Geocaching in the Highlands

My latest discovery....geocaching. I know, it has been around forever! But I always assumed it would be difficult - get a compass, get coordinates (from somewhere), and trek through the bush to find "something".
I was wrong! The other night my daughter and husband went for a walk after dinner, right from our front door. Christine pulled out her phone, checked her "app", and discovered that there were 10 caches within walking distance of our house, along the road - who knew???
Their leisurely walk turned into a fun, competitive hunt. Dad and Daughter each trying to find the next cache before the other. The next day I had to check out an acreage for a client, so when we were done, Christine again pulled out her app, and found two caches near the acreage. Off we went!
Now caches come in many forms. They are whatever the first person started. They can be as small as a pill container, or as large as a Thermos. There is always a small notepad so that people who find it can sign and date it. People leave little trinkets -anything really. We saw rubber bands, buttons, a toy car, stickers....anything to say "we were here". Christine has a friend who has gps "buttons" that you leave behind, and then other people take them and put them in different geocaches. You can track your buttons to see where they go. She has one that is now in Germany.I don't know where she got them, but I want to find them!

Our outing took us to Scotts Dam - a truly beautiful spot in the Highlands. We discovered a walking trail along the rushing water, and there is a lovely bench with a view! It is a great way to find nooks and crannies in the area and get you off the couch in the evening. Most are easy to find - no skill required. Although I will say we made one mistake. Since my brain regularly forgets that my body is not 20 years old anymore, I tend to make ill-thought-out decisions. One of the caches warned of heights and being careful. We got to a rock cut along the side of the road and quickly looked around to see if there was an easy way up - a trail of some kind. When we didn't find one, we went to the lowest part of the rock cut, scampered up, and then followed the ledge looking for the cache. We hit a spot where rock was jutting out and Christine quickly slipped around it. I, on the other hand, stood there for a minute, was definitely concerned for my ability to get around this big rock without becoming a pancake at the bottom, then proceeded to step around the rock anyway! A second later Christine's blood curtling scream disturbed the local residences as my foot slipped and I headed downward. Luckily my hand grabbed on and I was able to pull myself up to safety.
Now, this sounds dangerous but let me assure you that geocaching is not! There really was a trail - a safe trail! We just didn't see it!
This was so much fun - it was simple - it was free - anyone can do it - and a great way to see the Highlands! We will be doing this again, and again, and again!

The View at Scotts Dam

Rushing Water at Scotts Dam

A Taste of the Highlands....

John and I had the pleasure of going out for a wonderful meal Wednesday night - alone! Something we rarely do. We went to one of our favourite spots - Bonnieview Inn on Kashagawigamog Lake. Bonnieview offers a very casual atmosphere with amazing high-end food! We also got a window table so we could enjoy the view of the frozen lake and the lights across the lake - very pretty! Bonnieview is one of our favourites - we have been there many times, and never had a disappointing meal! Escargot for John, Creamy Parmesan Tomatoe Soup for me, then two New York Strip Steaks with an amazing peppercorn sauce! We even had dessert (but don't tell anyone :)

Last month we went to the new location of Rhubarb, in Carnarvon. Rhubarb was originally located near the ski hill in Eagle Lake (Sir Sam's Ski Resort). It was high-end, fine dining, in a fine-dining atmosphere. Late in December the restaurant moved to Carnarvon. It is now high-end, fine dining, but in a more pub-style atmosphere. You no longer have to dress up (but you can!). Come in your snowmobile gear - it's o.k. The food was divine. Love the location - lots of room, lots of parking, and overlooking the lake.

Our next venture?? Heather Lodge has a new Chef and Manager - James Jennings and Maria Micalef. James was a Chef at PineStone Resort and Wig-a-Mog Inn, and I cannot wait to eat there! I'm thinking March - just before I get crazy busy at work again.

We are really lucky in Haiburton Highlands to have some wonderful hidden gems. Check them out....you will not be disappointed! You just need to know where to look :)

The Highlands in Winter

Ducks on Horseshoe Lake

We finally had a break in the super cold, snowy weather and I took full advantage! Sneaking away from my office, just for a couple of hours, I grabbed my camera and hopped in the car. I love photography and do not get near enough time to play, so the sunshine yesterday and fresh winter air beckoned. The great thing about The Highlands is that you do not have to go far or have a lot of time to indulge in your favourite winter sport! I drove 5 minutes up Highway 35 north of Minden - never even left the side of the highway, and got to take some shots of Mountain Lake, Twelve Mile Lake, and Horseshoe Lake (o.k. - I left the highway for Horseshoe Lake). We have over 600 lakes in the Minden and Haliburton area, and my goal is to photograph as many of them as possible. I think I have been to most, but I want to capture each one. I did not have much time to look for the perfect shot, but it was fresh air! So much to photograph...how do you choose? I also got to stop at the White Water Rapids. There was a huge snow cone in the way and lots of snow joined my feet inside my boots, but I enjoyed every minute of it!
Haliburton is hosting, for the second year in a row, the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships, Jan. 24-26 and Jan. 31-Feb. 2. There are 30 rinks - over 300,000 sq. ft. of ice space, and it is just simply put .... a lot of fun. Come cheer the players on! The rinks are spread out between the pond in front of PineStone Resort and Head Lake (the lake in the Village of Haliburton). Lots of parking. It is not something you get to see every day.
Another very special and unique event coming up is Hockey Night in Haliburton - the premiere of "There's Something in the Water?". This is a documentary that tells the tale of some great NHL hockey players, from our area - told on a 40 foot outdoor screen in Head Lake Park - now there is something you don't see every day! The screening is January 25 and you can purchase tickets online at www.hockeydocs.tv . There will also be some celebrities on hand!
So that was yesterday...today it is snowing again and I am back at my desk, plotting my next big 2-hour escape!

Winter is Coming!

As the sleet hits my office window this morning I ponder as to what happened to yesterday's higher than normal weather??? Business is getting quieter, snowmobilers are starting to perspire at the thought of what is almost hear (I can hear Geoff pacing in our office - he can almost taste that white powder!), and the first round of hunters are done for another year, with only one week left of deer season. The Highlands is settling down, ready for the white stuff!

Personally, I LOVE the changing seasons. As Canadians we get bored quickly and each change in the weather gives us something to talk about, something to prepare for - new clothes, preparing the house, getting wood - it's all good! We even get to change the interior of our house - colour schemes and nick nacks get to rotate.

Both Minden and Haliburton's main streets received a facelift this Fall - new curbs, sidewalks, street lamps....there is still a bit of work to day, and the contractors will be back in Spring to finish up, but they are looking great. It was hard on local businesses - everyone avoided the main streets for September and October, so let's hope the Christmas season is extra busy this year - perhaps we can all work harder to buy locally this Christmas to give them a boost! I know I will - unfortunately for the business owners though, we don't spend much at Christmas anymore....are daughers are adults and moved away, it is just the two of us. So our donation to the local economy will certainly be small, but every bit helps.

Well everyone! Happy Winter! Snowshoe, ski, snowmobile.......jump in and have fun! I know I will!

Children and Education

Hi everyone - this is a post I found in my "draft" file - it should have been posted last May - oops! Still relevant though ---- so here it is!

I have done a lot of thinking lately about how lucky we are in Central Ontario. Our youngest daughter recently took a job with a charitable organization called "Elephant Thoughts". The organization is based out of Collingwood and provides educational programmes to areas that are challenged. One of their aims is to raise the percentage of graduates from high school. Christine is working in Northern Quebec with Cree First Nations students and her experience to date has been wonderful. In the communities she has been in so far, she has found amazing children with a unique culture and look on life. Many of them start their lives speaking Cree then about Grade 3 they must choose a "stream" or second language - either English or French. This sounds wonderful, but in one community there was a lack of language emphasis, and since in that region you need 2 languages to graduate from high school, only 2 children graduated last Spring. Wow! This is hard for us to relate to, and makes me realize how little I know about many areas of Canada. I know the surface stuff - issues mentioned on the news and in the newspapers, and up until lately, I thought I knew quite a bit - I was definitely wrong. Listening to Christine's stories has become my drug of choice - I talk to her almost every day, and every day I want to hear what she has seen, experienced, and learned. The people have welcomed her with open arms - they have fed her, involved her in their celebrations and have been eager to share with her their history and stories. Every Canadian should get the opportunity to experience this - forget The Bahamas!

Hidden Gems

I love to find hidden treasures in our County - in any format.....geological, physical, people or business/organizations. Last week my business partner and I were hosting an Agent Open House at one of our properties in Irondale. The owner suggested we serve the agents sausage on a bun, and to get the sausages from Highland Meats - a butcher shop located between Gooderham and Irondale, on County Road 503. The Shop has probably been there 2-3 years and I have never stopped in. We picked up two kinds of sausages - cranberry maple and apple. Yum! The flavours are subtle - the cranberry maple was my favourite, but both were delicious. I took the leftovers home and they were an instant hit with the family. Check out this great place!

While I am at it - I have some other favourite hidden gems to mention! Norm's Smoked Meats in Gelert, on Gelert Road - Norm has been there for years and has a very loyal following. All kinds of fresh smoked fish, meats - a treasure of discoveries! Beside him, in the same parking lot is Lambs 'n Ivy Antiques - dissappear in this old barn full of exciting things! The third favourite - The Little Tart Bakery in Donald. Everything is done from scratch, real butter, and real taste! Delicious! You have to turn off Gelert Road onto Koshlong Lake Road (only 5 minutes from Haliburton) - it is well worth the drive! Oh - did I mention Wintergreen Restaurant? Again on Gelert Road - although it is a "pancake house", they go all summer long and offer with amazing pies as they come into season. This place is packed on weekends, so be prepared. A fun place for breakfast!! They have wonderful sauces, jams, etc. also!

Christine and I are off to Algonquin tomorrow for 4 days of kayaking and hiking - can't wait! Hope that fire ban gets lifted!

Volunteers

I was sitting in my living room this morning catching up on newspaper articles (I tend to pile them up and get around to reading the papers slowly), and I was mesmorized by the article on the annual Business and Community Achievement Awards, put on by our Haliburton County Chamber of Commerce. As I read the description of each of the award winners and their accomplishments, I was completely taken by what one individual can do. I am sure people might disagree, but it seems that volunteerism is a bit stronger in country areas rather than urban. Perhaps this is my lack of living in an urban area that gives me this impression, but, wow - the people who live here are beyond amazing!
I dabble in volunteerism, have for many years, and raised our daughters to understand the importance of community involvement - but I could never begin to imagine the depth of involvement that many of our community members have.
Take John Teljeur for instance (not to leave out the other incredibly amazing award winners and nominees!) This gentleman has volunteered with several organizations such as FoodNet/Food Coalition, Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association, SIRCH, Out to Learn, and Community Care, started three more community gardens growing over 1,000 pounds of organic produce for organizations such as the 4Cs, Minden and Cardiff Food Banks, Ontario Early Years Centre, SIRCH, Point in Time and Community Care - the list goes on.
Is volunteerism a learned state or something that just comes natural to people? I know we taught our children the importance of helping your community, but surely these "above the crowd" members of society take it so much further.
With my limited volunteer involvement, I find I am always stressed - when I am volunteering I am thinking about family and work - am I letting anyone down? When I am concentrating on family and work, I wonder if I am doing enough - it is a balance. Everything in life is a balance - exercise, work and play, eating and drinking habits - all in moderation, just the right amounts of everything. Luckily, the volunteerism in Haliburton County is OUT of balance! Extraordinary people live here, get involved here, and keep our communities going. I feel very blessed (and at times, somewhat inadequate) to live and work and play in this fabulous part of Central Ontario!