Killarney Channel Breaks Up

Spring Has Arrived!

You always know it's spring in Killarney when the Herbert family tackles the ice in the Channel in front of Killarney Mountain Lodge. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were out walking and snowshoeing along Killarney's other 'main street', the Channel.

As temperatures rise and the ice loosens up, the Herberts started up the Warren L II and roared down the Channel. Depending on how thick the ice is, Captain Eric will resort to backing up and taking a run at it. Some years, we've watched the boat plough the bow right up over the ice, until it is half in, half out of the water.

Just to give you a sense of how locked in the Warren L II was in early March, here's a shot of the stern (photo taken while standing in the middle of the Channel).

As temperatures continued to fall at nighttime over the last several weeks, the ice would freeze up again each evening. That's no longer the case, as warm temperatures have left the ice in pieces, but no longer solid.

As snowshoeing turns to thoughts of hiking, canoeing and kayaking, everyone is gearing up for a fabulous spring start to the outdoor recreation season in Killarney.

Killarney Mountain Lodge Reservation Manager Bonnie Sharp finds biking to work a whole lot easier now that the streets aren't covered in snow and ice.

Angela is thinking about springing canoes out of the store at Killarney Outfitters.

And of course, everyone's waiting for the first Herbert catch, and a tasty box of fish and chips.

Killarney Tales

Double the Fun on Historic Birthday Sunday

Two of Killarney's entrepreneurial giants (well, relative giants in a village of 350 people) celebrated important birthdays this week. Maury at Killarney Mountain Lodge & Outfitters doubled the age of Ross at Herbert Fisheries on Sunday, March 5, 2006.

That's right, Killarney's bigwigs span more than two generations in their quest to provide holiday magic to visitors to Killarney Park and this rugged coastline of northern Georgian Bay. The exact numerals were not revealed, of course, but suffice it to say that there's a lot of combined wisdom between the two of these fellas.

Maury begins his 45th season at Killarney Mountain Lodge in May, manages up to 75 staff with his wife Annabelle and can be seen walking the treadmill before most of his seven working days each week. Ross stickhandles the fishing, retail and famous fish & chips operation of Herbert Fisheries. Ross and his wife Jennie work with multiple family members to run this well known Killarney landmark.
Maury and Ross shared a little birthday cheer together on a the sunny Sunday afternoon of their joint birthday. As the snow thinks about melting and the sun shines, both are looking forward to the 2006 season in Killarney.

Happy Birthday to you both!

Jennifer