Tuesday, April 26, 2011

THE BEST MOTHER-DAUGHTER VACATIONS

FOX News had a wee little blurb about Arowhon Pines. 

Their article published April 25, 2011 was entitled:  "The Best Mother-Daughter Vacations" and it said:

Look to our northern neighbour (Ontario in this case) for an off-beat adventure especially if mother and daughter are outdoorsy types.  Arowhon Pines offers "Girls Week" canoe trips but also long weekend yoga retreats".

For the full article, click here: 
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/04/25/best-mother-daughter-vacations/#content

For more information about GIRLS WEEK CANOE TRIP AND AROWHON PINES STAY, visit http://www.arowhonpines.ca/ (News and Events tab) OR http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca/.  Package Dates are July 14 - 17, Aug 4 - 7, Aug 18 – 21.  Custom canoe packages/Arowhon Pines stay are also available.


Thank you to Maria Lisella from Fox News.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Maple Syrup - and our Homemade Granola Recipe

Maple Syrup
Every March, Arowhon Pines places an order for 100 Litres of Muskoka maple syrup. It comes from Brooklands Farm on Buttter & Egg Road outside of Bracebridge (http://www.brooklandsfarm.ca/). Farmers Katya & John Riley keep us updated as to how the maple syrup season is progressing. Did you know that there are different grades depending on when it is harvested? There is lighter syrup at the beginning of the season, amber at the height, and dark at the end. We use amber because we both cook with it and serve it on its own. Keep an eye when buying maple syrup at a grocery store – there are "light" or grade "B" labels - these will have a diluted flavor. The best is to go to the farm and get your maple syrup direct from the producer!

Enjoy maple syrup in our HOMEMADE GRANOLA.

Arowhon Pines Homemade Granola

Keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
YIELD: 10 cups

DRY MIX:
6 c organic rolled oats
1 c bran
1 c sunflower seeds
1 c wheat germ
1/2 c unsweetened coconut
1/2 c sesame seeds

WET MIX:
1/4 c maple syrup
3/4 c canola oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 TB vanilla

GARNISH:
2 oz walnuts (or other nuts of your choice), roughly chopped
1 oz raisins (washed & dried)
1 oz currants (washed & dried)

AHEAD OF TIME:
All dried fruit comes sprayed with a preservative. It's most important to always run it under cold water, agitating the fruit until water runs clear, usually several times. Drain and place on towel. Roll up for awhile, preferably the day before. Unroll to finish the drying process, pat dry. PS The taste is worth the effort!

METHOD:
- Combine dry ingredients together in large bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients in small saucepan, heat slightly and whisk thoroughly.
- Mix wet into dry and combine well.
- Spread thinly on cookie sheets.
- Bake 30 minutes at 250 deg F, (or 220 deg F in a convection oven), remove from oven, stir, and add nuts and fruit.
- Return to oven and bake 10 minutes longer or until golden.
- Takes 40 minutes, including stirring & checking every 10 minutes.
- Let cool and store in airtight containers. Serve with fresh yoghurt, fruit, and maple syrup!

Enjoy!



Discover Spring in Algonquin Park. See a Moose!

The chance encounter with a moose is real
and one of the best parts of being inside Algonquin Park.

Spring is when they are most visible. Some guests report 15 to 20 sightings per day! Moose are attracted to the slightly salty water in ditches, a result of winter highway sanding and salting. Simply drive along the Hwy 60 corridor or down our road and you will see them. At this time of year, you might have the lake or a trail to yourself!

Here are some wildlife viewing tips, tried and tested on how and when to see a moose and other wildlife.

Regular guests will tell you – get up early! Edward will prepare you a thermos of fresh coffee, then make your way by foot down one of our trails, or quietly canoe through the narrows to Lost Joe Lake. By the time the rest of the resort is awake, you will have seen an abundance of wildlife and witnessed a beautiful sunrise!

Stop. Look up and around. Put away your Arowhon cookie bag. Stop checking to see if your cell phone works.

Relax and be still. Concentrate on low-lying, wet areas like ponds, bogs or beaver meadows. Wildlife prefers these areas, and often you will get an open vista or break in the forest for great viewing.

When on a canoe, hug the shoreline to see more wildlife.

Keep a safe distance away when viewing any wildlife. Bring binoculars, especially for bird watching.

Let other guests know what you saw by writing it on our chalkboard on the verandah.

Summer Long Weekend Yoga Retreats.

For 2011:


Experience energizing yoga sessions on the main dock each morning as the mist rises off the lake. Enjoy a yoga class on a guided canoe or hiking trip during the day and wrap it up with a gentle evening session. Guests are welcome to join classes & participate in guided canoe and hiking day trips.

CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT - Celebrate Canada’s birthday by experiencing yoga within some of Canada’s pristine wildnerness. There are morning, afternoon and evening Yin yoga classes. Also available is a reflexology treatment (extra cost) to melt away all your stress. July 1 – 4,
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

CIVIC HOLIDAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT – This weekend you will have the opportunity to choose from an Ashtanga, Sivananda or Yin workshop led by professional instructors. There is the opportunity to experience a fantastic massage at the end of the day (extra cost). July 29 – August 1.
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

LABOUR DAY – Take advantage of the last long weekend of the summer and enjoy a relaxing vacation with yoga classes within the wilds of Algonquin Park. September 1 – 4, 2011.

CUSTOM YOGA RETREATS can be put together with 4 friends or more.

Visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and sign up.

Arowhon Algonquin Canoe Adventure.

FOR 2011!

Add a true Canadian experience to your stay at Arowhon Pines – a canoe trip (adventure, wilderness and wildlife!) with overnight camping in Algonquin Park, leaving from our docks. May - October.

CHARMING GUIDES will take care of everything – park permits, all food, sleeping & cooking equipment. Deluxe two night resort stay and 2 night/3 days adventure canoe trip packages, available from May to October.

GIRLS WEEK. Add some luxury to your wilderness experience and join us on our deluxe Algonquin trip package. Spend the first night at Arowhon Pines Resort, enjoying the food, activities & hospitality. Your first morning loosen up with a gentle yoga class on the dock overlooking Joe Lake to prepare you for the day. After breakfast, meet your guide and prepare to embark on your two night/3 day wilderness adventure. At the end of the trip you will return to Arowhon Pines for a hot shower, wondrous meals, and a reflexology treatment with Kendra Platt. Package Dates: July 14 - 17, Aug 4 - 7, Aug 18 – 21.

FATHER AND SON ESCAPE. Three day father and son canoe trip package and two night stay at Arowhon Pines Resort.

Please visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and dates.