Glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunts, picnic lunches by the lake, wagon rides, afternoon bonfires and trail hikes… With the warmer spring weather finally here, Easter long weekend is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy some good old fashioned family fun in cottage country.

Even if you haven't opened your cottage for the season, heading up to the property this weekend will allow you to survey the scene and see what Old Man Winter has left behind. Early spring is a great time to start planning for any repairs, maintenance or improvements needed at the cottage before the busy months ahead. Once you’ve assessed what’s needed, be sure to schedule any services now so you can kick back and relax once summer weather arrives!

Whether you tackle some seasonal yard work this weekend to burn off your Easter brunch, lace up your hikers for local trail walks with the family, make a bird feeder in celebration of Earth Day, or chase the kids around while they hunt for hidden eggs, the options are endless in cottage country for a weekend of fun!

• GIANT EASTER EGG HUNT @ Rounds Ranch, Elmvale

Friday, April 19 & Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 9am to 4pm
Breakfast with the Easter bunny, egg hunt in the Bunny Patch, mazes, singalong kids show & pony rides.
BUY TICKETS HERE

• GLOW IN THE DARK EASTER EGG HUNT @ Huronia Museum, Midland
       Saturday, April 20, 2019

The cost to attend is $2 per participant and a non-perishable food item. All donations will be split between the Salvation Army Food Bank and the Gift of Grace Soup Kitchen.
VIEW EVENT HERE

• EASTER CELEBRATION & EGG HUNT @ Hewitts Farm Market, Coldwater

 Saturday, April 20, 2019

Easter Egg Hunts, scavenger hunt, Easter Bunny visit, spring farm animals, wagon rides, cookie decorating, crafts and more!
BUY ADVANCE TICKETS HERE

•  EARTH DAY @ Wye Marsh

Saturday, April 20, 2019, 9 am - 4:30 pm

Unearth your learning with Wye Marsh as you celebrate nature and all its wonders.

• EASTER BRUNCH @ Horseshoe Resort, Barrie

 Sunday, April 21, 2019

Let Horseshoe Resort take care of preparing brunch for you and your family!

BOOK RESERVATIONS # 1-800-461-5627

• EASTER WEEKEND SCAVENGER HUNT @ Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, Blue Mountain

 Hiking, Scavenger Hunt and path of wooden sculptures – Pick up a map and hunt for clues at key locations.

• EASTER BRUNCH BUFFET @ Eganridge Resort, Kawartha Lakes

 Sunday, April 21, 2019 from 11:30 am-2 pm

Enjoy Easter brunch with panoramic views of the most splendid scenery in the Kawarthas.

• EASTER BUNNY CHASE @ Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, Haliburton

 Sunday, April 21, 2019

Follow clues to find puzzle pieces hidden at different points around Base Camp!

If you’re up in the Muskokas this weekend, the Muskoka Maple Trail is another amazing cottage country experience that runs until April 26, 2019. Boasting a collection of 30+ of Muskoka’s top maple experiences, you can custom build your own maple adventure for a full weekend of Easter & Earth Day fun!

For more great day trips and events happening in your local cottage country, check out 400eleven’s detailed list of activities here.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay

specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Traditional pancake breakfasts, taffy on snow, horse-drawn wagon rides, sugarbush tours… When you think of Canada, you think maple syrup.

An age-old tradition, the process of making maple syrup was invented by the First Nations people, who used it both as food and medicine. Today, it’s widespread use in cooking can enhance any breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert recipe.

But did you know that sugar maples are only found in select regions across Canada? Lucky for us, cottage country hosts a large expanse of them.

This means you can explore a world of fun by tapping into nature with a day-trip-worthy excursion to the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival during March Break!

With four locations to choose from, bring the whole family to enjoy a tour of the sugarbush as you learn about the history of maple syrup production, participate in outdoor demonstrations, listen to live entertainment… and devour pancakes with real maple syrup, of course!

Buy your tickets online and receive unlimited general admission to all four festival locations, including Bruce’s Mill, Kortright Centre, Terra Cotta and Island Lake. Hours and days vary at each location, so check out the event website at www.maplesyrupfest.com for full details.

Not able to attend the March Festival, or looking for a sugarbush location nearest you? Here are some local cottage country producers that are sure to satisfy your maple cravings.

SIMCOE & DISTRICT AREA:

• Breedon’s Maple Syrup (Alliston)
• Carter Maple Syrup (Severn)
• Elsie’s Creek Sugar Shack (Coldwater)
• Four M Maple Company (Mulmur)
• Hutchinson Maple Syrup (Oro-Medonte)
• Shaw’s Maple (Oro–Medonte)
• Steamy Kettle Sugar Bush (Craighurst)
• Williams Farm (Wyebridge)
• Windlee Farms (Midland)

ALGONQUIN AREA:

1. Bella Hill Maple Syrup (Powassan)
2. Golden Treasure Maple (Trout Creek)
3. Hubbert’s Maple Products  (Sundridge)
4. Long’s Maple Syrup (Trout Creek)
5. Mark’s Muskoka Maple (Huntsville)
6. Matthews Maple Syrup (Powassan)
7. Sucrerie Séguin Sugarbush  (Monetville)
8. Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm (Huntsville)
9. Sugarstone Farm  (Trout Creek)
10. Sweet Muskoka (Huntsville)

You can also find a detailed map of sugarbush locations at the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association website here.

Whichever location you choose to explore, you’re bound to be in for a wonderful experience. Enjoy tapping into spring -- and don’t forget to stock up on some real maple syrup for your cottage and as gifts, too!

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If you’re looking for a beautiful maple-lined property or cottage of your own, Rob Heming is your go-to guy! Rob has decades of experience in the recreation and outdoor tourism industry, specializing in recreational properties, residential camps, outdoor education centres and so much more.

Whether you’re looking to turn your love of the outdoors into a business opportunity or find the perfect family retreat, Rob can help. From Muskoka -- the epitome of cottage country, nestled in the rocky landscape of the Canadian Shield -- to the soft sands of the world’s longest freshwater beach in Wasaga and far beyond, Rob has Ontario’s recreational hotspots covered.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay

specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties,

as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Whether you’re seeking a cozy weekend adventure with the family, a romantic couples getaway, or a solo retreat to relax and unwind this Family Day, Georgian Bay’s beautiful cottage country offers the perfect blend of winter fun and relaxation.  

Winter, spring, summer or fall … you can have it all! Cottage Country at any time of year is one of the best places to inspire and make treasured family memories to last a lifetime. It’s where traditions begin and bonds are strengthened. Laughter is shared between friends and family, and day-to-day stresses slip away. It’s where you can choose your own adventure!

This Family Day, embrace the season and some quality time together by participating in some (or all) of these cottage classic snow-day activities. The only question is: which one will you choose first?

• Lunchtime cookout over an open fire
• Snowball fights with the whole family
• Snowman building competition
• Dreamy walks through a winter wonderland
• Snowshoeing under starry skies
• Cross country skiing and hot cocoa
• Snow tubing or tobogganing races
• Skating or pond hockey on the frozen lake
• Relaxing in the cabin with a good book
• Family board game bonanza
• Horse-drawn sleigh ride
• Snowmobile run on the trails
• Ice fishing tournament
• Family recipe bake-off of your favourite sweet treats
• Day trip to local Family Day festival or activity
• Family Day fun at Wye Marsh
• Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail (Ontario’s Best Kept Secret)
• Cranberry Skating Trail
• Gravenhurst Winter Carnival
• The Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival
• Baysville Winterfest

For a more detailed list of day trips and Family Day getaways north of Toronto, check out 400eleven.com.

If all this fun and frolic in Cottage Country has you dreaming of a property of your own, or upsizing the one you already have, Rob Heming is your go-to guy! Rob has decades of experience in the recreation and outdoor tourism industry, specializing in recreational properties, residential camps, outdoor education centres and so much more! Whether you’re looking to turn your love of the outdoors into a business opportunity or find the perfect family retreat, Rob can help. From Muskoka, the epitome of cottage country, nestled in the rocky landscape of the Canadian Shield, to the soft sands of the world’s longest freshwater beach in Wasaga, and far beyond, Rob has Ontario’s recreational hotspots covered.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties, as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Cottage Country offers endless options for outdoor recreation, even in the depths of Winter! As the temperatures drop, Mother Nature offers up a new playing surface by freezing up our countless bodies of water. Hiking, skating, pond hockey, ice fishing, snowmobiling … there are so many ways to get out and enjoy the ice this season but safety must ALWAYS come first!

What to Look For

One of the best indications of the ice’s strength is its colour. Clear blue or black ice is always the strongest, as it was formed at a steady rate without any weather disturbances. White, cloudy opaque ice will be half as strong, as it is usually formed by wet snow and slush freezing on top. It can also hide many seams, cracks and imperfections underneath. Grey ice indicates that water is present and should NEVER be trusted. Ice will always be thickest closest to the shoreline.

Other factors to consider when determining how safe the ice may be include:

• Depth and size of the body of water
• The location of currents, tides and other moving water
• Fluctuating water levels
• Change in air temperature
• Any nearby objects that are frozen but may absorb heat from the sun (docks, logs, rocks, etc.)
• Icebreaking operations by the Canadian Coast Guard
• The use of any chemicals or salt
• Shockwaves from vehicles travelling on the ice

How Thick Should the Ice Be?

The ideal thickness of the ice varies greatly by activity and depends mostly on the weight that will be put on the ice surface. The above safety factors should also always be considered.

These thicknesses apply to solid, clear blue or black ice on ponds and lakes.

SKATING/HIKING/NORDIC SKIING: 4 inches

ICE FISHING: 4 inches

SNOWMOBILES/ATVS: 6 inches

HEAVY TRUCKS: 12 inches

What To Do If You Fall In

If you do experience a break in the ice and fall in, the best advice is to stay calm and call for help.

If you are alone, resist the urge to immediately climb back up where you fell in. The ice is already weak and sudden pressure will lead to more breakage. Bring yourself to a floating position on your stomach and reach forward as far as possible while kicking your feet. Try to distribute your body weight evenly and crawl or roll to shore without standing up.

If someone in your group falls through, immediately call 911. If you are able to attempt a rescue yourself, it is safest to do so from shore. Lie down and extend a long branch, pole or rope to the person you are rescuing. Have them kick their feet while you both distribute your weight as evenly as possible and remain low to the ground.

Despite the dangers, the frozen lakes of Cottage Country offer up a whole new world for you to explore. Dress warm, stay safe and get outside!

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties, as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.

Whether buying, selling or investing in properties, Southern Georgian Bay is a fantastic place to live, work and play in all seasons -- and there’s no place like the cottage for the holidays! Nostalgic memories shared with loved ones, stargazing under clear northern skies, snowshoeing on powdery white snow, hot cocoa around the fire, ice skating on the frozen lake, and the peace and quiet of the country.

With festive feelings in the air, December is a great time of year to enjoy the naturally picturesque landscape of your family cabin or cottage. But if you live north of Toronto, you’ll know what I mean when I say that Canadian weather at this time of year can be a little... unpredictable. That’s why it’s so important to ensure you are prepared for the unexpected.

Here are 4 great tips on how to make your Christmas at the cottage merry and bright.

1. Make sure your vehicle is winter ready.
   Winter driving on remote Canadian roads can be treacherous. Be sure to get those snow tires on and pack your vehicle with a winter emergency kit. Along with cold-weather essentials like snow brushes, ice scrapers and antifreeze, you’ll want to pack these emergency items in your trunk: flashlight, batteries, shovel, salt/traction aid, booster cables, and blankets. A First Aid Kit with non-perishable snacks like granola bars or trail mix and bottles of water will come in handy also in case of emergency.

1. Stock up on essential goods and supplies.
   With festive celebrations on the agenda and the cottage brimming with family and friends, you’ll want to ensure you have a hearty supply of toilet paper, non-perishable canned goods, jugs of drinking water, batteries, blankets, and any other items that are needed for your winter retreat. Like Santa, make a packing list -- and check it twice! Because when your cottage is miles away from the closest store, it’s better to bring more than not have enough.

1. Load up on firewood.
   Be sure to order your cabin wood delivery lot in advance so you’re not left in the cold. Don’t forget extra kindling and matches, too!
   
   
2. Plan for indoor and outdoor activities.
   If you’re up at the cottage over the holidays, you’ll want activities to keep everyone entertained and active -- especially if you have kids. Snowshoeing, ice skating, snowball fights, bird feeding, and building snowmen are all great outdoor activities. For brisker days and cozy indoor fun, classic board games are a great Christmas Eve tradition and the perfect holiday activity for big kids and little kids alike!

Whether planning an intimate getaway or a larger holiday celebration, with a little pre-planning you can enjoy a truly magical Christmas at the cottage.

Rob Heming at Realty Executives on the Bay specializes in tourism accommodation, recreational and multi-residential properties, as well as fine homes and waterfront cottages.