Gorgeous day here - it was a little cool at dusk when I saw Pierce getting his board ready for one last ride and I could hear Ryder's teeth chattering as he finished a refreshing ski. No one wants summer to be over! Still time for a few days away....Couch Potato Midweek Getaways available in September.

Congratulations to Peterborough - recently named one of the Top 10 Walkable Cities in Canada by Westjet Magazine. Vancouver tops the list with Peterborough coming in at #5 - how cool is that? Peterborough and the Kawarthas appear to be more newsworthy all the time! Next time you're in the city stop by the Canadian Canoe Museum, visit the galleries and art shops and eat out at the local sidewalk cafes, take the Little Lake boat and don't miss the Festival of Lights. There are so many small wonders to see in the countryside, you'll need at least a week here.

Meet Debbie Spencer, responsible for cutting and trimming 32 acres of grass on the resort, including the runway. All summer long Debbie can be found on the Alice Chalmers deking inbetween trees and around cottages ensuring the grounds are presentable for arrivals.
A crisp morning turned into a beautiful day...again. Have you booked your last hurrah-mini vacation yet? It's almost time for the fall Couch Potato Midweek Getaway - guilt-free, great value package, designed for you and a friend!

Sad to say so long to our Summer Recreation Director Justin Gingrich, who will be returning to university this week. Justin has been with us for several years on waterfront - this was his first summer taking on a full program. Well done! We'll miss your smiling, "sure can" attitude.

Yet another lovely day in paradise....the outdoor patio was filled with golfers having a pint; the pool was alive with cannonballers; the waves were lapping the shore and tonight the bar is hopping with kareoke singers....everyone else is at the campfire. Just for the record, Gen Y do not sing campfire songs - they talk. Happy Anniversary to Erich and Karin who met here, were married here and then emigrated here from Switzerland.

It's hard to believe we are in the last week of summer...our Super Savings Rates kick in August 29 - offering considerable savings for those who want a last minute getaway before school starts. I was quite taken by a guest comment today - the family enjoyed a trail ride, went to waterskiing and tubing, built a sandcastle on the beach and then sat around the campfire after their barbecue dinner - the comment was innocent enough - "we never thought we could actually be doing this outdoors, ourselves". It made me realize we don't say "real" in any of our marketing - should we? I'd love to hear your comments.

This lovely watercolour was painted by Barbara Brintnell, an Ottawa artist, who was recently at the Resort for an East Central Ontario Art Association paintout. Titled "Welcome to Elmhirst's" the painting captures the gardens and the entrance to the Resort. It makes me want to enter the image. Several artists including Lucy Manley, Gertrude Sorensen and Olga Szaranski are displayed for sale in the Hearthside Dining Room. I promise to feature their work in the next week.

There was a brief interlude today when the Ark in the Park playground was not crawling with little monkeys...everytime I go by and hear the squeals of delight it makes me want to join them on the zipline and big slide. Another nice day in paradise with an early evening rain.

The sun came out at noon, making it quite balmy, but the wind was howling most of the day. Whitecaps on the lake - the outdoor pool was a protected area and as a result it was busy - no tennis or badminton action today. Everyone seems to be making the most of the water before summer is over. We were lucky last night with no major trees down or damage - our neighbours lost their roof and their barn...no injuries reported.

What an amazing night of rain and lightning. The downdrafts were immense - we'll have to wait until morning to assess the damage. Tonight on Rice Lake you can hear the wind and waves and it sounds very Caribbean. I can't believe it's Aug 20 already...not much time left for a quick getaway before school starts....just a reminder to check out that last week of August when the rates go down - very affordable!

Embraced the dawn cooking Cowboy Breakfast for two experienced riders. So much to do....archery and then the horsedrawn wagonride, waterskiing and time for a swim. What fun!
Ended the day with a dinner cruise and energetic pyramid. At dusk there were many folks at the campfire - another great summer day at the cottage.

It was a good day for biking through the cool woods today. Lots of sightseers took to the air; the waterfront was hopping and the outdoor swimming pool was a good place to hang - if you haven't taken your family away for a few days of cottage life, better hurry before school starts. Limited space available from now to Labour Day.

We took delivery of 50 more chickens this morning...so much fun to watch the Welcome Wagon Hen show the new girls the entrance door.....Peter had to catch a few new girls and encourage them to get in the henhouse at dusk....now that was amusing.

We didn't get the forecasted storms this afternoon...we could see dark sky all around us but we were in the zone today!

Talking turkey....couldn't figure out why Spirit was so intent on the window but then I realized there was a dialogue between the horses outside and the turkeys in the barn. The grass is always greener on the other side...

Bellmere Winds Golf Course was busy today...one never tires of the view.

This is your reward if you get up at 6:00 am. What a way to start the day!



We had a great Cowboy Breakfast Ride early this morning - the early rising Cowboys were such good sports - giving up their sleep to hit the trails before departing. See you next year!

Congratulations to Mollie and Geoff who both completed their float endorsements today. These adventure lovers have sailed the world - now they get to fly the world.

Another sunny day in paradise...the patio was hopping and my faith in humanity was restored this evening. Our charity coin box was smashed and the funds taken, leaving us all a bit shaken....the Arthritis Society Coin Box has been at the Front Desk since last winter without incident. On hearing of the loss Paul Stewart (one of our favourite dinner guests) quickly donated funds to cover the loss...Roy Legassicke, (our wonderful Ambassador) also made a donation. I am personally grateful for their kind generosity. Thank you.

Sunshine and laughter filled the resort today....it was a great day for outdoor pursuits involving water and of course BINGO with Wilma.



Just last month in the rain the outdoor patio was being constructed....this evening I caught Peter and Ludwig Heimrath enjoying a bevy and some conversation out there. And that's the kind of day it's been here in Keene.

We have returned home safe and sound - now the laundry begins. One of my team members in Costa Rica (Kara from Manitoba) shared a quote with me that I thought was appropriate for the Arthritis Society Joints in Motion Program (my fundraising efforts go to research the possible cures for arthritis)....The miracle is not that I finished but that I had the courage to start....Here is the last night photo of the Joints in Motion Ontario Team (it was very dark) - I promise to post the group photo when I receive it. Thanks for following me on my Costa Rica Trek - now back to work. P.S. All my photos are posted on Shutterfly.

Tuesday morning we saddle up our horses and ride to the river for an amazing morning of tubing down the river...must wait for the water photos to be sent. As you sit in your own little tube, the current taking you down the river, over rapids (some big, some small), you realize as your rearend hits the occasional rock that life is moving too fast. At the end of the river trip we carry our tubes up the cliff and pack into a school bus with all the equipment...the sun is shining and there isn't anything but laughter coming from this group! Part of the group have climbed the volcano on goat trails and over the slippery volcano ash at the top...they did not see sunshine we were lucky enough to see all day. Those of us who tried the adventure programs did get a hike in to the waterfall, or the volcanic mud bath spa, which was a very pleasant way to end the week in Costa Rica.
We are going home with an appreciation for the rigors of climbing in a rain forest, the eco-tourism product and respect for our own team members who conquered many fears climbing and riding and taking risks, far outside their comfort zones. Jimmy our guide and Augustine our driver were patient and very capably gave us a safe experience in Costa Rica.

Early morning departure to the ziplines...tried to move a few trees with my shoulders, loved the Tarzan drop and truly enjoyed the last zipline which was a kilometre long without braking. What a day! We are now at Rincon National Park in a rustic lodge...tomorrow is tubing down the river. This adventure stuff is very heady....amazing groups from around the world...volunteers on work projects, families vacationing and many eco tourists. Physically challenging but super!
I took a photo of this sign and it appears to be the mantra of Costa Rica....loose translation....only when the last tree is dead, the last river is dry and the last fish is caught, will we realize you cannot eat money.

Sunday evening we arrived at El Establo, a Quaker site, just in time to see the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. It was spectacular. I´m still reeling over the Rancho Margot projects and the experiences we shared today....ziplining in the canopy forest tomoorow and then onto our last destination for the big climb. Cannot find a vehicle for sending photos but they are great. The mountain weather is cool and of course, I feel I am rotting in the rain, but it is lovely. Our group is wonderful as well. Today we stopped at a roadside cantina for a drink and the locals who all came by horseback were very friendly....as we boarded our coach they made their horses prance just like Tale does with our Arabs....it was very special to watch....the cowboys showing off for us. Everyone is impressed with the Coca Cola sold in bottles...we did see toucans today....just like on the Fruit Loops package.

I believe I have web feet - I have never seen or experienced so much rain. Last night we arrived at Rancho Margot, a truly sustainable tourism project - enroute we saw the lava flow at Arenol Volcano and monkeys, many more birds and of course wonderfully lush plants. After early morning yoga we are doing a ranch tour and I will report back later tonight. This is the Costa Rica we have heard about! More later

Reporting back from Costa Rica - morning hike was amazing..our guide Jimmy tells us we will not see frogs at this time of year, although the frog seems to be the most favoured souvenir here, yet everytime he shows us a calla lily, an avocado tree, an orchid, old mans beard (like Spanish Moss), a hummingbird or a woodpecker someone asks...is that a frog? I think the guides earn their money here. We hike up the mountain in sunshine through some of the most wonderful terrain, at 10:30 am, on cue, the rains start....now we are travelling in mud, sometimes on pathways only a footprint wide. The clouds are below us and I feel like I am in Lord of the Rings. Almost everyone in our group slips and slides in the mud, smiles and carries on. After 5 hrs we reach the Savegre Hotel and meet for hot chocolate while we exchange stories and compare photos of the rainforest. The sky opens up so many of our group take advantage of the rains for a siesta, some go horseback riding - knowing how slippery it is I opt out and try to dry my clothes. This trek is not for the faint of heart or out of shape! More later.

If ever I complain about the rain again remind me about Costa Rica in the rainforest....we trekked yesterday in muddy, rainy conditions -walking around the crater of Irazu Volcano and climbing through rainforests and potato fields. We arrived late at Savegre Montana Lodge and were immediately overwhelmed by the flowers, international guests (all speaking different languages at the same time) but nothing prepared us the sun over the mountains this morning and the pristine beauty of the valley. Today we are breaking into groups for difficult treks straight up the mountain, pleasant treks around the valley and horseback riding to the waterfalls. When I can I will forward photos.
Sending birthday greetings to Stephen Elmhirst who turns 40 - happy happy.

Ola everyone.....here is my Ontario Joints in Motion team for the Arthritis Society departing Toronto this morning for San Jose, Costa Rica. We are trekking the mountains and rainforests for the next week. The first trek has been altered as the volcano is live and spewing gases....this apparently is dangerous. As I will be in mountain settings the reporting will be sketchy but I will try to report each day. Teams from across Canada are here for the trek. All of us have been fundraising for the Arthritis Society and the stories of everyones personal challenges are heart warming. We arrived to an afternoon rain and the air is very muggy. My Spanish is already improving and I look forward to the first trek......stand by.

Two leapers leaping.....into Rice Lake.
Matt and Ryder take the plunge - thanks for the photo Kim.
Everytime I look at this shot I hold my breath....
It was very windy today but muggy (is that a weather word?).
Some thunder but nothing dampened the spirits of the swimming pool nymphs.
Remember to keep your sunny side up!

Marshmallow fields? If you click on the photo you will see the marshmallows are actually hay bales wrapped in white plastic...around the countryside farmers are wrapping the high moisture hay for feeding. I wonder what happens to the white plastic covers? I'm sure there is a responsible removal system....I'll get back to you on that.

Hope everyone had a safe Civic holiday today. Not much time left if you want to take the family away for a few days....our programs are grandparent -friendly for those concerned about travelling with their grandchildren.

Peter and I are in Charlevoix, Quebec celebrating the 60th birthday of our friend Michael (Maison Otis in Baie St Paul) with Pierre & Diane of Auberge Des 3 Canards in Malbaie, John Howard of Megalomaniac Wines, Mark Piccone of Picone's in Vineland, Guillarmo, Giovanni & Ute from Arnolpho's Restaurant in Tuscany, Elwood & Mary of Atlantic Lifts (see photos of Elwood's lift for a Kuwaiti car dealer in the Wild Blue Yonder) and many more party-goers. We are celebrating at a beautiful cabin frequented by the Group of Seven, overlooking a fine fishing river (just happened to see someone fly fishing in the river). It was a lovely evening, despite the rain.
At home it's a big week for float endorsements with pilots from Switzerland and Bermuda eager to fly floats.

Woke up at 5:30 am and the sun was eerie....so I shot it. It was a sad day with all the teens saying goodbye for another year...after the hugging we had a few hours before the August guests arrived - looking for sunshine and lots of activity. Happy August.