Muskosung Lake Adventure

I know it’s not quite Southern Ontario but as the crow flies we’re only about an hour further north, so I hope you’ll forgive this latitudinal deviation.

It’s time once again to trade in the internet, telephone, and TV for the sound of waves lapping against the shore, wind in the pines, and loons calling on the lake.  But, this year there is a difference; we brought our 9 year old granddaughter along for the week.  It’s been quite a number of years since we spent a whole week with someone that age and really didn’t know what to expect.  I do seem to recall from years of venturing into the wilds with our two boys that there was one simple rule to follow; if the kids are happy the parents – or in this case grandparents – are happy.  

So just what do you do with a 9 year old girl?  Well, as it turns out, you do pretty much the same things as you would do with a 9 year old boy.  You fish, you swim, you let them have their own space; you stroll, hike, talk about nature, answer a continuous barrage of questions and simply enjoy the moment.

The Drive

I tend to be very destination driven when I hit the road; I don’t sightsee and I never make a long drive longer than necessary.  To me sightseeing is something you do after you arrive at your destination and before that you only stop when you need gas, or when someone starts to do the “pee pee” dance. 

My wife usually tolerates this fixation, however, kids don’t seem to share this “damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead” mentality so we compromised.  I got my way in terms of our departure time (5:30 a.m.) and we planned a couple of stops along the way for a snack and stretch of the legs, including a short hike along the trail at the top of Airport Hill in North Bay.  Why so early you might ask?  Well I’m no novice when it comes to travelling north and anything you can do to get a jump on the mass migration north from Toronto is a good thing.

The Cottage

Our dwelling for the week was a cabin at Camp Horizon about a 20 min. drive north of Sturgeon Falls.  The cabin was a bit on the small side but everything was functional and Becca had her own bedroom with triple bunks which posed quite a dilemma for the young lady; which bunk to sleep on?  Of course to a 9 year old, higher is better, but we finally agreed that she could have the middle bunk and our English Springer Spaniel Casey, who insisted on sharing the room with her, was relegated to the floor.  Even though the bedroom doors were left open, the first night taught us to bring a nightlight along.  It seems that waking up in the dark and not knowing where you are can be a bit intimidating for kids.  Personally I was just thankful to let my head hit the pillow, but there was definitely a light there the next night.

The one really great thing about this particular cottage is that we had our own private sand beach right in front of the cottage.  This proved to be the major attraction of the week for both Becca and Casey.  There were a few spats about who owned which castle or hole in the sand – Casey proved to be the more determined of the two – but luckily he found greater pleasure in chasing frogs in the nearby weed bed.

After lunch grandma and Becca usually headed for the main beach where there was a raft, a water slide, and new friends to meet.  As for me, I took this opportunity to keep the rum from going bad and to bury myself in a good book.

Fishing

Next to playing on the beach our nightly fishing excursion seemed to be the most popular event of the day.  Supper and dishes finished we’d grab our rods, tackle life jackets and head for the boat.  

The first evening all 4 of us set off to walleye hole on the far side of the lake.  Now it’s been a number of years since I’ve taken Casey fishing in a small boat and had forgotten one small, but very important detail.  He is a trained hunting dog that flushes and retrieves birds and just loves to hit the water to fetch anything that is thrown.  Guess what a lure looks like to a dog that wants to retrieve?  Well I managed to keep him in the boat but it wasn’t the most relaxing start to our fishing endeavors.  After that, grandma opted to spend some R&R time with Casey on shore while me and Becca headed out for our nightly adventure on the lake.

Lake Muskosung is only about 3 sq. miles and boasts a wide variety of game fish, so even though I wouldn’t call the fishing spectacular there was plenty of action to keep us both happy.  Becca even won a prize in the kids fishing derby for the biggest smallmouth bass.

Rainy Days and Other Diversions

As with most of Southern Ontario rain was not a big issue this year.  It only rained one day and because we were within a reasonable proximity of Sudbury grandma and Becca headed off to Science North.  If you haven’t had a chance to visit this great northern attraction you simply must make time to visit.  I got to spend the day cleaning up my hard drive and starting to write this blog, however a bit of solitude for the day was welcome. 

Geocaching is another fun adventure for kids of all ages.  This high tech game of hide and seek will take you to beautiful places that you won’t find any other way.  I typically download coordinates for several caches in an area before we leave home and print off the corresponding maps and information.  On this trip we followed an ATV trail into the bush for about a kilometer and then, after a bit of searching, found the cache hidden along a rock cliff overlooking a typical Northern Ontario moose marsh.  We didn’t see any moose but did hear some loud snapping of branches below us.  This is also prime bear habitat so we didn’t linger to find out what it was.  

I hope you enjoy this short sample of our 2011 Lake Muskosung adventure and remember to get out and enjoy everything that our great Ontario outdoors has to offer.  If you’re taking the kids remember to be flexible and everyone will be happy.

©2011 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Grand River Country iPhone – iPad App

Designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1994, the Grand River in Southern Ontario is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority and sustains a population of over 900,000 people. It is also one of the major destinations in Southern Ontario for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, hunting camping, and canoeing.

This year several communities along the Grand River, including Elora, Fergus, and Brantford, have combined their resources and developed a fantastic application for iPhone and iPad users. This application gives visitors instant access to a wealth of local information specific to their current location along the Grand, or allows users to plan ahead as they journey through this vibrant well managed waterway. This year it's easier than ever to find food, lodging, and places of interest throughout the Grand River watershed.

Congratulations to Grand River Country for providing this useful tool that will be well used by visitors and residents alike. I'm sure it will lead us to many hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered. Hopefully BlackBerry and Android versions aren't far off.

©2011 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Brantford – A Treasure Trove of Outdoor Activities

When we think of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, paddling, and cycling our minds usually tend to wander to remote vistas and wilderness solitude. You know the old saying, "Perception is reality!" Well, the reality is that you often don't have to go very far to find the perception of wilderness solitude. In fact the City of Brantford is one such hidden Southern Ontario gem.

I always thought of Brantford as the home of Alexander Graham Bell, Joseph Brant, and of course Wayne Gretzky, but I was thrilled to discover another side to Brantford. Nestled along the banks of the Grand River Brantford is a treasure trove of activity for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the highlights include: the Grand Valley Trail, Brant Conservation Area, and the Grand River Exceptional Waters Region. Fishing in this area is second to none with an abundance of species from small mouth bass, pike, and channel cats, to walleye and rainbow trout. There are many access points and the river can be fished from shore in many locations, or wade and cast the shallows. If you're looking for something a bit more leisurely you can drift the lazy current in a canoe or kayak.

Whether you hike, fish, or paddle, the perception of wilderness solitude is very real, especially on and around the Exceptional Waters region that runs from Brantford to Paris. Even though you are surrounded by everything from towns and cities to farmland and major highways, you'll likely never know it. All you will experience is that tranquil feeling that only comes from a wilderness experience, but with all the advantages of being close to a major urban area.

Depending on your interests and pocket book, accommodations range from 4 star hotels to B&Bs to tranquil campsites along the Grand River, and local attractions are abundant and varied. If you're feeling lucky why not head to the OLG Casino, or take a side trip to the Canadian Military Heritage Museum, Chiefswood National Historic Site, Bell Homestead National Historic Site, the Woodland Cultural Centre, or take in a show at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts.

Be sure to put the City of Brantford on your list of must visit places in Southern Ontario.

©2010 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers

Spread the joy of birds with gifts that support conservation Published with With thanks to Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca, NY--Birding is such a simple pleasure—the bird watchers on your list probably already have umpteen field guides and a good set of binoculars. But there are some meaningful gifts that not only enhance the enjoyment of birds—they give back to the birds that give us so much pleasure. Here are some holiday suggestions from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Proceeds help support the Cornell Lab's mission of research, education, and conservation of birds.  1. Cornell Lab Membership  A "green" gift that gives back to the birds by supporting the Lab's mission of research, education, conservation, and citizen science. As part of your gift, your loved one will receive the Cornell Lab's Living Bird magazine and BirdScope newsletter. $35 2. The Birds of North America Online Features all of North America's breeding birds, plus photos and sounds. A gift of knowledge for anyone who loves to learn more about birds. $5 "stocking stuffer" (30-day subscription) or $42 for a whole year. 3. Songbirds Weekly Planner This 2011 planner indulges bird watchers all year long with bird illustrations and fascinating information. 4. Singing Bird Books Bird information plus sounds at the touch of a button. Backyard Bird Songs, BirdScapes, Bird Songs Bible, and more. 5. Audio Guides Birding by ear is a revelation. Choose a guide to favorite regions or species.  6. BirdsEye App See more birds with the world's only app that helps you find the places where your target species are. $1.99 for BirdsEye Lite, $19.99 for it all. 7. Bird-Friendly Coffee Enjoy delicious coffee knowing it was grown in a way that helps migratory songbirds on their wintering grounds. 8. Really Wild Cards Delight someone with these beautiful cards that play authentic bird sounds when you open them up. $7.99 9. Plush Birds that Sing These irresistible birds sing when you squeeze them. Choose a favorite species for a fun stocking stuffer. $7.99 10. The Bird Watching Answer Book Funny, fascinating, and helpful—this entertaining book answers many of the questions that the Cornell Lab receives from bird watchers each year. $14.95 11. Celebrate Urban Birds Calendar Features photos and artwork from our seasonal challenges. More than 100 funny, sweet, unusual, and gorgeous images. $15 12. Online Bird Behavior Course This very special gift enables your loved one to gain new insights and enjoyment through the Cornell Lab's five-week online interactive course, "Courtship and Rivalry in Birds."  Next session begins January 19, 2011. $295 ($255 for Lab members. For member discount, enroll by phone at 866-326-7635).  13. Sound Recording Workshop Students spend a week learning professional recording techniques. Takes place June 11-18, 2011, at San Francisco State University's Sierra Nevada Field Campus in the spectacular Tahoe National Forest. $975 Contact: Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu ______________________________________________________________________

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab's web site at http://www.birds.cornell.edu.

Become a Steward of our Fresh Water Resource

Aside from the air we breathe fresh water is the single most important element in the lives of the human race. Yet there seems to be an unfair distribution of fresh water throughout the planet. Those that have it abuse it; those that don't have it, crave it.

In Southern Ontario we are blessed with an abundance of fresh water that is the envy of many regions of the world. Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, and Lake Ontario join with Lake Superior and Lake Michigan to feed the mighty St. Lawrence. And yet, as Environmental Defense Canada reports, "More than 580 billion litres of drinking water, the equivalent of 236,000 Olympic swimming pools, are being wasted every year by homeowners in the Great Lakes region of Ontario and Quebec.

Large portions of the planet only think of water in terms of consumption; as a necessity of life that is not to be taken for granted and yet here we are, wasting over ½ billion litres of fresh water merely because we do take it for granted. I'm not going to dwell on the plight of those that live in the more arid regions of the world, but it is essential that we – each and every one of us – becomes a steward of our fresh water resources.

Governments must prohibit development on natural ground water recharge systems and issue serious penalties for wetland destruction due to intention or negligence. People seldom change habits simply because it is "the right thing to do". They respond to penalties or incentives; so governments must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that one of those two options is forefront in all planning that involves the utilization of our fresh water resources. We need meaningful legislation, not "feel good" rhetoric.

Individuals that are willing to act on their own can contribute significantly towards improving the problem. According to the same study mentioned above nearly 213 billion litres of water could be saved annually if all residents living within the Great Lakes watershed installed new high efficiency toilets. And there are already grants available in many jurisdictions that make this change almost free.

Charity begins at home and only by attaining a true appreciation for the vast fresh water resources that have been placed in our charge can we fully empathize with those that thirst for the very thing we now take for granted. I urge you to do your part; protect our fresh water resources and become a true steward through your actions.

 

©2010 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions