Arowhon Pines in Algonquin Park

Arowhon Pines Winter Photos

2012-01-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

No, Arowhon Pines is not a winter resort!

Looking at these photos though...it would be beautiful!

The Arowhon Pines Dining Room

Swimming, anyone!

The Road In

View from the Verandah

View from the Boat Dock

Arowhon Chef at the Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, ON

2011-11-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

Arowhon Pines head chef, David Cooke, answers questions following his cooking demonstration at The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Chef Cooke prepared a Pork Wellington in a pastry topped with wild blueberry sauce which members of the audience sampled and enjoyed.

Thank you to our local farm supplier in the Ottawa Valley - http://www.porkofyore.com/.

AROWHON PINES...the perfect holiday gift

2011-11-29T19:30:00.001-05:00

We've had a number of calls from "the kids" (in their 30's, 40's & 50's)

buying gift certificates for their parents this holiday season.
They've bought a dinner, a weekend stay and even a dreamy week for two!

We can send you a lovely Arowhon Pines card that you can personalize and put under the tree.

No malls! No lineups! And a gift that they will love - guaranteed!

Closing Up Fall 2011

2011-11-23T13:15:00.001-05:00

Happy End of Movember! We made a donation to the Algonquin Park "Moose-tache" volonteer team for this very good cause. Gentlemen, you all look mmmmmarvelous!

Arowhon Pines closed just over a month ago. On our last night, the staff celebrated with a wonderful Thanksgiving feast and party!

Our staff is an active one.  The Newfoundland contingent - Lily, Sue and Edwin headed back to Englee to live their winter lives by the sea. They will occasionally email us a photo of the icebergs they can see out their windows. Two other couples left Arowhon and on the same day, headed to Florida on a "road trip" for some "R and R".  One of our Irishmen in the dining room with the attractive German waitress travelled together to Chicago and New York City !!? Some others went west to work and ski - or rather, ski and work.  One of our cooks landed a job in a fine Montreal restaurant. Just today, Peter and Nora sent an email greeting from Lima, Peru - they are on a 4 month trip around South America.    Au revoir to them all, happy winter and see you next spring!

Our carpentry and maintenance crew are still hard at work completing our long list of renovations before the snow sets in.  Our work includes new bathrooms for Forestedge, Cedarview, Lakeview, Moosewood, Hilltop Left, Westview, and Bridgewood 22, 23, 24 & 29!  There will also be new carpet for the cabins "up the hill" and large new decks for Lakeview and Cedarview. We're very excited!

Happy Birthday Helen!

2011-09-18T12:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, September 17th, Helen celebrated her 80th birthday! Many of her friends made the trek to surprise her - Doreen, Jeanine, Lucille from Ireland, John and Maureen, The Nymans, Mona, Olive and Alfred, David, Joy and her mom, and Frank - plus some longtime guests! After a pontoon boat ride of the gorgeous lakes around Arowhon, we had a fantastic time around the piano with Jack Hutton. We tapped our toes to the ragtime music, sang Broadway hits and danced! Afterwards, we all enjoyed a lovely dinner! All in all a fabulous time! Here are some photos to share with you:

Around the Piano!

Frank, the Last Guide

A Perfect Morning to Celebrate!

From All the Staff with Love

Mr Gamblin with a hug!

The Birthday Girl!

The Welcoming Committee - Daisy and Dexter

Doreen and Lucille

Helen and Ben

Jeanine!

Jack!

Wedding August 2011

2011-09-05T14:17:00.001-04:00

Our time at Arowhon was precious and everyone that we encountered went out of their way to assist us in making our celebration particularly memorable. Should anyone else enquire, we would also not hesitate to recommend Heather Douglas as a photographer and Tom Brown as a celebrant. They were both marvelous.
Please can you thank all the staff at Arowhon Pines for contributing to making our wedding the terrific affair that it was.
Warm regards,
(A Happy Couple)

Film North

2011-09-02T20:48:00.000-04:00

Film North, Huntsville International Film Festival

Thursday, Sept 22^nd – Saturday, Sept 24^th

Did you know that Huntsville sports its own International Film Festival called FILM NORTH, featuring comedies, documentaries, dramas and romances from around the world and Canada.

Some of the films that caught our eye:

Play Again
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: TONJE SCHEI – USA – 80:00 min
At a time when children spend more time in the virtual world than the natural world, Play Again unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure, documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future.

Lovers in a Dangerous Time
DRAMA/ROMANCE – DIRECTOR: MAY CHARTERS – CANADA – 94:00 min
This romantic 'Canadian' tale centers around two former childhood friends; Todd, a small town could-have-been, and Allison, an overly nostalgic children’s book illustrator, who are reunited at their ten year high school reunion and embark on a childish yet romantic adventure recapturing the life they use to live.

Mind The Gap
ROMANTIC COMEDY/DRAMA – DIRECTOR: SHAUN MJUMDER – CANADA – 07:16 min
When a sexy beautiful young woman sits next to a sweet elderly man on a train, the ride is anything but boring.

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: MICHELE HOZER & PETER RAYMONT – CANADA – 106:00 min
Intimately revealing the man behind the myth, the film casts a fresh light on the mysterious pianist whose ideas were as controversial, and his private life as passionate, as his music.

La Mina
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: PAUL PLETT – CANADA – 15:26 min
75 percent of all mining companies in the world are based in Canada. Some 1,200 Canadian mining companies operate in 100 countries around the world. This film takes a look at how people in Guatemala and Honduras feel about Canadian mining in their communities.

For more information, pricing and schedules, visit www.filmnorth.net.

An Algonquin Park Wedding

2011-09-02T14:48:00.002-04:00

Congratulations Eva and Josh

August 1st, 2011, Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park

SEPTEMBER

2011-08-30T11:30:00.001-04:00

Early September is one of our favourite times in the Park. The days are still warm for canoeing & swimming - and cool enough to light a fire. And...no bugs! Visit and enjoy this quieter time at Arowhon, especially mid-week.

Summer turns to fall in the blink of an eye.  We've already seen very cool night time temperatures.  Many guests wait for the cool autumn to visit because of the spectacular show of fall colour from mid-September to mid-October. Fall midweek is usually quieter then weekends.
Arowhon Pines provides guests with a vehicle permit for all Park day use - access to all hiking trails, the Visitor's Centre, Logging Museum and Art Gallery. You can order a packed lunch for the day and picnic along the Highway 60 Corridor or on one of the trails. The best Park trails to see fall colour are: Hardwood Lookout, Track & Tower, Centennial Ridges, Lookout and Booth's Rock (my favourite!).  You will be impressed with the Arowhon Road as you drive in!

There is a good chance of seeing a bull Moose in the fall with its antlers fully grown and ready for the rutting season.  You might hear howling wolves at night.

Please visit the Park website for fall foliage updates: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/.

                                                                  ***************
Arowhon Pines Room and Meal Rates decrease 10% in the fall - $242.00 per person per night including three meals starting September 5th. No single supplements!

Thank you to Martha and Bill Cason for these photos from their Arowhon Pines staff in the fall of 2010.

FOX SCREAM

2011-08-08T11:00:00.001-04:00

Thank you to Mr & Mrs Ginsler who did some research on the noise that they heard a few weeks ago in the middle of the night at Arowhon Pines. All the guests at the resort heard it again the other night, loud and clear!

Mrs Ginsler passed along a UTUBE video which captures the sound. Very eerie. It seems like it is either a fox in distress or a male fox mating call.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cPg7_nyoBc&feature=related
(the video quality it not great, but the sound is perfect)

Thanks again Mrs Ginsler! See you next year!

Please Support Our Local Farmers!

2011-08-02T16:19:00.001-04:00

Please Support Our Local Farmers:

Brooklands Farm

www.brooklandsfarm.ca

Sprucedale Meats

705 685-7747

Grenville farms

705 689-6431

Pork of yore

www.porkofyore.com

Edible Fungi

705 789-5850

Milford Bay Trout Farm

705 764-1797

Kawartha dairy

www.kawarthadairy.com

The Farmers’ Daughter

http://www.fresheverything.ca/

Muskoka Coffee Roastery

www.muskokaroastery.com

Algonquin Honey

705 636-1883

Four Seasons Greens (sprout growers)

705 385-2987

******

Thank you to Savour Muskoka for their support: http://www.savourmuskoka.ca/

100 Mile Challenge Barbecue Notes and Menu

2011-08-02T16:07:00.000-04:00

Arowhon Pines

1st Annual Civic Holiday Monday

"100 mile challenge" Barbecue

All food is produced within 100 miles of the resort.

The 100 mile challenge is based on the food blog and book "The 100 mile diet" by James MacKinnon and Alisa Smith, and it has become a series on Food network Canada. The challenge is to create a menu or diet using only product from within 100 miles of your location. the idea is to raise awareness that locally produced food is not only environmentally friendlier, but delicious as well! Muskoka agriculture and forest products have sustained people in this area for a thousand years—we are all excited to continue that tradition.

The Menu:

Beverages: Cedar Iced Tea, Rhubarb-ade (a hit!) and mint julip.

Muskoka summer salads: New Potato & Radish, Broccoli with Mushroom,

Tomato & mixed herbs, Roasted beets with tarragon, Cucumber with dill, Coleslaw.

From the grill:

Chicken Skewers with Yoghurt

Baby back ribs

Marinated flank steak

Lamb & mint shish kebab

Hamburgers and sausages

Lake Huron Pickerel

Pulled shoulder of Berkshire pork

Grilled trout

Marinated & grilled vegetables

Vegetable Burgers

All herbs and spices are from our garden.

Desserts: Summer fruit, Butter tarts, Fudge, Squares & Berry tarts

all sweetened with honey, maple syrup or stevia from our garden

Housemade ice creams: Lavender, Plum & Raspberry Ripple

*****

The 100 mile challenge allows for some cheating. Here are our cheats:
* tomatoes & some other fruits come from Bradford, Ontario, outside our limit. These fruits aren’t quite ripe yet in Muskoka due to a very wet spring.
* flour used in the desserts and the ice cream cones were milled in Ontario but not within 100 miles
* Muskoka coffee roastery in Huntsville roasted the beans, which came from 100% Rainforest alliance certified farms in central and south America.
* salt, white sugar and sweet n low for coffee, tea

Civic Holiday Barbecue! A Wonderful Afternoon Enjoyed by All!

2011-08-02T15:49:00.001-04:00

What a fabulous day!

To us it felt like a lovely afternoon garden party with family and friends

rather then a busy barbecue for 160 people!

Thank you to each and every guest who attended, new and old,

and our local farmers who came out to participate.

For all of those who missed out, we're already thinking of new ideas - how about

a food, music and art fair in Algonquin Park!

See you next year!

Photos by Donna Cooke

100 MILE CHALLENGE BARBECUE ON MONDAY AUGUST 1ST

2011-07-30T09:51:00.002-04:00

Christmas in July

2011-07-30T09:27:00.001-04:00

Sometimes the staff need to unwind a little too!

Ever year we celebrate Christmas in July, always with a special summer guest appearance by Santa (this year, Mrs Claus as well!)! Staff have a couple of weeks to craft homemade presents for their "secret" Santa. This year the presents were awesome!

It's a staff tradition every year!All photos by Donna Cooke.

After Breakfast Swim

2011-07-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

This morning the temperature outside on our (new) dock was 24 degrees - the water temperature felt about the same!

Here's Helen taking a dip while Dexter keeps an eye.

Thank you to our yoga group - Jeff, Amber, Kendra, Sheila, Fred and Susan and to all the guests and staff who joined in the classes. We will post some photos soon!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T21:15:00.000-04:00

Canada Day 2011.

The weather is gorgeous. We all swam in the lake to cool off. Most guests took off with a picnic lunch and went canoeing for the day. We saw a moose and 2 baby calves.

That is the Arowhon Pines idea of Canada Day.

*************

To top it off, Intelligent Travel of National Geographic Magazine ranked Algonquin Park #2 of the Top Ten Things to Do in Ontario on Canada Day. We did get a small plug.

2.Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is a sublime, sprawling 7,800 square miles of lakes and forests that’s home to a quintessentially Canadian ecosystem of bears, brook trout, moose, and wolves. The park, founded in 1893, begs exploration by foot or via 1,000 miles of canoe trails that wander through an area of natural transition between northern Ontario’s coniferous forests and southern woodlands of maple, birch, and beech. Camping is de rigueur here in a land of dark night skies and crackling fires. But those who prefer to be pampered a bit can check into Arowhon Pines and enjoy a lakeshore resort located within the boundaries of the park

Wolf Den Expeditions - June Newsletter

2011-06-29T14:03:00.000-04:00

Summer is finally here, the kids are almost done school and its time to start thinking about summer vacation yahoooo!!!

If you are into yoga and love being in the outdoors, then our Algonquin Yoga Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort is just for you. Though time is running out for registration. So hop on board!! The registration deadline is June 30!! click here for more

We also have another fantastic line up of canoe and sea kayaking trips for this season. New for this year is our Girls Weekend packages for both canoeing and kayaking. These trips are just for the girls. So leave the men behind and kick up your heels!! We are also offering great trip packages for Fathers and Sons for great canoeing and kayaking experience. What better way to correct than to paddle through Algonquin park with your son/dad and hang out around the campfire together.

If you would like to add a bit of luxury and fine dining to your Algonquin experience. Come and check out our deluxe Algonquin canoe trip packages. We are partnered with a fabulous resort in Algonquin park, Arowhon Pines Resort. They are right on the shores of Joe lake with a fantastic view. Their food is to die for, especially their desserts. So if you would like to spend your first and last night of your Algonquin canoe trip in the lap of luxury sign up quick, dates are going fast!

Have you always wanted to go on an interior camping trip, but just don't know where to start or feel that your skills are not quite up to the task? The Canoe Tripping Level 1-2 is a great place to kick off your interior camping career. The course focuses on building your camping skills, navigation, food packing, wilderness cooking, route planning, and how to do it all safely. By the end of the course you will come away having more confidence in your abilities, new skill sets, and an ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level 1-3 certification. Check it out!!

We are also offering a Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Level 1 course July 16 - 17 located at the Harbour Front in Toronto. If you would like to expand on your kayaking skills and continue building your confidence for paddling out on open water register today!!

For further details on all of our trip packages and course, check out our website at: http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca/

Attention all Artists! More Details TONY BIANCO ART WORKSHOP

2011-06-28T14:42:00.000-04:00

Tony Bianco, Artist (www.tonybiancoart.com)

AND

Arowhon Pines Resort, Algonquin Park (www.arowhonpines.ca)

AND

Algonquin Art Centre, Algonquin Park (www.algonquinartcentre.com)

Present:

A Day and Evening with Artist Tony Bianco

Wednesday, July 27

and

Thursday, August 25

Participants will spend a day and evening with artist Tony Bianco and a night at Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park.

Itinerary:
Meet after breakfast at Arowhon Pines (10 AM)
Art class with Tony in the Morning on Location in Algonquin Park
Lunch at Arowhon Pines
Art Class with Tony in the afternoon on location. Guests hike or canoe there, or pontoon boat.
Dinner at Arowhon Pines
Tony to critique students’ work after dinner
OVERNIGHT at Arowhon Pines
Breakfast the next day
Enjoy the recreational facilities at Arowhon.

Cost: $ 540.00 All inclusive – accommodation for one night, three consecutive meals, use of all recreational facilities, art workshop, instructor, supplies and all taxes and service charges. Minimum 5 maximum of 12 participants. Should we exceed twelve, we will choose another date for a second group.

Look for information on an Advanced Art Class with Tony Bianco September 25 – 27, 2011.

Beaver Drops in for Lunch!

2011-06-22T15:20:00.000-04:00

A 1966 Dehavilland Turbo Beaver unexpectedly dropped in at lunchtime much to the delight of guests and staff. Don't get any ideas! These were MNR people, and they are the only ones permitted to land on our lakes.

The Turbo Beaver is the quentessential Canadian bush plane mostly used for cargo and passenger hauling and crop dusting. The Beaver (all Dehavilland planes are named after animals, this one in particular named after the hard working beaver) was designed for flight in rugged and remote areas that are accesssible only by canoe or foot.

You will notice this particular plane docked at the Smoke Lake Hangar before turning onto the Arowhon Road. It's a vital part of the emergency response system in Algonquin Park.

SPRING in the KITCHEN

2011-06-04T15:58:00.000-04:00

We love our perennial herb gardens! We especially love them in the spring when we pull off their blankets of hay (put down last fall to protect them from the harsh Algonquin winter) and can see tender, tasty new shoots popping up! There are chives, lavender for homemade ice cream, sorrel for soup, rhubarb, garlic and mint!

Next week we’ll be planting edible flowers for our salads - nasturtiums, marigolds, violets, pansies, violas and dahlias. Look for them by the old canoes near the kitchen.

In addition to our own gardens, our local farmers provide us with sprouts, fiddleheads, wild leeks, garlic, asparagus, strawberries and more!

Asparagus – the fresher and thicker they are, the sweeter they will taste. Steam for just a couple of minutes – al dente – and toss with a little butter and lemon juice. Enjoy!

Attention All Painters!

2011-06-04T15:56:00.000-04:00

For Beginners and Serious Art Students!

The Algonquin Art Centre and Artist Tony Bianco (http://www.tonybiancoart.com/) will be hosting two

"on location" overnight painting workshops at Arowhon Pines on

July 27th, 2011 and August 25th, 2011.

A more comprehensive three eday, two night art class will be held September 25 - 27, 2011.

Please contact us for details.

A Rare Wolf Sighting

2011-06-04T15:44:00.000-04:00

We keep telling you - spring is the best time of year for wildlife viewing in the Park.

Last week the Eddy family from Buffalo, NY visited Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park. They tallied up an impressive checklist of animal sightings including a number of moose along Hwy 60.

By far, the biggest feather in their cap was their sighting of a lone, large Eastern Grey Wolf! They spotted the wolf (we assume a male based on his size) around KM 50 just east of the Visitors Centre. Truly incredible was that the wolf was very accommodating - letting Mr Eddy take this amazing photograph.

Thank you Eddy family and congratulations! We look forward to seeing you next spring!

Speaking of wildlife, here are some other sightings:

The popular Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are here and it seems present in larger numbers than in recent summers. As long as our feeders are full of sweet sugar water, they'll continue to entertain us with their acrobatics!

Also the Snapping Turtles are making their way out of the water in search of food and nesting sites. If you are travelling our way, please slow down - we've seen a half dozen on our road alone.

We hope you can visit!

THE BEST MOTHER-DAUGHTER VACATIONS

2011-04-26T18:39:00.000-04:00

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.

Maple Syrup - and our Homemade Granola Recipe

2011-04-06T16:28:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-04-06T16:24:00.001-04:00

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.

2011-04-06T16:22:00.000-04:00

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.

2011-04-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

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.

Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

2011-02-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

Here is a copy of the: Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

The Spruce Bog Suet Feeder effect (like the Patagonia Picnic Table effect before many of you were born!) resulted in more observations this week.

Many people had great looks and photo opportunities as up to 3 or 4 Boreal Chickadees came fairly regularly to the suet at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. To see a short video clip of one of these chickadees feeding on a black sunflower seed visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/FOAPAlgonquinPark

Ruffed Grouse: One was in the Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot today.

A male Spruce Grouse was often reported near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog

Boardwalk this week. Two males displayed near two females there today, likely inspired by the mild temperatures.

There was a Wild Turkey along Highway 60 near Lake of Two Rivers on February 14, showing once again that turkeys can survive an Algonquin winter largely un-aided by people in range never occupied by the species historically.

Those who have experienced enough winter by now may be heartened to learn that some Gray Jays started building nests this week. People were seeing Gray Jays regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.

Pine Grosbeak: One was flying over near the Old Airfield today.

Red Crossbill: Six were reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 11 and a single flew over Opeongo Road at Cameron Lake Road on February 12. Two were heard calling north of km 3 on Highway 60 today.

White-winged Crossbill: A small flock was heard over Spruce Bog Boardwalk today.

Common Redpoll: At least 50 are coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders now.

Hoary Redpoll: One (and perhaps two) were briefly at the Visitor Centre feeders on February 12. A single was with 40 Common Redpolls coming to seed provided on Opeongo Road north of the bridge today.

American Goldfinch: One was with the Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre feeders today. This species has not been seen there recently.

Evening Grosbeak: A flock of 20-30 landed briefly in the trees near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 13.

American Marten: Two or three have been coming to the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk fairly regularly. One was getting sunflower seed on Opeongo Road on February 13.

River Otter: One was along Costello Creek on Opeongo Road on February 13.

Good birding this week. Please let us know what you see so we can enter your sightings in our Visitor Centre records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON

Directions:
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400.

From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park.

Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. During the week, birders may be able to enter the centre by the service entrance (far right as you face the building) to view the feeders. Contact staff for permission.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Arowhon Pines at the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

2011-01-26T16:26:00.001-05:00

Please visit Arowhon Pines' booth at the

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

February 25 - 27

at the International Centre

6900 Airport Road, Toronto

It is Canada's largest showcase of adventure travel experiences (from weekend getaways to African safaris)as well as lots of outdoor gear - canoes, kayaks, hiking and cycling equipment & more. There's a rock climbing wall to try out and a canoe/kayak whitewater pool!

We have some complimentary passes in our office as well as some 2 for 1 Admission passes - contact us and we can pop one in the mail for you!

We hope to see you there!

http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/

17th Annual Christmas Bird Count

2010-12-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

The 17th annual Huntsville Christmas Bird Count was held on Tuesday, December 14. It was cold with a gusty northwest wind and it snowed in the morning. The big lakes were all open, as was most of the Muskoka River. The total species and individuals were about average.

Preliminary results show:
Total Species: 39 (average is 39)
Total Individuals: 2,481 (average is 2,899)

Noteworthy Species for the Count:
-Trumpeter Swan: male (#586) on river in Huntsville for eighth winter.
-Wood Duck: male on river in Huntsville (likely same bird as on 2009 count).
-Ring-necked Duck: female on river in Huntsville (likely same bird as on 2009 count).
-Bald Eagle: 7 (previous high was 3)
-Red-tailed Hawk: 1
-American Robin: 1
-Bohemian Waxwing: 3
-House Sparrow: 1 (first on count since 2006)
Finches:
-Pine Grosbeak: 2
-Common Redpoll: 112
-Hoary Redpoll: 1 (at feeder with 15 Common Redpolls near Penfold Lake off
Stephenson Road 12 East, south of Huntsville).
-Pine Siskin: 4
-American Goldfinch: 31
-Evening Grosbeak: 81

Thanks to all participants for a great job on a bitterly cold day.
Ron Tozer
Compiler

______________________________________________

ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

MAKING IT TO ALGONQUIN PARK WITHOUT THE AUTOMOBILE

2010-11-12T13:19:00.000-05:00

From www.thestar.com, July 07, 2010, By Fabiola Carletti, Staff Reporter

Ontario’s top park just got a lot closer to the city.

Currently, car-less Torontonians must either rent a vehicle or take an indirect route by public transit to get to Canada’s oldest provincial park. But starting next Thursday, a new express service called Parkbus ( http://www.parkbus.ca/) will roll out as a new option.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to board a non-stop bus from four Toronto locations to four popular drop-off points in the sprawling park. At $84 per round-trip the ride is less expensive than taking existing bus routes to Huntsville followed by a private shuttle. And if you factor in the cost of gas, parking and renting a car, it’s a lot cheaper than taking a personal vehicle. Even drivers may want to hang up their keys for an environmentally friendly and even educational alternative.

“Parkbus is a non-profit initiative that aims to eventually make other popular Ontario parks accessible by bus,” said Alex Berlyand, co-founder of the project. “We also intend to have a volunteer on each bus talking about the fragile and valuable elements of Algonquin Park.”

The founders find it ironic that in wanting to enjoy nature, most people are contributing to carbon emissions that damage the environment. The 56-seat coach buses are set to outdo even the most ambitious carpool and foster friendships between first-time and veteran visitors.

On a pilot schedule, the 56-seat coach buses will run between Toronto and Algonquin on select Thursdays and Sundays for the rest of July. Organizers are running an online survey to determine the most popular dates for August and September trips.

Berlyand, 25, and co-founder Boris Issaev, 24, say they’re not receiving outside funding and are hoping Torontonians support the project in its infancy.

TORONTO LOCATIONS:
30 Carlton St. (Days Inn Hotel, near the College subway station), Dufferin/Bloor (Dufferin Mall, Toys “R” Us), Yorkdale Mall (by the TTC entrance), Hwy 400/Major MacKenzie (southwest corner, car pool parking lot).

ALGONQUIN PARK LOCATIONS: Oxtongue Lake/Algonquin Outfitters, Canoe Lake/Portage Store, Lake of Two Rivers Campground, Lake Opeongo/Algonquin Outfitters.

The Kirby's Moose!

2010-09-13T10:47:00.000-04:00

Arowhon Pines Algonquin Park 2010

A young moose wandered by the window of the cottage we were staying in at Arowhon. At times we were only 15 or so feet away and he wasn't at all bothered by us.
Great time at the resort. Thought you'd enjoy seeing some pics of your resident moose.
Allen & Maureen Kirby
Ancaster, Ontario

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=allenkirby1&target=ALBUM&id=5515406436180901345&authkey=Gv1sRgCK2k6JfigMigTA&feat=email

A BABY MOOSE

2010-09-10T21:11:00.002-04:00

For days, staff and guests have braved the cool, rainy weather to see a baby moose roaming our grounds, foraging for food. During dinner service the other night, he was on the pathway between the dining room and Tanglewood cabin - did he hear the dinner bell?

The calf's mother, whom we had seen about a week ago, sadly, is missing. We’ve been worried. So we called up one of the Algonquin Park biologists (Mark), who told us…

A calf will usually stay with his mother until after his first winter. Then in the spring, before the mother has her new babies, she will shoo away the year old moose.

Something may have happened to the mother moose – maybe a predator (but he doubts that, as the calf is still alive) – perhaps disease.

We are heartbroken.

The good news is that the young moose is not relying on the mother’s milk anymore and could survive on his own. Realistically, without his mother, it will be more difficult.

We are still hoping to see the mother and will keep you updated if we do!

For now, we'll be enjoying our little buddy – who seem to appear around every corner - and hope that he survives those winter months.

Here are a couple of photos to share.

Thank you to Peter Brauer for these photos.

Peter & Sabine Kaemmer's Nature Shots

2010-09-08T12:39:00.000-04:00

We are thankful to Peter and Sabine Kaemmer, from Germany,

who, every year, send us some of their nature shots taken on their holiday at Arowhon Pines & Algonquin Park. They go out of their way to earn these shots, patiently capturing just the right moment.

Labour Day Weekend - Enjoy Fall Pricing!

2010-09-01T10:48:00.001-04:00

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND - we still have rooms available!

For new reservations only......

Enjoy fall pricing for Labour Day Weekend - September 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2010!

Rates are $ 236 per person per night, based on double occupancy in regular rooms. Rates include THREE CONSECUTIVE MEALS AND ALL FACILITIES (canoes, kayaks, sailboats, hiking trails, tennis, sauna - plus a vehicle pass to borrow to explore all of Algonquin Park)!

(Regularly priced at $259 per person)

For singles - there is no single supplement charged!

Call today! 1 866 633 5661

Yoga and Painting Holiday - September 13 - 16, 2010

2010-08-14T09:41:00.000-04:00

Yoga and Painting Holiday

"Reclaim Yourself"

with Susan Vande Sompel

September 13 – 16, 2010

Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park is the perfect spot for peace and tranquility. When you combine yoga and painting with Arowhon, something magical happens. The stress in your life evaporates and inner peace and well being takes over.

Susan will expertly guide you on a journey connecting your body, mind and spirit. Each day, join outdoor or indoor morning and late afternoon yoga classes, plus guided meditation sessions. Stretch and tone your muscles, release chronic tension, de-stress & relax. Calm your restless mind and invite deep, inner peace into your life. You only have to do what your heart desires.

If you like to paint, bring your paint supplies with you. Everywhere you look is a scene begging to be painted. Each afternoon, artists will have the opportunity to view and provide encouraging feedback on paintings produced during the day. On the last day, paintings will be displayed for all to enjoy.

Enjoy Arowhon's activities as well - paddle a canoe or kayak on a chain of lakes (Arowhon staff will happily provide basic instruction), hike the trails adjacent to the property to see wildlife, sail, play tennis, relax in the sauna. We could join in an evening bonfire or see the night sky with their telescope.

Susan is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher from London, Ontario with 15 years of experience. She has participated in a variety of yoga workshops, conferences, and retreats which has deepened her commitment to teaching as a path to health, well-being. She is also an avid water colour painter.

Kripalu yoga combines Hatha yoga postures and breath work to revitalize the body, calm the mind, and deepen self-awareness.

Come "Reclaim Yourself" - your body, mind and spirit will be glad you did!!

Cost: $921 pp (all inclusive)
4 days/3 nights
For more information/flyer contact: svandesompel@hotmail.com
Phone: 519 615 2899
Website: http://www.yogawithsusan.net/
OR
Call us at Arowhon Pines.

The Recipe! Arowhon Afternoon Scones

2010-08-11T14:34:00.000-04:00

AROWHON AFTERNOON BUTTERMILK SCONES

Of course these delicious scones always taste better on the Arowhon verandah with a pot of our homemade jam! Or after a sweaty canoe trip to Burnt Island Lake and back! Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
6 oz butter, unsalted, cold, cut into small pieces
1 TB grated orange or lemon zest
¾ cups small plump currants
¼ cup cranberries
1 cup buttermilk
2 oz butter, unsalted, melted, for brushing
¼ cup vanilla scented sugar, for dusting.
Parchment paper

Method:

- Position the oven racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat to 425 deg (or 350 degree fan high in convection oven)
- Stir dry ingredients together in medium bowl.
- Work in butter using fingertips, pastry blender or 2 knives, until mixture resembles coarse oatmeal.
- Pour in buttermilk, add zest and dried fruit and mix with fork until ingredients are just moistened - you'll have a soft dough with a rough look. Don't overmix!!
- If it looks too dry, add 1 T buttermilk and knead briefly for about 12 turns.
- Drop dough - 1 Tablespoon very heaped - on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Brush with ½ melted butter amount, sprinkle with 2 T sugar.
- Bake 6-8 minutes, until tops & bottoms are golden.
- Transfer to racks to cool slightly.
- Serve warm or room temperature.

Let us know how they turn out!

Arowhon Afternoon Scones

2010-08-11T10:23:00.000-04:00

This is the email I received today from Kate from Euclid, Ohio:

please please send me your recipe for your afternoon scones...I can't live w/out them!
THANKS

PUBLIC WOLF HOWLS IN ALGONQUIN PARK

2010-08-10T13:05:00.000-04:00

Make sure that you attend a Public Wolf Howl if you are staying at Arowhon Pines on any Thursday in August or September before Labour Day (dependent on weather and accessibility of the wolves).

If you plan to attend, ensure your vehicle is filled with gas, arrive early at the Outdoor Theatre (it begins at 8 PM - you might have to eat quickly in our dining room) and dress warmly. This special program lasts about three hours.

After a slide talk on wolf ecology, you will receive specific instructions and then everyone travels by car (on rare occasions, walks) to a place where wild wolves may answer the imitations given by the naturalist staff.

It's an amazing thing!

The Perseids are coming! The Perseids are coming!

2010-07-30T13:10:00.000-04:00

The Perseids are coming! The Perseids are coming! (August 12-15)

The Perseids are the most famous of all meteor showers! This year, due to its summertime appearance, and the timing of the new moon which will make the night sky at Arowhon appear even darker – the show should be exceptional! We anticipate 50-80 meteors an hour to be on display overhead. All you have to do is pull up a chair on the beach, look up and be amazed - bring a glass of wine!

Bart Tecter, a highly educated and extremely well equipped amateur Astronomer will be joining us on Friday and Saturday nights giving a tour of the night sky. He will be setting up an impressive list of stargazing equipment including a “MallinCam’ which is able to show live views of deep space objects like Spiral Galaxies, Nebula and Star Clusters – in colour! Your jaw will drop when you see what views his Telescope will provide! During the day Bart will set up a telescope equipped with a solar filter so that we can look safely at the Sun, which is probably the most fascinating object in our universe.

All in all it will be a very exciting weekend to be at the Pines.

There is still space available if you are looking for some time away from the city lights!

Fishing with Frank!

2010-07-30T12:51:00.000-04:00

A Match Made In Heaven

2010-07-11T11:33:00.000-04:00

I’ve just returned from the inaugural “Yoga Weekend” at Arowhon. By the end of the three days I felt as though my body had gently been taken away from me to be replaced by a new, younger, more relaxed one.

Amber Morphy, the yoga instructor was a master at describing the asanas (positions) with step by step with personal directions to those (like me) who were new to Yoga while showing the experienced members of our group how to extend their bodies (literally) into positions I can only imagine being in. Even after three one hour sessions a day for three days, Amber was still coming up with new asanas to keep to keep me interested.

I always come back from my trips to Arowhon relaxed and filled to the brim with the Algonquin spirit, but coming back from the Yoga retreat added a new dimension to my mind/body experience, one that I will not hesitate to repeat should this dynamic combination be offered again.

Thank you to Arowhon for providing the setting and impeccable service.

Arowhon Loon nesting

2010-07-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

Here is a lovely photo of our Loon nesting.

Thank you to Mrs Bernice Hill and her husband for this lovely shot.

This Weekend is what running a summer resort is all about!

2010-07-03T14:22:00.001-04:00

What a gorgeous Saturday of the Canada Day Long Weekend!

Walking to work this morning, I saw a dozen people from our first Yoga Group stretching on the main dock.
Jeff, the organizer from Wolf Den Expeditions (http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/) along with the yoga instructor Amber and the massage therapist, Shaunna - are getting rave reviews. Some of our own guests are taking part in morning and evening yoga sessions.

After breakfast, our fleet of canoes, kayaks and sailboats were out on the lake! What a sight!

Many guests ordered picnic lunches and are planning to paddle to Tom Thompson or Burnt Island Lake.

Our group of German reporters took in the Germany-Argentina football game in the TV Room.

Frank Kuaick took a lovely couple out fishing for the day.

Some guests are just relaxing and reading in the sun!

Welcome to summer in Algonquin Park!

Moth photos taken at Arowhon Pines

2010-06-24T20:36:00.000-04:00

Hi Arowhon Team,
Brian and I enjoyed our stay with you and the great Arowhon team last week. Thought you might enjoy a few photos of the beautiful moth that we emptied the dining room for you and the guests to see and photograph. Had the species identified when we got home.
Enjoy the weather now that summer is officially here.
Ann & Brian

St. Lawrence Tiger Moth- Algonquin Park-15 June 2010

St. Lawrence Tiger Moth-Algonquin Park-15 June 2010

St. Lawrence Tiger Moth-Algonquin Park-15 June 2010

2010-06-22T12:09:00.000-04:00

There are a number of events planned at Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park this season.

We hope that you can join us.

Canada Day Long Weekend
Yoga Retreat - 4 days of yoga, meditation, canoeing and hiking. Visit: www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca

August 12 and 13 Meteor Showers.
We have a new telescope and it will be by the boat dock on many nights - come join us! On August 12 and 13 we’ve invited a professional astronomer who will show us the wonders of a summer night sky – stars, constellations, clusters and galaxies. He has a MALLINCAM which will show you on a computer screen what we see in the sky. This weekend is also the PERSEIDS Meteor Shower, one of the best to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. Weather permitting, this has the potential to be a spectacular show.

An Evening with Floralove Katz & Friends - August 21st, 2010
Join us for a weekend of old fashioned fun - singing around the piano with Floralove Katz and Natasha Guiller. Everybody is welcome! The more the merrier! Come sing along! There will be golden oldies, Broadway tunes, classic standards, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and others – song sheets are provided! Floralove Katz has been studying piano all her life. For 20 years she’s been a cellist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra as well as a soprano chorus member of Opera Lyra Ottawa. She was founder of the Ottawa Klezmer Band and has been entertaining people to sold-out shows!

“RECLAIM YOURSELF” Yoga and Painting Holiday, September 13 – 16, 2010
Combine the peace and tranquility of Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park with daily yoga, meditation walks and painting sessions. Susan Vandel Sompel is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher from London, Ontario with 15 years of experience. Kripalu yoga combines Hatha yoga postures and breathe work to revitalize the body, calm the mind and deepen self-awareness. She is also an avid water colour painter. For more information: svandesompel@hotmail.com

*****************

For More Information:
Arowhon Pines
Algonquin Park
www.arowhonpines.ca
1 866 633 5661 Toll Free in Canada and USA
Local: 705 633 5661

Wedding Gown Photo Shoot at Arowhon Pines

2010-06-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

Last summer we hosted a photo shoot at Arowhon Pines for Lea-Ann Belter wedding gowns.

Please visit her website at: http://www.lea-annbelter.com/ and you can see glimpses of Arowhon's wild and natural gardens throughout the property. There is also is a beautiful woman modelling beautiful wedding gowns!

Lea–ann Belter has been making gowns for two decades. Her gowns are available in specially–chosen stores across North America and Europe as well as in her flagship boutique located on Queen Street East in Toronto.

Enjoy!

Special Events at Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park

2010-06-10T09:18:00.001-04:00

There are a number of special events taking place at Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park this season. We hope that you can join us.

SPRING

The G8 Summit, a meeting of world leaders, is being held in Huntsville on June 25 – 26, 2010. Highway 60 will be closed in front of Deerhurst resort - from Highway 11 to (almost) Highway 35. There will be a detour off Highway 11 after Bracebridge – take Highway 117 East towards Baysville & Dorset, then Highway 35 north to Dwight, and east (right) onto Highway 60 into Algonquin Park.

We were approached by a number of consulates wanting to stay at Arowhon Pines. We told them about our food, our fabulous location in the middle of the woods, the great canoe and hiking routes and all the wildlife they might see. They asked us about our television, telephone, internet and cell phone services.
They never called back.

The G20 Summit being held in Toronto, June 26 – 27, 2010 has been labelled “the biggest security detail that Canada has ever seen”. If you ever needed an excuse to escape the city, this would be it! Yikes!
We have lovely rooms by the lake and a peaceful and quiet atmosphere!

SUMMER IN ALGONQUIN PARK

Canada Day Long Weekend
Yoga Retreat - 4 days of yoga, meditation, canoeing and hiking. Visit: www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca

August 12 and 13 Meteor Showers
We have a new telescope and it will be by the boat dock on many nights - come join us! On August 12 and 13 we’ve invited a professional astronomer who will show us the wonders of a summer night sky – stars, constellations, clusters and galaxies. He has a MALLINCAM which will show you on a computer screen what we see in the sky. This weekend is also the PERSEIDS Meteor Shower, one of the best to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. Weather permitting, this has the potential to be a spectacular show.

An Evening with Floralove Katz & Friends - August 21st, 2010
Join us for a weekend of old fashioned fun - singing around the piano with Floralove Katz and Natasha Guiller. Everybody is welcome! The more the merrier! Come sing along - there will be golden oldies, Broadway tunes, classic standards, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and others – song sheets are provided!
Floralove Katz has been studying piano all her life. For 20 years she’s been a cellist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra as well as a soprano chorus member of Opera Lyra Ottawa. She was founder of the Ottawa Klezmer Band and has been entertaining people to sold-out shows! We’re very excited and hoping to make this a yearly tradition!

AUTUMN

“RECLAIM YOURSELF” Yoga and Painting Holiday with Susan Vande Sompel
September 13 – 16, 2010
Combine the peace and tranquility of Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park with daily yoga, meditation walks and painting sessions. Susan is a certified Kripalu yoga teacher from London, Ontario with 15 years of experience. Kripalu yoga combines Hatha yoga postures and breathe work to revitalize the body, calm the mind and deepen self-awareness. She is also an avid water colour painter. For more information: svandesompel@hotmail.com

Thanksgiving Weekend
Our last weekend in the Park – always a special time! Arowhon Pines is popular for family gatherings and reunions all through the season! Let our chefs take care of Thanksgiving dinner!

For More Information:
Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park
www.arowhonpines.ca
1 866 633 5661 Toll Free in Canada and USA
Local: 705 633 5661

Birds of Algonquin Park - Up Close and Personal

2010-04-14T13:53:00.000-04:00

We were recently sent this link to an enjoyable 7 minute video about Doug Tozer and some of Algonquin's birds.

Doug Tozer recently successfully defended his PH.D at Trent University; he studied the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the Park.

His parents are Ron and Pat Tozer. Ron is the famous WOLF HOWL guy of Algonquin Park!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Wz-9U5pSw

_______________________________________________

ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization.

Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org

For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

A few Winter pictures

2010-04-06T16:22:00.002-04:00

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip into Arowhon Pines in March.

March 2010 - Winter Bear Research in Algonquin Park

2010-03-10T09:43:00.001-05:00

During March, Dr Marty Obbard, Research Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is searching Algonquin Park for hibernating female bears and their offspring.

Dr Obbard and his research crew will be tranquilizing female bears that produced cubs during 2009 to assess mother and offspring's health. "Some yearlings we will be visiting will be fitted with expandable radio-collars so we can monitor their survival and movements in and possibly outside the Park" says Obbard.

Canadian comedian Rick Mercer joins Dr Obbard as they conduct bear research in Algonquin Park (2009 footage):

Click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz4iXyIYvgk

Birds in Algonquin Park

2010-03-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

Algonquin Park Birding Update: 4 March 2010

Beautiful spring-like weather often prevailed this week but in the almost total absence of open water or bare ground there was no indication of migrants on the Algonquin Highlands. That should change in the next few days with the arrival of the first American Crows.

Gray Jays continued to be seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, the Visitor Centre and Opeongo Road at the gate. Researchers had located at least 11 nests under construction by week's end

The White-throated Sparrow at the Visitor Centre feeder all winter was last seen on February 25. Milder temperatures likely stimulated it to move elsewhere.

What may be the last Pine Grosbeaks were two at the West Gate on February 27. In winters of low numbers like this, the first pulse of sustained warmer weather in late February or early March often coincides with their disappearance northward.

The big flock of American Goldfinches persisted at the Visitor Centre feeders.

Evening Grosbeaks are still present in Whitney, east of Algonquin.

American Marten: one or two are fairly regular at the Visitor Centre feeders now and likely to be seen by anybody who stays for awhile.

We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records.

From:
Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON

Visit us at the Toronto Outdoor & Adventure Show

2010-01-22T10:18:00.003-05:00

The Toronto Outdoor and Adventure Show

is being held at

The International Centre

6900 Airport Rd, Hall 5

on February 26, 27 and 28, 2010!

We're excited to be participating this year!

Hope to see you there - we're at Booth 447 !

NEW!! Arowhon Pines Canoe Trip Adventure!

2010-01-12T11:28:00.000-05:00

Algonquin Park is famous for its thousands of lakes and some of the best canoe routes in Canada!

Some of us have never experienced an overnight canoe trip in the middle of the woods of Algonquin Park.

Our team has put together a package incorporating an overnight canoe trip with a stay at Arowhon Pines. You can choose to go on your own (most do, it's very safe!) or in the company of an experience guide. You will be provided with a map, Park permit, food, all cooking and camping equipment - and lots of instruction before departing from our dock.

Start practising your J-Stroke!

For more information, contact Adam or Theresa at resort@arowhonpines.ca.

Arowhon Pines Yoga Retreat July 1 - 4, 2010

2010-01-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

NEW (!) for Arowhon Pines ....

We're very excited to be hosting an Arowhon Pines Yoga Retreat and Getaway on July 1 - 4, 2010 (Thursday - Sunday).

Each day there are a series of yoga classes, mixed with canoeing and hiking trips in the middle of Algonquin Park!

For more information and to register, please contact Jeff Kittmer at:
http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca/Yoga%20Adventures.htm

We're very excited to be working with Jeff on this project and are hoping to work with him more in the future! Groups of women, couples and friends who are interested in putting together private yoga packages similiar to this one, let us know!

GIFT CERTIFICATES of AROWHON PINES

2009-11-09T13:37:00.000-05:00

GIVE THE GIFT OF AROWHON PINES in ALGONQUIN PARK !

We can make a lovely gift certificate.......

A dinner for two....

A lovely spring weekend....

or a dreamy week long stay.......

Contact us for more details. 1 866 633 5661

FODOR'S CHOICE

2009-07-22T16:58:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to have been named a FODOR’S CHOICE 2009 establishment! For over 70 years, FODOR’s has published a range of premium travel guides. Each year their writers choose an exclusive list of restaurants, hotels and attractions. Please visit: www.fodors.com/fodorschoice

Goodbye Charley!

2009-07-22T16:56:00.000-04:00

On a sad note, we lost Charley, our English retriever suddenly at the beginning of this week.
He was our friend for the last ten years. We miss him very much and will love him forever.

Congrats Jane and Jeff

2009-07-22T16:34:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Jane Hamilton and Jeff Eaton who were married at Arowhon Pines on Friday, July 10th. As usual the weather was spot on and provided for an amazing outdoor barbecue lunch followed by an intimate ceremony by the lake with their family and friends.
We liked their idea of lighting the way to the bonfire with small tea lights in paper bags – it worked brilliantly! After the celebrations at Arowhon, the whole group left for Carleton Place for another party! Congratulations and all the best with your new life together. We know that you will stay in touch. We will be posting some of our pictures from the weekend soon.

THINKING OUT LOUD

2009-07-22T16:31:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to live and work in the middle of Algonquin Park.

At dinner the other night some guests were lamenting the fact that this was their “last dinner’. Just that afternoon a family was returning to their cabin after their “last sail”. It’s so nice to hear when guests are sad to leave.

So today, instead of having a nap between shifts, I think I’ll take a kayak out on the lake!

CONGRATS DEIRDRE AND STEVE

2009-07-04T13:01:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Deirdre Crampton and Steve Mitchell who were married at Arowhon Pines this past weekend (June 27-28). They, their lovely family and friends took over the whole resort for the weekend.

Deirdre and Steve met when they represented Canada and the UK as part of their respective country’s sailing team at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Guests flew in for the wedding from Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, the USA and the Isle of Wight to attend the festivities. Despite a gloomy weather forecast, the clouds parted for the whole day on Saturday (keeping alive our “outdoor wedding” streak). Guests sailed, swam in the lake, played tennis, feasted on a barbecue lunch and relaxed on the dock. The sit down ceremony was held by the canoes at the lake, followed by a cocktail party on the verandah, dinner and speeches in the dining room, and a party to the wee hours!

We’ve been talking back and forth to Deirdre and Steve for over a year planning their wedding, and we will miss them! We do wish them all the best in their lives together. A big thank you to Mr & Mrs Crampton and Mr & Mrs Mitchell as well.

Deirdre and Steve have put together a fabulous website that documents everything from their engagement onwards - with lots of photos. They gave us permission to pass it along to you: www.gettinghitchedinthewoods.com.

Chef's Blog July 4th, 2009

2009-07-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

We had our first barbecue of the season for Deirdre and Steve’s wedding! The kitchen loves barbecues - although more labour intensive (logistically speaking), we get to spend time in the sun and meet guests!

At last, the local Muskoka strawberries are in! A cool wet spring delayed their arrival until just today. We’ll be making strawberry/rhubarb jam this week! We made a batch of pear jam last week and were delighted with the results. Please note that pears have to be perfectly ripe for the flavour to come through in the jam; if under ripe, you get a sweet paste mess!

The herb garden is starting to look like summer. Everything is sprouting - tatsoi, arugula, our organic lettuces, lemon balm and lemon grass, mint and sorrel. You will find all of these in our summer salads.

The lavender patch is only a few days away from flowering. We use the flowers to make a lovely Muskoka honey and lavender ice cream. They also form part of the apple, rhubarb, and lavender sauce for the pickerel on Monday nights. We’ll have a bumper crop this year.

Our gardens help make it real for our cooks, some of whom have never followed a seasonal progression of products as they grow. This is very exciting for me and our team – to be able to make subtle changes to everything we do that is directly related to what's in the ground at the moment!

That’s it for today!

David Cooke

2009-07-04T09:42:00.000-04:00

ALGONQUIN BOUND CANOE GUIDES

We’re happy when guests share their experiences with us. We received a nice letter from a couple recommending Algonquin Bound canoe guides and services.

‘I just wanted to mention that we took a guided canoe trip whilst we were there which was one of the highlights of our holiday and so wanted to recommend it so you could suggest it to others. Arowhon Pines did suggest a couple of other canoe companies before we left the UK but they (the ones that were suggested) were not particularly helpful and took a while to respond to us so I thought other guests may appreciate our recommendation. By contrast the company we selected responded promptly and were able to organise everything over the internet, a bonus as we came from the UK. Algonquin Bound were also able to come to meet us at Arowhon Pines and guide us from your lake, which was imperative for us as we did not have a car and it was also great to tour the area around the resort. Their guide, Jeremy, was excellent with us as complete beginners to canoeing and provided a memorable day, including managing to spot moose from a great distance so that we could paddle up closer!’

Congratulations to Algonquin Bound on a job well done! Check out their website here: www.algonquinbound.com.

Wildlife List

2009-06-23T20:00:00.001-04:00

Last weekend, I found this little list that someone dropped on the pathway.

June 14 – 16

Pileated woodpecker
loon
Herring gull
Red-eyed vireo
Goldfinch
Cedar wascwing
Purple grackle
Hummingbirds
Tree frogs
Green Frogs
Bullfrog
Painted Midland Turtle # 647
Wood thrush
Song sparrow
Robin
Citipping sparrow

Summer has Arrived!

2009-06-23T19:58:00.000-04:00

Summer has Arrived!

Today’s temperature reached 28 degrees. Tomorrow and the next day we're expecting 30 degrees. We’re grateful to not be sweating in the city. Here we cool off any time with a fresh swim in the lake!

Besides moose, deer and fox sighting, our guests have seen turtles as well. The 'Painted Turtle" is the subject of one of the longest running turtle research projects in the world, according to the Park website. We recently met some university students (along the railway track) collecting data on turtle egg sizes and quantities. For more information on the turtle project, visit:
http://www.sbaa.ca/projects.asp?cn=316

Our snapping turtles are out of the water and laying eggs in the sand. We’ve seen a few around the grounds and by the docks. They’re quite large and its no secret how they got their name. Stay back if you see one!

Kitchen Update

2009-06-08T14:14:00.000-04:00

Whew! We're open! It’s a relief to have all the normal cycles of running the kitchen in place.

The first batches of our own strawberry and rhubarb jams are delicious! While making them, we realized that the morning jams should follow the same seasonal cycle as everything else that we do. Watch out for strawberry/rhubarb jam, raspberry jam, apple jelly. It all sounds like tasty fun to me!

David Cooke
Chef

Fishing

2009-06-08T14:12:00.000-04:00

The underwater spawning beds that the Small Mouth Bass use annually are still empty. We’re expecting the females soon to be laying her eggs and guarding them with vigilance. Remind us to show you the hole that they have made – it’s just outside of Tanglewood.

Bass fishing season reopens June 27th. You’ll see several of our cooks out on the lake before breakfast shift, trying to catch the first big one of the season.

Speaking of fish, we’re delighted to welcome the winners of our CFRA (Ottawa radio station) giveaway to Arowhon Pines this weekend. On top of a great prize package and complimentary weekend here, Ann Brady and her friend Sharon were also treated to a day of fishing with Frank Kuiack. Frank is the Park’s true last fishing guide, a legend in his time, a great fisherman and gentleman. Ann caught a 5.5 pound trout – we have the photos to prove it!

Anyone wanting a memorable experience in the wilderness – whether it’s fishing, canoeing or hiking – we can recommend Frank. It’ll be one of the highlights of your trip!

Sailing on Little Joe Lake

2009-06-08T14:09:00.000-04:00

Our Hobie sailboats got their first good workout of the season today. The sun shone all day with good gusts on the lake – a perfect day for a sail!

Open for the Season!

2009-06-08T13:50:00.000-04:00

Spring is definitely the best time to see moose! We’ve received almost daily reports from our guests of 2, 3 - 5 moose sightings along Highway 60. When we checked with the Park website, we read that moose are attracted to the slightly salted puddles left in roadside ditches from winter sanding.

The "Humming Bird Air Force" have also arrived and have been attacking the feeders on the veranda. It’s amazing to watch them zoom forward and backward, chase each other and then disappear to their secret nests. We’ll attempt to post some pictures soon if we can get one to stay still for more than a second or two! PS If you’ve already attracted hummingbirds, don't press the panic button if they leave for a while. They’ve most likely found some sweet flowers in the garden to feed on.

We’re trying to attract more birds to the resort and have hung some seed feeders in the trees. We’d be grateful to hear from anyone who might have some tips on how to attract birds.

The local black flies are in season too, but, believe it or not, we’ve already seen a decline probably due to the cool evening and morning temperatures and the arrival of a large number of dragon flies that hoover them up in massive quantities. If you are planning a visit this time of year, the Park has some good reading – www.algonquinpark.on.ca.

Tuesday May 12th

2009-05-26T11:35:00.000-04:00

My first job each season is to make the hummingbird food and hang the feeders on the dining room veranda! The simple syrup recipe for hummingbirds is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Ensure the containers are very clean. If you don't get the feeders out BEFORE they arrive, they'll go someplace else.

My second job is to have a good snoop of the herb gardens! I was overjoyed to see chives, mint, thyme, sorrel, marjoram, oregano, wild garlic and lemon balm, all sprouting nicely! This year's relatively mild winter did little damage to our hardy perennials!

We're planning on planting more rhubarb this year (although we won't see the results for a couple of years - they need time to mature) and add lemon grass - it will be delicious in our salads and the egg drop soup.

We've been searching cookbooks for new recipes for the increasing number of dietary requests. This spring we'll be testing new gluten free pastries and breads, vegan and vegetarian appetizers, soups and entrees - and some lactose free items.

Local spring produce is the best - can't wait for fiddle heads, garden peas, asparagus and strawberries. We'll be making our own strawberry jam!

David Cooke

Executive Chef

Sunday May 3rd

2009-05-26T11:30:00.000-04:00

I was driving in to Arowhon last week and ran into Dan Strickland (a naturalist who has spent the better part of his life in Algonquin Park) in his car, with a ladder on top. He was visiting grey jay nests, in order to band the babies and take blood samples. What was so remarkable, he told me, was that by the time he left the nest, the wound from the needle was already beginning to close. In front of his eyes, he could see the wound healing. Wow!

As we were leaving, I noticed that Dan had turned off the engine of his car in order to talk to me. I had left my engine idling and was very embarrassed.

Theresa

Spring Rates

2009-05-26T11:27:00.000-04:00

We open May 29th and offer great spring rates at $193 per person including accommodation, three meals per day and use of all facilities.

You can't stay but are camping, or driving through the park?

Arowhon Pines is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dress is casual. Bring your own wine. Come early and enjoy the view from our veranda.

We look forward to welcoming you to Arowhon Pines.

Upcoming Events

2009-05-26T11:22:00.000-04:00

We're working on several special events this season and will post them on the site as soon as we have more details.

We're hoping that guests might be interested in weekly Saturday night bonfires. Last year, guests brought along guitars and harmonicas and people sang. The rain plan is in the Games Room. PS Anyone wishing a bonfire - please ask!

We had a great time last summer with Lindsay Leese and her improv workshop and hope to have her with us again this summer.

Regular pontoon boat rides around the lake have become a guest favourite. Weather permitting; we'd love to do one at least once a week this summer. For any special group, please just ask!

Spring Opening!

2009-05-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

Our first week of work in Algonquin Park! There are only a few of us here, so it's quiet, so quiet you can hear a pin drop. It's also very, very dark at night which is great for stargazing from the dock. You don't get that in the city!

As usual, everybody is very excited! The first day in, we took a good walk around the grounds to see what Mother Nature has been up to during the winter. Everything looks terrific! There are some trees down on the road and around the grounds, probably from the ferocious wind storm that we had just before New Years. The rook of our greenhouse is nowhere to be found! A beaver left its teeth marks on a tree by the herb garden. Overall we are happy to report no major damages. The lake is free of ice - but it only just went out fully last week. We remember paddling one year in early May, to find ourselves canoeing through slush in some of the lakes! Yikes!

A few canoe parties have already paddled by on their way to Burnt Island!

Spring is glorious in Algonquin Park! There is so much life starting again in the forest the surrounds the resort. The trees are budding and the trilliums are just poking through the forest floor. We will be adding some spring photos soon.

We've heard the loons already. They will no doubt be waking us up at all hours soon enough. The should be nesting by mid to late June. Hopefully we'll see the babies again; they usually parade in front of the dining room veranda through the spring.

The rhubarb is up - all green and lush already! We can't wait for the bakeshop to start testing some recipes!

Welcome to our Arowhon Pines Blog!

2009-05-26T10:54:00.000-04:00

Hello and Welcome to our new blog! We're very excited to bring this addition to our website.

To new visitors, we hope this will give you a peek into the everyday activities at Arowhon Pines - it's location, it's people, and what we do. Here, we will tell you of any special happenings at Arowhon Pines, in Algonquin Park and in the surrounding areas.

For past visitors, we hope that you stay in touch and that this blog will remind you of your trip to Arowhon Pines - the moose you saw on the road, your first time in a canoe, the smell of butter tarts coming from the kitchen, or a lovely sunset from the veranda. If you miss us....well, you know what to do!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at resort@arowhonpines.ca.

Either way, thank you for being a part of this blog, and we invite you to visit our site periodically for update, new recipes, etc.

See you soon!