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Friday, May 16, 2008
It's finally here! The Unofficial start to summer! Everything is ready (we hope...think...believe...).
The weather has been terrific today - sun and around 17C. Our children just went for their first swim in Lake of Bays! Of course, it lasted all of 10 seconds - the water temperature is only around 5C!
The trees are starting to look like trees again. It's SO nice to look across the property and see bright green, instead of white snow. Our tulips are up - most survived the deer this year, I'm very pleased to say. I've left a couple of gardens still in their winter state until next week - there is a call for frost tonight. We'll get to the last of the gardening next week.
Lots of birds building their nests. Hummingbirds are back in full force!
Enjoy your holiday long weekend!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Finally! "D" cottage renovations are complete - the cottage looks fabulous! A new, larger window in the bunkbed room, completely new bunkbed and ladder surrounded by all-new pine walls are now complete. The bathroom has a new large window, drywall, new tub/surround, toilet, etc. It's so bright in there! Now for the clean-up... Spring cleaning of the other 6 cottages is complete and the cottages are sparkling and ready for guests. The Muskoka Chairs are being placed outside of each cottage as I type. The playground equipment is now set up and the volleyball net will be in place by the end of the day.
Work on the gardens has begun and the grass is bright green. We had to do some work on the lakeside grounds of "C" cottage so new grass has been sown and is starting to germinate. All of the deer "fertilizer" will certainly help in that cause! Our new(ish) Christmas trees wintered well and all seem to have survived. Most of them were completely covered in snow for 3 months so to see them out again and showing buds is really great.
We have discovered a groundhog family living under and beside our garbage hut. You might know them as woodchucks. Lots of little babies running here and there. They are very shy and make a weird stuttering/throat sound when cornered! We're not sure if they are short-time visitors or if they have decided to adopt us into their family...I guess we'll wait and see. Click on this link to learn more about them: http://www.borealforest.org/zoo/groundhog.htm
The hummingbird feeders went out this morning - last year, they appeared on this date - haven't seen them yet, though... Blue Jays are back and hungry as ever!
Friday, May 2, 2008
I've been asked to clarify what self-catering, efficiencies and housekeeping cottages actually mean. Depending on where you are from, different countries or regions call our cottages by different descriptions.
Essentially, all three (self-catering/efficiencies/housekeeping cottages) mean the same thing: a cabin that includes a fully equipped kitchen where you prepare your own meals just like at home! It also means, generally, that no-one will be coming in to do the cleaning or changing linens/towels during the stay - the guest is requested to tidy up the cottage prior to departure (take out the garbage and recycling, remove linens, vacuum, etc.). At our cottage resort, we ask our guests to do the following prior to their departure: ensure that the dishes are done and returned to their spots, the fridge is empty, spills are wiped up, take out the garbage/recycling, and ensure that furniture is returned to their original spots. We take care of the linens, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of the kitchen, bathroom, etc. It's like a home away from home - only closer to nature!
A self-catering/efficiency/housekeeping cottage is a great accommodation while travelling - this type of cabin is generally more cost-effective for the budget-minded traveller. Cooking your own meals in the kitchen or on the barbeque while on vacation has a few advantages: eating out on a regular basis can be very expensive compared with buying groceries as you normally would at home; travelling with children and eating out can be quite frustrating when they don't like the food; more family time together!
So, why not give this type of accommodation a try on your next vacation?!! Ontario Cottage Rentals - the way to go!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
As promised, we have revamped our Summer activities here at Logging Chain Lodge. During past summers, our Kid's Program ran from 3 - 5 mornings during July and August. Through surveys taken by our guests, we were able to determine that families wanted more "family" events - not to mention, no-one liked getting up early for crafts - no-one, that is, except the children who would be waiting at their cottages, watching for the first sign of Annmarie to come out with all of the craft materials!
Please do keep in mind that weather will definitely play a factor in these events - we are usually very lucky when it comes to great weather here, but...you never know.
So, here it is - our schedule for this July and August:
Saturday - Welcome Marshmallow Roast (at sunset)
Sunday - Evening Canoe/Kayak Tour: from Dwight Bay to Marsh's Falls
Monday - Kid's Craft Morning: for children ages 4 - 12, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Monday - Campfire at the Fire Pit (at sunset)
Tuesday - Archery For All Ages: discover the excitement of hitting the bull's eye (early evening)
Wednesday - Kid's Craft Morning: for children ages 4 - 12, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday - Campfire at the Fire Pit (at sunset)
Thursday - Evening Canoe/Kayak Tour: from Dwight Bay to Marsh's Falls
Friday - Campfire at the Fire Pit (at sunset)
