Civilisation away from civilisation! Back at
Arowhon Pines Lodge (see blog entries in 2011). Right in Algonquin Park; 3 to 4 hours north of Toronto. Comfortable lodging and great food (and good wine, depending on what you brought along!). Quiet sight on the lake from the main lodge, sitting and sipping whatever leisurely on the porch. Water is cold for swimming, but it is not an excuse yet! Canoeing on the immediate lake (and further as we have done in the past...)
Great way to escape the tohu-bohu of Toronto (leaving early, before the traffic builds up, it helps!) Stopped on the way in Gracebridge for lunch at “155 Street” restaurant, a place we enjoyed when visiting the Muskoka region Labor Day weekend 3 years ago (see 2009 blog entry) – as enjoyable! Earlier, since we had some time before lunch, stopped in Gravenhurst to see the brand new museum building added to the Norman Bethune memorial house – disappointed as the dedicated museum is still empty, and the only thing to see (aside from the house, which we had visited before) is the exterior shell of this modern structure. Give it a few more months to fill up with artefacts and memorabilia, we are told!
Up early (very early!). Sunny throughout; chilly in the early morning and later in the evening, but warm during the day, with the sun is shining. Staying at the Sherwood pavillon (room 9 – bathroom renovated). Enjoying lighting the fire and “feeding” it, in the common room’s fireplace, while it is still pitch black out there! Sitting, reading and writing at this early hour.
Usual meals at the Lodge (photo below). Last day lunch, in company of Cynthia’s family: Father and mother, sister Teresa and husband.
Have booked same time for next year (single cabin at the very end - more private!)
Arowhon Pines, August 30, 2012
