All right it is bad enough that we woke up to 5 inches of snow yesterday and more this morning.  BUT now blogspot has gone and fixed something that wasn't broken and it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to get to the damn spot to write this rant. Well at least it gave me something to rant about.  If they think they were making it better it was all lost on me.  Please remember some of us older folks don't like you messing with our heads!!!!!  Change is good if it is underwear and new shoes not computer stuff.

We were lucky not to loose power on Monday, oh except for Charlie Foster that had a tree come down on his power line.  Hydro was there fairly quickly to fix the problem.  It was a really wet heavy snow to deep to wear my sandals to work and it would have been well received if it was December or January but it is just annoying in April.  We did need some rain, it was getting really dry and the snow is a good way for the moisture to seep into the ground. 

This snowfall will help build up the water holes for the mud run this weekend.  I went out on Sunday to add some more mileage onto the route and found out Monday just how out of shape I was. If I would stop getting stuck it wouldn't be so bad.   We have a good route planned and will be marking it on Friday.  If I'm lucky I will find something really important that has to be done and will be able to talk my way out of having to head out again to mark. 

Well that's it for now.  It is still pretty quite but it will be the long weekend before we know it.

Back next week
Cheers
Nancy

Mother nature is either on drugs or suffering from dementia. It was 15 degrees yesterday when I went for my walk and 0 this morning. What is up with that?

We had a great weekend in spite of the weatherman saying all week that it was going to rain. It didn't until about six o'clock Sunday night. Thank goodness it was my daughter BBQing and not me.

We had such a wind storm yesterday. There was a wide spread power outage. It was only out for about an hour on the highway but the backside of Lake St. Peter still wasn't on by this afternoon. I didn't speak to anyone from Mink so don't have any info. Paudash Lake and parts of Maple Leaf are also still out. Hydro One has been very busy earning their keep today.

It's still pretty quiet around. Cottage construction has started up. There are different contractors in daily, so things must be getting rolling.

The turtles have even started laying their eggs on the side of the road. That is really early for them. They don't usually lay until mid May and June.

The people that own Highland Wilderness Tours in East Lake Rd. have started doing ATV tours as well as horseback riding. So keep this in mind if you have company up this summer and they are looking for something to do, or maybe you just want to get rid of them for the day. It is a great way to try out the sport if you haven't done it before. I will mention this again in July and August as a reminder. They have been in business a long time and are very good at what they do.

We that is about it for now. Back next week unless something exciting happens.

Cheers
Nancy

Easter has come and gone that must mean that the May long weekend can't be far behind.

It was nice to see some of the cottagers back. I had expected more considering how early spring came this year but it was a fairly quiet weekend.

There is a very nice couple that live on Mink Lake, Rita and Keith Martin. Rita walks every day and Keith almost every day. They stopped in for lunch yesterday and asked me for some garbage bags. They had been cleaning up Mink Lake Road, something that they do every walk. They started at the boat launch yesterday and had filled FOUR GREEN BAGS by the time they got as far as the dragon fly. They needed the bags to continue from the highway back in. Now they happened to mention that someone must really like Reese's Pieces because they have picked up about 15 wrappers lately. So if you are the Reese's Pieces junky would you please put your garbage in your pocket or somewhere else until you get home. That goes for the Tim's cups and pop cans also. Keith mentioned that when they go out on Monday mornings they can fill a grocery bag every time. Come on people. You wouldn't throw this stuff on your own back lawn so don't throw it on any body elses.

That was my rant for the day.

There is not much else to report so I will end now. Have a great week and I hope you make it up soon. ATV season is looking good.

Cheers
Nancy

It's been a week since my last blurb. I don't know where the time goes even though we are not busy. I think that someone must have put a gate up in Bancroft and is not letting anyone pass.

I am happy to report that both dogs are back safe and sound. In true beagle fashion after driving around in the bush for a few more hours when the guys got back to the camp there was Rusty laying beside the truck with the what took you so long look on his face. Buddy looked like he had been on a three day bender and slept for 3 more days, Rusty although he didn't come out of the doghouse for a day or two would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Dogs!!!

Spring is here for sure. The days are much longer. The Herons are back on the lake and nesting. There are a few docks in the lake already and I have started wearing my sandals regularly even if there were a few snow flurries today.

For those of you coming up 127 for the first time you will notice construction signs in two places.
There is repair work being done on both bridges. They were putting up stop lights today to control the traffic havoc that will surely occur during the construction. A mild inconvenience but I'm sure we will all live through it. It will be interesting to get and under the bridge look at the progress when we paddle down the creek in May.

I have a bit of traveling to do this weekend just day trips but lengthy all the same. I have some new staff starting also this weekend so be nice-they are new and I don't want you scaring them!!!!

It looks like it is going to be a great weekend weather wise. So the Easter Bunny shouldn't have any trouble getting the job done.

If you are up to the lake I hope we see you. If not have enjoy a nice long weekend.

Don't forget the ATV run on April 28. We are getting lots of inquiries. I hope to make it about a four hour ride. It should be fun.

That's it for now. Back after the weekend I hope with some exciting stories. So someone do something exciting so we can chuckle about it.

Cheers
Nancy

WHO TURNED DOWN THE HEAT? Just when mother nature spoiled us she had to go and pull the plug again. Drat!!!

However on the up side the ice went out of Mink Lake and Lake St. Peter last Sunday. The earliest that any one can remember it ever going out and Charlie Foster has been keeping records for 30 years. Needless to say I haven't seen any more mosquitoes this week.

The ATV's are starting to come out a little which is nice to see. No more dramatic rides for me yet but the season hasn't begun yet. Lots of time for foolishness.

On a scarey note we were on our usual Sunday trek around the hunt camp with the dogs when the beagle and the retriever got on the scent of something and went for a run. They didn't come back and hadn't been seen since. I was starting to fear the worst. They are usually back in an hour or two. The guys went out on the ATV's this morning to look through the bush in some of the harder to reach places. While I was updating I got a call that they found the retriever (I had to stop to go and pick him up). I am so grateful to all of the people that helped us by driving around the back roads and checking the property during the day. It sure isn't the same going for a walk in the morning without Buddy. I only hope that the find the beagle also. I will know later today.

I can't think of too much more to report.

Just a reminder of the ATV run here at the diner on April 28. It should be a good run. If you want more info or accommodation call us anytime. 613-338-3043 I hope some of you can make it up.

Back in a few days.

Cheers
Nancy

What a wonderful week we are having. I can't believe that two Saturdays ago we had sledders in all geared up and this week we have people in wearing shorts, tees and flip flops. Incredible!!!

I have started my research on the deck. I have good news and bad news. There are no black flies yet but I was bitten by a mosquito twice this week while sitting outside. The little beggers are everywhere, even in the middle of the day. And the house flies are coming out in herds both inside and out. At least they don't bite and are easy to swat.

I made and interesting discoverer this week. When I was at the sugar bush last weekend I was told that drinking maple sap was good for what ails you (if you know what I mean). So Kelly brought me up a jar this week to try. Well it has quite a nice mild taste to it. Knowing that I have a one track mind I thought if you added a shot of vodka to this it would be even better. Aha!! Kelly and I have now invented the Maple Martini. Two parts maple sap, one part vodka (or to taste), and a drop of maple syrup. Serve over ice or shake with crushed. It was delicious. That was when I got stung by the first mosquito. See what I go through for you people. The danger never ends.

It will be great to see the cottagers starting to come up soon. The ice on the lake is so black it should be out by next week. According to Charlie Foster who keeps records on this stuff, this will be the earliest its been out in many, many years. April 4 is the record so far. I will keep you updated. The driveways are drying up nicely and the tulips and daffodils are coming up. Yea!!

That's it for now. Hope we see you soon. It has been pretty quiet this week.

Cheers
Nancy

Spring has sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the birdies is!!!

What a wonderful weekend and the week ahead looks even better.

I went for my first ATV ride on Sunday. It was a blast. There was still so much snow in the bush that you could have sledded. It is so nice to see spring trying to emerge. There was water running everywhere with the melting snow. Some times the back end of the bike didn't want to go in the same direction as the front and that made things interesting. I was glad to add the comic relief to the trip by hitting the ditch twice. I rolled it once and discovered that it is so much nicer to land in ditch full of snow rather than a ditch full of dirt, stones and water. My next ditching was more graceful. I just slipped off the trail in the soft snow and ended up more than knee deep in a big mud puddle disguised as a snow bank. Oh well the winch got me out no problem and we were on our way again. Brian now wants to ride behind me instead of in front because he misses all the entertainment. The upside was that there was no dust.

It amazing how quickly the bottom dropped out of snowmobiling. We were so busy two weekends ago with sledders and last weekend poof it's gone.

This great weather should dry everything up sooner rather than later. We were even able to rake a winters worth of dog poop from the back yard. Three trips to the bush with the wheel barrel. Next dog I get I will be scooping up after with a teaspoon and a soup can not a rake and a snow shovel!!!

The creeks are all running really fast and Boulter Lake Rd. is flooded over at the culvert. Even the dog didn't stay in the creek long this morning. The current was much stronger than on the weekend and it made him nervous.

Let's all think positive thoughts. If this heat wave would continue for a mere 60 or 75 more days we might not have any black flies this year. Not to worry though, I will still continue my research on the deck and give regular report.


Ah-hope springs eternal in my little mind and sometimes the sun is a different colour in my world. But I am not alone. I know there are others of you with me!!

Well that's it for my pears of wisdom for today.

Don't forget about our mud run on April 28. It should be fun.

Until next time.
Cheers
Nancy

That's all she wrote. The fat lady is singing. It's all over but the crying. That's all I can think of!!

NOW, BRING ON SPRING.

The stakes were pulled off of Lake St. Peter yesterday. There is still a lot of snow around but the trails look like a bad skating rink. There were one or two sleds out yesterday but you would have to be right at the trail to start.

We had a great run once it started.

I would like to thank all the sledders that supported the diner all winter. Without you guys I wouldn't be open. Sledders are the best. Thank you for your patience when we got so busy we don't know if we were coming or going. I know that sometimes you have a long wait for meals when we get slammed and most often nothing is said (at least to my face). You are all pretty understanding.

Thank you also for all of the"atta girls" you give me for posting trail conditions. It is nice to know that people are reading the updates and it encourages me to continue. It is also nice to see just how many of you have a warped sense of humor just like myself.

I am hoping that with the double digit temps this week all of the snow will be gone. If you are coming to the cottage you will not be able drive in if you haven't had your driveway plowed this winter. If you did have it plowed there will most likely not be any snow in the driveway. It is leaving fairly quickly in the plowed areas.

We walked into the hunt camp on Sunday and when you go through the snow it is still up past your knees, higher if you are short!

When we went for our walk this morning the dog went into the creek for the first time. I'm not sure if it was by accident or on purpose but he wasn't long getting out. I tried to keep him out of the bedroom when we got back home but alas I didn't win that one and he was on the bed before I realized it and now the duvet is all wet and stinky. Will I never learn. I seem to say that a lot. Apparently I will never learn.

Don't forget our ATV mud run on April 28. It should be lots of fun.

Again thanks for a great season. I'll see some of you over the summer but I hope I see all of you next winter.

I will be back later in the week.
Cheers
Nancy

The 30% chance of flurries predicted for Friday was actually four inches of fluffy snow. Go figure. Driving conditions were horrible on Friday night, but then if you drove up to the cottage you would already know that.

The trails are still well covered with snow. It was -16 when blondie and I went for our walk this morning. It is a beautiful sunny day. A great sledding day.

Riders in yesterday were quite pleased with the trail conditions. The group that went to Pembroke and back yesterday said that things were good the whole way there and back.

The lakes are taking a beating though.

The groomers were not out yesterday but they will be out tonight.

I hope you all can get a last ride in this weekend just in case it is the last one. I will be back on Monday with more info.

Cheers
Nancy

Good News. All the riders in today say that the conditions in our area are quite good. No one is complaining. The hydro line to Haliburtion is not so good.

It is snowing and not just flurries. Yea!!! Come on up.