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 :)

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!

Community Halls

I am on a roll! Two blogs in one night! For those wondering how the efforts to save our community halls is going - a presentation has been officially forwarded for the new municipal council to review. A couple of the new council members that have been elected are compassionate of our cause and hopefully, supporters, and one who was definitely against keeping our Halls open, was not re-elected. So we are cautiously optimistic. Irondale, Lochlin and Gelert all have active community Halls worth saving and as a collective group we are going to do what we can to accomplish this. Many people have stopped me on the street, in the grocery store, and I have even had a couple of phone calls. People care and want updates and if anyone wishes a copy of the proposal that went to council, please feel free to contact me by phone or by email - carr2211@gmail.com and I would be happy to send a pdf of the report.

Changes in Tourism

I was quite interested reading an article in The Haliburton County Echo this week regarding how tourism is changing and how the County needs to recognize this. Are we adapting? You bet! We are very lucky that we live in a County that is made for active tourists. The article spoke of tourists wanting activities when at the cottage and how we need to brag more about what we have to offer. Wow - can we brag! Another article on page 32 of The Echo (a short article at the top of the page) notes how Sunday Ramblers have doubled this year from last. As a member of the Friends of the Rail Trail I know exactly why this is happening. It is not one single reason. 1. The committee has some great volunteers determined to get the word out and promote these free Sunday events; 2. We were able to secure some funding and received assistance from a local printer to create great brochures - placed everywhere in the County; 3. People love something free to do; 4. People are simply more active than they used to be! Walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking is now for everyone - every age, every fitness level, every level of pocket book. The change in the air is electric and Haliburton County has loads to offer! From organized Outdoor Adventure tours for a bigger challenge to meandering rivers, to lovely trails for the whole family. I LOVE IT. Being a person of "significant size" (code word for overweight) myself, and a lover of nature and the outdoors, I am first-hand proof that everyone wants in to this new life style. I agree with the writeup in The Echo this week - this is a new way of life that people are embracing - not just in tourism, but for residents and The County has an opportunity to put our County in the forefront of a new way of living that is here to stay.