Roam Ontario Spring 2013 by Cheryl Stubbs

Your FREE Guide to Family Fun in Ontario

SPRING 2013

Road Trip! Up in the air!

Heading north in search of silver

Birds flocking to Ontario

B&Bs

Your home away from home

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Springtime road trips! Put Pioneer on your smartphone then enjoy your travels Executive Editor: Geoff Hogarth (Pioneer)

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With spring in the air, many of us are anxious to shake off those winter blues by getting back outdoors. ONE of my favourite ways to start enjoying the warmer temperatures and longer days is by taking a road trip. This issue of ROAM is packed with great ideas on interesting places to go once you’ve got everyone packed into the car.

A featured destination is a tiny town named Cobalt in Northern Ontario, which was home to one of the world’s greatest silver rushes. Visiting the town is like stepping back in time, and getting there is half the fun. The route to Cobalt takes you along Highway 11, Ontario’s second longest highway stretching from the top of Yonge Street in Toronto to the Minnesota border at Rainy River in northwest Ontario. Along the way are all kinds of interesting places like the Dionne Quints Museum and the world’s smallest covered bridge. Be sure to fill up at one at one of our three Pioneer locations at the gateway to the north – 565 Yonge Street or 435 Dunlop Street in Barrie or 7364 Yonge Street in Innisfil. As you head further north, you’ll also find Pioneer at 285 Atherley Road in Orillia. Did you know that Ontario is also home to some of the most spectacular bird migrations in North America? ROAM takes you to the best viewing spots across the province to see majestic tundra swans, hawks and hundreds of other species making their way home from their winter homes. Before you head out, be sure to visit pioneer.ca using your smartphone to automatically download our new mobile app. It will show you the closest Pioneer locations along the way, and tell you the price per litre at each location in real time. That way you’ll know you’re getting the best value no matter where you travel. Happy ROAMing!

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Roam Magazine™ is published by JAG Communications Inc, for and on behalf of Pioneer Energy LP (“Pioneer”). Opinions expressed in the articles appearing in this magazine are those of the authors and Pioneer does not necessarily share those opinions. Pioneer does not endorse third parties who advertise in this magazine or their products and services. Pioneer has not undertaken any independent confirmation that data and facts appearing in the magazine (including, for example, dates and places for any events) are accurate and the reader should independently confirm all such information. The publisher and/or Pioneer Energy and their respective affiliates shall not be liable for any damages or losses, however sustained, as a result of the reliance on or use by a reader or any other person of any information, opinions or products expressed, advertised or otherwise contained in this magazine. All of the information contained in this magazine is subject to change without notice, including, for example, product specifications and prices, and event dates and locations. All Pioneer trademarks appearing in this magazine (including the trademarks “Roam Magazine”, the word “Pioneer” and “Pioneer Bonus Bucks”) are owned by Pioneer Energy LP and when used by a third party are used under license from Pioneer Energy LP. © 2011 No part of Roam Magazine may be reproduced in any format, for whatever use, without the express written approval of Pioneer Energy LP.

ROAM spring features

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There’s no place like Home Swipe and Win!

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Cast Your Lines

A guide to Ontario trout fishing this spring

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History with a Silver Lining

Visit Cobalt, home of Ontario’s biggest silver rush

Road Trip

Highway 11 is Ontario’s answer to Route 66

Whistle Stop

Migrating birds about to invade - find out where

Welcome to Wonderland

Caving gives you a whole different view of Ontario

Spring Events

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Inside Front Cover

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By Marilyn Mason

There’s no place like

home But the next-best thing when you’re on the road could be a B&B.

Friendly hosts, gourmet meals and the comforts of home while travelling –

the pleasures of staying at an Ontario bed and breakfast go far beyond simply finding a place to rest for the night. Bed and breakfasts offer up a lot of differences – historic accommodations, unique locations and knowledgeable hosts, as well as the opportunity

to meet fellow travellers. Staying at a B&B provides a more homey experience – and perhaps you’ll even meet some new friends along the way.

Those new to the B&B experience aren’t always sure what to expect, and some may even feel uneasy about ‘crashing’ at a stranger’s house. > spring 2013

ROAM offers up a primer on tapping into this unique Ontario experience where you’ll discover insider tips on where to go, what to eat and what to see on your vacation.

What to Expect B&Bs often provide unique accommodations, many with themed rooms offering a variety of charms. And as you might expect, these intriguing, historical properties can present challenges that you should be aware of ahead of time. Things like narrow flights of stairs, and smaller or shared bathrooms. Ensuites aren’t guaranteed so check ahead to see if the bathrooms are shared or private. The Federation of Ontario Bed and Breakfast Accommodation (fobba.com) represents the Bed & Breakfast industry in Ontario. “Our members must meet a basic set of standards that encompass cleanliness, comfort, quality, safety and hospitality,” says FOBBA President Troy Gee, whose group inspects applicants’ 6 | ROAM ONTARIO

homes before granting membership.

Is the Industry Changing? Gee says that there are about 1,800 B&Bs in Ontario, and the industry is changing. Pam Oldham, owner of Mulberry Lane B&B in Union (bbcanada. com/mulberrylane), notes B&Bs enjoy widespread popularity, a trend that seems to be catching on here. “We used to see mostly retired guests, but now it seems we are seeing younger guests each year,” she says. Joy George, who operates the Old Port B&B in Port Dalhousie (bbcanada.com/ oldportbb) says she and her partner see a lot of young professional couples, in their 20s and 30s, as well as international guests.

“We get Europeans, for instance, who are here visiting children attending university.” Her home is especially busy when the town is hosting regattas, including the Royal Henley. “We sometimes have to give up our own room and sleep on our boat in the marina. We just make sure we’re back on time to serve breakfast.”

What is the Experience Like? Eager to give B&Bs a try? If you are anxious about your privacy check out the accommodations first. Ontario B&Bs offer a diversity of accommodation types with something for everyone, whether it’s social rooms for mingling or private ensuite accommodations. How you experience a B&B is really up to you. You

may like to lounge in the living room with a glass of wine and trade travel tips with fellow guests, or retreat to your room with a good book and a cup of tea. Peter and Marcia Burley, owners of Heathcote Haven B&B in Beaver Valley (heathcotehavenbb.com), say that running a B&B isn’t just a new job – it’s a new lifestyle. “Our guests see [us] as partners, greeting them on arrival, creating in the kitchen or just having a conversation with them,” says Marcia. “We also see ourselves as concierges, informing them of the area; recommending restaurants, activities and making reservations.” Prices vary, and B&Bs offer everything from basic accommodation to a weekend of pampering. “Staying at a B&B is like staying at a friend’s house,” says Mulberry Lane’s

Oldham. “It’s comfortable and quiet with easy conversation.” Adds Barrie Dudley, owner of the Monastery B&B in Bracebridge (bbmuskoka.com/ themonastery): “A B&B offers the comfort and care found

is unparalleled. Hosts strive to create a comfortable home away from home for their guests. Many B&Bs are also happy to host pet members of the family, too – just make sure to call ahead to ask.

Joy George and her partner, Quinten always personally welcome guests to their Port Dalhousie B&B.

only in a private home. What About Kids? They offer a personal touch. Guests check in as strangers For families with children, it’s always best to make sure and leave as friends.” the B&B can accommodate Because B&B owners often your needs. “There may not live in the home, the pride always be safety measures they show in the properties specifically for children spring 2013 | 7

A B&B offers the comfort a a personal touch. Guests ch

such as baby gates on stairs,” says Oldham. FOBBA President Troy Gee agrees. “When travelling with children, I recommend checking the website first of the B&B where you are looking at staying”. Joy George of Port Dalhousie discourages guests with children in the main house, but notes she has a guest house that is perfect for families. “It is self contained with two bedrooms and a kitchen. You can make your own breakfast there, or join us in the main house.”

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the B&B capital of Ontario with about 270 registered B&Bs in a township of 15,000.

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What are the Benefits? “What I love most about staying at B&Bs is meeting other guests,” says frequent B&B guest Ellen Griffiths. “Usually they are likeminded travellers who have their own great travel tips and who can share information about their own homes. I have met guests in B&Bs who have become friends - in fact, I have been inspired to see more areas in Ontario based on the recommendations around the breakfast table. It’s a totally unique experience.” Brian Sheppard is an avid traveller who loves the character of heritage B&Bs. “You can usually find a B&B that reflects

and care found only in a private home. They offer heck in as strangers and leave as friends. the history of the area sometimes period homes,” he says. “If you like peace and quiet, you usually have a choice of a place close to, but off the main roads. Many have peaceful gardens, porches where breakfast and/or afternoon tea is served and comfy sitting rooms where you can make yourself at home.”

Guidelines to a Happy Stay

•

Don’t be afraid to tell your host if you are new to B&Bs. They will be happy to walk you through the typical routine of their B&B, and make sure you are comfortable.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the B&B capital of Ontario with about 270 registered B&Bs in a township of 15,000, according to Brian Carberry, owner of Ranger’s Retreat (rangersretreat.com). With a background in hospitality and gourmet cuisine, it’s little wonder Carberry’s guests rave about the delicious food and warm, homey atmosphere.

•

Give your hosts a specific arrival. Hosts plan their days around guest arrival times so if you will be delayed, call ahead.

•

Knock or ring the bell upon arrival.

•

Special diets can usually be accommodated – just let your hosts know ahead of time.

•

Cancellations usually require more notice than at a hotel. Ask about the B&B’s policy when you book.

•

Inform your hosts of any allergies or special needs ahead of time. Many B&Bs are also the homes of your hosts, so anything you would ask a friend before staying over (pets, narrow stairs, small children, etc.) is fair game to ask at a B&B, too.

•

Leave a comment, whether in the guest book or online. Like any small business, hosts want to know how you enjoyed your visit.

“Success in the B&B world is about having happy, contented guests, and feeling inwardly good with yourself,” he says. “My guests aren’t just looking for a bed – they’re here for an experience.” •

Staying at a B&B is different than other types of accommodation. Here are a few guidelines to help make your experience the best it can be.

Favourite B&B Breakfast Recipes Visit roamontario.ca/savour/breakfastrecipes spring 2013

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10% OFF at Old Port B&B and Simcoe Suites when you tell them you’re a Bonus Bucks member!

Port Dalhousie, Ontario Joy and Quinten (905) 934-5761 | (289) 990-5761 |

ROAM ONTARIO

your lines! A guide to finding the finest trout Ontario has to offer. By Italo Labignan, Canadian Sportfishing TV Host

Ontario’s regular trout season opener is the last Saturday in April. That’s when thousands of anglers head to tributary streams that flow into our Great Lakes in search of rainbow, brown and brook trout. Knowing where to fish for each species is the key to catching them. For example, the best migratory rainbow trout fishing will take place in some of the larger tributaries and in the stretches closer to where they meet the Great Lakes. Lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario definitely have some of the top tributaries for fantastic migratory rainbow trout fishing.

So let’s get started! Lake Huron Some of the top tributaries that flow into Lake Huron are the Maitland, Sauble, Beaver and Nottawasaga Rivers. All have public access areas close to where they flow into Lake Huron. I would rate the Saugeen as tops with excellent migratory trout fishing below Denny’s Dam right through until the end of May. Lake Erie Lake Erie has just a couple of tributaries that attract migratory rainbow trout, and they can produce trophy fish. Big Creek and Catfish Creek are known by locals for producing good numbers of rainbow trout.

Both tributaries are on the smaller side, they have clear water and you have to use a stealthy approach to catch fish! Light line and small spawn sacks are usually the ticket to hooking a trophy rainbow. Lake Ontario By far, Lake Ontario has the most tributaries that provide excellent spring fishing for trophy rainbow trout. Among these are the mighty Niagara, Port Dalhousie, Bronte Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek, the Credit River, the Don River, the Rouge River, Duffin’s Creek, Oshawa Creek, Bowmanville Creek, Soper Creek, Wilmot Creek, Graham Creek, the Ganaraska River, Gage’s Creek and Spring 2013

Shelter Valley Creek. All of these are top producers if the water conditions are right (slightly high and green coloured). Most dedicated migratory trout fishermen will use long, soft rods called steelhead drift rods, and they will use either a spinning reel, or a float reel (centre-pin reel), and light line with small hooks and tiny split shot sinkers to make the most natural presentation with fresh spawn sacks.

Italo Labignan, Canadian Sportfishing

Anglers looking for in-land trout such as brown and brook trout will do well to fish all of the head waters of the tributaries listed above. Fishermen should use short, light action rods loaded with 4-6 lb. test and either fresh small garden worms for bait, or a variety of small lures that include: the Rapala CD3 & 4 (Countdown series), Rapala Ultralight Series of crankbaits and Blue Fox Vibrax spinners in sizes #1 and #2. The key to locating in-land trout in streams is to look for undercut banks, log-jams, deeper pools and runs where these trout will hold and feed. Due to the fact many of these head waters are smaller, it’s crucial for anglers to approach the stream and fish holding area carefully, and to make their cast while they hide behind some cover so that feeding fish won’t spook.

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The best method of catching migratory rainbow trout is by drifting freshly tied spawn sacks with either rainbow trout or salmon eggs. Drift fishing with a sensitive float, or bouncing the bottom with a couple of split shot sinkers usually produces its share of fish. Anglers can also do well casting and retrieving lures in the deeper pools and off the piers. In my experience some of the best lures for casting are: the Luhr Jensen KwikFish in sizes #5 and #7, Lil’Cleo spoons in 1/4-1/2 oz. Size, and the Blue Fox Vibrax spinners in sizes #2 and #4. To help anglers locate and or create their own Trout fishing hot spots we came out with a unique Mobile App UFINDFISH. The App is available free of charge for iPhones, Android, and Windows7 phones as well as on the supported tablets from these same brands. The App works with real time GPS/Google Maps.

By far, Lake Ontario has the most tributaries that provide excellent spring fishing for trophy rainbow trout. I have personally placed over 1,000 of my top fishing spots in Ontario on the app with full descriptions of where to fish, when and how. You can use the App to record your own fishing spots, keep them for yourself, or

share them with friends as well as other anglers. The App also allows you to ask our “Fishing Pros” questions and they will respond within 48 hours. You can also take pictures of your catches through the App and save them on

your recorded fishing spot, or share them on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or through your email account. Oh yes, and you can also find the nearest Pioneer Gas stations! To find out more about this amazing, App just go to, UFINDFISH.com

to see a YouTube tutorial on how to use the App. The Canadian Sportfishing TV series with host Italo Labignan can be caught each week on on CHCH-TV, etc. canadian-sportfishing.com

Getting started Canadian Sportfishing TV Host Italo Labignan assembles an equipment package you’ll need to get started if you’re new to trout fishing, or looking to enhance your experience. R-Type float rod Suggested retail $145 The first production, split-grip float drift rod series target light line float tactics common on Great Lakes tributaries. Custom fitted, balanced and designed for the trout, steelhead and salmon enthusiast. R-Type Spinning Reel Suggested retail $115 The RTSP15 is rugged, with gearing designed to enhance casts for longer distance. Sealed to prevent contamination. Provides smooth fish fighting power. Rapala Sportsman Sunglasses Suggested retail $15.99 100% UVA, UVB sun protection reduces glare and eye fatigue. Impact resistant polarized lenses. Rapala Fishing Forceps Suggested retail $16.99 Must-have tool for removing hooks, rigging and knot tying. Built-in scissors, oversize thumb holes and hand lanyard.

Sufix Elite Monofilament fishing Line 330 yd spool Suggested retail $11.99

BlueFox® Vibrax Classic Spinner Suggested retail $6.49

Superior tensile and knot strength due to Micro Resin Technology handles better and casts with ease due to a proprietary extrusion process.

The patented two-part body emits low-frequency sound vibrations that attract fish and trigger strikes while virtually eliminating line twist.

Trigger-X® Eggs and Earthworm Suggested retail $4.99 - $ 5.99 respectively More effective and less trouble than live bait, Trigger-X is formulated with species-specific Ultrabite®Pheromones. The Ultrabite® scent is also effective in masking human scent. 100% FLUOROCARBON INVISILINE leader line Suggested retail $10.99/30yds Crystal clear 100% fluorocarbon leader is virtually invisible in water. Rapala Fillet Glove Suggested retail $19.99 Protects against slice injury. Machine washable, drip-dry.

BlueFox® Vibrax Bullet Fly Spinner Suggested retail $4.99 Same features as the Vibrax Bullet with dressed tail for added life-like attraction. Rapala X-Protect Boot Foot Breathable Waders Suggested retail $219 Breathable waders are cool in the summer and remain warm in winter, as all the perspiration evaporates from inside and your thermal layer stays dry and warm. Elastic shoulder straps and articulated knees for added comfort and Neoprene-lined rubber boots have full felt sole for safe wading in all conditions. Spring 2013

Cobalt Ontaro. Photo: Wikipedia

History with a

silver lining

Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heard of the Klondike gold rush. But what of

Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silver boom? The cries of eureka created a town of 10,000 overnight as Cobalt cranked out silvery wealth, easily eclipsing the fortunes of the gold rush. Let ROAM writers Andrew Hind and Maria Da Silva take you back in time to a now-forgotten era.

ROAM ONTARIO

Opposite Page: View of Cobalt Top Left: There are many ruins to explore along the shores of nearby Kerr Lake, a point of interest in the Silver Heritage Trail. Top Right: A long abandoned mine headframe, one of many littering the landscape in and around Cobalt.

We had driven hundreds of miles north in search of Ontario’s silver rush, but really our trip was measured in decades rather than miles, back a century to when the town of Cobalt suddenly exploded onto the front pages of newspapers the world over. “In 1906, silver was discovered here in Cobalt, and these veins were among the largest ever found to this point in time,”

explains Daniel Larocque, an employee at the Cobalt Mining Museum who’s contagiously enthusiastic about the area’s mining heritage. “Some of the veins were as wide as sidewalks, and ore came in chunks the size of boulders. A silver rush followed, and the town of Cobalt emerged virtually overnight.” Within a few years, Cobalt had developed from a ramshackle camp into spring 2013

21 15

. . . Cobalt had developed from a ramshackle camp into

a cosmopolitan town of 10,000 with more than 100 mines. It was a boom town in the truest sense, with lots of wealth, little restraint and absolutely no planning. Streets ended abruptly at rock ridges, ramshackle buildings were thrown up wherever the owner decided, and vertical mining shafts dotted the landscape.

north. Nearby Latchford housed a big casino, catering to the miners and prospectors.

While much of this frontierera community has been erased by the years, enough of the boom-town character remains for Cobalt to have been named Ontario’s Most Historic Community. It is also a Parks Canada National Cobalt had the only streetcar Historic Site. system north of Toronto, a Your exploration of the hockey team that played in region’s silver rush begins at the forerunner to the NHL, the Cobalt Welcome Centre, and was home to the first located in a historic train OPP detachment in Ontario’s station dating back to 1910. The Cradle of Canadian Mining exhibit features the exciting history of Cobalt and a state-of-the-art visitor theatre showing a film that takes you into the half-lit world of early mining. Then walk across the street

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to the Northern Ontario Mining Museum. Here you can see a unique collection of mining and prospecting equipment, artifacts and photographs. Don’t miss the guided tour of Colonial Mine, where you don a miner’s hard helmet before being led deep underground through a former adit, or mine entrance. You grope your way through absolute darkness, guided only by the narrow beam of a flashlight. If you look up, you may see roosting bats as you experience first-hand how miners worked. A particular thrill is when the guide asks for all lights to be turned out. It’s absolute and total darkness. You literally can’t

a cosmopolitan town of 10,000 with more than 100 mines.

see your hand before your face.

Left: Explore the many haunting ruins of past mining operations during a self-guided Silver Heritage Trail tour. Top Left: The Cobalt Welcome Centre is located within a historic 1910 railway station. This should be the first stop in any visit to Cobalt. Top Right: Tour guide Dan Larocque takes time for a photo undeground during the Colonial Mine Tour.

After emerging from the mine’s lightless depths, take the afternoon to explore the Heritage Silver Trail, a selfguided drive into the rugged wilds outside Cobalt leading to almost two dozen historic sites [guidebook and map available at the Welcome Centre or Mining Museum]. Each site highlights a unique aspect of the silver rush story, ranging from gaping fissures that once contained the fabulous silver veins to silent head-frames and the fortress-like foundations of an ore processing mill.

“This was the largest mining camp outside of Cobalt, and it supported a community of several hundred with stores, taverns, and a church,” explains Larocque, who has spent countless hours exploring the site of the vanished camp. “The lake was drained to get at the silver below, and from 1904 to 1922 27 million ounces worth more than $500 million was mined.”

The surviving remnants of this long-dead mining town The highlight of the Heritage are hauntingly spectacular. Silver Trail for us was Kerr We discovered, hidden Lake, site of a haphazard behind the overgrown trees, mining camp huddled upon a lonely miners’ cabin. Its the shores of a small lake. spring 2013

While in Cobalt

Cobalt Mining Museum Location: 24 Silver St. Phone: 705-679-8301 cobalt.ca

Right: Hwy 11 enroute to Cobalt, Ontario. Below: View from Nipissing Low Grade Mill. Photo courtesy of cobaltmininglegacy.ca

Cobalt Welcome Centre Location: 38 Silver St. Phone: 705-679-2199 historiccobalt.com

Classic Theatre Location: 30 Silver St. Phone: 705-679-8080 classictheatre.net

Accommodations: For a wider selection of places to stay and dine than is available in Cobalt itself, go to nearby Haileybury, located on the shores of Lake Temiscaming just 10 kilometres north. We stayed at the Leisure Inn, a welcoming motel with comfortable if basic accommodations at can’t-beat prices and only half a block from the shores of Lake Temiscaming (509 Ferguson Ave, 705-672-5084, leisureinn.net).

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roof has collapsed, leaving a staircase climbing to a now non-existent second floor. Along the water’s edge an assortment of machinery sits eerily and permanently silent, rusting and useless hulks that serve as monstrous monuments to the industriousness of man. Not every attraction in Cobalt is linked to mining. The Bunker Military Museum is the largest museum dedicated to Canada’s military history in Northern Ontario, with memorabilia dating back as far as the Boer War. The town also celebrates the bravery of those who

fight fires in the Cobalt Firefighter’s Museum, complete with a horsedrawn century-old fire engine. History of another kind is found in the Classic Theatre, erected in 1926 to host vaudeville and silent movies, now home to concerts, plays and musicals. Despite the impressive remains that can still be seen today, people can hardly begin to imagine the life of an early 20th century miner. But our explorations did leave us with an appreciation of the realities of this silver rush.

Ontario’s Highway 11 could be likened to America’s Route 66 - it’s a storied corridor paved with the memories of hundreds of thousands who have travelled it over the past 90 years. Stretching 1,780 kilometres from Highway 400 in Barrie to the Ontario-Minnesota border at Rainy River, Ontario’s second longest highway is an adventure in itself. The trip to Cobalt can easily be stretched into a two-day event as you create memories of your own. Since 1963, cottagers heading to Muskoka have made certain to pull off the highway to enjoy

a charcoaled burger at Weber’s, located just north of Orillia (you can’t miss the bright yellow walkway over the highway). Weber’s fame has grown so much over the past five decades that today massive lineups of hungry vacationers snake out the door. Don’t be put off by the crowd; the staff is extremely efficient and move things along faster than at any fast-food restaurant you’re likely ever to have seen. And you know what? The burgers justify Weber’s reputation. Note that Weber’s accepts cash only. A short distance further up the highway is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity too unique to pass up. Cautiously, we reached out our hands to stroke a porcupine’s barbed back,

a docile animal named Quillber. We were surprised to find that his quills were actually quite soft – less coarse than the fur of many dogs (don’t try this at home, however; Quillber is used to human contact and was in the hands of a professional trained in wildlife handling]. This was just one of numerous revelations about native Canadian wildlife that we learned during an entertaining visit to the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, an animal sanctuary wellknown for its educational outreach programs, and for saving injured or in distress animals. With 50 acres of scenic walking trails, the Centre boasts more than 40 critters on-site, ranging from bosom buddies Kootenay the Cougar and Kokanee the spring 2013

COBALT

Temagami Fire Tower Location: Town of Temagami (Temagami Chamber of Commerce): 800-661-7609 temagami.ca

5 Greater Sudburyy 17

West Nippissing

144

Town of Latchford Last stop before Cobalt. Home to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smallest 17 covered bridge and the Ontario Logging Hall of Fame. latchford.ca

North Bay

Algonquin Provincial Park

Parry Sound 69

Marten River Provincial Park Logging Museum Location: Marten River 705-892-2147 ontarioparks.com/english/ mart.html

Huntsville

Muskoka Lakes

2 Bracebridge Gravenhurst

400

South Bruce Peninsula

Midland

Owen Sound

1 11

Collingwood

Brockton

Kawartha Lakes

400

Newmarket 404

Belleville

115

Dionne Quints Museum Location: 1375 Seymour St. 7 (adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce) 705-472-8480 northbaychamber.com Peterborough

Orillia

Meaford

BARRIE

Oshawa

401 Cobourg

Brighton

Webers Location: North of Orillia 705-325-3696 â&#x20AC;˘ webers.com

Minden Hills

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Little Norway Memorial Location: Airport Road 705-697-2194 muskokaairport.com/memorial/

Muskoka Wildlife Centre Location: Between Severn Bridge and Gravenhurst 705-689-0222 muskokawildlifecentre.com

chance of giving birth to identical quintuplets and even less chance of them surviving, but the Dionne Consider making a brief stop children did and became a at Muskoka Airport, home of North American sensation. the Little Norway Memorial. During the Depression they attracted as many During the Second World as three million people War, when Norway was per year to North Bay. The occupied by Germany, the Dionne Quints Museum, Royal Norwegian Air Force housed in the original trained its pilots here and, Dionne Homestead, tells in the process, played a valuable role in the eventual this remarkable story and Allied victory. Today, there’s contains many artifacts from the Quints’ early lives. a small museum dedicated Above North Bay you enter to Little Norway, including an area of majestic white an informative movie pine forests. A century ago, within the airport terminal these trees were prized building. Kids too restless by lumbermen who felled to appreciate a museum them by the thousands each will enjoy watching small winter from backwoods airplanes taking off and logging camps. At Marten landing. River Provincial Park, More than 70 years ago the Ministry of Natural the world was amazed by Resources has recreated the birth of the Dionne an authentic logging Quintuplets, in 1934. camp from the days when The five undersized girls timbering was done by man weighed a combined 13 and horse, not machines. pounds, and had to be Guides are available to kept in incubators for the explain the harsh life in first months of their lives. these camps, the nature of It was a one in 57 million Bear, down to box turtles and barn owls. All have amusing names, most have tragic tales.

the rugged men who lived within them, and the use of the various devices employed by loggers in times past. To get an unsurpassed view of this picturesque region of dense forests, sparkling lakes and winding rivers climb to the top of the 100-foot-high Temagami Fire Tower. Since 1910, there were 10 such towers in the area manned by Forest Rangers which remained in use until the 1980s. Today, visitors thrill at the opportunity to climb the restored Temagami Fire Tower for the breathtaking view rangers would have enjoyed. Atop Caribou Mountain, 122 metres (400 feet) above the town of Temagami and 400 metres (1,300 feet above sea level), you can see as far as 40 kilometers on a clear day. Also on-site is an educational centre dedicated to fire rangers, hiking trails through old growth forest, and giftshop. Your next stop on your Highway 11 roadtrip – Cobalt! •

spring 2013

PRESENTED BY

January 26 to April 7; RBG Centre

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histle Stop

Majestic tundra swans headliners as birds flock to Ontario By Tyrone Burke

Thousands strong and honking like mad, migrating tundra swans make certain everybody knows when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about to glide into town for their annual appearance at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s utter cacophony. Above: Tundra Swan Above right: Prothonotary Warbler

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These are some of the most majestic birds on Tundra Swans

“Nobody around Aylmer minds the noise, though,” Keith Malcolm tells me. As a member of the Elgin Stewardship Council, Malcolm has been helping visitors better understand the swans for the past 14 years. “Around here, the arrival of the tundra swans means that spring has come. They’re much better judges of the season change than we are. We know that they’ll get here whenever the spring does.” The giant avian’s elegant aesthetics surely don’t engender much resentment among the locals either. These are some of the most majestic birds on this continent, and perhaps in the entire world. Plumed brilliant white with yellowtrimmed, jet-black beaks, the tallest tundra swans can stand nearly 1.5 metres tall, with a wingspan that is greater still. The swans

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are a force of nature. “When a tundra swan comes in to land, it’s about the most graceful thing you’ll ever see,” says Malcolm. “They’ve got these giant wings, and when their enormous feet come down, it’s almost like landing gear. They look like they’re going to water ski on to the pond.” Nicknamed the whistling swan, these birds earned their moniker not from their call – a repetitive, vaguely nasal and somewhat annoying honking sound – but from the sound of their wings batting powerfully through the air. Stretched fully, they span more than two metres, and are powerful enough to make their own wind. Their ability to create such force serves them well; tundra swans complete an annual migration that tops 6,000 kilometres, round-trip.

“We count up to 60,000 swans here some years,” adds Malcolm. “Other years as few as 40,000. You can never be sure how many will be around on any given day, so we set up a telephone line so people can call and check how many are there on any given day.” (519-773-SWAN) The most unique thing about viewing the tundra swans in Aylmer is the chance to get really close to the birds without scaring them. “We have a wheelchair accessible blind that lets people get within

this continent, and perhaps in the entire world. just a few metres of them,” Malcolm says. “It’s a great spot for photographers, we even had someone in from National Geographic a few years back. ”

Further along the Lake Erie shoreline, Long Point juts east into the lake near the tiny town of Port Rowan. The rolling sand dunes and gnarled hardwoods of Long Point form the longest freshwater sand spit on earth. Seen from the air, the enormous sandy peninsula resembles an outstretched finger scratching at a cloudless sky. But what really makes this place special is its wildlife, and it isn’t just tundra swans. Smack in the middle of one of the most heavily developed regions of the country, Long Point is

an oasis for the animals of the Carolinian forest ecosystem. Today there are deer, ducks, and foxes living peacefully on the peninsula, unfettered by the suburban and agricultural development that has felled so much of southern Ontario’s forests. Long Point has a storied history, but in the 1860s a group of southwestern Ontario businessmen banded together to form The Long Point Company. The group bought the land from the government for less than $10,000 and privatized it. In doing so they turned Long Point into their own private hunting domain.

the public, but their domain was a sanctuary in which wildlife thrived. In 1960, North America’s first bird observatory was established here. In 1978, the international significance of Long Point was recognized by UNESCO when it was awarded the distinction of being named a world biosphere reserve.

Its particular importance lies in the fact that many migratory birds using the Atlantic flyway pass over Lake Erie, and when they do, this narrow spit is the first piece of land they see. Tired from their journey they stop here,

The club may have excluded

making Long Point one of the richest birding areas anywhere on the continent. Long Point extends 40 kilometres into Lake Erie, providing a renowned stopover for migrating birds.

Three quarters of all migratory bird species that spring 2013

...catch a glimpse of birds as majestic as a bald eagle or as tiny as a plover...

Piping Plover

fly through Ontario have been spotted in Long Point’s dunes, marshes and forests. Among these more than 300 species are a significant number of

rare or endangered birds, including the beachdwelling piping plover, and the prothonotary warbler, a tiny, tawny songbird.

Today, much of the peninsula remains off limits, but not all of it. Just past a causeway that crosses wetlands to link the sandy peninsula with the north shore of the lake is Long Point Provincial Park. Its

beaches and wetlands allow you to catch a glimpse of birds as majestic as a bald eagle or as tiny as a plover, but if it happens to be springtime, you just might get lucky and stumble upon some tundra swans. •

Tyrone Burke has also been known to migrate south for the winter. He is a contributing editor with Canadian Geographic, and is currently based in Ottawa

Where the Birds Are Long Point and the Aylmer Wildlife Management area are both great places to spot tundra swans, but Ontario is full of great birding spots. Grab your binoculars and check them out!

• Presqu’ile Provincial Park juts into Lake Ontario near Brighton. Over 300 species have been spotted here, many of them migratory birds stopping over for some rest during their long migrations. www.ontarioparks.com/english/pres.html • Near Kingston, Amherst Island offers up the opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds, including the Northern Saw-whet owl. This species is so tiny that the owls can fit inside a teacup. loyalisttownship.ca/discover-tourism-birdwatching • Pelee Island, the southernmost tip of Canada, is one of the richest birding

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areas anywhere on the continent. Join experienced guides on morning, Scan for afternoon and Pelee island bird video evening hikes as diverse songbirds flock to the region throughout the first three weeks of May including 42 of the 55 known warbler species in the continent. friendsofpointpelee.com/festivalofbirds-home

• The sheer cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment are prime territory for hawks and falcons, and in April of each year the town of Grimsby celebrates it with Raptorfest, which honours and educates on these most majestic of birds. tinyurl.com/ax6wpku

Caving in Ontario is full of challenges, fun & unexpected discoveries Imagine yourself swallowed up by the ground, like a modern-day Alice in Wonderland trekking into deep unknowns. With more than 400 known caves to explore across Ontario, there are a wide variety of challenges awaiting – each of them “curiouser and curiouser,” as Alice might say.

Welcome to

WONDERLAND By Victoria Ford

spring 2013

When you step into a cave you’re stepping into another world.

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“There’s something mysterious about caves,” offers Chris Hinsperger of Bonnechere Caves, a family owned and operated site near Ottawa that promises a unique experience for people of all ages. “When you step into a cave you’re stepping into another world.” It’s true. The cavernous expanse of caves includes a brief introduction to our ancient world. Many are replete with fossils, stalactites (downward hanging, icicle-like limestone structures) and stalagmites (those same limestone structures that grow upwards). In the most simplistic of explanations, caves are formed by water and erosion: the whole process is a chemical reaction between the water and specific types of stone (in Ontario, this is largely limestone).

And it’s not a flash in the pan reaction either – caves are old. When exploring them, you are transported to another time in history. “The limestone in our caves tells us a story,” Hinsperger continues. “Tectonic plates, the tropical sea, it’s all in our limestone that was formed some 400 to 500 million years ago.” Caves are as unique as the individuals who enjoy the sport. There are allaccess caves – accessible for children and adults of varying abilities, like Bonnechere. Then there are challenging routes that involve training and knowledge of how to cave safely. “It is a different and unique sport,” explains Agnes Buss of Adventure Seeker Tours. Geared to ensuring enjoyment and safety

for its clients, Adventure Seeker Tours checks out establishments before bringing their clients in. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the sport. “We find and explore unique areas throughout Ontario that we personally enjoy, and introduce these beautiful or unique areas and activities to others,”

Number one on every caver’s list? Don’t do it alone! “Caving can be dangerous if you don’t know the cave and don’t have the proper gear,” Buss emphasizes. “It is best to go with a group and have a leader that knows what he/she is doing. Definitely have back-up head lamps, lots of batteries and extra flashlights,” she continues. Beyond that? Proper footwear is key – you want solid hiking shoes that provide support and are light. And don’t forget how caves are formed – water – so be sure your footwear can handle wet conditions. Other necessities? Pack a medical kit, and carry some rope and a harness. It’s important to be prepared for any slips and falls. Carrying some water and highprotein snacks, especially in more challenging routes, is also recommended.

Buss continues. “We test the activities first to make sure they are enjoyable, safe, run in a professional manner and ensure a great time.” Whether joining a tour or exploring on your own, before you pack your car, there are certain safety precautions you need to consider.

is a moderately extreme sport, and all cavers need to know and be prepared for the risks. Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to look at our province from an underground perspective, you need to know where to start. And Eganville’s Bonnechere might be just the thing. “We’re a soft adventure – we have boardwalks and lights,” Hinsperger explains. “Our caves are accessible to all ages, and our interpreters educate you as you explore.”

Bonnechere offers a perfect introduction to a sport that can turn extreme. But, Eganville is only one of many great caving destinations. “Brue Trail, the Niagara Escarpment and Warsaw Caves offer some great beginner and advanced caving options,” says Buss. “The scenery, variety and ecosystems within are a marvelous sight and One more piece of advice? “Always tell someone where experience.” Feeling ready to go underground, but not you’re going!” says Buss. “Experienced cavers usually sure where to go? A great place to whet your appetite end up joining a caving virtually is ontariocaves.com, club and go about it with where the site builder, Jeff, their caving buddies,” Buss has created a photo-blog continues. But be sure style site to highlight some to note the emphasis on experienced. As exciting and of Ontario’s 400 caves. For novice cavers, Jeff suggests invigorating as exploring a a guided tour adventure cave may sound to you – it spring 2013 | 29

(like those listed) is a great place to start. Once you’ve gained experience and know what you’re doing, there are enough caves to keep you exploring Ontario’s underground for a while. Extreme or soft, novice to expert, there’s a caving option for everyone in Ontario. So hit the open

road, and get ready to allow your curiosity to take you

into your own rabbit hole this Spring. •

Find a cave that’s just right for you.

tinyurl.com/adoh6jq Hell Holes Caves & Ravines, Centreville 613.388.2284 Father’s Day to Labour Day Daily 10:00 am – 5:00pm Victoria Day to Father’s Day & after Labour Day Weekends only ruralroutes.com/hellholes

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Eramosa Karst, Stoney Creek 905.525.2181 Open year round, weather permitting, season’s pass available conservationhamilton.ca/ eramosa-karst

tinyurl.com/b8ld8qs

Scenic Caves, Blue Mountains 705.446.0256 Green season, call to confirm times and pricing sceniccaves.com Scan for scenic Caves video

Tyendinaga Cavern & Caves, Belleville 613.478.5708 Victoria Day to June 30, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., weekdays by appointment, weekends daily no appointment July 1 to Labour Day, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m, daily including holidays tyendinagacaves.blogspot.ca/

Scan for Owls at the Eramosa Karst video

Scan for Bonnechere Caves video

Bonnechere Caves, Eganville 613.628.2283 toll free: 800.469.2283 May long weekend to June 30, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July to Labour Day, daily 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Labour Day to Thanksgiving, weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m. bonnecherecaves.com

tinyurl.com/asy8mxe Greig’s Caves, Bruce Peninsula 519.377.8762 Open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., May to Thanksgiving, weather permitting (call to confirm) greigscaves.ca Warsaw Caves, Douro-Dummer 705.652.3161 toll free: 1.877.816.7604 Mid-May to Mid-October, call to confirm warsawcaves.com

spring EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT march

BURLINGTON March 31 Easter Brunch at the RBG! Head to the Royal Botanical Gardens Easter weekend for the return of its Easter Brunch. Wander through the gardens to catch the season’s early blooms and head back to the café for a traditional brunch. tinyurl.com/c9ph2t9 ALBERT Mar 29 - 30 Easter Fun at the Farm For some traditional family fun this Easter head to the Tiny town of Albert, just south of Barrie for a day of egg hunting, wagon rides, scavenger hunts and more. Overlapping the Easter fun is their 2013 Maple Sugar Festival. brooksfarms.com/easter-fun-fest/

April

SUDBURY April 5 - 7 Sportsman Show As Northern Ontario’s largest sporting show, this is a mustattend event for outdoor and sport enthusiasts alike. With interactive booths, live entertainment and plenty of chances to win, the Sportsman Show will feature the latest in boats, trailers, fishing outfitters, lodges, motorcycles, scuba equipment, camping gear and much more. dacshows.com/sportsman.html NORFOLK COUNTY Opens April 6 Whistling Gardens Nestled in Norfolk County just 20 minutes south of Brantford is

Canada’s newest botanical exhibit, the Whistling Gardens. Spanning 18 acres, the site offers 16,000 spring flowering bulbs, 5,000 annuals, 1,300 new perennials, an Aviary, and 116 fountains, many choreographed to music. whistlinggardens.ca/index.php HAMILTON April 12 - 14 Food and Drink Fest The 8th annual Food and Drink Fest brings local and international wines and spirits, craft beers and many of Hamilton, Burlington and Niagara’s finest dining institutions together at Careport Expo Center. ID is required for this 19+ event. foodanddrinkfest.com OTTAWA Apr 27- 28 Ottawa Grassroots Festival This weekend-long showcase is packed with imaginative opportunities, from free daytime family kids’ song writing seminars and instrumental education to the more traditional drumming circles and intimate evening concerts. ottawagrassrootsfestival.com

Sparks Street, the Glebe, Little Italy, Elgin Street, China Town and the ByWard market regions. tulipfestival.ca/site/home/en Hamilton’s RBG is also celebrating everything tulips and spring flowers throughout the month of May. www.rbg.ca/events HAMILTON May 4 - 5 Doors Open Doors Open Hamilton has included over 15 sites with must-see favourites like Dundurn Castle, the Dundas Valley School of Art, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and Westfield Heritage Village. For more information and TBA sites visit doorsopenhamilton.ca/. For information on Doors Open events across the province, visit doorsopenontario.on.ca TORONTO May 19 - 21 Toronto International Circus Festival Experience the thrill of stilt walkers, chain saw jugglers and daring unicyclists as they take you into the twisted world of the nation’s best may travelling circus acts under the Big OTTAWA May 3 - 30 Top at Harbourfront Centre. In it’s Canadian Tulip Festival 10th year, this FREE event fills up The Canadian Tulip festival fast. TOcircusfestival.com welcomes more than 500,000 MISSISSAUGA May 24 - 26 visitors annually to admire over A Festival of Cultures one million tulips blossoming throughout Ottawa in the month of Carassauga celebrates over 72 May. As the largest tulip festival in countries showcased throughout the many event pavilions, each the world, the celebration spans offering something special and

spring 2013

spring EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT unique. Stations feature a wide variety of activities demonstrating each country’s culture including music, food, art, fashion shows, dance, story telling, and much more. carassauga.com PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY May 25 Canada at Terroir Meet the experts behind some of the finest crafted wines in Canada at Terroir, A County Wine Celebration. Join winemakers, the vineyard managers, the grape growers, owners, and chefs of Prince Edward County in picturesque Picton at the Crystal Palace. countyterroir.ca/index.php

Battle of Stoney Creek. Mingle with early 19th century settlers and soldiers as they go about their daily lives. battlefieldhouse.ca/ reenactment.asp WINDSOR June 1 - 2 Art in the Park Wander through the sculptured gardens of Willistead Manor while enjoying over 275 artists and artisans from around Ontario, Quebec and the state of Michigan who have come to display and retail handcrafted goods. The festival also features a kids zone and live musical acts. artintheparkwindsor.com/ june index.php ORANGEVILLE May 30 - June 2 WELLAND June 1-23 Jazz it Up! Roses are Red Now in its 11th year, the Orangeville Jazz and Blues Festival The Rose festival celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year. draws over 35,000 music lovers. For this two-day open-air event in Highlights include the Rose Parade, a children’s area and free family Alexandra Park behind the Town activities plus live performances Hall. The festival also features and a locally crafted beer and wine entertainment at 15 restaurant/ bars and coffee shops in the area. tent. Sunday morning features a pancake breakfast to start the day. Full schedule TBA. objf.org wellandrosefestival.on.ca WATERLOO June 1 - 2 OTTAWA June 7 - 9 Waterloo Air Show This year includes performances by Carnival of Cultures Canadian Forces three flight teams: A weekend long celebration of worldwide folk arts and traditional the Snowbirds, the Skyhawks music with over 400 local Parachute Team and the CF-18 performing artists representing Demonstration Team along with 20+ countries. the crowd favorite, Jet Craft Air carnivalofcultures.com Museum’s “T-33 Mako Shark”. waterlooairshow.com TORONTO June 14 - 23 Luminato HAMILTON June 1 - 2 Since its launch in 2007, Luminato Re-enacting History has become one of the most Discover Canadian heritage at distinguished arts festivals Battlefield House Museum and in North America, having Park, a National Historic Site, for commissioned over 66 new works the annual Re-enactment of the

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of art, and featured 7,500 artists from 40 countries. This year’s 10-day celebration will embrace artistic partnerships in creating memorable works by bringing together artists from different cultures and genres. luminato.com

HAMILTON June 15 - 16 Hamilton Air Show In its 41st year, the Hamilton Airshow at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Musieum features one of the largest aircraft displays in Canadian history and is a show not to miss. Participants in this extraordinary event include the world-famous Snowbirds, Mikey McBryan from Ice Pilots, a CF-18 demonstration and the Harvard Aerobatic Team and more. hamiltonairshow.com For a complete listing of Ontario air shows, visit tinyurl.com/d3uc93y

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Ontario students are thinking about the environment. May is Conservation Month at Pioneer! Each May since 2009, hundreds of Ontario Students have been helping to bring Atlantic Salmon back to Lake Ontario thanks to biologists, volunteers and O.F.A.H conservation partners like Pioneer Energy. These classroom-raised Salmon are a learning experience for the students, and helps get them thinking about our environment. After all, teaching

partners in partners in Partners in Partners in

about stewardship today will help our environment tomorrow.

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