Beauview Cottage Resort BLOG

New SUP Paddleboard

2012-05-21T15:38:00.001-04:00

What's SUP ! This is a Stand Up Paddleboard we just got from Clearwater Boats

Note: While demonstrating how to use it, Gord did not get wet and did not fall over ... this time!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

May Long Weekend Kayaking and Peddleboating

2012-05-19T19:37:00.000-04:00

The weather was gloriously warm and sunny. Our guests went peddle boating and kayaking on Lake of Bays.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Traffic Reports on your Smartphone

2012-05-18T20:07:00.000-04:00

CTV Barrie has just released a Traffic APP for Android Smartphones.

http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/new-cottage-traffic-app/

They expect to have the app for free in the Apple App store at the beginning of June 2012.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Even the Chipmunks are Relaxed

2012-05-15T18:24:00.001-04:00

Even the Chipmunks are relaxed at Beauview. This photo was taken by our guests Ron and Rhonda this past weekend.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Honeymoon Photo, Beauview Cottages, Lake of Bays Muskoka

2012-05-13T17:37:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Mafie and Anthony from Boston MA! They spent their honeymoon at Beauview. Had a great steak dinner at Blackburns Landing, Huntsville and even saw a moose in Algonquin Park!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

BUGS! - Insect Repellents- What Works?

2012-05-13T07:43:00.005-04:00

Here's an article about a subject that no one in tourism really wants to talk about - BUGS or mosquitoes and black flies

Some people don't venture outside of the city for fear of getting bitten by black flies or mosquitoes. >>> They are missing out on a lot of fun!

We tried using a yard mosquito trap that uses carbon dioxide, but found that it wasn't very effective. It was more psychological than anything. Instead, there are bug nets on many of the cottage decks for people to sit out under or enjoy the hot tub, at night.

Although there are many opinions, we don't think that chemical fogging to kill all the insects is the correct solution. Birds and fish would lose a food source. Plants would lose a pollinator. Both could become sick and die too.

In the last year or so, there have been remarkable improvements in repellants that are easy on your body and easy on the environment.

Three new products that come to mind are the Insect Defend Patch and the Off! Clip on (repellant you don't spray on)

and Bug BAM wristband

Gord has used the Insect Defend patch which is vitamin B1 distributed through your skin. (no DEET) We give them away to our Beauview guests. Some have had great results where they have received no bites. Others don't like the musky smell. You can wear it when swimming or bathing. It doesn't come off easily.

The Off! Clip on is something we will try this year. We like it because you don't have to spray anything on your body or clothing. It goes wherever you go. And it can be turned on and off unlike the patch where once its on - its on - for 24 hours!

Consumer Reports (U.S.) doesn't think too much of the Off! Clip on product after testing it.

Read their report on the most effective insect repellents.

Another product, we are going to try is the Bug BAM wristband, which gives 100 hours of protection. (when you aren't using it, it goes in a bag. So it lasts a lot longer as opposed to the patch which works round the clock whether you need it or not)

All Bug Bam products use a 100% natural, food-grade formula and materials.
All repelling products are non-toxic, waterproof, sweat-proof and tested to repel for up to 100 hours.
All repelling products are non-irritant and safe to use on children of all ages.

We have a family that comes each year and uses this type of product for both adults and children.

From U.S. Consumer Reports: Six repellents protected against deer ticks and two common types of mosquitoes for 7 hours or more. Four of those contain deet in varying levels. The Environmental Protection Agency judges deet safe when used as directed, but it has caused rare toxic reactions when misused. It shouldn't be applied to infants less than 2 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents with deet concentrations higher than 30 percent on any children. We think that no one needs a repellent with more than 30 percent deet.
The active ingredient in Repel is oil of lemon eucalyptus. (It's not recommended for children under 3.) Almost as effective was Natrapel, which protects with picaridin, a chemical newer than deet.

Insect Repellent for Children:

There are several ways to avoid insect bites:

Wear light-coloured, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
Avoid places where mosquitoes breed and live, like standing water.
Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active: dawn, dusk, evening.
Use insect repellents.

See Caring for kids article

What works best for you?

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Fuel and Fun Spring Special Package

2012-03-17T18:10:00.003-04:00

SPRING 2012 SPECIAL
Offered from April 3 to May 17 , 2012
$179/cottage per night for any cottage with a hot tub with a 2 night minimum stay.

Click here to check availability and make a reservation:

http://www.availabilityonline.com/availtable.asp?un=beauview

Get a $50 Gas Card and $50 in Travel vouchers, if you reserve before March 31, 2012

Click here for more details: http://explorersedge.ca/fuelandfun/

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Chipmunk's Winter Home

2012-03-16T16:11:00.002-04:00

With the warm weather, the birds and animals are out. Squirrels, deer, moose, turkeys, and chipmunks.

It looks like this little guy has made a home in my drainage pipe over the winter. he's going to have to move out shortly or get wet!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

March Break Sunrise on Lake of Bays, Muskoka

2012-03-12T09:10:00.002-04:00

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Fantastic Snowmobiling in Muskoka

2012-02-26T16:09:00.004-05:00

Muskoka got rave reviews this week from our snowmobilers about the fantastic snowmobile trails.

The ladies came a second time after having a great experience over the Family Day long weekend.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

We got 8 inches of Snow on Friday

2012-02-25T08:17:00.004-05:00

When the GTA was bracing for a winter storm that never came, Muskoka got 8 inches of snow on Friday.

Just in time for the weekend snowmobilers and skiiers.

Huntsville was host to the OFSA nordic ski races this week and the Ontario Para Sport Winter Games this weekend. Great conditions for their competitions.

People were wondering if there will be any snow to play in, over March Break. (March 12 -16)

Looks like there will be!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Is it Safe to go onto the Lake?

2012-02-19T16:00:00.003-05:00

Is it safe to venture onto the lake? The short answer is NO. The lake is never safe.

But if these trucks can park on it and snowmobiles are all over it, then ...

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Snowmobilers and Romantic getaways

2012-02-11T07:25:00.002-05:00

What do snowmobilers and couples away on a romantic getaway have in common?

They came to Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Muskoka searching for snow to play in.

People from Windsor, Waterloo, Sudbury and Orangeville. There, they have very little or no snow at all. We were lucky enough to get another 4 cm on Friday afternoon.

The hot tubs are HOT and the snowmobile trails are in great shape.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Snowmobilers are Back!

2012-02-04T13:46:00.002-05:00

We have 3 groups of snowmobilers staying with us this weekend.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Who has Snow in Ontario?

2012-02-03T21:23:00.003-05:00

Who has snow on the Ground this weekend in Ontario?

Here's a map to show where you can go to play in the snow.

HINT: Huntsville, Muskoka has lots of snow!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Muskoka Snowmobile Trails Surprisingly Good!

2012-01-28T10:34:00.002-05:00

Since I don't get out very much to snowmobile, I ask my neighbours who are snowmobilers. We were at the Port Sydney Winter Carnival Pancake Breakfast this morning.

One of our neighbours who sat with us, was on his way to go snowmobiling for the day.
He said that he was also out on Friday and found the trails surprisingly good!

He put over 100 miles on his sled yesterday all around Muskoka and down to Haliburton and back... He said even some of the lakes are getting staked for safe crossing.

See the OFSC trail reports and map. Please keep in mind that the OFSC updates the trail reports on Mondays and Thursdays.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

New 2012 Winter / Spring Rates

2012-01-14T17:05:00.002-05:00

We have just revised our rates to make them more affordable in the Winter and Spring ... especially for couples and Romantic Hot Tub Cottage Getaways.

See our Rates page at http://www.beauview.on.ca/rates.htm

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

Latest Review on Trip Advisor.com

2012-01-04T16:35:00.002-05:00

Beauview Rating is 5 out of 5

Thank you!

Please see our latest review on Trip Advisor.com

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Lake of Bays Skating and Trout Fishing

2012-01-04T13:31:00.004-05:00

With the cold cold weather we have had these last few days, the lake is freezing up solid. Beauview waterfront has 5 inches of ice which is enough for skating or boot hockey. This is part of the Canadian Winter experience - skating on a frozen lake! The hockey nets and sticks come out next.

I saw the first ice fishing hut go out on the lake today down by the public dock. It couldn't go too far as I still see open water beyond the islands.

Lake of Bays is a great lake for Lake trout and whitefish fishing.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Happy New Year! - Winter Activities this week

2012-01-01T07:15:00.002-05:00

We have snow and there's more coming this week. Algonquin park is open - outdoors with their trails and indoors at the Visitors Centre with film presentations each day and sessions with a naturalist on Animal Tracking in the Winter, and Winter Birds in Algonquin.
www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is open for skiiers and snowboarders http://www.skihiddenvalley.ca/

Rock Ridge Snow Tubing is open all week 10 am to 10 pm for fun snow tubing down their hills.
http://www.rockridgetubing.com/

Beauview has cottages with personal hot tubs available this week at a special rate of $179/ night per cottage (not per person) plus HST (2 night minimum stay)

... Why not take a few days off to come play with us!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Making Snow for Snowtubing

2011-12-24T09:52:00.006-05:00

Here's photos I took on Dec 24th.

They are making lots of snow for snow tubing at Rock Ridge, Huntsville, Ontario

http://www.rockridgetubing.com/

Rock Ridge Snow Tubing Park opens for the holidays on Dec 26, 2011

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Family Fun on the Farm over the holidays

2011-12-23T09:52:00.004-05:00

Another Activity to do over the Holidays

Back of Beyond Equine Centre and Affinity Consulting are offering a
unique family/group activity

Holiday Family Fun on the Farm

Ride behind Major and Norman on the big red sleigh/wagon (with
wheels instead of bobs until there is snow)
Brush/groom the ponies
Tour the horse farm
Walk through the winter woods on our private trails
Roast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate at the bonfire
Indoor activities and games

WHEN: Monday Dec 26, Tues Dec 27, Friday Dec 30, Sat Dec 31, 2011
Sunday Jan 1, Monday Jan 2, Wed Jan 4, Thurs Jan 5, Sat Jan 7, 2012

TIME: 1pm to 3 pm

COST: $45 TOTAL PER FAMILY FOR THE 2 HOURS (includes HST)

WHERE: Back of Beyond Equine Centre, 2572 Muskoka Road 10
Huntsville www.BackofBeyondEquineCentre .

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

What is There to Do in Muskoka !?

2011-12-18T08:07:00.003-05:00

Christmas holidays are a week away and New Years is 2 weeks away. What is there to do in Muskoka when we didn't get a dumping of snow like we got last year. (It shouldn't be a green Christmas in Muskoka. There is snow in the forecast this coming week.) Muskoka also gets lake effect snow from Georgian Bay which is hard for the weather forecasters to predict.

It has been cold so that the ground has frozen up. That means it's good for hiking in Algonquin Park... no mud to slog through! Without the leaves on the trees you can go farther, see farther and see more wildlife. The bears are asleep so there's no worries about a bear encounter. You could see a moose or deer. (no mosquitoes either!) On my walk this weekend I saw some birds: blue jays, chickadees and a noisy woodpecker. http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Hidden Valley Highlands opens today on a limited basis for snow skiing and snowboarding. They have been making snow at every opportunity. More runs will open as the weather allows. http://www.skihiddenvalley.ca/ At New Years, they have Fireworks and a bonfire.

Rock Ridge snow tubing park also has snow making will open on Dec 26, 2011 There's a lift to take you up to the top of the hills. Warm chalet with food service which is licensed for adults.
http://www.rockridgetubing.com/ There's a special New Years party at Rock Ridge

Our webcam page shows what it looks like out our window so you can see how much snow we've got. http://www.beauview.on.ca/webcampage.htm

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

History of Whitehouse Bay, Lake of Bays, Muskoka

2011-11-20T08:08:00.003-05:00

This is about Lake of Bays and about the next bay over from Beauview Cottages.

From Memoirs of the Lake
http://www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca/resources/memoirsfromthelake

The Hotel on White House Bay

Any doubt that the White House Hotel played a central role in the social scene of this Bay would be dispelled by an afternoon spent with four ladies who recounted their own stories of adventure, entertainment and happy cottage memories.

Current residents and cottagers will know the Bay and the Road that take the name White House. They may not know that the Massey family of Brantford built a lovely white cottage in 1900 on the site that eventually became a hotel until the building’s demise over 50 years later. The Massey family owned the building for less than a decade, but its impact on the lives of people stretched through much of the 20th century.

In July of 2011, Carole Young, Jean L. Robertson, Jackie Shoffner and Pam Hanna talked with LBHF Board member Bruce MacLellan about their memories of the White House Hotel. Sonia Labatt (nee Armstrong) sent along some of her written memories. Between them, they dined at the Hotel as young girls, watched the guests come and go, greeted the steamship, delivered mail and more. In her youth, Carole played in the property when it was an abandoned but still furnished building.

Several of these ladies are life-long residents of Clovelly ‑ a popular community of cottages on the north shore of Whitehouse Bay ‑ the hotel was part of this area. (Clovelly takes its name from Clovelly, England and was given by Jane Tyrell, and early cottager.)
Also in the Bay is Wadi’s Creek, Frozen Point, Crown Island and the community accessed by Jo-Lee Point Road. South Portage Road was built in the 1960s and before then, access to this area was via White House Road from Brunel Road, or by steamship.

In 1907, the White House property was sold by the Massey family to Joel and George Alldred and converted it into a hotel. George was the son of Joel and Olive, and he and his sister helped run the business. It was a large home with a centre hall plan and a verandah on three sides. They added a bedroom wing to the east and later George added a large dining room. A second floor with bedrooms above to the west was added in the 1940s. During WW I, George and his brother Oscar went overseas in the army. Fortunately, both returned.

Olive Alldred was a tiny woman (“smaller than a minute” according to one recollection), but there was no question that she really ran the place. Known as Granny Alldred, her face became a mass of wrinkles and she eventually lost her sight and lived to around age 100. She had a big personality and a commitment that played a major role in the success of the hotel.

The steamship Iroquois made a trip around Lake of Bays each day, carrying passengers, luggage and cargo and the Royal Mail. This ship was built at South Portage around 1907 and travelled the lake until it was scuttled around 1948. Each day, except Sunday, the mailbag was dropped off on the White House dock.

“The Whitehouse Hotel was a hub for mail, afternoon tea and many meals,” said Jackie Shoffner (nee Armstrong). “It was a lovely building with many fine details, including dark paneled rooms and a mahogany stair railing that was always waxed to death.”

“Food presentation was very well done,” recalls Pam Hanna, with silver plate cutlery and a white table cloth. At breakfast, oil cloth was spread over the tables for guests staying in the roughly 15 rooms. For special occasions, delicious cakes made by the Ellis family in Baysville were served.

Ropes hung from each room for escape in case of fire and a tennis court was located on the lake side. A six hole outhouse was used when nature called. A large kitchen garden outside provided fresh vegetables throughout the summer. There was also an attractive rose garden, perhaps left over from the Massey family.

Meals were cooked by using two wood stoves in the kitchen and they were kept burning all through the day. The heat in the kitchen during the summer season must have been brutal. Electricity was never installed in the building and the power line only went into Clovelly in about 1954.

There was a long dock so the Iroquois steamship could stop to deliver mail. Rumours always suggested a victim of conflicts over prohibition liquor smuggling was buried in concrete under the dock. The stills to make liquor were located in nearby Whiskey Bay.

The delivery of mail became a right of passage for many youngsters. They were chosen to organize and deliver it to Clovelly cottagers. Sonia Labatt (nee Armstrong) performed this role when she was between 11 and 16 years old.

“It was a responsibility I took very seriously. I would walk along the shore to the Whitehouse and wait for up to three hours for the very large mail bag to arrive,” said Labatt. “Then Effie or George Aldred would sort the mail, reading aloud the name on each item. I would divide the mail into piles, put elastics around each bundle and then visit each cottage.”

The mail was delivered by the Iroqouis and in later years, in a motor boat by the Boothby place from Point Ideal. Another part of the adventure for children was a man named Kirkpatrick who lived next door to the Hotel. Straying too close to his property would attract a holler.

The White House Hotel was really more of an inn. Thanks to the Alldred family, it thrived with its own charm and personality in its day. The world was smaller and people lived at a slower pace. But the happy memories shine as brightly now as that old polished mahogany banister once did on a sunny day at Lake of Bays.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Best Travel Trips of the World 2012 - National Geographic

2011-11-04T18:14:00.002-04:00

National Geographic Traveler magazine has recognized Muskoka, Ontario, Canada as one of their top 20 must see world destinations for 2012. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2012/

This is in addition to their recognition of Muskoka as the Best Summer Trip for 2011.

See the Muskoka page on the National Geographic website.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047