The Gray's Visit

We love all our guests!  Mr and Mrs Gray however stand out among our favourites for all they teach us about the wildlife around us - flowers and animals that we might walk by without ever seeing. 

This spring we learned about mocassin flowers and moths. 

Here are some photos that they kindly shared with us from their visit in June. 


Moccasin Flower-Algonquin



Adam in camouflage viewing wildlife




Luna Moth Front Door






Moose Wolf Howl Pond



Polyphemus Moth - Arowhon Pines



Painted Turtle (oval) and Snapping Turtle (round) eggs - Algonquin



New York City - Algonquin Park

We don’t get many guests who walk in “off the street”.  But these two guests were amazing!

Heiko Schreiber and his son Bennet from Bayreuth, Germany drove 10 hours straight from NYC (in their gorgeous Ford Mustang rental) because they wanted to see "a little bit of nature". 

We did not disappoint them.  Although they only had a night to spare, they rose earlty (5 AM!) and saw the mist on the lake and a moose feeding on the shoreline.  After a hearty breakfast in the dining room, they explored more of the surrounding area (I do think they took a mid-morning nap)...

We were very sad to see them leave - another 10 hours to New York!  So when you think that a three hour drive from Toronto is too long to have a midweek-getaway, just remember the two of them!  

Here are some photos from their stay. Thank you Heiko and Bennet - we hope to see you both again!

Photos from Spring

Some photos from Arowhon Pines

Painted Turtles on our grounds:
While it is known that the survival rate of Painted Turtles is very high what is unknown is how long they will live. It is theorized that Painted Turtles may live up to 300 years and some of the turtles in the Algonqui Park study ponds could be easily a 100 years or more. To date, no reliable method of aging turtles has been developed. The only known method is to mark hatchling turtles as they emerge from the nest - the Park researchers are doing that now. 
You can talk to them near Wolf Howl Pond.

New appetizers and entrees
are coming out of our kitchen daily!



Renovations continue in the cabins.....



New bathroom renovations in our larger cabins.....

The view from your table in the dining room....

A cozy room in our larger cabins







We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Helen and Me - Opening Weekend 2012

My Day Off

The "day off" - the most treasured day of the week for anyone working in the seasonal resort business.  For me, I always enjoy it best when I have a plan. 

Last Sunday, I was determined to find the "unmarked grave" near Canoe Lake.  I recently read "Northern Light' by Roy MacGregor and watched the documentary "West Wind".  All this information had been buzzing in my head for months - and no, smartypants, it wasn't just the mosquitoes!       

I left mid-morning on my bike (a sleep-in is allowed on a day off) with an Arowhon picnic lunch and camera in my pack.  I shamefully admit eating the cookies before reaching the Crossroads.  I turned right, then left just past the second wooden bridge.  I knew that I needed to follow this small dirt road to another path and then there would be the grave. 

There are a few pretty cottages along this road.  At the first fork in the road, just past the green outhouse with the charming crescent moon on the door, I stayed to the right - then stayed right again at the next fork (is anyone else thinking the Muppet Movie?).  I admit feeling a little nervous at not having brought my GPS, when I stopped, got off my bike and looked around. 

A medium sized birch tree - the only white one around, drew my attention.  When  I looked beyond that tree, I could see, about 50 feet down the road, a small path leading into the bush. I left my bike and slowly walked along the path into the woods and past some clearings, where one hundred years ago people would have been busy working, fishing, visiting friends and just living.  It felt eerie.  Then, there it was, a small area, surrounded by a picket fence, containing two grave stones and an old tree.  Outside the fence was a simple, white, unmarked cross, which according to some, is the lonely grave of Tom Thomson.       



I respectfully inspected everything, took some photos and spent a few quiet moments thinking about what I had read, heard and saw. 

A little later I left, biked to the lake where I ate my lunch peacefully, gazing out at the shorelines and trees.  I imagined Tom Thomson doing the same thing in this exact spot.  Although a hundred years apart, I see what inspired him every summer day.        

                                   

                                                      

Opening Weekend News 2012

We're excited to be open for the season!  We hope that you can join us in Algonquin Park this spring. 

Besides the usual opening day challenges and a couple of extra curve balls (like a little tornado warning!), this past weekend was a gorgeous one, with only a couple of hours of dark skies but no rain followed by some breathtaking sunsets.  Guests canoed, sailed, swam in the lake and relaxed on the dock.  A small intimate group, organized by Laura Traplin enjoyed their third annual opening weekend healing retreat at Arowhon Pines.  It felt wonderful seeing regular guests again, and meeting new guests from Switzerland and Germany.   

Plans for our new Laundry facility are underway.  The remnants of the old building have been taken away, and the new cement pad and blocks are set to go this week.  We would like to thank our contractors, Pat Land Custom Woodworks (Pat, Tom, Bunny and crew) who've been quick to lend their support. 

The bathrooms in our Private and 2 Room Suites have all been renovated and most have new carpeting.  Lakeview and Cedarview have huge new decks overlooking the lake.  We can't wait to show them to you!

A reminder that spring rates are $198 per person - based on double or single occupancy - and include three meals and all facilities.  These rates have been extended until June 28th.

As we sit on the verandah with a glass of wine before dinner and gaze out at the lake, with the hummingbirds and butterflies all around, we're hoping that you can join us soon! 

Fire in Our Laundry

Yesterday, our little cozy Laundry building burned down.  Sadly, all the laundry machines and equipment, some linen and our housekeeper's hand made quilts all went with it.  Absolutely noone was hurt, our staff was awesome containing the fire until more help arrived, and plans are already underway to replace it.

Edwin, Peter, Vern, Spenser, Chris and Adam and to all the other staff on site - thank you.  Thank you also to the volonteer firemen and women out of Oxtongue and Algonquin Highlands and the Park wardens.

As a resort operator in the middle of the woods, fire is one of our worst nightmares.  We aren't sure if this fire was preventable as all the machines were turned off hours before and all was quiet.  We are sure that our staff's quick response was key to preventing a disaster.

I know I will be checking my smoke alarms at home today. Will you?  Please.