Sally’s View of the River

Each Spring with the warmth comes the ever inquisitive bears. Foraging for food they may walk through our backyards seeking berry bushes and our garbage. Without thinking we may bait the bears with….dog food left out on a deck, winter bird feeders.

If you see a bear in the Haliburton Highlands the MNR Bear Wise Program would like to know. They can be reached at 1-886-514-2327.They will alert local authorities and will coordinate search and relocate programs or if necessary will cull the animal. If you think you need immediate action call 911.

I keep a journal of the places that my partner and I stay and what we learn from our hosts and their home. We do this so that we are doing some personal professional development. Of the 450 some odd Bed and Breakfasts where we have stayed all over the world we have learned as hosts how not to and how to behave, what is appropriate to say and not say and what should be available or on hand too ensure the comforts of our guests in our B&B environment.

I can think of about 5 B&Bs that we felt like we were imposing on the house and the family by being in their home. There were rules where we could and could not be, plastic on the furniture, no information about what there is to do in the area, specific times we could be in the house and not, a specific time for breakfast…be there or not get breakfast, and most importantly there were no extras…a beverage, munchies, chit chat, sharing of lives etc. It was clear to me that these B&B hosts were on the most part living well beyond their means and by having travelers stay they were supplementing their income. They had no intentions to share any part of their lives or their community with us. It was also clear that they had probably never stayed in a bed and breakfast themselves or each would have a little more personality than they did.

Hint #1 Questions a newbie should ask: Ask how long the B&B has been operating? How long have you been the hosts? What comforts do you offer your guests?

At the very least you should expect: lots of information and sincere answers to questions during your telephone call, comments on payment and directions and the persons name or hosts name before you hang up the telephone. When you arrive to the B&B you should expect a person introducing themselves, a welcoming smile, an orientation to the home, some discussion about breakfast, what there is to do in the community or the area, an offering of a beverage, something to munch on and so many other little tidbits that will genuinely help you to feel comfortable while you are visiting.

Haliburton Highlands is located 2.5 hours north of Toronto and less than an hour south of Algonquin Park. The Haliburton Highlands Travel maps have arrived and are available for thoses planning on travelling to the Haliburton County.!

The new Haliburton Highlands tourism map has arrived. It includes an overview of Haliburton County Ontario and inserts of towns and hamlets like Minden Hills, Canarvon, Haliburton, West Guilford..

It also includes information about activities in the Haliburton Highlands.

To receive a copy, pick one up for FREE at the Visitor Information Centre on Highway 35 in Minden Ontario or call 705-286-1777 to have one mailed to you. Call Amy Brohm, Haliburton CountyTourism Marketing Co-ordinator, County of Haliburton 705-286-1777, 1-800-461-7677

While you are talking with Amyask her also to include some information about the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast located in Minden Hills Ontario.

For all hockey fanatics that dream of hugging and kissing the ever so sacred Stanley Cup Jan and Sunny Rock Jan and Sally beat you to it. We were visiting home with a house full of family in Dunany Lachute Quebec and Lord Stanley and its entourage came for a visit to the local Dunany Golf and Country Club. There was an exciting buzz happening on the Sunday at noon.

Jan and I were among the many that were able to wait our turn and get our picture taken with the “Lord”. Jan is really the Hockey buff and was so excited to have this claim to fame. Frankly I simply enjoy watching the final game and the celebration of those who win the Stanley cup. I am usually watching a movie while others scream obscenities at the puck in the other room.

But I gotta tell you standing beside, hugging and even kissing this ICON was really exciting even for me.

Minden Ontario's Sunny Rock B&B Hosts Hug the Stanley Cup!!!

Well the excitement is over now and continues to linger with every opportunity to show this picture and share the story. Just to mention also that we arrived home to Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast and are once again open for business and back assuming the Owner and hosts posts.

Dining in the Haliburton Highlands is a wonderful experience. The options available to guests reach from the casual finger food to culinary cuisine. I enjoy the ambience and taste senations of That Place in Carnarvon Restarant as it offers guests their choice of foods, there is something for evey taste. That Place in Carnarvon is located at the junction of Highway 35 and Highway 118 on 118 E of 35.

When you visit with us at the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast i it is an easy 20 minute drive to That Place in Carnarvon Restaurant . Come visit us and then go visit them.
Call Sally at the Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast and let us know that you saw this post on our blog and we will offer you 10% off the value of your multiple night booking.

Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast locatered in the Haliburton Highlands, Minden Ontario Canada.
www.sunnyrock.on.ca
1-888-786-6976

Traditional Canadian Holiday Christmas Package in the Haliburton Highlands just 2 hours north of Toronto Ontario at the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast

The Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast at the end of a country road in cottage country is all decked out for Christmas and we have packages starting at $800 for 2 adults (rates vary with room choice). Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast is delighted to present an adult only Christmas food, beverage and lodging package for 2008. Just 2.5 hours north of Toronto in the Haliburton Highlands cottage country is a place dedicated to extraordinary customer service for couples wanting that special getaway. Picture yourself waking up in the morning to the view of a waterfalls and open water lake where the beavers and ducks are at play and the deer pass by at least once a day. Step out on your balcony (room specific) and breathe in the view only Sunny Rock bed and breakfast can provide.

Packages of multiple nights offer a dinner on the arrival night, a traditional Christmas Dinner shared with other guests and a second meal of leftovers following a active boxing day. All the food and drink is included for these three meals. Each morning we will serve you a full hot gourmet breakfast at a time convenient to you and tailored to your tastes. In addition Sunny Rock bed and breakfast offer to our guests the use of a 24 hour kitchenette stocked with Christmas goodies and hot and cold beverages and a BBQ for guest use. If you wish to venture off the property to enjoy local dinner fare we have discount coupons for a number of the local restaurants and would be very willing to make your reservations and meal arrangements.

Cross country skiing, downhill and snowshoeing is a short drive away. If you wish to enjoy the hundreds of kilometers of groomed Nordic ski or snowshoeing trails experience in our woods of the highlands included in your rate is one day pass ticket.

Dog sledding is a very popular activity among our guests and we are willing to plan meals around the guest’s participation in the dog sledding activity. We recommend the local dog sledding company called Winterdance. All inquiries and reservations for dog sledding should be made directly to Tanya at Winterdance. Do not allow for disappointment make your reservations now. Be sure to tell Tanya Sally sent you.

Reservations for the Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast Traditional Christmas Package made during the month of December must be paid in full. Should a guest cancellation be required refunds will be made in part only if the reservation is filled for the same reservation dates. Or perhaps consideration may be given to a certificate to be used at a later date in the new year.

To register call Sally now 1-888-786-6976

To see pictures of the rooms and photo gallery go to the Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast website. Look forward to sharing Christmas with you.

Being a Zoomer is primarily a state of mind! It’s an attitude towards living long….on open optimistic attitude that combines a desire for new experiences with a sense of purpose and value. It’s an attitude that frankly recognizes the challenges of aging (and actively advocates for remedies to them), but also insists that aging doesn’t have to mean retreating from life.

Being a Zoomer isn’t about how much money you have, its about how much life you have. A Zoomer isn’t an idea we have to live up to, it’s a better way of expressing where we have been all along.

These are the words of Moses Znaimer who is the founder of the new Zoomer magazine, once called the CARP Magazine ,helping older adults with information useful so they too can begin living the life as a “Zoomer”. The magazine,s purpose as I understand is to show who the current Zoomers are and the adventures that they are experiencing and helping encourage you to live the best life now and in the future.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Mark Twain.

Come and experience just another way of considering yourself as a zoomer. Come to the Hike Haliburton Festival in the Haliburton Highlands of Ontario Canada. Come stay with us at the Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast and let me know you are a Zoomer and I will offer you $25 off the published rate for you room on the final night of a multip[le night stay.

Hike Haliburton is scheduled for October 16-18, 2008. There will be some 24 supervised hike, a BBQ, silent auction, and night of music. For more information go to www.trailsandtours.com .

Give us a call at the Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast. 1-888-786-6976

Yours Outdoors is offering the following experience packages this fall:

September 13 – Pedal Your Arts – Tour du Village (10km) See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=4

September 24 – Pedal Your Arts – Gears for Guilford (35km). See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=6

October 4 – Pedal Your Arts – Tour du Village (10km). See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=4
October 6-8 – Haliburton Rocks. See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=1

October 20-22 – Some Like it Hot – See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=8

November 7-9 – See http://www.yoursoutdoors.ca/packageinfo.php?id=8

There are still spaces available for these tours. Do you have any guests who might be interested in participating? There is day rate for all packages. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Barrie Martin
Yours Outdoors
Experience Broker

1344 Barry line
R.R. #1
Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
705-754-3436 (telephone/fax)
705-457-7557(cell)

www.yoursoutdoors.ca

www.outtolearn.ca

The Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast is a place to stay when yolu are attending any of these programs. We would love the opportunity to help you plan your holiday in the Haliburton Highlands Ontario. 1-888-786-6976

This is Amazing….
Read carefully …
If you concentrate on the facts, you CAN get the right answer.
Can you solve this puzzle?
You are riding on a beautiful white horse.
On your left side is a drop off.
On your right side are several ostriches being chased by a lion.
In front of you are four large gazelles that won’t get out of your way
And you can’t seem to overtake them.
Behind you is a stampede of horses.
What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation?

For the answer see below…

* Get your drunk ass off the merry-go-round. *

A friend of mine, who knows I love travelling, sent me this link to check out. It lists every commercial airline and the planes they fly and tells you which seats are the best and the worst. You can bet that I will be checking out this website before our next travel experience.

http://www.seatguru.com/