Dining in paradise

We live by a lake. Life is good. How much more could I expect? Retirement is grand. How much can I expect for a celebration? Neither of us like driving at night, in the dark. That has kept us close to home. Our treats tend to be lunches out while doing errands.

We volunteer and read quietly by the lake. Many say it is bliss, and it is! Freedom 55 has its advantages. Inheriting a home, and its flora and fauna a privilege. We give back to our community, doing Meals on Wheels and Hospice Muskoka work. Hubby spent days planning this one, though. He is quite creative.

After spinning the mystery for several days, I was finally told where we were headed for our 7th anniversary! We drove a couple of hours into Algonquin Park to go to Arowhon Lodge to have lunch by a lake. It was heaven. I know. I know. I always eat lunch, on good days, on the deck over looking the lake. But this was special.

The view is magnificent. All of the photos here are from the site. The trees are humbling. The drive in to the property is grand. Many cabins virtually invisible at the lake shore. My kind of cottaging.

The amazing food, featured on their website, is terrific. There are some recipes there, too! The potatoes were INCREDIBLE! A review, by a more educated food critic than I, testifies to this. It is not a cheap place. We shall eat Kraft Dinner for weeks for this, but it was worth it!

You take your own wine into this beautiful spot. No corkage fees, either.

You can spot Joanne Kates playing tennis with her dogs. Joanne Kates: food critic! The very secretive person with no photos in the world. I have them!

Their family property, which has to predate the establishment of Algonquin Park, was a haven to Eugene Kates (1914 - 2007) and his family, who created an oasis begun by their family in the establishment of Camp Arowhon for kids. There are a couple of camps with privileges of Algonquin Park. But that is another story.

The Kates had to fight hard to keep their lease on the land, after the camp for kids was created they wanted a place for the parents to stay. Once Algonquin Park was created people with leases had to fight to keep their properties.
I am not sure which side of the fence I am on for this issue.

We can keep a pristine wilderness for all to visit - but then if you do not camp, portage and canoe, your are out of luck. The people who stay here pay $300 in peak season for 3 meals a day and out door activities. I suppose it gives some press for this beautiful park.

It is a well-kept lodge, with highly trained staff. Lots to look at and do on small, quiet Lake Joe. No TV. Little technology. Well worth a day trip for those, like us, who consider 'camping' as being no room service!

A great book:
Muskoka Flavours: Guidebook and Cookbook - Google Books Result
by Brenda Matthews, Dwayne Coon - 2000.