtrip to Rosseau, a tiny humble village that sits at the top of Lake Rosseau where cottagers and celebrities pick up the necessities they need for their stay. We drove through the winding roads, passing all the little sideroads with their handmade directional signs.
Soon we were in Rosseau. The General Store sits in the heart of the village and contains everything from a butcher, to video store, postal outlet to ice cream parlor. And across the road is Hilltop Interiors, carrying everything you need to create a comfy cottage.
A stop at Oak Street Antiques is a must. If any of you have loved Sarah Richardson's show Sarah's Cottage, you'll recognize it as the place where she picked up so many treasures for her cottage. Darn! Closed Monday, Tuesday and probably Wednesday this week! I guess I'll need to plan another trip here.
Strolling around the village, we passed so many charming clapboard homes, churches and little shops and businesses.
Time to head home but first, no visit to Rosseau would be complete without a stop at the bakery and variety store for some buttertarts. Many claim to be Muskoka's best but these ones really are and it was great to meet the lovely lady behind these yummy treats as she came out to greet us and package them up for us. What a fun roadtrip to one of my favourite little villages!
lisa
