Highland Games 2010 - Bracebridge, Ontario

Join the clan in Bracebridge for the 2010 Highland Games and enjoy the Legion's Pipes and Drums, Highland dancers and all those super strong boys and girls in tartan kilts muscling heavy, over sized objects. There will also be Scottish tastings, product and food vendors, a parade and yes, a beer tent.

The hosting clan is the MacDougall's along with the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation Amateur Canadian Championship.



Bring your pets (on a leash) and the kids too of course (no leash required ;) If they are under 12, they're free so take advantage of all that action and hang out on Friday and Saturday.

Contact the games organizer with questions or visit their website (link posted above).

12th annual Classic Car show in Orillia - Friday the 13th & 14th of August, 2010

If you love the style and romance of classic cars then head over to the 12th annual Classic Car Show in downtown Orillia, Ontario...right there, in cottage country you'll discover over 400 beauties lining the streets!

So yes, even though it's Friday the 13th, it's your lucky day because the car show begins today and goes through until late Saturday afternoon. Lake Couchiching is very close by so bring your swimming gear and take a dip! Downtown Orillia is also full of cute little stores and has some great eateries and live entertainment sooo, enjoy! ;)

Orillia, Ontario (downtown)
Friday, August 13th begins at 5pm and ends at 9 pm.
Saturday, August 14th begins at 9am and ends at 5 pm.

Call the Downtown Orillia office for more information.
Phone# 705-325-3261

Tap Dogs at the King's Wharf - Penetanquishene, Ontario 2010

If you love dance and the performing arts then join in and watch as the world reknowned male dancers known as Tap Dogs put their twist on tap dancing. Get your denim and exit cottage country (stage left) over to Penetanquishene. Shake it up with Dein Perry's Tap Dogs, this talented group of guys have reinvented the dance form and would love to entertain you with their rendition.

Dein Perry's Tap Dogs: The Reinvention of Tap Dancing
Live Theatre Performance at the King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, Ontario.



Yes, it does cost money but, for a unique live performance, it just may be worth while!

Regular Performance $39
Previews $33
18 & Under $20
Groups of 20 or more $33.

Live Performances until September 2010!!

Phone# 705-549-5555 or Toll Free 1-888-449-4463
Website: http://www.draytonentertainment.com/

Pretty Peonies are the perfect Cottage Flower

In late spring to early summer the gardens in cottage country are decorated with gorgeous Peonies that range in color from snow white up to vibrant, lush pinks and rich, velvet crimsons. These gorgeous flowers have such a stunning fragrance too, that they easily fill a room with scent...and ants, if you forget to shake em' before bringing them indoors ;)

Peonies require little to no maintenance and seem to be the perfect perennial! Just secure with string or a cage (so they don't sag from the weight of the blooms) and they Peony do prefer lots of sun. But, I've planted some groupings in dappled shade and although they are slower to expand they seem very happy and their blooms tend to last longer.

Photgrapher Darwinek

The Beauty of Muskoka's Antique & Classic Wooden Boats

Antique wooden boats docked in Muskoka waters...for show or play it's all the way for these fanatics!

To view Antique Wooden Boats or Classic Boats visit Gravenhurst, Ontario in the heart of cottage country! Head down to the waterfront and take a tour on the R.M.S. Segwun, Wenonah II or Wanda III, visit the Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society or the 'floating' boat museum The Grace & Speed Boathouse.

Santa's Village - Bracebridge, Ontario ...see what Santa is doing in Muskoka this summer!

If you've got children who believe in Santa Claus or simply love to have fun you are going to love Santa's Village!! It's been known as one of central Ontario's most popular amusement parks for over 50 years. As a child growing up near Ottawa I clearly remember the family vacation that took us there and we've also taken our own kids as a flashback to the past!

Santa's Village now also has Sportsland and Eaglecrest Aerial Parks plus camping so you can stay n' play. Bracebridge, Ontario has been Santa's summer home and he greets children and their parents daily from June 21st straight through till Labour Day.

There are Fallow Deer, goats and sheep to interact with or ride Rudolf's Roller Coaster rider and Santa's train. You could take a cruise along the Muskoka River or even send the kids to Santa's Village Day Camp so they can play all day long (without you ;) Test your driving skills in the Sportsland Grand Prix go cart track, take a swing in the batting cage, play miniature golf or even laser tag.

Eaglecrest Aerial Park also provides "The Ultimate Treetop Adventure" for the whole family, teams, groups and corporate training. Travel within a canopy of majestic pines along the Muskoka River.

Phone # 705-645-2512

Ticks in Ontario?! ...ewww,!!

The thought of Ticks hanging latching onto me via their head and gorging on my blood is so gross that I'm finding it hard to do research on this topic! However, that's also exactly why I must let you know there are Ticks in Ontario and you, your pets and livestock could be affected.

Now, don't panic it's not like they're readily flying around the earth, in fact they don't even fly ;) They simply hang out on the tips vegetation like long grasses, bushes and leaves then move onto the 'host' as you walk by and brush up against their immediate area. Once on you they'll poke around to find the best spot to live then bam they'll bury their head inside the soft flesh!

I can't be 100% positive but I'm pretty sure our cat Spooky had a Tick embedded into his body which is why this whole topic surfaced. It looked like a huge pimple ready to pop! After doing some research regarding bugs and pets I came across this picture from the U of N ...and I think it looks just like 'it', eewww, gross!

We removed 'it' from Spooky and a small, circular mark was left behind. The mark is healing nicely (with no other signs or symptoms) but where the heck did it come from? We have untouched bush nearby with plenty of deer and cattle so I guess 'it' is from there? But, I thought Ticks were in the more southern or northern regions. My family has lived in cottage country for decades and have never come across them before, perhaps they are closing in?!.

How to avoid Ticks...

- Stay on the trails and when bushwacking keep bare skin covered with long pants, shirts and socks tucked in wherever possible. Ticks need to attach themselves to the skin in order to feed.

- Use an insect/tick bug repellent that contains DEET on yourself and put a tick and flea collar on your pets. Be sure to check yourself and them periodically once indoors. Ticks love fur, hair, groins, armpits, dark moist areas and the scalp!

I found a Tick!...
 
- immediate removal helps prevent infection (it generally takes about 24hrs. to transmit Lyme Disease).

- use tweezers to pull the Tick straight out (don't squeeze it's head off leaving it inside, this could lead to infection). Do not squeeze the area or the Tick! Once removed be sure to clean the immediate area with soap, water and rubbing alcohol.

- save the Tick and take it to your doctor who can then test it for Lyme Disease etc. (unfortunately, we flushed our cat's little friend without realising we should've taken it to the vet).

Ontario - Ministry of Health
 
University of Quelph - Diagnostic
 

 

They may have lifted the Fire Ban but NOT the Littering laws!

I'm sure those residing in cottage country can judge by the recent weather that all fire bans within the central Ontario area have been lifted. So, feel free to responsibly torch away! For those coming up, over or down to this little piece of paradise you've now been enlightened ;)

Firewood will be wet, if it was left uncovered, which is when people tend to get creative with their fire starting skills. What ever do I mean? Well my friend, I'm talking about gasoline or any flammable product. It's dangerous, so please don't do it, talk your buddies out of it too! With the winds kicking up the way they do makes this form of entertainment/firestarting doubly dangerous!!

Check out these 'Redneck's Playing with Fire' and you'll see what I mean...



...and for each and every person that touches the ground when they walk (not just visitors), please don't forget to take your garbage with when you leave paradise! Stashing your junk on some sideroad doesn't count either!! I know garbage is gross and it's much easier to leave it for someone else but seriously, tsk tsk... Yes, I understand there aren't always garbage receptacles nearby so bring an extra bag already, it's not rocket science. Smokers too, just because ciggie butts are small doesn't mean it's okay. I'm not one to scold (well, yes I am ;) but I'm just trying to make a point.

Ontario Ministry of Environment
To Report A Spill, Odour Or Noise Pollution
1-866-MOE-TIPS (1-866-663-8477)

Fire Prevention Website Links

Skip the Room Service & go Camping at Awenda one of Ontario's Provincial Parks

I love to get outdoors and go camping with family and friends. There's something about transporting tonnes of gear to the boonies just to enjoy fresh air and a roaring campfire that makes me smile! Depending on who's included, a camping excursion could range from roughing it with no amenties to deluxe with bathrooms and power. For the most part I prefer to rough it yet with little kids in tow this isn't the easiest task nor always the sanest option ;)

When our kids were younger we made a point of taking one whole summer to visit all of the provincial campgrounds within a two hour radius. We had such an amazing summer with a few camping mini drama's on the side but that's par for the course anytime one attempts to escape 'reality'.

If you haven't already discovered Ontario Provincial Parks has a website where you can view every campground within the province. You can then make online reservations in advance which is incredibly helpful. It's easy to do and sometimes the only chance you may have of securing a spot! Check out the birds eye view of each campground ie; the washrooms, playgrounds, water, garbage, firewood, parking, beaches etc. then pick your ideal spot according to your needs.

The first camping spot we chose was Awenda Provincial Park located in Pentetanguishene, Ontario. With camping gear in check we headed off to nature's paradise... the shores of Georgian Bay overlooking the island known as Giant's Tomb!

Awenda was beautiful and I felt as though I had been transported back to British Columbia (where I'm from). The forest cover was incredibly lush, thick and green and the hills well, that leads me to a little story FYI...

Once settled we figured we'd head down to the water and be back up by dark. So, off we went and went ...it was the longest 'shortcut' we'd been on in awhile, or so we thought ;) Georgian Bay was stunning and the beach was perfect as you can see below our feet. But, downhill there means up hill to get back! Only this time we took the road...the second longest 'shortcut'! ...about 2 hours later we finally reached our campsite, the kids went to bed without a second thought and we hit the cooler for bevies and munchies. That's when we discovered our gigantic bag of M&M's (cracked open earlier and not put away) was now empty and jammed in to the bushes. Hmm, sneaky racoons! Beside's a few silly oversights on our part Awenda was a gorgeous place to camp and I'd recommend it to all nature lovers.

General camping tips...

- Read the map (more accurately than we did ;) or take the car first!
- Do bring enough water to accommodate little 'shortcuts'
- Don't leave food out for the critters, oops!
- Dress appropriately, it can get cool once the sun drops.

While camping at Awenda we did find Poison Ivy within the dry, grassy sand dune areas down at the beach. Stay on the trails or on the sand, don't wander into the bushes or off the beaten path.


Awenda Provincial Park
Phone # 705-549-2231
Penetanguishene, Ontario

Fire Ban is still in Effect for Ramara and Tiny Township - Fire Prevention & Safety Information

I love to have a roaring fire outside, at any time of the year. Like right now for example, when the air is still chilly and dried leaves, sticks and remnants from the past winter still remain piled high longing to be charcoal. But alas, there's a fire ban in effect within both Ramara and Severn townships... :( so no fires for this girl, yet!

If you're a firebug like me, be sure to check with your local township office before torching your pile of dried wood, leaves, grass, brush, paper, cardboard or whatever it may be you want to burn. Please no garbage, plastic, tires ect. Buy a dump pass already, don't be so cheap!! It also doesn't matter whether your fire is contained to a barrel or firepit nor that you're hidden out of sight, no fires means no fires.

So, before you set torch to something, check first!

Ramara Township Website Fire Ban in Effect

Severn Township Website

Lake of Bays Township Website

Tiny Township Website Fire Ban in Effect

Tay Township Website


Fire prevention related websites...

Canadian Firefighters Magazine Leadership, prevention and training.

Federal Safety Public safety and the Canadian Government.

Fire Safety Council Fire Marshal's - Public Fire Safety Council

Fire Prevention Canada Working with both private and public sectors to achieve fire safety.

National Fire Protection Association The authority on fire, electrical and building safety.


Kids and Fire Safety!...

U.S. Fire Administration for Kids Working for a fire safe America.

Sparky the Fire Dog Fire safety for kids.


Discuss fire safety and prevention in a fun manner that kids can relate to with these great books!
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids
Fire Safety (Be Safe!)
Fireboy to the Rescue! A Fire Safety Book

How to Make your own Maple Syrup - DIY

Waking up to the smell of fresh made pancakes and waffles is a traditional Canadian breakfast delight...but the sweetest part of all is the natural, golden topping known as Maple Syrup that you pour over top! For most folks that means cranking the top off a bottle of Aunt Jemima but if you have a Maple Tree on your property you could actually make your own Maple Syrup from scratch.

Buy at AllPosters.com

In Ontario there are seven different species of both hard and soft Maple tree's. The hard maples, such as Sugar Maple and Black Maple measuring at least 10 " in diameter, are the preferred trees of choice for tapping. They are both plentiful and yeild the most syrup. If those species are unavailable then you can tap both Red and Silver Maples as well. Vist Wiki for a historic rendition of how the Aboriginal peoples of eastern Canada discovered this delicacy.

Sugar Maple's are generally found on moderate to well drained soil and tend to have the brightest of colors in the fall. The leaves have five distinct lobes with a very smooth underside and are abundant in Ontario's cottage country. Take a peak out your window, do you have a Maple tree in your yard?

When to tap your Maple Trees...

The natural flow of sap within the tree is climate related and can occur as early as February given the right conditions. In the spring the cold nights and warmer days creates pressure within the tree and sap begins to move inside the trunk and branches. When the tree is tapped with a sharp object the hole acts like a wound and sap begins to seep. Under the right conditions one Maple tree can yield up to 80 gallons or as little as 5 gallons (5 gallons is equal to 20 litres). It takes approximately 10 gallons of sap to produce 4 cups of Maple Syrup. Hence the cost of liguid gold!


How to tap your Maple Trees...

The commercial Sugar Bush is an intricate maze of tubes meandering through the forest floor leading back to a huge main vat of sap. At home however, the process needn't be nearly so complicated. In fact when you think back to the days of old when the First Nations peoples first founded Maple sugar their tools of the trade were purely manmade.

Nowadays, I'd suggest using a drill and drill bit measuring 7/16" in diameter bore in at about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2" feet high. Drill your hole on the sunniest side of the tree about 2"- 3" deep on a slight upward angle which will encourage the flow of sap downwards. Place the tapping spout (Spile) against the tree and tap it securely into the hole with a hammer.

Use any container to collect your sap such as rigged up milk jugs to plastic pails with metal handles. Simply hang the buckets from the spout itself and remember to cover the pail to protect it from rain and debry. The process of collecting sap takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks to gather a substantial amount due to it dripping out of the tree one drop at a time. Store the sap daily in a cold, dry location until you have enough to get started boiling it down overtop of the heat. Maple Tapping - 4 Spiles and Hooks with Step-by-Step Instructions.

The cooking process...

Once you've collected enough sap I absolutely recommend completing the cooking process outdoors in a 'sugar shack' or over an open fire, definetly not in the house. Depending upon how much sap you have this process can take from hours to days to complete so be sure to allow yourself enough time. Use a shallow pot or vessel remembering not to overfill. Sugar does bubble and it also burns easily so keep watch. If you have friends and family involved that's all the better. You know they'll be at the dinner table when it's pancake time so put 'em to work in any of the above stages, at least on this last watch even if they are there for nothing more than company.

Strain the clear sap through cheeseclothe before applying it to the heat. As the sap boils down and evaporates keep adding more sap to the pot. Skim the surface occassionally and keep the level a safe distance from the top of your shallow pot so it doesn't spill while boiling. The process is complete when the water has evaporated from the sap leaving a rich, golden colored syrup behind. At this point the temperature ought to be 7.1 degrees above the boiling point of water (use a candy thermometer as temperature does vary based on elevation). Strain the syrup a second time to filter out any crystalized sugar. Pour into sterilized bottles before it cools for sterilization purposes. Once opened be sure to refrigerate.

Once you've concentrated the sap into syrup you can make some delicious Maple Sugar treats such as fudge, cookies, cakes or if you'd rather just eat em' then there's always premade Maple Shortbread Cookies and Hard Maple Candies in the shape of a Maple Leaf to tempt your palette.



'Operation Maple Syrup'...

As a family, we set out to tap two of the large Maples on our property. Without reading up on anything beforehand, we really had no idea how long the process would take. After weeks of collecting sap in plastic pails and transferring over to larger ones for storage, we finally had enough to boil it down.

We would have had more however, my hubby drank a few litres of collected raw sap saying it gave him energy. The raw filtered sap looks like water so I too tried it...well it's not really like water and I have no problem waiting for the gold!

A sunny spring weekend came so we all headed outside, and built a fire along with a rack to steady our cooking vessel. Rather than ruining a household pot we used a shallow stainless steel drawer that was being used as a toolbox. We began early on a Saturday morning and weren't finished until Sunday evening. Overnight we just covered and let sit, ideally you'd cook right thru but in most uncommercial scenarios, it ain't happening!

Our mission I consider as a success and resulted in about 3 cups of pure Maple Syrup. Sunday evening we devoured stacks of pancakes drizzled repeatedly with our own homemade syrup! Mmmm, it really was delicious.

Wiki has more information on Maple Syrup and the First Nations. The Ontario Government has information regarding Maple Syrup and it's commercial benefits to Ontario. Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, OMSPA for even more details.

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Sugar Free Maple Syrup - 18/12Oz Maple Syrup, Sugar Fre: GR


Check out one of the many Maple Syrup Festivals within Cottage Country in 2010

Copeland Forest - South Central Ontario

Spending your leisure time wandering thru the beautiful, picturesque forests within cottage country is definetly time well spent! So why not take the whole family outside for a day of play and enjoy the tranquility that nature has provided. The Copeland Forest, located in central Ontario's cottage country, is another amazing slice of our four season paradise. Take a stroll thru the lush Pine forests speckled with fern and wild mushrooms or watch the Salmon run as you picnic by the river. The scenic trails of Copeland are magnificent for cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, dog sledding, horseback riding and Geocaching.

An endless ribbon of wilderness trails meander throughout cottage country and the Copeland Forest trails are ideal for those just learning to appreciate walking, hiking and cycling for fun and recreation. Once you've found your 'legs' you could spread your wings and venture onto the Ganaraska Trail which is over 200 km long! There are hundreds of miles of trail systems just within cottage country that also enable ATVing, snowmobiling and other motorized sporting equipment such as...

• Bruce Grey County Rail Trail - Ontario's West Coast - Port Elgin - 80 km
• CP Trail Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe - Flesherton - 77 km
• Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe - Township of Tiny - 22.5 km
• for a complete list visit the Ontario Trails Council

While exploring the trails of Copeland Forest keep your eyes open for wildlife such as White Tailed Deer, Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey. In early fall the Chinook Salmon are running in the Coldwater River which makes for fantastic viewing as many of the Salmon are swimming in just inches of water. Geocaching has become very popular for treasure hunt enthusiasts throughout cottage coutry, with Copeland Forest being one of the mapped hot spots. Horse enthusiasts and pets (on a leash) are welcome while motorized vehicles are not which simply enhances this tranquil setting even more.

Copeland Forest Trails
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
2289 Nursery Rd.
Midhurst, Ontario
Phone # 705-725-7500
Spot a Bear! Call Phone # 1-866-514-2327

How to Get to the Copeland Forest - If you visiting from Barrie you can reach the Copeland Forest from Highway 400, north of Barrie by taking Exit 121 and turning east onto Highway 93 towards Craighurst.

If you have any questions, call the MNR before heading out into Copeland Forest. There are reported Bear sightings in the area at times, so if you have concerns call the MNR. Please do not litter or feed the animals and pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Pack a compass, map, flashlight etc. and wear appropriate attire. Safety should always be a factor when going out of doors and into the wilderness. Hunting is a recreational sport within Ontario in general so regardless of what trail or wilderness area you may be in, take extra precautions during hunting season. Wear bright colours, not your fur coat and antlers!

Simcoe County Trails has a  map of cottage country that highlights numerous other Loop and Linear trail systems throughout cottage country.

Snowmobile Trails

Another snowmobile season is upon us, so it's time to get outside and begin enjoying snow covered landscapes and over 40,000 km's of groomed trails throughout the province of Ontario.

Central Ontario has a reputation with outdoor enthusiasts even out in the middle of the wild country. The local chapter of the OFSC (Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs) provides over 5,500 km of snowmobile trails in this area beginning just north of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

Note: Muskoka trails are open (thank you everyone for your co-operation).



Remember to...

- Get a permit to ride the trail, they are mandatory. Be sure to have it on your person. Permits and navigational maps are available at OFSC member clubs or can be purchased online.

- Check the trail conditions. They do vary from region to region, day to day, mile to mile depending on many factors including weather. Be sure to check out the latest status report for your specific area. Central Ontario's snowmobiling district.

- Give your snowmobile the once over by checking the oil and fuel then fill up on both, if necessary. Check your signals, lights, electrical components and gauges. No missing bolts, track is good?

- Both operators and passengers willingly use the trails at their own risk, think safety at all times! Where is your helmut?

- You must know and obey all of the laws including, The Occupiers' Liability Act, The Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and the Trespass to Property Act. As well operators and passengers must know and adhere to the principles published as the Safe Riders Pledge by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers' Association.


- The OFSC is a volunteer based organization with limited resources. It is not feasible to maintain all trails in a uniform manner, remove all potential hazards or pre-alert to all dangers. Think smart, drive and ride safely.

- There is a zero tolerance approach with alchohol. All operators and passengers must not consume alcohol prior to or while using the trails (or anywhere for that matter).

- Share the trails, they are not just yours! Operators stay to the right, act responsibly and drive with care and control all the times.

- Speed limit on trails is 50 km/h or less when reduced by the law or the trail's condition.

- Grooming and maintenance activities are done 24/7, day or night. Always watch for equipment which may take up a large portion of the trail. Pay attention at all times.

- Emergency services and cell phone connections may not be available. Be sure to have an plan in place for when you shall return, contact or connect with those at home.

- Signage on trails is only for assistance and convenience and is not put their by law. Just because there is no sign to warm danger, no trespassing etc. just be careful, think smart and know you are not above the law.

- Know, understand and watch for signs of danger before and during an ice crossing. Always check first!! Weather conditins have an affect, always check!

- Dress appropriately for all weather conditions along with night and day gear that is visible in those conditions. Use reflective tapes on clothing and sled and have basic emergency equipment such as a rope, knive, matches, axe, snacks etc.

- Everything about the trail system is operated by volunteers so please respect that. To learn more and/or volunteer visit here.


Always Watch for...

- Obstacles hidden by the snow, trees and branches on or hanging over the trail
- Grooming equipment, oncoming sleds, other trail users such as skiers and walkers
- Wildlife
- Washed out trails
- Snow banks, drifts and moguls
- Road and railway crossings
- Streets, roads, intersections, corners and stop signs
- Bridges, open water, pressure cracks in the ice, broken ice

Get out there and Explore Ontario

...Be Safe, Have Fun and remember this is a Family Oriented sport. Be extra careful around the little ones who are unpredictable, get cold really easy and will look to your for guidance if the time arises so think smart at all times and stay off the booze!