Last year, I had the chance to cycle on the new paved shoulders on HWY 6 on Manitoulin Island. This was such an exciting event because for a few years local people have been lobbying the government to pave the shoulders. Finally, the government listened ! This is the only cycling route connecting Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario.

This year is the 2nd Annual MANITOULIN BRUCE PASSAGE RIDE taking place on Sunday June 3rd on Manitoulin Island. You can drive up to Tobermory take the ferry boat  on June 3rd at 8:50am and then arrive at 10:50am on Manitoulin Island to cycle 34 or 50 kms. Then to return on the 3:30pm ferry to get back to Tobermory.

For Cyclists starting on June 3, on Manitoulin

For those of you from the North, who prefer to ride to South Baymouth instead of driving,  we will offer 2 Registration Points along Hwy 6 on June 3, 2012:

1. 10 Mile Point, 7:30 am Registration. Ride starts 8:00am. Ride south along the paved shoulders of Hwy 6. Water & washrooms available at MY Friends IN in Manitowaning. Continue south to the Ferry Dock for10.50am and the Official Welcome. Ride back north with all the riders who have come to join us from the Bruce. (Lunch at Gordon’s)                                       Total ride 104 km

2. Manitowaning, 8:30am Registration at MY Friends INN at 151 Queen St. . Ride starts 9.00am. Ride south as in the 10 Mile Point ride to arrive at the Dock for 10:50am Official Welcome. (Lunch at Gordon’s)          Total Ride 54km

South Baymouth, registration 9:30am – 10:30am. Official Welcome 10:50am when the Ferry arrives with our riders from the Bruce and Southern Ontario.

11:00am ride starts on Hwy 6 paved shoulders to Gordon’s Park for lunch. Visit the fisheries and ride back to South Baymouth. (or ride more with the others, that ride north)           Total Ride 34km

For those of you who wish to spend a night on Manitoulin , a luggage shuttle is available  to MY Friends INN  in Manitowaning. Contact Maureen Friend Tel. 705 859 3115. or maureen_friend@hotmail.com

As well as accommodations available at the Auberge Inn Hostel if you wish to extend your cycling  stay a few days.

Don’t miss this unique cycling opportunity that has a low carbon footprint.

Register: www. manitoulincycling.ca

This was a mild winter compared to last year, less snow than usual. But we did get guests in February from Germany and France who made the most of their winter experience.

We are now approaching the Easter Weekend, where by normally we are looking to be the early signs of spring. This year, Spring has sprung 2 weeks earlier. We had no more snow on the Island by St- Patrick’s Day March 17th.

Georgian bay, Lake Huron, beachThe birds like the mallard ducks, Canada Geese and Sand Hill Cranes have already been spotted making their way back to Manitoulin Island. The buds on the trees have started to bloom and there is no more ice in the Bay or on the Island.

Our neighbours including ourselves have started getting their seedlings ready to plant a garden including our local farmer Ted Smith. He will be supplying us with fresh garden vegetables as part of a Farm Share on Manitoulin starting this May.

We love winter on Manitoulin Island, but there is nothing like a fresh start on Spring to make you feel great!  Some of the sounds of spring also include hearing the call of the Spring Peeper. If you take a walk around the village of Providence Bay or by the beach, you will hear their lovely chorus.

Spring has sprung.

We are looking forward to celebrating the long weekend of Easter with some guests who will be enjoying the sights and sounds of Spring in Providence Bay at the Auberge Inn Hostel.

The month of February has been quite exciting for us  here at the Auberge Inn on Manitoulin Island.

We have been getting back into the swings of things on the Island with welcoming guests to experience the beauty of winter in Providence Bay. As well as curling twice a week and going for our daily winter beach walks!

After having travelled over two months all over Europe;  from Portugal to Hungary we were very happy to be back home on Manitoulin Island .

Never thought I would say this, but we actually missed the snow! When we were in Paris, Amsterdam and Glascow we experienced  lots of wind and rain.

I always felt cold despite the fact that there was no snow! I didn’t really understand why I would be chilly in those cities, except for the fact that it is much more humid there.

Just last weekend it was -20 degrees Celcius here. But that being said I wasn’t cold! If you dress up warmly in a good winter jacket, winter boots and are active in the snow, then you aren’t cold but can actually be hot.

We hiked a new trail  on the Eastern part of the Island  (Wiky) with some guests. Within 5 minutes of the hike, I was already starting to take off some layers.  What I am saying is that  that the real way to enjoy winter on Manitoulin Island is to dress warmly and get outside and be ACTIVE!

Whether it is hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing or skating , there is something fun to do here on Manitoulin in the winter. We actually do get sunshine and you can enjoy the snow all the while getting a suntan as the sun reflects on the snow!

That my friends is how I enjoy the winter  in Northern Ontario  and so can you! Spending time outdoors this Canadian Winter on Manitoulin Island is marvelous!

Title: Austin Powers Night at Buoy’s Eatery & Restaurant- Feb. 29th
Location: Buoy’s Restaurant in Gore Bay, 1 Purvis Drive
Link out: Click here
Description: Groovy Baby!
Join us for some delicious dinner at Buoys for an Austin Powers theme night!
Starts at 6:00pm
Guaranteed good food and good times with decorations and music!
$25 + tax per person…drinks additional.
“Yeah, baby, yeah!”
Reservations: (705) 282-2869

Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2012-02-29

Title: Cafe in the Woods Musical Show- Manitoulin Island Jan. 27, 2012
Location: Café in the Woods, Honora Bay, Manitoulin Island
Link out: Click here
Description: This Friday January 27th joins us at Café in the Woods to hear Rob Lutes.

Rob, a souful Montreal singer- song write in the blues/roots style is widely known for his inspiring and impassioned live performances.
Don’t miss his extraordinary guitar playing some improvisational magic accompanied by Lutes intense, soulful vocals.

Café is located at the Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club 14 km west of Little Current on Hwy 540.

Tickets: 705-368-2744 M-F 9am-5pm.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2012-01-27

Title: Musical Show at Café in the Woods, Manitoulin Island
Location: Café in the Woods, Honora Bay, Manitoulin Island
Link out: Click here
Description: Canadian singer-songwriter/pianist Michael Johnston is one of Canada’s best-loved musicians: an enthusiastic collaborator, and gifted performer will be playing on Manitoulin Island.

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Johnston has toured and recorded with legendary Canadian roots-rock group Skydiggers since 2006
Café is delighted to present Michael Johnston on Manitoulin Island.
Café is located at the Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club (14 kms west of Little Current on Hwy 540.
For tickets call 705 368 2744 M-F 9am-5pm.
Cost is $15 per person.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2012-04-21

Title: Café in the Woods Musical Show on Manitoulin Island-March. 10, 2012
Location: Café in the woods, Honora Bay, Manitoulin Island
Link out: Click here
Description: Like some kind of caffeinated single malt whiskey, Mark Reeves’ acoustic roots-rock goes down smooth and easy, but packs a powerful kick that can’t help but move you. From the infectious, jangly roots-pop anthem The Way to the playful lascivious title track, Mark’s album, Sure is a Pretty Name (2004) is a top-down, full throttle romp through twelve songs of hope, heartache, and gutsy good humour.

Join us at Café in the Woods on Saturday March 10th, 2012 to hear Mark Reeves on Manitoulin Island.
Show time: 8:00pm
For tickets call 705 368-2744
Cost is $15.

Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2012-03-10

Title: Cafe in the Woods Musical Show- Manitoulin Island
Location: Cafe in the Woods, Honora Bay-Manitoulin Island
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us at a quaint little Café in the Woods to enjoy in a musical night on Manitoulin Island. Enjoy music by Toronto based musician Jason Fowler and Jory Narsh.
Jory Nash is an award-winning singer-songwriter and storyteller who blends elements of folk, jazz, blues, pop & soul into an original stew of sound.

Starts at 8:00pm and the cost is $15 per person.
Cafe in the Woods is located at the Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club (14kms west of LIttle Current on Hwy 540 Manitoulin Island.
For tickets call Kerrene Tilson, 705 368-2744 or 705 368-2193
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2011-02-25
End Time: 22:00

Not that anybody is counting… but there are only 24 days until Christmas. So like most people you are trying to think of that perfect gift for that traveller friend of yours. Or someone you know who just needs a little mini-holiday for some real rest and relaxation and some time to help reconnect with nature and your soul.

You can purchase a Gift Certificate to be enjoyed in the winter, spring, summer or fall!

Away from the hustle and bustle of the City- a place where there is no traffic, there are no traffic lights… just the sound of waves and the birds chirping in the morning to wake you up!

That is why Auberge Inn Hostel is now offering Gift Certificates for you to offer your the best gift of 2012… some tranquillity in a most beautiful setting on the largest freshwater Island in the world!

Call Karen our hostel Manager at 1-877-977-4392 and she can help you with this purchase and have it mailed to you in time for Christmas!

Photo Credit Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Title: Star light, Star bright Star Gazing Package March 2-4th, 2012
Location: Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island
Link out: Click here
Description: Star light, Star bright Snowshoeing & Stargazing Package
Enjoy looking at the moon, planets & constellations and other celestial delights in the dark skies over Lake Huron on Manitoulin Island!

Weekend March 2nd-4th  2012
Star light, Star bright Snowshoeing & Stargazing experience
Includes: Home cooked dinner on Friday night, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast & lunch.
Accommodations in comfortable bunk beds Friday & Saturday nights.
A day of snowshoeing on local trails and experiencing the beauty of the Island and the glistening snow.
An evening of northern stargazing with an Island astronomer on the beautiful frozen Providence Bay beach!
$125+ tax per person
$215 + tax for two!
Saturday night, Heather, our island astronomer, will use a 12″ Dobsonian telescope to show you the sky like you never have seen it before. She will point out several constellations and help you understand the origins of their names.

An unforgetable experience you won’t want to miss!
Book today: info@aubergeinn.ca
Only 6 Spots available!
* Snowshoeing is dependent on mother nature’s cooperation.
Start Date: 2012-03-02
End Date: 2012-03-04

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