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 :)

Hike at Crests of Kennisis Trail

Well, today could not be missed! No rain, beautiful sun but not too hot! John and I took advantage of the day and decided to go for a hike. We headed out to the historic log chute between Hall's Lake and Hawk Lake (see winter photos in a previous blog), and had lunch at a picnic table. The water levels in the area this year are astoundingly low, and the Kennisis River between the lakes - which is usually fast moving, loud and beautiful, was rocks and mud in a lot of places. It was truly quite sad - no kids are tubing into Hall's Lake this year! After lunch we crossed the dam and headed along the "Crests of Kennisis Trail" - a 5km trail (up hill both ways - or so it seemed!) that leads you up and along a ridge high above the Kennisis River. As it was our first hike of the season, and we are not seasoned hikers, we didn't make it all the way, but we did make it to the first viewing point, past the beaver pond. It was spectacular and took about 45 minutes to get there. We then swung our exhausted bodies around and headed back. Lots of mosquitoes, lots of sunshine and an incredibly peaceful, beautiful forest. Sometimes we had to just stop and listen to the silence - an extraordinary day! I wonder what trail we shall try next????

Red Pine Lake

The long weekend was incredible! On Monday we went on our next excursion. With over 600 lakes in Haliburton County, there are not a lot I haven't been to yet, but Red Pine Lake was one! As a water-access only lake, the opportunity to see the lake is limited, so Christine and I loaded up our friends' canoe and off we went. North West of Kennisis Lake, it took 40 minutes from West Guilford by car, with the road ending at a boat launch at the dam between Kennisis Lake and the river. Lots of room for parking as there are several water-access cottages on the lake. We met a lady at the dock who said the lake has a fabulous sand beach for swimming, so we hoped to discover it! The river was surprising - there were several areas that were narrow and shallow, lots of driftwood, and you could see the bass swimming under the canoe. But there were also lots of quite wide spots with very deep water. The river was quite calm, so it was easy paddling. Once in a while we headed close to shore as weekend cottagers passed in their boats, heading home for the week. There is a sand bar as you get close to the lake which prevents boat travel in early spring and late fall, but the water is higher now and we had no problem. Arriving at the lake, we were taken back by how large the lake is. There are several small islands, a lot of beautiful rock outcroppings and downright stunning. By the time we got up the river, our time was running low (we should have left way earlier in the day!), so we headed for an island, rolled up our pants and enjoyed the water. It was so relaxing it was very hard to leave! Red Pine Lake is one of several hidden gems in the County....we are so lucky to have such fabulous lakes that provide the best canoeing and kayaking one could ask for. We didn't make it around the lake, it was too large, we were too tired, and the day was running short, but have vowed to make a full day of it. There are a few campsites on the lake for the public - as long as you purchase a permit, and we may attempt an overnight stay so we can find the beach and explore all the nooks and crannies the lake has to offer! I found out today from a colleague that the beach is on the far side, where most of the cottages are located so next time we bring our bathing suits!!