Reading the Forest - Animal Tales

This is a work-in-progress for a busy beaver.

Just about anyone can enjoy a walk in the forest. You don't have to know your flora and fauna, your history or geology, in order to appreciate the fresh air, natural surroundings and gentle workout that comes with a hike through the woods. But if you're so inclined, you can get more out of the experience than a clear head and physical exercise. If you pay attention and read the signs, you'll see the forest tells a story.

Work of pileated woodpecker.

Actually, it tells many stories—of the creatures that call it home and the history that shaped the land in recent years and in the distant path. While we rarely get to see the actual animals in the woods (they're too shy and stealthy most of the time), we can see where they've been and what they've been up to.

A pair of pileated woodpeckers have been busy all around the property lately. We hear them rat-tat-tatting every day, but more than that, we see firsthand the results of their work. This is just one long-dead tree trunk that a woodpecker has "written" on. You don't even have to see the woodpecker to know it's been here, or to know it is one big bird.

We can also see that a cousin of the pileated has also been active. These neatly drilled holes are the work of a sapsucker. This smaller woodpecker makes the holes to get to the tree sap, eating both the sap and the insects that are drawn to it.

Neat holes drilled by a sapsucker.

Old scar on a tree, scratched open for sap.

Birds aren't the only forest inhabitants who like sap. This scar is a few years old, but you can clearly see the claw marks where a bear scratched through bark to get to the sap. 

Other animal stories are told by tracks and trails (pictured bottom), scat (not pictured!) and even hatched egg shells from a snapping turtle. The well-gnawed tree trunk (pictured top) is clear evidence of beaver activity.

Empty shells from hatched turtle eggs.

Snow is especially good at telling a story of what just happened. It's an excellent (though temperary) slate for recording tracks, trails, skirmishes and the food chain in action. I've seen a little track from some unfortunate little rodent end abruptly at a swish made from the wing feathers of some fortunate bird of prey. I didn't get a picture of that scene but this photo (taken after a wild turkey trotted through our yard) shows you what I mean about the wing swoosh.

A wing swoosh and footprints in the snow tell us a wild turkey was here.

Animals are just some of the character in the forest stories. Rocks, trees and even the earth have their own tales to tell. I'll have to save that for another post. This is one story that is, well, to be continued...

Moose track.

Moose trail.

20 Things to Do on a Spring Getaway

Spring is the quiet season around here. There are no crowds, no long waits at the popular restaurants, no sharing the trail with the masses. 

But if you've always thought a getaway up here means snowshoeing or swimming, you might be wondering "Just what the heck can I do on a Spring getaway?" Never fear, we've got 20 great ideas for you...

1. Listen to the frogs sing. Step outside in the evening to listen to the spring peepers singing in the distance; or stroll over to the beaver pond and let their song fill your head.

2. Hike the Seguin Trail. This former rail line is an easy-to-walk ribbon through the wilderness.

3. Catch up on your reading. Peruse our eclectic selection of books or bring your own. We provide comfy reading spots and few distractions.

4. Spend the day in Algonquin Park. Hike the trails, learn about the history of the park, gain a greater understanding of the land and animals through the interpretive dispays.

5. Watch for moose and other wildlife. Spring is a great time to see the moose, birds and other inhabitants of the boreal forest.

6. Stroll through Burk's Falls. Slow down for a small-town pace and explore the shops or walk along the river.

7. Gaze deep into a starry sky. When our dark sky is clear of clouds and moon, you'll swear you can see to the other side of the universe.

8. Meander the country roads and see where they take you. Follow the back road to Huntsville and stop in the hamlet of Ilfracombe for a breather.

9. Walk through an outdoor artscape. Visit the landscape canvas of a local artist and step into another world.

10. Go day-tripping to Parry Sound. Explore this charming little town on Georgian Bay with a day trip loop that will take you through some lovely countryside on your way there and back. In town, a climb up the fire tower is a must!

11. Marvel at the moss. If you've never seen what a "carpet of moss" looks and feels like, this is your chance. Our woods are so  verdant and lush with it you'll have to reach down and feel the cool, springy cushion for yourself.

12. Paddlers can paddle. Experienced canoers and kayakers have been itching to get out on the lake since the first ice-out reports have come in. Now's your chance! Novices are best to wait until the water is warm enough for swimming.

13. Follow the Real Simple Itinerary. Relaxing and reconnecting are the main highlights.

14. Be a bargain hunter. Spring is the season for barn sales, yard sales and country auctions when you can prove the old adage true that one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

15. Savour the tastes of spring. Asparagus, chives, rhubarb, and strawberries kick off the growing season in Musoka.

16, 17 & 18. Get outside and active. Cycling, golfing, and horseback riding will engage your body and mind and make you revel in the fresh air of the great outdoors.

19. Treat yourself to a little treat with the money you'll save. Save $10/night on your Spring Getaway when you stay two nights or more, so go ahead and get that high-tech outdoor gear from Algonquin Outfitters or a bottle of award winning wine from Muskoka Lakes Winery.

20. Tour the waterfalls from Arrowhead to Algonquin Park. Discover the natural gems of the region before the busy summer season sets in.

Do you have more ideas for experiencing the best of Spring in Muskoka and Almaguin? Tell us what you love to do!

Maple Braised Fennel

Fern Glen Inn • www.ferngleninn.blogspot.com

March is maple syrup month. Usually, anyway. It's the transition time from winter to spring—when the nights are cold but the days are warm and sunny—that makes the sap run in the maple trees, sweet and clear and abundant. Usually. This March has been different.

For the past couple of weeks we've had record warm days with temperatures reaching above 20°C and night time lows staying above the freezing mark. This has curtailed the sugar bush operators around here but hopefully the early start they got to the season will make up for it. Plus, if we get a return to "normal" temperatures we could see the sap flowing again before the sugar shacks are closed up for the year.

In the meantime we've been enjoying this early taste of summer and the fact that the first day of Spring (on the calendar) actually felt like Spring! I think that's a first in the seven years we've been here. We've got some of the deck furniture out, the snow has cleared away and the grass is already turning green and it isn't even April yet!

But I haven't forgotten we're in the north and this preview of what's to come is just that: a preview. The cool evenings still call for comfort food and a cozy (if smaller) fire. I'm still cooking with winter vegetables at this time of year but I can't resist injecting a spring twist to the flavours. Maple Braised Fennel is the perfect side dish to bridge the transition of the seasons.

I'll warn you, it's not a very pretty dish. It's fitting, though, considering March is not a very pretty month. Both the dish and the month are rather muted in colour and messy in appearance but they offer other charms if you take the time to savour them.

Maple partners beautifully with the earthy, herbal notes of fennel. The cooking method—a blend of braising and roasting—mellows out the licorice flavour that fennel (also called anise) is known for. If you don't like fennel because the licorice taste is overwhelming when the bulb is used raw or blanched (often in salads), don't rule out this recipe. The vegetable takes on a completely different  character when cooked like this. You may just surprise yourself and discover a new favourite spring side dish.

Maple Braised Fennel
Serves 4

• 2 fennel bulbs
• 2 shallots
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• coarse kosher salt
• cracked black pepper
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme or a pinch of dried thyme leaves

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Cut off and discard stalks from fennel. If the outer layer of bulb is tough, remove and discard it or use a vegetable peeler to pare off the dry/discoloured parts. Trim a slice off the root end just to freshen it. Cut each bulb lengthwise into eight wedges.

Peel and trim the shallots. Cut each lengthwise into six wedges. Put the fennel and shallot wedges into a 9"x13" lightly oiled baking dish.

In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. If using dried thyme leaves, stir those in, too.

Pour the maple mixture over the fennel and shallots and stir to coat. Distribute the vegetables evenly in the baking dish. Tuck in the thyme sprigs if using. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Uncover and give it a stir. Continue roasting, uncovered, until fennel is fork-tender and caramelized around the edges, about another 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Drizzle with a small spoonful of maple syrup for the last 5-10 minutes if desired to encourage browning and bring the maple flavour forward.

Serve hot or warm alongside roasted or grilled lamb, pork or chicken; or serve at room temperature as part of an antipasto plate.

Enjoy!

Fuel & Fun Package

Get $100 in free vouchers when you get out of the city for a spring getaway!

Book your getaway before March 31 for a 2-night stay at Fern Glen Inn between April 3 and May 17. Register your reservation while quantities last and you'll receive a $50 Gas card and 2x $25 Experience vouchers which can be used-as-cash at participating shops, restaurants, outfitters and attractions. Quantities are limited and it's "first come, first served" so act quickly to avoid disappointment.

Book your Fuel & Fun Getaway Package at Fern Glen Inn

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This is all courtesy of Explorers' Edge, our regional tourism organization. If you haven't heard of Explorers' Edge yet, you will! The region includes Muskoka, Algonquin Park, Parry Sound and the Almaguin Highlands. There are so many things to see and do (and places to dine and shop, activities to discover, scenic spots to explore) and Explorers' Edge is helping bring us all together.

So are you wondering what you might see and do on a spring getaway in Muskoka & Almaguin?

Spring is a quieter time around the region.—in fact, it's our Quiet Season, which means our rates are lower than during the high seasons. There are some things you can't do at this time of year (swimming and dog sledding are not recommended!) but there are still more things to do than time to do it all.

Hiking is always popular. You can hike our own trails, the Seguin Trail, or the trails of Arrowhead Park or Algonquin Park.

Day trips to explore local towns, artist studios, galleries will intrigue and inspire. To reconnect with nature, you can discover the hidden gems and scenic spots before the crowds of summer arrive.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I Heart April. You'll want to hear the Soundtrack of Spring for yourself. Reach down to touch a Carpet of Moss, go for a Spring Walk on the Seguin Trail, or take a Day Trip to Parry Sound. Maybe you can add to my list of 25 Things to Love About May. For more ideas on how you might spend a spring getaway, check out our line-up of packages for oudoor adventures or relaxing escapes.

Jim and I are really excited to participate in the Fuel & Fun promotion because it lets us give such a great gift to our guests. Who doesn't want free gas and spending? 

But we also love the chance to showcase this beautiful season and share it with people who may not otherwise discover it. We hope to see you this spring!

In partnership with

If Winter Won't Come to You...

...you'll just have to come to it! There are folks in parts of the province who are calling this season the non-winter of 2012. Poor souls. They don't know what they're missing.

I realize some people are enjoying the uncharacteristically mild temperatures and near-absence of snow in Toronto and other parts of Southern Ontario. After all, who's going to say they miss shoveling out the driveway? Of course it's easier to go about your daily routine—getting to and from work or running errands—when there's less snow on the ground, but really, it's not much fun. 

If you're one of us crazy optimists who love the snow (and we are legion!) then you know what I'm talking about. Winter—and I'm talking about a good, proper winter with deep billows of pure white snow—is a great season to get outside and reconnect with your inner child. 

Imagine snowshoeing through a snow-clad forest the likes of Narnia. Glide on cross-country skis along groomed trackset trails; skate over a frozen pond; fly down a hill on a bright red toboggan. Laughter and glowing cheeks are just about guaranteed.

When the sun sinks in the sky, the quieter pleasures of the snowy season are waiting to be discovered. The night sky is incredibly clear and vibrant in the colder months. A cozy seat by a real wood fire is the perfect way to warm up, perhaps with a favourite beverage in hand. The sounds of the winter world (the crunching of boots on frosty paths, the creaking of trees as the mercury drops) are muffled by the snow, making for a night that is truly silent.

If you hate winter, then I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise. But if you know how wonderful the season can be, there is good news: If winter won't come to you this year, you can come to winter! 

Here at Fern Glen Inn, we're only 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto. Close enough for an easy weekend escape but far enough to feel like you're in another world. And you will be—you'll be in the best part of winter!

Call, email or book online for your getaway where winter comes to play.

Tap the Sap Culinary Event

Savour the tastes of Muskoka with a night of incredible food and entertainment. Tap the Sap is a culinary event celebrating the start of the maple syrup season, hosted by Savour Muskoka, an organization promoting the farmers, producers, chefs, and food artisans of the region.

The evening will showcase dishes prepared by a dozen local chefs with food from twenty local producers. Food will be available from 7-10 pm and served marché-style, similar to the summer Field to Fork Event. All guests will have their own plates and mingle from table to table, tasting large canape size samples from various tables. We expect there will be six appetizers, six mains and three desserts—and you can savour them all.

Fern Glen Inn will be there, too! I'm pairing up with three local producers (ultra premium ice cream maker Belly Ice Cream, Lake of Bays Brewing Co. and Deisel House Coffee Roasters) to create one of the dessert offerings.

There will also be a cash bar offering locally crafted beers and wines as well as live entertainment featuring the music of The Roots/Reggae Jeremy Waterhouse Band.

The event takes place at the Port Sydney Community Hall. For tickets, call 705-646-7118 or visit Savour Muskoka events to find ticket locations. Tickets are $40 per person.

Pie Iron Sandwicherie in Huntsville

Fern Glen Inn • www.ferngleninn.blogspot.com

My choice was the duck confit with brie and cranberry preserves on multigrain bread. Ripple-cut chips and coleslaw on the side.

I'd been meaning to try Pie Iron Sandwicherie since it opened in downtown Huntsville last summer and my interest was piqued anew after guests absolutely raved about it during their visit over the Christmas holidays. So when our friend, Ed, came up for a few days to attend the Banff Mountain Film Festival with us, it was the perfect opportunity to try something new for our pre-show dinner.
I am happy to report it did not disappoint. In fact, we enjoyed it so much I have to share it with you!

That is a sandwich that would make Dagwood proud!

 As a "sandwicherie", the focus is, naturally, on sandwiches -- but don't think that means boring. It's the variety, creativity and quality of the fillings that set the menu apart. The foodie in me loves the well-matched and inventive flavours and the artisanal bread. The generous size and house-made mushroom soup impressed Jim and Ed.

Nothing like a locally-made Lake of Bays Pale Ale to complete a meal like this.

Jim had the montreal smoked meat on marbled rye and Ed chose the pulled pork with Memphis style BBQ sauce, jack cheese and slaw on a ciabatta bun.

Sushi is a new addition to the menu this weekend. We shared a sample platter and it was delicious. I finally have a local source for good sushi! Also on offer: a selection of desserts, muffins, scones and baked goods, as well as local beers and specialty coffees.

Yay! Good sushi comes to Huntsville!

Another high note of our dinner was the service. Our server was attentive, helpful and genuine. When we told him we were running a little late and had tickets to the theatre, he let the kitchen staff knew and he made sure we got out in plenty of time for the show.

If you go: Pie Iron Sandwicherie is on Main Street in downtown Huntsville, near the bridge, next to the Bookcase, across from Algonquin Outfitters, just a block down from Algonquin Theatre.