Sleigh Rdes & Cross Country Skiing in Bruce County

What a great way to spend time outdoors over the holidays with family and friends! This holiday season while you are out and about in Grey Bruce, why not see some of our back country, or tour the Festival of Northern Lights in Owen Sound! A great way to check out the lights is by Horse and Carriage, I did it last Friday night with some friends and we had a great time, listening to the sounds of horses on ash fault and the bells ringing made the tour that much more memorable. Contact Gord at Windsong Farm to book your tour.

Check out our site for events and things to do over the holidays!

Here is the list of local Stables:
Richies Clydesdales (Carriage rides) 1-519-385-2548
Purple Valley Riding Stables 1-519-534-0598
Glen Catto - Catto Farms Sleigh Rides 1-519-376-9027
Glendale Farms 1-519-376-9027

Another way to enjoy the great outdoors is to go dog sledding Singing Dogs is the way to go! Or maybe you want to do some cross country skiing or snowshoeing, check out Suntrail Source for Adventure in Hepworth or Thorncrest Outfitters in Southampton for all your gear needs and trail info.

From our place to yours, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year, all the best in 2010!

Olympic Torch Relay

If you are in Grey Bruce over the holidays visiting family and friends and are looking for something to do, once the presents have all been opened, and you have had your fill of turkey, veggies and sweets here is a great way to spend sometime outdoors with family and friends! The Olympic Torch is coming through Grey Bruce on the 28th & 29th! Here is a list of towns you can get together with locals and visitors to cheer the torch on it's way to the 2010 Olympic Games in BC!

On the 28th: Durham, Hanover, Walkerton, Kincardine, Tiverton, Port Elgin, Southampton, Saugeen, & ending its day in Owen Sound.
On the 29th: Meaford, Thornbury, Blue Mountain, Collingwood and it will keep on going through Wasaga Beach on its way to Barrie.

So check out their interactive map so you can find out more info and follow it's path http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/

ONTARIO Winter Camping Package

Winter camping has been a popular activity at MacGregor Point Provincial Park for a number of years.

This year, in addition to yurt camping, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is offering a new camping experience. Leave your trailer on your very own electrical campsite from November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 and enjoy winter camping. Families will love the 400 metre outdoor skating loop and ski enthusiasts will appreciate the 7 kilometre set track cross-country ski loop. As well, 20 kilometres of unplowed trails, roads and shoreline await adventurous explorers.

Roads and campsites are plowed regularly throughout the winter season and park staff maintain a heated washroom/shower building. Campfire wood and up-to-date weather and road conditions are available. A volunteer campground host is on location all winter.


For a basic fee of $200.00 to park for the “winter” and a minimum commitment of 20 nights at the applicable camping fee, you can enjoy New Year’s at MacGregor Point, Family Day gatherings and many more memorable experiences in this winter wonderland. Hurry and book your site - only 15 spots are available.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is located on Lake Huron 5 kilometres south of Port Elgin. It is two hours north of London and 3.5 hours from Toronto.

For further information contact the park at:
1-519-389-9056.
http://www.ontarioparks.com/English/macg.html

Hiking on the Bruce Peninsula - Jones Bluff, Oct 2009

With a weekend predicting overcast, rain and potential flurries, it was important to take advantage of the mild temperatures and sun. A last minute hike in the late afternoon was an adventure and race against nightfall.

Quiet roads, relaxed atmosphere and easily located- Jones Bluff is an amazing hike of natural woodland landscape and scenic vistas over Georgian Bay.

The high expectation of fall colour was surpassed when completing the 7 km Bruce Trail loop in just 2 ½ hours. With a moderate pace along uneven ground, we stopped at every opening along the trail to take in the scenic views of the Niagara Escarpment.

The Bruce Trail twists and turns, across crevasses and lively ferns with the first view of white limestone escarpment jutting in the air, and a sea of colour in the valley below, offering an abundance of, neon yellow, burnt orange and greens, with the arrival of vibrant reds in the distance.

We persevere, watching our foot placement along the path of padded leaves. At a rock over hang the wind whips across the bluff and in the distance Georgian Bay is as calm as glass. We sat beneath a large maple tree to take in the view, a great photo opportunity of untouched escarpment along Georgian Bay.

The Bruce Trail meanders north providing a panoramic view of large inlets, rural community, islands, and the white base of escarpment covered in autumn colours.

The combination of water, escarpment, and colour encompasses the perfect fall hike along the Georgian Bay shoreline on the Bruce Peninsula.

Does anyone have any stories or questions about the Bruce Trail? Please let me know, I am very interested in your experiences!

Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/explorethebruce .

To do this hike, we recommend getting a Bruce Trail Conservancy book as there is a lot of details to know for safety precautions. Check here for the latest version: https://brucetrail.org/store