Yuk for weather

Flash freezing may produce great conditions for skating the entire lake.  Hold off the snow, weather gods.

Road still mostly slushy snow, but hills are gravel exposed.

Beavers clearing brush along the causeway.

Surviving the cold

Well, the cold has been brutal for all of Ontario.  Perhaps most affected are the bees.  Extreme cold for extended periods of time can wipe out the colonies.  If the bees don't have the energy to create air currents in the hive, condensation will coat their bodies and eliminate them.

Five of seven hives shown have sounds in the hive.  Fingers crossed for the other two.

At least the bears are not a threat.

Early 2018

Perhaps hard to see, but there are only a few snowmobile tracks on the lake.  The 'brutal' cold seems to have kept people in a warmer environment.

Road to East Bay is being plowed and there have been vehicles moving along the road easily.

About 12 inches of snow on the cottage road.  Lots and lots of moose tracks along the road.

Only one family ventured to our area during the holidays.  Unfortunately they were met with 'brutal' cold.  But they still managed to catch some pike.

The ice next to the cliffs is 12 inches thick and growing.

Thirty years ago, this author never saw a black squirrel in the area.  This morning three were feeding at the bird feeder.  And more were seen along the cottage road.  But, for some reason, there is a lack of song birds in the area.  

New season starts

A few days of cold have lead to the lake freezing up.

Stop the rain

Well, it is hard to keep the road  'easy' to drive with all this rain.  Rain loves to follow straight paths down the road.  A series of 'run-offs' tries to divert the water and some placed gravel slows the water and decreases the 'shear velocity'.

Road update

Road condition

Lots of interest in the road.  It is in, strangely, good condition.  A few rutted areas, but easy to pass them without any problem.  Most of the overhanging trees have been removed, but take care since it has been windy tonite (Thursday).

Lake

Elephant Lake is now completely free of ice.

Road and Lake

Lake still solid but covered mostly with water.  Road snow covered from island to Tusk.  Soft snow, difficult for ATV's.  Excellent for snowmobiles.

Road and Lake

Old advertisement

This ad was in an early 1980's Haliburton Echo newspaper.

Possible sale

Over the years, a number of people have asked about possible properties for sale on Elephant Lake.

Since this lake is a prime location to have property, partly due to the outstanding Elephant Lake Cottage Association, it has come to my attention that a possible cottage may be coming up for sale.

On the west side of the lake, between Elephant Lake Lodge (old name) and Silver Springs, there is a 1940's built cottage with an interesting boat house built  into the lake.   The property is 40 acres, but Elephant Lake road splits the property, with most of the property on the west side which is a high hill.

The property is in the process of settling an estate and 'may' come up for sale.  But nothing has been established at present.

This message is just a 'heads up' for interested individuals.

Wolves

Although seldom seen in the area, wolves are present.  They have recently killed a fawn on the ice in front of East Bay.

The lack of rabbits is also an indication that wolves are harvesting them.

Since turkeys are such strong flyers, they don't seem to be so affected by wolves and many people are seeing turkeys this winter.

Winter road

Lots of branches down, a few trees to clear.  Very deep snow this year.

Christmas Causeway

Snow is extremely deep, about 15 inches.  No sign of snowmobiles on the lake, probably due to the slush that bogs down the machines.

Winter coming

Ice forming

About 6 inches of snow on parts of the road.  Other parts only a few inches.  But presently snowing.  No vehicles beyond the top of maple hill.

Road clearing

Young Logging has brushed back a large section

of both sides of the road south of the sandy area, improving visibility and drainage.

Community Heritage Book 2016

                                  COMMUNITY HERITAGE BOOK 2016

        Last year, 2015, the Schoolhouse Museum produced a book based on our Heritage Day and Open House weekend.  We attempted to get pictures of all our visitors and activities.  The book is located in the library.  Ask to see it.

       This year, we are expanding the book.  We would like to get a snapshot of an extended area around Highland Grove, which would include an area from Wilberforce to Cardiff.  Most of the photos and activities will be taken during August and September 2016.  The book will be sent out at the end of September.  Our focus will show people a 100 years from now the community, property, business, families, volunteer groups, activities, etc.

    Our museum staff is asking for people to forward photos via email to johnjamieson11@hotmail.com or joburr50@hotmail.com.  The photos will be placed in an Imac book.  One book will be made for our museum, but others will be made on request.

    This book is wide open!  WE need people to participate.

    Don’t forget our Heritage Day, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2016.  Food and Music.

Clobbered with rain

Saturday, Aug. 13, rain all nite, all day and now at 3 pm it is absolutely pouring.  Sheets of rain coming down the hills.  The road will be checked for downed trees.  Call if you need help getting in or out.