Huntsville Community Choir Concert

Great Concert on Friday night at the Algonquin Theatre by the Huntsville Community Choir. Nancy sings Alto.

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

270 Bird Species in Muskoka

I was at a seminar on Eco-Tourism that Robin Tapley was speaking at this week. He said that there's over 270 different bird species to be seen in Muskoka throughout the year. Most are migrating but there are some that stay year round.

You can go to the Muskoka Bird Board for the latest sightings at
http://b3.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?&user=MuskokaBirdBoard

There's a Muskoka Bird Check list at http://users.muskoka.com/sinclair/archives/muslst.html


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

Just went for my First Swim of 2009

The water temperature has sure changed in a week. Last week it was about 55 degrees F CCCOOOLDD! Today its over 70 degrees F (on the surface)

I went for my first swim of the year to put out the water trampoline and swim raft. I put the water slide out yesterday.

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

Lots of Chipmunks this year!

The chipmunks are back! There seems to be lots of chipmunks around this year. They won't let you get too close but they are cute to watch. This one is gathering maple keys (seeds) to take back to his hole in the ground.

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

Summer Activities Today (in June)

Our Darling Divas, who have been coming to Beauview for 5 years, participated in the Triathlon on the weekend and are going tree top walking today at Eaglecrest Aerial Park, Bracebridge. Way to go ladies!
http://www.aerialparks.ca/

Another couple rented a power boat from the Baysville marina and went cruising Lake of Bays. (No bugs there!) http://www.baysvillemarina.com/

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

The Best Triathlon Cheerleaders

Jennifer and her group of ladies competed yesterday in the Muskoka Triathlon and are out there yelling their hearts out for today's competitors.
I think they should get an award for their endurance. They've been yelling for hours!

Beauview Triathletes

Jennifer and friends, who have been staying with us for 5 years, decided they would race in the Muskoka Triathlon this year.

We wish them all the best!

The Triathlon Bike race goes past Beauview both ways on Sunday. Its a great place to view the riders.
The same is true in September when the Muskoka IronMan takes place on September 13, 2009

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

Beauview Butterflies

These butterflies really like our chives. Stella, our Muskoka Mom, planted chives all over our property to give some purple colour in the Spring. I got lots of great photos today. No need to go to a butterfly sanctuary! ... just bring your camera.

Here's the album with 26 photos, for anyone to look at.

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

Looking for Moose - Found Deer

I've made a couple of trips into Algonquin Park this past week looking for Moose. I was motivated because last week our guests saw 5 moose in one afternoon.

Sadly I didn't see any moose. I did see a hawk, a turkey vulture?, loon, blue heron and some deer. The photo is taken of a deer that crossed HWY 60 in front of me and was just as interested in me as I was in her.

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

Lake of Bays has FISH

Al and his crew come each year for the Hawkins Memorial Fishing derby. It doesn't take them long to catch their limit of lake trout. Jim and Mike did the cleaning and filleting, Al is the chef. On Saturday night, they fry up some of their catch and share it with whomever else is staying with us, including the owners! We look forward to their fresh fish dinner.

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

US / Canada Border Travel Documents CHANGE TODAY

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or depart the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.

These document requirements are effective June 1, 2009.

U.S. citizens: A passport issued by the U.S. Government, a passport card, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or SENTRI), an enhanced driver’s license (EDL), a Military ID with official travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document.

Canadian citizens: A passport issued by the Government of Canada, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or SENTRI), or an EDL. U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 will be able to present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. See the CBP website for more information about children traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team.

http://ottawa.usembassy.gov/content/content.asp?section=can_usa&subsection1=borderissues&document=borderissues_whtiJune09

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

Loons come to Visit

Two loons came to visit this morning just after 8:00am

At first I only saw one and then I frightened the second one who dove under water.

They were very close - right in our swimming area, close to shore.

Loons are territorial. This must be the pair that has claimed our area for their family this year.

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

Work and Play on Lake of Bays

Here's one of the cell tower antenna installers.

They work all day and fish for trout early in the morning and after dinner in the evening. Then finish off the day with a campfire. (not sure when they sleep!) He's the first one of his work crew to get a fish!

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

The Dragonfly Air Force has arrived

When I was working outside today, dragonflies were flying patterns above my head. They were catching the black flies for dinner. This is great news! The black flies will be in retreat.

I think the dragonflies are like air vacuum cleaners. They fly back and forth catching bugs in their legs, to eat.

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

You'll have to take my word...

You'll have to take my word for the photo subject. We had a number of hummingbirds sit on a tree outside our window. It's the first time I've seen them on a tree branch. They are still always in motion that's why the blur (I have to change the camera settings next time). Normally I see them in the air for a brief moment and then they are gone.

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

Birds in trees

Here's two of our local birds that you don't see everyday A hawk and a ruffled grouse.

I think the hawk is the reason why we don't see as many chipmunks as we used to.

The trees are filling in with leaves so it's getting harder to see them.

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

Muskoka Newspaper Article

Our weekly Summer newspaper, the Muskokan, wrote an article this week, about our latest weather website http://www.accu-window-weather.com/

It's also available online: http://www.muskokan.com/article/136368

PS Yes you can sit on our dock with a laptop computer. The wireless internet will reach that far!


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

Sunny on the Long weekend

You usually have to wait until Wednesday to see a reasonably accurate weather forecast. Friday Sunny, Sunday Sunday and Monday Sunny and 60% chance of rain on Saturday. (which means it won't rain all day!)

The boats are vailable for use. The water temperature in Lake of Bays is about 40 degrees F (just above freezing) This is great for Lake trout fishing and boating. Not good for swimming though we have seen folks go swimming on the May long weekend before (a quick in and out) and then into their hot tub.

Here's a sunrise photo I took this week. 6 am

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

The Boats are Out

Our motor boat is in the water. I made the trip down from the marina today. The sun was shining. The water was flat with a bit of wind on my face when I came into our bay past Clovelly Point. No icebergs left on the lake!

We 'll offer canoes, paddleboats and possibly kayaks if someone has previous experience, this weekend. The water is still very cold and you wouldn't want to get dumped out there.

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

Lessons in Customer Service

Nancy, Suzanne and I went on a holiday together this year. It has been almost five years in the planning. We just came back from a Caribbean cruise out of Miami through the Royal Caribbean Group of ships.

They provide what they call Gold Anchor service. They learn who you are and what you like (and what you don't like) and then cater to you.

It's one thing to go on a course but its another to live it and see caring staff provide an excellent vacation experience.

We talked to people throughout the week (and there was 4000 of them on board this huge ship) All had great reviews and shared experiences with us that they will treasure for a long time.

It helps us see life from a tourist point of view when we return to Beauview.

We hope to provide each of our guests with treasured experiences too!

PS The caption on my T shirt says "Smile Mon! "

Gord

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