Weather on Head Lake in Haliburton by Andrea Hagarty
Weather forecasts are bad for tourism. A discussion at a meeting of the Outdoor Advisory Committee for the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation has got me thinking a lot about this. It seems that weather forecasters need to dwell on the negative side of weather. For example, they will report 60% of rain. It would be so much better for tourism if they reported 40% chance of sun and a 100% chance of adventure. Perhaps our local community radio station, Canoe FM, will shift the paradigm and report the bright side.
Yes, there is adventure in rain. Just ask Rob Stimpson who offers a workshop called the Gales Of November . When Yours Outdoors‘ adventures run into inclement weather, we simply make the most of it - embrace it, wait it out, or resort to plan B (there is always one in the back pocket). Inclement weather can be beautiful thing.
Attendance at the 2011 Hike Haliburton Festival would have been better if not for a rainy forecast that persisted the whole week prior to the Festival. As it turned out after a bit of rain on Friday night and Saturday morning, the sun broke through and it was a beautiful weekend.
The other reality is that the forecast in Toronto or other places where people might come from is often not the same as we have in the Haliburton Highlands. One can only hope that travelers will check conditions at their intended destinations.
There is much truth in the saying ” there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. Or the sage advice to “wait five minutes” often rings true as weather can be so variable. The bottom line is that fact that even if you do get wet , you are not going to melt.
So buy some some good gear, don’t bother checking the forecast and come up to play in the rain. And the snow!
This a real gem of a story. The setting is the rugged hills of the Canadian Shield next to the world-renowned Algonquin Park in Ontario. The characters are truly “characters” on the search for earth’s treasures.The plot is compelling - who in the world will find the next stunning and unusual mineral crystal?
Located in the shadow of Bancroft, the “Mineral Capital of Canada”, the Haliburton Highlands is attracting more and more rockhounds - mineral collectors, geology buffs, and even individuals and families looking for new adventures.The Highlands, also known as Haliburton County, encompasses over four thousand square kilometres in the heart of a geological region called the Grenville Province which boasts of some of the most unique and varied geology in the world.
Steve Smith, a rough-talking chain-smoking Yukon gold prospector and life long mineral collector claims “there is no bad place to dig in Haliburton County.” In addition to several world famous collecting locations such as the Bear Lake Diggings, there are over thirty other collecting sites currently available to the mineral enthusiast. Just ask Michael Bainbridge, another keen collector, and a professional photographer who takes breathtaking pictures of mineral crystals.“I am conducting a detailed inventory of collecting sites in the region that will provide even more opportunities for the growing number of people who are discovering the fascinating world of rocks and minerals.
While the collecting sites will reveal minerals such as apatite, hornblende, tremolite, actinolite, and fluororichterite (very rare), enthusiasts might find valuable specimens in other locations, just as Steve Smith did. One day, on his way home from work, he stopped by a road-cut on Highway 121. He spent a couple of minutes literally kicking around in the ditch when he turned up a titanite crystal the size of a dinner plate. “The Dinner Plate” later sold to a private collector for $4000 US a few years ago.
Apatite is common mineral at Bear Lake and Greenmantle Farm.Rockhounds enjoy collecting apatite crystals because well formed green or red specimens can be found.There is an enormous range of crystal sizes ranging from small green crystals lying loose in the soil to the very occasional “monster” crystals (some as large 25 cm long or more) embedded in a wall rock of calcite. Apatite is a mineral that once was used as a source of fertilizer.Apatite minerals form gemmy, colorful, hexagonal crystals. They can be used for jewellery, usually earrings because it is soft and brittle.
On a calcite dome near the sleepy little community of Wilberforce you will find Greenmantle Farms.Owners Mark and Sandra Bramham have staked a claim to the minerals on their property and offer eco-mineral tours.These walking tours reveal amazing mineral deposits and crystal formations - untouched. The jaws of young and old, novice and experienced (even geologists) drop when they see the size and beauty of some of these mineral crystals in situ. “We do not allow any collecting of minerals because we want our visitors to see minerals in pristine conditions” says Mark who is passionate about his land and the treasures it offers. This is a very unique and important approach to fostering an appreciation of Canada’s mineral heritage.
“There is adventure in rocks”, says Barrie Martin who owns and operates Yours Outdoors, a local company that offers unique experiences in art, culture, and nature.He has created a three day fully guided package called Haliburton Rocks! which includes a visit to Greenmantle Farm, mineral collecting at the Bear Lake Diggings and other sites, and an exploration of other geological features in the area led by a geologist.Visitors stay at the beautiful Sunny Rock B&B, “rock” to the tunes of a local musician, visit the studio of a “rock” artist, and enjoy an optional hot stone massage to ease a day of outdoor exploration. Yours Outdoors also offers half day and one day mineral adventures as well as customized itineraries for the novice and serious collectors, small and families.“The excursion to the Bear Lake Diggings is a popular outing with many a hungry collector with an apatite”, jokes Martin.Puns abound in the whacky complex nomenclature of rocks and minerals.The Highlands offers rugged landscapes and many lakes shaped by glaciers, a rich mining heritage, and vast mineral wealth waiting to be discovered.Haliburton really does rock!
For more information on adventures in geology click here
Live music is an adventure. It is certainly part of the experience packages that I have been creating for Yours Outdoors. My inspiration comes from several places - a life long appreciation of all genres of music (can’t play a note but I am a good listener and not bad on the dance floor with a two-step); my son Adrian filling our house with classical music and jazz for 15 years; attending many folk festivals over the years; my friends - Sean, Kris and others; and my current involvement with the Haliburton County Folk Society. Helping to plan our concert series, and Winter Folk Camp, billeting performers at our house, and attending the OCFF conference has introduced me to many wonderful performers.
It is no wonder then that music figures as an important element in the creation of my experience packages. Our multi-day adventures often feature a house concert by a local musician. Participants of the our Some Like It Hot package last week attended a community open stage for an evening of entertainment. They also had a chance to meet some very intersting local folk. I have also created some celebrity packages where the artist will perform a concert and then participate in the rest of the package as a participant, a resource person, or even as a guide. For example, Katherine Wheatley in addition to being a very talented musician (one of my favourites) is also a geologist. Having her along on our Haliburton Rocks! adventure enhanced the experience for all involved.
Katherine (middle) with feloow rock hounds
Katherine’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of the world of rocks and minerals inspired and the insights into her character fascinated.
Admiring a piece in the Haliburton Sculpture Forest
Another adventure this summer involved Allison Lickley who has the voice of an angel and likes to cycle. She performed at the Haliburton Highlands Museum on a Tuesday night and then joined us for Pedal your Arts - Tour du Village. I am looking forward to return engagements with Katherine and Allison. I have been talking to other performers who are interested in being part of our adventures in 2011 and beyond Including David Archibald, Laura Bird, and Marianne Girard.
The inspiration continues. As President of the Haliburton County Folk Society, I will be involved in a concert series featuring The Breakmen and Layah Jane. We are also hosting a Home Routes house concert series and Winter Folk Camp 2011. Live music is alive and well in Haliburton County.
Things are a bloomin’ around here.There is a spring in my step as I explore the greening hills of Haliburton County.A pungent aroma tells me Wild Leeks are nearby.And in abundance, I see.An edible wild plant, Leeks are also referred to as “ramps” and are a versatile ingredient, commonly substituted for garlic and onion. They can be eaten raw, in soups, or pickled which brings me to my favourite leek recipe:
Pickled Leeks
1 cup Vinegar
1 cup Sugar
¼ tsp. Clove
1 Cinnamon stick or ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. Celery Seed
1 tsp. Mustard Seed
¼ tsp Salt
Enough Wild Leeks to fill a jar
Boil ingredients. Simmer for 15 minutes. Cool. Pour syrup over leeks. Chill at least 24 hrs.
Do you have a use for Wild Leeks or a recipe you would like to share?Leeks are one of the many edible plants featured in our Tastes of Haliburton adventure.Our first Tastes of Haliburton is scheduled for June 5.Hope you can join us.Here are a few more images from recent spring saunters:
A few days ago seven curious souls explored the world of pottery. They were participating in Gone to Pot: Adventures in Clay, the newest experience from Yours Outdoors. It was the first public offering and it was very well received. Here is a sampling of what the participants had to say:
Shawn on the wheel
“Thank you so much for the experience of Friday. I haven’t stopped talking about it” - Shawn
“Thanks so much for a wonderful day today!! I’ve always wanted to check in with my inner ‘pot’ and find out what it’s like to work with clay. Who knew that I can throw clay on a wheel and work with the slab technique also? It was terrific - hands on - great studios and generous artists giving of their time and expertise. I can’t wait to see the fired and finished products - that I made!!” - Rachel
“I concur with Kim McBrien’s enthusiastic critique of Gone to Pot. REALLY great day and I highly recommended it. Visited Earth & Fire Pottery, Rickie Woods studio, Lisa Barry’s studio and the Art Hive (had to buy another pair of Erin’s earrings!). Will have SIX pieces of pottery when the kilns get fired up. Thanks to Barrie and Yours Outdoors” - Carol.
Rachel doing some slab work
It is very gratifying to get this type of feedback on the experiences we offer. Creating these unique adventures is great fun but also a lot of work. Much of the credit for the development of Gone to Pot goes to Elisha Barlow, an intern working for Yours Outdoors and the Minden Hills Cultural Centre. Here is Elisha’s story:
As part of my Yours Outdoors internship, one of my tasks was to develop an arts adventure involving pottery.
In making and designing a experience, you have to consider your potential experience partners, food providers, location, transportation, costs and continuing administration of it. Barrie charged me with handling all those affairs and creating all the paperwork that accompanies every package that we do.
My first step was to reach out to all the potters that were located within a reasonable area. In Haliburton County, Carnarvon is a pottery hotspot! There are several studios within 10 minutes of each other, which means less time on the road and more experience time. Perfect. To every studio, I asked the same questions, would they be interested and what could a visit to their studio consist of? And of course, the almighty question of how much? The response and creativity was wonderful, and the next step was to map out the package in terms of an itinerary and budget.
Carol decorating mugs
One of the more difficult challenges is that the Gone to Pot package wasn’t based in our usual locations and we needed food. Great food. But just down the road in Minden is the wonderful Gravity House Cafe and the wonderful staff was more than willing to provide delicious food.
Here at Yours Outdoors, every package is field tested with volunteer “guinea pigs.” They receive the full experience and we get the benefit of running the package to work out kinks, see if it works and receive invaluable feedback. For this field test, I coordinated the dates and times between all the studios, potters, food pick-up time and reserved a rental van. Sooo many phone calls and emails back and forth, I was worried people would think I was harassing them!
But this is an important point: for someone to come up here and do these things without Yours Outdoors, they would have to spend weeks and weeks coordinating it all and who has that energy plus local connections? Well…. Barrie does! Hence: Yours Outdoors!
Barrie sent out a call to potential participants and the 6 openings were filled within less than an hour!
Lisa demonstrates her decorative techniques
It was an amazing day and I was happy to see how well my estimated itinerary timing had worked out. Everyone was having a great time and the food was excellent and bountiful (thanks to Earth and Fire pottery for being gracious and wonderful hosts!) While late in the season with the threat of snow, Studio Rose still put on an amazing Raku demonstration(you can watch it online here) though it was touch and go days before – I’ve never checked the weather forecast so much before in my life! We ended the day with a sit-down at the Art Hive, where Erin Lynch had prepared delectable chocolate chip-zucchini muffins, and engaged in a first impression debrief. It was exciting to see how enthusiastic everyone was. We also had feedback forms that the participants have a week to complete which allows them a little more time to reflect and think hard about how to make our package the best it can be!
And of course, the final touch….a name! Barrie and I explored every pun available and with help from our participants landed on: Gone to Pot: Adventures in Clay! And that’s how it’s done!”
Our next pottery adventures are scheduled for February 27 and March 18 or we can schedule a date that is more convenient for you if we have advance notice and a group size of 4-6 participants. Hope you can join us. Check out this video of potheads having fun:
Although I have now stepped with both feet into 2010, a quick glance over my shoulder to 2009 feels like a good thing to do. 2009 was a year of building and considerable accomplishment.
Interest and participation in the unique experiences that I offer through Yours Outdoors is growing. Some highlights:
- Last week we had three successful Make Peace with WInter adventures with 15 participants discovering the white stuff on dog sled and snowshoe;
- YO intern, Elisha Barlow, did a terrific job helping promote our experiences and developing a very cool arts adventure - Gone to Pot: Adventures in Clay. She will continue to do her good work until March;
- Our experience guides, Sean Pennylegion, Rick Whitteker, Heather Reid, Thom Lambert and Elisha Barlow made our clients very happy people. Some recent feedback - “We had a great time, really enjoyed the sledding and the dogs. What a great winter activity!” - from a Make Peace with Winter participant;
- We expanded our offering to 25 different experience packages with more on the way; and
- Phone calls, emails, web site visits and bookings have increased steadily over the year.
On the consulting side of things I worked on the following projects:
- Ongoing coordination of the Celebration of Trailsincluding a presentation to the Ontario Minister of Health Promotion, and the successful delivery of a series of “How to Plan a Successful Trail Event” workshops with associate Sean Pennylegion;
- Director of te Haliburton Higlands Land Trust which recently acquired 500 acres of land and 2700 feet of shoreline along the Burnt River.
- Vice -president of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative that supports community development projects and welcomed 3 new projects in 2009 including Friends of the Rail Trail, Those Other Movies, and Dusk Dances;
- President of the Haliburton County Folk Society which organized a successful concert series and launched the first ever Winter Folk Camp; and
- Member of the Haliburton Environmental Collaborative that meet several times to share information, ideas, and resources.
On the home front:
- I enjoyed vacation and quality time at home, cottage and Montreal with my wonderful wife Patricia and sons, Aaron and Adrian;
- I was very happy with the news that my oldest son and engineer, Aaron is getting married to Anne-Lise Delia;
- I enjoyed observing and listening to the musical growth of my youngest son, Adrian who is in his fourth year in Music Administration at the University of Western Ontario and plays piano in a jazz quintet and a band called Bread Envy; and
- I made a point of getting outside as often as possible to relax, hike, canoe and cycle.
All things considered, 2009 was a very good year. I am ready for 2010.
The holiday season is just around the corner. I will be looking for the perfect gift for those special people in my life. It will be a daunting task. The prospect of elbowing through the big mall looking for that gadget, sweater or some other elusive item isn’t sitting too well with me. It means stress, fatigue, and the uncertainty of finding the right gift in the limted time available. Parents are the biggest challenge to buy for - they have all the material goods they need. A few years ago we stopped buying items and product for my parents. We started buying them experiences - tickets to a concert, dinner at fine restaurant, a workshop, a special package at a resort.
The gift of experience can give so much more than another scarf, blender, or the decorative piece made in China. It can offer fun, adventure, discovery, travel, and lasting memories. Experience can take you to new places, creative communities, and fascinating people. There might be laughter, awe, inpsiration, ideas, revelation, and magic in the gifts of experience. Those gifts might be far away or in your neigbourhood.
Notwithstanding the fact that I am in the business of creating and selling unique tours, I will be giving many of my family and friends gifts of experience and staying clear of mauls (misspelling intended).
By the way, what amount would you like on that Yours Outdoors gift certificate?
I went for a walk today. I needed a break from the computer. I followed the trails on our property and then headed east across my neighbour’s property. A short walk turned into a long one as I became captivated by the awesome autumm colour. The brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows were about a week late in arriving. Inevitably, there was speculation that the colours were a bit drab this year. Seems like we have that conversation every year and time and time again we are proven wrong. The colours are at their peak this week - breathtaking to say the least and one of the reasons I love the Haliburton Highlands. My walk in the back forty was just what the doctor ordered. There is gold in them thar’ hills. Here are a few pictures I took today:
Gloomy economic times have had many of us re-thinking our travel plans. And that is good thing. While travelling to faraway places still holds much appeal, looking for adventures close to home can reveal some surprises. Many haven’t taken the time to look. My search for experiences in the Haliburton Highlands to incorporate into Yours Outdoors packages has been an adventure in itself. I continue to be amazed at what I find - cool people doing really interesting things; unique locations, naural and cultural treasures, and the breathtaking scenery.
Pat and I are looking forward to a possible trip to the Mauritius Islands but we are also spending more of our vacation closer to home. We are celebrated our last wedding anniversary with a hike in the blaze of full autumn colour and a stay at Oakview Lodge. Can I convince my adventurous friends, local residents, and those seasonal cottagers to do the same and discover adventure in their own backyard? Cottagers are a tough market - they travel 2-3 hours to get here and then cocoon themselves into their cozy retreats. And so they should ….. for awhile. Then it is time to come out to play and explore the Highlands. And for those who live here full time, there is much to see and do. Will a 15% discount for anyone who lives in the County on a permanent or seasonal basis be suffcient to draw them from their comfy places?
“Water Moves Me” is my favourite Katherine Wheatley song. To have a look at her new video click here. We are looking forward to featuring Katherine Wheatley as part of our Haliburton Rocks! experience package on September 6-8. It will be real treat to have Katherine, an amazing singer/songwriter and geologist!, join our group of rockhounds and mineral enthusiasts. Who knows what will happen when you mix music and geology. I predict that things are really going to rock. Yours Outdoors strives to create these one of kind experiences that will create memories.
I met Katherine Wheatley at Winter Folk Camp. She was instructing song writing. I was a volunteer who was assigned to be her concierge and helper. We got chatting and she liked the idea of rockin’ out with Yours Outdoors. So we managed to squeeze in some time in her very busy tour schedule. In addition to several gigs this September she is launching her new Cd, Landed, on September 29 at Hugh’s Room. You have three options to hang with Katherine - you can sign up for the three day package, the one day field trip, or Katherine’s concert at the Wintergreen Pancake Barn. This tour promises to be a real gem (I like puns). To book call Barriie at 705-754-3436
I like this idea of celebrity tours. Any requests? Perhaps Lance would join us for our Pedal Your Arts cycling tour.
