It was difficult to leave the wilderness this morning - a hazy moon and the cry of a loon our sole companions at Copeway, our fly-in camp. The wilderness is 20 minutes away, accessible by air only, with a comfortable cabin (boat, motor and canoe) and hammock overlooking the lake. It's our favourite getaway. Guests may go in for a half day of fishing or an overnight. No television, no distractions - just you and nature. Ahhhhhhhhh (photo taken from the float as we taxied out).

Beautiful day on the Resort....fishing, playground activities, horsedrawn wagon rides, pony rides and now waterfront fun....meanwhile the outdoor patio is nearing completion and the garden tour is full - Bob the Gardener is ecstatic. Thought you might want to see how the turkeys are doing.

Where were you when the rains came on? Some folks braved the pellets and shot arrows; some enjoyed snacks in the Treehouse and others hid in the bushes.....the rain stopped for awhile so tubing and waterskiing were a go. Afternoon naps followed by Date Night and Kareoke...now that's a vacation!

Night sky as I put the chickens to bed...red sky at night, sailors delight.....can't help but say it out loud every time. I also saw the teens before Teen Campfire....fast friends from Canada, USA and Scotland....we've seen them grow up together....very cool.

Mother Goose stopped by today. Saw some teens before noon, the monsoons held off until everyone was done waterskiing....The Treehouse was filled to capacity with the cutest kids, the Lakeside Luncheon crowd enjoyed the cruise and the outdoor patio is coming right along. Good day all around.

It's Wilson Week
Matriarch Dorothea and her family from the northern US have been visiting with us for over a decade - we're all family this week! I'm thinking it will be busy in the Wild Blue Yonder for Sunday Sundaes (make your own ice cream sundaes) tonight.

Have you ever wondered what a dog sees? If you look closely you will see that Hunter (a pointer) is keeping watch of the cat in the tree. The world looked very tall from the dog's perspective.

Sad day saying goodbye to our friends but all are delighted to welcome the Wilson family reunion for the week. There will be many big fish stories this week.

Love the new Canadiana menu in the Wild Blue Yonder....Canadian Bacon, poutine with Black Angus Beef and Empire Cheese, burgers and local beers on tap....very yummy and filling.

Young entrepeneur Georgia set up her lemonade and cookie stand on the waterfront today to raise funds for the Peterborough Humane Society - there seemed to be alot of action at the table and pitchers of lemonade were consumed. Good work Georgia!

It's seven o'clock on a Friday and the regular crowd shuffles in to the Wild Blue Yonder for dinner and stimulating conversation. Every Friday, throughout the year, you are welcome to join the locals as they exchange stories, catch up on world news, debate decisions taken and perhaps play a card game or two. You never know who will show up but it's always interesting. We'll look for you!

It was a wii kind of day - inside bowling for all ages rather than watersports in the rain. I must say it was interesting to see the rain gear worn by the guests today....it was almost as if everyone was waiting to sport their "best rain fashion wear". Some braved the monsoons for outdoor pursuits, others waited for BINGO.

The gardens are positively lush at the moment. New sporty shirts and hats in the Gift Store....get your favourite colour before they go.

Despite my best efforts I never seem to find a willing volunteer for holding the apple on their head at archery....on the wagon ride Albert wants to go one way but the horses (Belle and Murdoch) always want to know what's happening the other way. It was a great day outdoors on the waterfront and on the trails. The birds were especially active - as were the sightseeing fliers. The horses are loving the attention at Pony Camp - come on up to the stables and get to know your horse.

Maggie and her entourage after winning the Fishing Derby today. It's not about what bait you use but who gets the most fish. Good day for tubing and waterskiing....serious tennis players on the court this morning - must have been British as it was blazing hot. Teens are ready for their beach/campfire night and everyone else is looking forward to an early night. Wii tournament last night has some folks rather stiff today. Great to see all the family flyers interested in sightseeing flights. Oh what a day!

Busy Monday morning...guests enjoying Cowboy Breakfast on the trail and families out canoeing....the weather was ideal for a fly and several planes were in for avgas and lunch.

The osprey was very territorial this morning - circling as we were cooking at the campfire....good thing we weren't frying up any fish...he would have swooped down and taken our breakfast.

Guess who's coming to dinner? This party didn't make it in for the Saturday Roast Beef Buffet in the Wild Blue Yonder but they did circle the shoreline several times, munching on floating weeds.

Saturdays are always bittersweet as we say goodbye to our weekly guests - only hours later we welcome familiar faces for the next week. This is Fiesta Buckhorn weekend so drop by our booth if you happen to visit the show.

View from the walking trail, overlooking the stables to the west and the golf course to the east. Everyone was in bed early tonight, resting up after a busy week. There's still a few cottages available during the next week, if you haven't had a break yet.

Update on Peter Elmhirst's motorcycle trip to Labrador and Newfoundland.....all is well and he and Kevin English are on their way home. Obviously they didn't find work.......

Waterskiing, tubing and wakeboarding on Rice Lake - a sure sign of summer. The Boardwalk BBQ started today....stay on the waterfront and play, we deliver your lunch.

It's Date Night tonight....kids get a break from their parents while Mom and Dad have a romantic dinner for two. Everybody wins!

What a contrast today....kayakers paddling quietly and muskie-wrestling in the shallows.
Good entertainment value for all.

It was very windy today - sunny, but windy. Where would you find this weather vane at Elmhirst's Resort? As you walk around, look up. Lots of boating action this week - fishing and family....it's nice.

To celebrate the Tour de France I have been watching for cyclists on the trails....it was great to have a group of adventurous guys from the city cycle up to the Resort on Friday, returning today, via the waterfront trail on Lake Ontario. It's quite a ride - lucky we had a spa for massages to ease some of the numb-bum. Please let me know you got home safely.

Before the storm today we had visitors on the dock....there was lots of noise so I image this was a date that didn't work out.

Any day that ends with a rainbow can't be too bad.

Odile Rablat, from France, dropped into the Resort today enroute to the west coast in her ultralight. Odile made friends with Louis and Jim as she was refueling for the next leg of her cross country adventure. If you are interested in her progress please check out http://envoleeaucanada.free.fr/

Sorry to see my walking buddies leave tomorrow... we see each other once a year and yet we never run out of things to talk about on our hikes.

Congratulations Matt, winner of the Friday Fishing Derby. Matt graciously accepted his award pointing out that this was his second win in 11 years. You go guy!

After a busy day in the Spa giving massages what could be better than giving your daughter a Princess Manicure/Pedicure and sitting in the sun to dry your nails? Martina specializes in deep tissue Chinese Massage and is a Registered Acupuncturist....little Nadiya specializes in looking cute.

What a beautiful day on the waterfront - clear for sightseeing flights, breezy enough for cycling....however, when I went in search of active guests they were AWOL....hanging out with Wilma for BINGO, in air conditioned comfort. Looking forward to family campfire at dusk.

Inbetween showers today guests were busy with horsedrawn wagon rides and pony rides, waterfront activities and archery. Matt shows his perfect form just before hitting a bullseye.

Wild Women on Wheels earlier today on the ATV Safari. The girls got back in time for wakeboarding. Well done.

What a day for a fishing derby....if you were a junior angler - not a bass. Justin Gingrich, Recreation Director presented Carolina with the award after a hard fought battle on the dock. Congratulations Carolina!

Housekeepers please! This osprey (fish eagle) could use some help tidying up his nest....although I was impressed with the garden - gives it a natural feel.

Families are enjoying the outdoor flick tonight, under the bright moon, snuggled up in blankets. It's like a drive-in without a car. The fireflies are confused by the animation. I believe I heard the chatter of a raccoon family - entertainment for all!

Caught the man in the moon smiling at me tonight (he's a bit shy)...it was a perfect day....we had both a Piper Aztec and a T-tail Bonanza on the runway and many seaplanes in for Brunch; guests came out of hibernation for tennis, fishing and walking the trails....summer is finally here!

Here's hoping all our American guests had a fabulous 4rth of July weekend with family and friends.

I'm so proud to introduce the Red Seal 5 Dream Team in the Elmhirst's Resort kitchen. Jesse Brown (left) has just successfully completed his occupational standards exam and is now joining the ranks of the Red Seal Trades. The program requires over 5,000 hours of work in a supervised kitchen, formal training and an exam. Our kitchen team, Red Seals all, from left to right, Jesse Brown (first apprenticed here as a high school student, enjoyed cooking and is very creative and adventurous with flavours); Bruce Melnichuk, our Pastry Chef and Baker; Michael Sterpin, Chef de Cuisine, (responsible for all menus and preserves); Dorset Mitchell, adding a touch of the Caribbean; Stephen Elmhirst, Kitchen Manager (ensuring Sunday Brunch and Banquets are delivered). The Dream Team is committed to preparing and serving the freshest of ingredients and as we kick off our new Locavore Program you can be sure they will be making use of local produce as well as our garden harvest, Elmhirst's Own Beef, our own eggs and pairings with Ontario wines.

Fishing buddies on the dock for the Derby this morning. There was fish aplenty - all caught on the initial worm. No fish were hurt in this pursuit of happiness.

Winner Carson is all smiles with his trophy - his acceptance speech was humble yet inspiring.

Talking turkey on the barn tour. The turkeys, usually so undisciplined, lined up as soon as I asked for a photo. My models were great...thanks.

July 01 Canada Day fireworks on the beach were enjoyed by all ages - watching the roman candles explode is always better when you hear the oohs and ahhs of the crowd.

Happy Canada Day!

Here's "Sebastian the Great" releasing his arrow into the target at archery this morning.....Robin Hoods of all ages were out today before heading up to the stables for pony rides and turkey visitations. Waterskiing and swimming before fireworks....whew.