Giving thanks for a grand Gravenhurst year

Having survived our first bear encounter we decided that we should give thanks and as this weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving this was the perfect time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)

Gravenhurst and Gravenhurstians have been very welcoming to us and the weekend included not only one but two scrumptious meals. Memorable company made for a memorable Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday started slowly with discussions on various options for the coming days, weeks, months and years. If you're going to have a talk you might as well have plenty to talk about! Then to more mundane things i.e.shopping! After the weekly visit to the shops we made time for a cup of coffee in the sun. Went for a bike ride to look at the ever changing autumn colours and in preparation for the evening, we enjoyed a light lunch.

Muldrew Lake and Hank & Barb Smith's cottage was the  destination we headed towards for the afternoon and evening. Thanksgiving is a very important celebration and we were very happy to share a family celebration with Hank and Barb, their daughter Kim and her husband Peter along with their daughters Abbie  and Katie.

Lounging on the deck was the most strenuous activity during the afternoon and with the temperature hovering around 22C (70F) the pleasant, interesting and ever varying conversation continued throughout the Autumn afternoon until....

 until we were summoned by Barb for dinner.

Following the singing of the "Johnnie Appleseed Grace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_IrdS-zu48 

we sat down to a dinner of mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, beans, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and an enormous turkey. This was followed by pumpkin pie and blueberry pie.... mmmmm!!!!! Following this feast (thanks Barb) the wide ranging discussions continued for some time.




And despite the occasional sprinkling of  bee tales & chalkdust it was a great day and evening!!!







On arrival that night at 460 Sarah we were intrigued by Elaine's suggestion for Julie to wear "bright colours" for the hike tomorrow. The reason for the "bright colours" was so Julie couldn't be confused by hunters who maybe in the area. Hmmmmm!!!!

Monday dawned with the prospect of another clear, calm and sunny day. Julie was going to start the day with a vigorous 5 hour walk. I had much less activity planned.

My most pressing activity was to select the wine and to be ready for Bryan and Marsha to collect me. I passed both tests!!! And more importantly Julie survived the walk and was able to walk around to Peter and Lesley's place to get a lift to the venue for Thanksgiving Dinner #2. 

Bryan and Marsha's Cottage is on Morrison Lake and like the Smith's, the cottage has been owned by the family (Marsha's) for a long time. This cottage was rebuilt recently due to a lightning caused fire a few years ago. In both cases the view of the front, as nice as it is, is overshadowed by the unbelievable vista out the back......

 And as the sun set on another marvellous Muskoka day

we sat down to more tasty Thanksgiving cheer and frivolity with good friends and we sure have been blessed with an abundance of good friends all throughout 2011!!!

Not an average start to the weekend

Collected Julie from Beechgrove Muskoka and left for Whitney with at least one of us wondering why Canadians would name a town after a left handed quick. The real reason for staying at Whitney was that we were heading to Algonquin Park for an epic canoe journey on Saturday.
After getting our Algonquin Visitor's Permit we headed on Highway 60 and after stopping with me taking a few photos and Julie walking on the Lookout Trail. Interesting gear worn by some of the hikers but a nice view for Julie and great autumn colours.

Next stop was at the Algonquin Logging Museum. Australians who may be reading this Blog may be as surprised as I was to see a Museum dedicated to the Logging Industry in the middle of an iconic Provincial Park. But the truth is without the logging industry I don't think Algonquin Provincial Park would exist.


Although the museum was closed Julie was able to walk around the 2km outdoor exhibit in about 45 minutes (took me 2 hours when I was there in the summer) and I sat and sketched. Good for both of us!!http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/locations/algonquin-logging-museum.php 

Whitney and the Dreamcatcher Motel were nice, interesting, and necessary. Nice room, interesting BBQing in the dark, and necessary because it had been a long, long day.

Early start as we headed back into Algonquin Park, looked at another ho-hum lake 

and then to Opeongo Lake to pick up our rental canoe from the Opeongo Store. We needed to be on time for the water taxi that would be ferrying us to Hailstorm Creek where we'd planned to spend the day exploring the creek, the central part of the Lake and hopefully find either a moose or a bear. No luck with either of those animals but we had a great day of paddling in a pristine, peaceful place.

Stopped for Julie to look through the Algonquin Visitors Centre http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/locations/algonquin_visitor_centre.php
before heading back through Huntsville where guess what the CuRVy's pilot spotted

They are real after all!!!!!

While the teacher's away....

Gravenhurst autumn colours are amazing

Unfortunately all good things seem to come to an end and.....

Some people are left at home to cook, clean and tidy. Sooooooo

A beekeeper's gotta do what a beekeeper's gotta do

Not that exciting but hey I ended up with

MORE than a SIXPACK!!!!!!!!!!

Another quiet weekend

We had decided to spend a weekend close to home, with our feet up, reading a good book. Sounds relaxing doesn't it???? Hmmmmm. Did it happen?????

Relaxing weekend close to home and 2011 aren't in the same ball park!!!!!!!

Miss CuRVy and I transported Julie to school as it was her turn to provide treats for the staff. What, you may ask, was on the menu? Try this - ANZAC biscuits, Fairy Bread, Lamingtons, Tim Tams, and oh Vegemite Sandwiches. For those non Australians reading this blog I could summarise it with the following words sweet, Sweet, SWEET, SWEET and salty!!!!!!

Grace and Speed Volunteer Coordinator, Louise had organised an excursion for volunteers and I was off on an adventure to look at the historic steame the Bigwin http://www.myriadinc.com/bigwin/bigwinplan.htm ,the Dorset Museum and Robinson's General Store. Nice drive, good company and great fun!!!  And wouldn't Grumbles love the fire engine!!!!!!

The only real problem was the weather. It rained and rained and rained AND RAINED! 

But it didn't stop the enthusiasts

  

It was fun although I couldn't really say, "haven't we been lucky with the weather"!




Was home early enough to pick Julie up from Beechgrove-Muskoka and save her from the drenching that would have occurred should she have attempted the fast walk home. Cup of coffee and some cake, (not Lamingtons and ANZAC biscuits again) before heading towards Bracebridge and the Griffin Gastropub  http://www.thegriffinpub.ca/

Fellow Grace and Speed volunteer Verne, his wife Mervis and Studebakers http://www.ontariosdc.ca/component/option,com_easygallery/task,view/cid,721/Itemid,36/
were the reason we were here on this rainy night. We had been invited by a friend who is a Studebaker driver to come on a drive with their club. Unfortunately we weren't able to make the Saturday drive but we were able to make the PUB!!!

Interestingly Mrs Garmin wasn't able to locate the pub but we went to alternative technology opened our eyes and followed a .............Studebaker!!! 

Great food (Bison Burger) good conversation and very nice beer made for a fun night. Home to watch some of the Montreal Canadiens v Winnipeg Jets (yes the Jets are back) game. Pam "the apiarist's" review was accurate and this visit won't be our last.


The next morning saw two unusual occurrances. I  didn't get up until 8am. And Julie didn't rise until after 9.30!! Maybe it was the Canadian Facial provided by the students. All for a good cause - the "Terry Fox Run"!!!!!



Saturday morning eggs and bacon were prepared and eaten and we packed the necessities for the 12 km (7 1/2 mile) Save Otter Lake walk. Although it was cool (actually cold) we were  pleasantly surprised that the weather it was bleak and windy but it was cloudless and dry a quantum shift in the last 12 hours. Besides colder weather improves my body and stamina immeasurably so at least I may make it 1500 metres. lol...

Hank and Barb Smith picked us up and we were on our way to the 48th annual "South Muskoka Memorial Walking, Marching, Cycling, Swimming, Paddling, Chowder & Save White Lake Society" outing. If you thought that sounded like a long name for a big day then you are right, It was a big day. Pine Crest Camp was an ideal place to start and finish the  walk. In fact Pine Crest Camp was a nice place, FULL STOP.

What was the SMMWMCSPCSWLS outing all about. If you were an Australian (and I am) it started as a walk home from the pub 48 years ago. It continued and continues to grow and grow and grow with children, and grandchildren, family, friends and the occassional international visitors making up the hundreds that have done the walk over the years. A wonderful way to enjoy the company and scenery of the Muskoka.

By the way I did the walk, sort of, as they had a very good driver and big van who picked up those who had done enough walking and transported them back to the camp. For the record Julie did the full distance and actually did an extra 500 metres when she missed the turn around point while she was talking. Now that's a surprise!!

SMMWMCSPCSWLS finished with a great meal and a couple of "glasses" to restore the liquids lost through perpiration. A nice ending to a wonderful day.

Thanks John, Barbara and all who were a part of 2011 SMMWMCSPCSWLS.

Sunday started with pancakes and maple syrup but with only 2 litres 2 go we'd better get into it before Greg arrives. Over the breakfast table we discussed the options for the day as unfortunately the weather had made it impossible to go sailing with Leslie and Peter. Amazingly none of the options included having a nice rest. One day maybe...............

After our disjointed summer we decided to take the chance to catch up on some of the things we had planned to see earlier in the year. Pope John Paul II had made a visit to a place within an hour of home in 1984 and we we thought it would be interesting to see what would bring the Pontiff in rural Ontario. St Marie among the Hurons
http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/Home/index.htm is a great recreation of the first white settlement in Ontario.

Cool weather and the occassional shower seemed to be the order of the day as we drank the obligatory Macca's coffee on our way to Midland but luckily the showers dodged us as we walked around what is a great piece of history. Saint Marie amongst the Hurons is the way historical stories should be told. A very moving place and ironically the inclement weather only added to the display.

Across the road frrom the Saint Marie Amongst the Hurons site is the Canadian Matyrs' Shrine. We had an amazing and educational day. http://www.martyrs-shrine.com/

All that education and led to what else....... Home to watch our Muskoka Shield!!!!!

Autumn Art and Annual Awards

Following the departure of Hurricane Jeff (look out for the Blog) a more sedate pace returned to the Frosts in Canada. Well that was the theory!

So what did we do on our latest weekend. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a large bit of fun.


During the week Julie and I received reminders from our most prolific emailer (Louise) asking if any of the members of the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society were interested in attending the Annual Muskoka Awards. We love a good awards night and although it wasn't cheap, the fact that the event was being held at Red Leaves on Lake Rosseau seemed like a good reason to pay the dollars and take the drive.  http://www.redleavesmuskoka.com/ 

So it was into the posh frock and on with the cashmere. Leap into the CuRVy, punch JW Marriott at Rosseau into Mrs Garmin and up, up and away. Driving on any of the local roads is lovely and with the leaves on the deciduous trees displaying more and more colour the drive alone was worthwhile.


Arriving on time (wow) we found our way to the ballroom after looking at the lovely and no doubt expensive art that was on display. Surprisingly we found our way to the bar!!!! Some things never change....

As with all awards of this type there are many deserving nominees and the judges have the difficult decision of selecting one winner. Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity to make an acceptance speech, maybe the assembled crowd was lucky! None the less it was a great night.

Following a very relaxing sleep and the by now traditional Saturday morning cooked  breakfast we headed off with picnic basket packed in search of art. September 24 &25 had been on our calendar for some time as it was the date of the 33rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com

Art of all types was part of the Tour and the brocure included a map of the Muskoka area with the artists curriculum vitae and directions to find each studio. Deciding to head for the most northerly studio we were pleasantly surprised that the light rain was diminishing as we drove. The further we travelled the more vivid the colours became... 

So even without the art the scenery would have made the trip worthwhile. As for the art. We have to continually remind ourselves that we need to get all our treasure home in December. 




Studios visited on day one included those of Catharine O'Mara, Brian Markham, Susan Higgins, Charles Knapp, Marni Martin, Beverley Hawksley and the Lindgren Pottery. We fell in love with and could have bought items at each place. It was all good!!! 

Even better than the art were the artists themselves. They were welcoming, friendly and were happy to take time to talk with a couple of random Aussies. And the snacks, coffee and hot apple cider were pretty good as well!!!

I may have forgotten to mention that as well as Awards and Art there was a concert thrown in to the mix. The first of the Coffee House Concert Series  http://www.muskokaplace.ca/pages/coffee.htm was on and although we were a little weary we took note of that great Canadian saying "Suck it up Princess", ate some dinner and picked up Dianne, Susan and Gary and headed out for an evening of flamenco guitar!

Good would definitely be an understatement if you wanted to describe Gary Santucci http://www.feicanada.org/files/Gary%20Santucci%20Bio.pdf he was not only a great guitarist and a  nice guy he is doing wonderful things in Hamilton. Great end to a wonderful day. Sound sleep again!!!!!

Autumn Studio Tour Day Two was much closer to home and again the studios were fabulous and the hospitality continued.... But we were very disciplined and came away with only a book, a card, heaps of photos of trees and great memories. A tour like this may work in the Narooma, Tilba, Bermagui, Quaama area. May be worth thinking about MACS....