Happy Canada Day

Canada Day is just around the corner, and the sun is shining brightly over the Killarney Channel. One week after the Summer Solstice, balmy breezes are welcoming early visitors to Killarney Mountain Lodge.

The weather this spring has been spectacular, and the lucky few who visit before the mid-season rush are glad to have arrived.

Many of our guests arrive by plane, but none so spectacularly as the ones who landed on the lawn last week!

Flying all the way from Southern Ontario and the northern USA, these incredible home-built SeaRey aircraft are a labour of love.

We look forward to welcoming visitors arriving in all shapes and sizes of land, air and sea craft!

Happy Summer.

Spring Sunshine

Early spring walks along Georgian Bay bring a smile to everyone's face! Spring has arrived, and summer seems to be right behind the blooming flowers and trees.

One of the best things about hiking early in the season is that you see a whole new landscape. Without thick green leaves on the trees, you see everything. It's almost like you've been invited into some private space that Mother Nature keeps hidden the rest of the summer and fall.

The ice has melted, boats are in the water and canoes and kayaks are starting to explore shorelines in Killarney Park and out along Georgian Bay.

Guests at Killarney Mountain Lodge arrived this week, with sunny skies and fresh air blowing through the screen doors of each cabin.

And if you look closely, you might even catch a glimpse of the majectic moose, munching as he wanders along the side of Highway 637 ...

Happy spring, and we'll see you in Killarney!

This friendly Canada Goose drifted along the Killarney Channel last week, wondering where to find a friend.

Imagine her surpise to see a thin layer of ice only a few days later (see below)! April has arrived, but spring didn't appear at the same time. Or at least, it appeared, but was gone all too quickly.

As Killarney begins to thaw, everyone is slowly emerging from the warmth of winter's cocoon.

The Herberts have been breaking ice each morning to fish for pickerel and whitefish. Birds wake up chirping as the days begin earlier. And skiers have become hikers as the trails open up in Killarney Park.

We're just a few weeks away from the first visitors to Killarney Mountain Lodge. Conference goeers, wedding guests and workshop participants will be arriving soon.

Canoeists and sea kayakers are itching to get out paddling. Killarney Outfitters staff are sorting boats, paddles and camping gear for the first adventurers to arrive.

We're all getting ready, so how about you help us along, Mother Nature?

See you soon.

Winter Has Arrived!

Shimmering sunrises over Georgian Bay greet us each morning as we contemplate the day. As February's cold temperatures harden the ice in the Killarney Channel, you can hear cracking and popping as watery Georgian Bay butts up against the fragile ice. Sometimes, when a big east wind blows up a storm, you can hear the waves crashing against the Killarney East Lighthouse.

Gone are the days, it seems, when Georgian Bay froze solid.

Did you know there was no road access to the village of Killarney until 1962? Solid ice was a must in those days, as the only way in or out was over the ice 22 miles to Little Current on Manitoulin Island.

A favourite Killarney legend is that of the Killarney hockey team. With no competitor to play against, the team skated enthusiastically to visit their closest rivals - the Little Current team. After a fast-paced game of hockey, miraculously they found the energy to skate home again.

Now THAT'S commitment!

Here's hoping you find time to visit Killarney Park in winter. This photo from mid-February shows off George Lake's magestic granite shoreline.

Showshoeing and skiing along park trails, or right down the middle of George Lake ... what could be better?

Bottom's Up! Happy New Year From Killarney

As 2007 begins, thoughts of boating in Killarney rise to the surface (so to speak). Although there is snow on the ground this morning, you can see from these photos that winter hasn't exactly moved in here on northern Georgian Bay.

The Herberts were busy just before Christmas, preparing the famous fishing tug Playfair II for the 2007 season. It was quite a sight to see - a 70 foot boat being hauled up on shore in the little village of Killarney!

We felt there was a certain symbolism with the start of 2007, New Year's resolutions, and starting afresh.

Happy New Year from everyone at Killarney Mountain Lodge & Outfitters, and we hope to see you here this season.

Don't forget to come cross-country skiing in Killarney Provincial Park once the snow settles in!

Happy winter.

Happy Thanksgiving

As American Thanksgiving approaches, memories of Canada's holiday celebration last month bring a smile to our face. Thanksgiving in Killarney was sunny, warm and wonderful this year.

Flowers bloomed, a soft breeze blew across the waves and everyone was out exploring Killarney Park and Georgian Bay. The trip to Johnnie Lake outpost was a highlight for some, while others enjoyed sailing aboard Stormy Night.

Still others paddled out to sea by sea kayak, even circumnavigating George Island on Monday morning.

Families gathered, friends returned together and everyone celebrated this special day with much feasting, time around the crackling fire in the Carousel Lounge and lots of laughter.



The annual leaf hunt was let by the intrepid Annabelle East, who led the decorators in search of coloured leaves to make the Dining Room festive for Thanksgiving Dinner.

To all our "American Cousins" about to enjoy their own turkey this Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving from Killarney!

Autumn Adventures on Georgian Bay

Sea kayaking along the peaceful shoreline of Georgian Bay is a great way to spend a September morning. The air was cool today, the water flat calm and the sky blue and clear. We've had so much warm weather this month that today feels a little more like fall with a nip in the air.

That's the wonderful thing about autumn in Killarney, you never know what the weather will be like.

Guests have arrived all bundled up for a fall chill, and found themselves luxuriating in the pool for their kayaking wet exit. Hikers have shed layers before heading up to the LaCloche trail.

Many visitors to Killarney arrive in the fall to relax, slow down and enjoy the solitude of Killarney Mountain Lodge.

Sitting by the water with a book is as energetic as many people want to be, and that's just fine. Muskoka chairs are calling ...

For the more adventurous, Labour Day weekend brought Killarney's Second Annual 'Round the Island' Race for sailboats of all shapes and sizes.

Local sailors, visiting yachties and some who were just out for an afternoon ride joined forces for Killarney's fundraising regatta.

Killarney's favourite 'pirate ship' the Thomas James looked resplendent as she sailed past the lighthouse.

The winds weren't quite up to sailors' standards, but everyone had fun and promised to return for next year's race.

There's something for everyone, in September on Georgian Bay. For many, it's the best time of the year.

And although we'd like more people to share this time with us in Killarney, part of each of us hopes that it stays our wonderful secret!