Haliburton - July 11-14, 2024

It was only a four day trip, but visiting Haliburton area is always one of my favourite summer destinations in Ontario. 

We drove a couple of hours north east of where we normally spend our summers because of the girls sleep over summer camp. 

They absolutely love the experience.
Meeting Juju after two weeks away, with no communication with the family.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA_Camp_Wanakita

YMCA Wanakita is a camp located on Koshlong Lake near Haliburton in central Ontario, Canada. It is run by the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford and attracts campers from throughout Ontario and sometimes internationally. The name "Wanakita" comes from a legend of the Wendat people.

Wanakita is most active as a residential summer camp, however it also offers day camping, winter camping and family camping. As of 2012, the camp estimates that it has been home to over 200,000 individuals since it was founded in 1953.

The family back together in a Haliburton downtown restaurant, in between summer camp sessions.

Local beer.

Deers are everywhere. I counted eight of them in one day!

FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haliburton_County

Haliburton is a county of Ontario, Canada, known as a tourist and cottage area in Central Ontario for its scenery and for its resident artists. Minden Hills is the county seat. Haliburton County and the village of Haliburton are named after Thomas Chandler Haliburton, author, statesman, and the first chairman of the Canadian Land and Emigration Company.

The county borders Algonquin Provincial Park on the north.

We stayed at a simple hotel called Haliburton Heights and my favourite part was starting my day with a long walk on the road, by the woods.

Heart shaped tree trunk.

We were right on Lake Kashagawigamog, where the hotel has kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and paddling boats available for it's guests. The weather was just perfect. 

Even the urbaniest (not a real word) person can enjoy the tranquility here. 

FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashagawigamog_Lake

Kashagawigamog Lake is a lake in Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada. It is in the "cottage country" area of central Ontario and has many cottages along its shores. It is the central lake in a five-lake chain running southwest from the town of Haliburton to as far as Minden. Connected to Grass Lake and Head Lake to the east, Soyers Lake to the north, and Canning Lake to the west, the lake is long and narrow. The lake is essentially a widening of the Drag River, which flows from Drag Lake into the chain of lakes at Head Lake and out again at Canning Lake where a dam is controlled by the Trent-Severn Waterway.

The name Kashagawigamog is an Anishnaabeg name meaning “lake of long and winding waters.”

It was my first time on a paddle board and I will definitely try it again. 

We took day trips for lunch/dinner close by.
Minden was our "to go" place. 

Boshkung Brewing Social - a fun pulled pork and beer place.

The Minden River Cone - the ice cream place by the river.

Main street in Minden... a small, but friendly town.

We also tried the only Chinese restaurant in town.

Sister love back in downtown Haliburton.

When we didn't expect nature to be more generous, we got a special gift!

Time to say goodbye again. 

Juju heads back to camp for another two weeks and Fifi walks excited to her first sleep over camp experience. 

We start our vacation from the kids at Wintergreen Patio, a nice pulled pork patio restaurant. 

FROM http://www.wintergreenmapleproducts.com/

Wintergreen Maple Syrup and Farm Gate Foods

A timber-framed barn, in a country atmosphere, chock full of foods and preserves produced on site.   View the Maple Syrup Operation through the glass wall of the La Sucrerie Restaurant.

Taste over one hundred flavour creations, guaranteed to surprise and amaze like nothing you will ever find in a grocery store!  Treat yourself to one of our fantastic fruit desserts.

Here the clients orders by the kitchen and then deal with their own payment outside, including change.

With this delicious sandwich we ended our mini vacation in Haliburton, hoping the girls enjoy this beautiful natural paradise - at their summer camp - and much as we enjoyed!