Algonquin Park Blog

Montreal and Al Gore, here we come

2008-04-03T07:26:00.002-04:00

I'm off to Montreal with Martha for the weekend. Looking forward to being re-inspired to make a difference regarding climate change.
I'm not sure of how I'll be making the lessons of an Inconvenient Truth available, but I look forward to making my first presentation of an Inconvenient Truth in Wawa a week from today.
t.

Morning Tea with Moose -featured again!

2008-04-01T16:24:00.002-04:00

Alexis is looking forward to another summer introducing guests to the magic of paddling along the silent Amable-du-fond river and seeking out the majestic moose in Algonquin Park.
Featured in too many publications to list here, see the latest online homage to the moose of Algonquin Park at long weekends.com

Learn more about these trips by watching a short video featuring Alexis.

Spring is in the Air

2008-03-19T13:37:00.004-04:00

Spring is in the air. After a long and amazing winter it looks like the warmer weather is approaching us here in Ontario. Old man winter is releasing his grip as snow turns to rain and the deep snows begin to melt and make thier way down the swollen creeks and rivers of our area. I've been noticing the beginning of the spring migration as different bird species make thier way north. The Canada Geese are on the move, so to are the crows and starlings. The other day I witnessed a Bald Eagle as it soared and circled over head. What majestic and magnificient birds! It's no wonder they are held in such high esteem by many native cultures. Thier energy and power can be felt as these high flying birds begin to move north into thier breeding grounds. The raccoons are also rising from thier winter slumber and foraging hungrily along the stream edges and in the open rural fields feeding on left over grain crops and corn. How hungry would you be after napping most of the winter?
Just the other day in Frontenac Provincial Park a group of us came across a raccon that had been killed and partly consumed by a Fisher. An amazing mystery was written in the snow. Slowly we were able to piece part of this event together through our collective observations. I haven't seen any signs of Black Bears yet, but they too should be out very soon. I heard from a friend that someone had seen one 'poking' it's head out of a den.
The deer are moving more and no doubt as happy as some of you are to see the snow melting away. It has been a pretty hard winter for them as it is hard to move and feed in such deep snow. Soon the winter deer yards will be 'breaking up' as these animals return to thier home areas to begin a new year.
There is a different feeling in the air at this time of year. Things are beginning to re-awaken after a long winter. Can you feel it? It's happening all around us. There is an energy that comes with the spring that resonates with our very being. Something that you cannot quite put a finger on, but can feel inside. Your spirit recognizes this just as your ancestors have recognized it throughout history. This is the time of year when we can begin to shed the things that hold us back in our lives and move forward. As we make these changes we can then continue to live a life in balance and harmony with all of creation. I encourage you all to take time to center and ground yourself in the coming days as the spring equinox approaches. Even if it is simply 5 minutes alone in nature in the morning before you go to work. It is important to take this time and re-connect with the earth, re-connect with your spirit and re-connect with the beauty of creation that surrounds us.

In Light

Calling All Partners!

2008-03-12T11:34:00.004-04:00

If you haven't already hear the Edge has faced some major changes over the past year. Program changes, staff changes, store changes, and now our business model changes. The Edge is open to PARTNERSHIPS. This is new but a model we are excited to explore. Through staff meetings, mini meetings, and brainstorming sessions we've sent the message out. The Universe knows what we're looking for and knows we're serious about it. And let me tell you the Universe is forwarding all her calls to me!

I believed it was going to get really quiet in the office. Todd is travelling, Martha is managing the Eco-Lodge and working on Shamanism Canada so I am here alone. The truth is it is quiet...except for the ringing. Over the past three weeks I have received more calls from coaches, facilitators, community groups, corporations, students, teachers, and even a make up artist or two looking to partner. So keep the calls coming Universe, we're open for business!

I'm Going to Meet Al Gore in Montreal

2008-03-07T09:19:00.002-05:00

An Inconvenient Truth has transformed the way people think about Climate Change. Now, I'm getting ready to go meet Al Gore in April to get trained to deliver An Inconvenient Truth - Al Gore's slide show!

I can't wait and look forward to sharing the presentation with many people over the next few years!

Our Ontario Retreat Schedule in a Nifty PDF viewer

2008-02-06T08:33:00.001-05:00

Looking for an Ontario Retreat this summer. Have a gander at the Edge's retreat vacation guide:

Wow, what a Great Day

2008-02-04T09:42:00.000-05:00

The sun is pouring in today and it's a perfect day for a ski. I think I'll head off into the forest for a little sking adventure later this afternoon. Looking foward to seeing if the big meltdown we're expecting tomorrow actually arrives. If it does, we might be back in business with a great ice rink. When we get the big melt, followed by a cold snap (as expected) we can occassionally get a lake that is sheer ice from shore to shore.... could this be the day?

3rd 2 Year Shamanism Winter Gathering

2008-01-28T12:39:00.001-05:00

We just finished hosting the 3rd 2 Year Advanced Shamanism Winter Gathering, where 15 participants gathered at the Edge. Our theme was exploring the Light and Shadow within. We had a perfect day for snowshoeing and skiing, and during our afternoon break we ventured out to explore the islands where Tom Thompson frequently visited. We performed a ceremony to honour the light within us which culminated by igniting several ice lanterns in the 'Garden of Gratitude', where we gave thanks to the helping spirits, spirits of the land, nature spirits, the directions and our ancestors for the support they continually offer us on our healing paths. On this beautiful evening, I gave special thanks to my father on the 10th anniversary of his passing. I feel so very blessed for the abundance and beauty in my life.
May you enjoy much deep peace through out the year. Blessings. Martha

Martha

"It's not what we do, but who we become that changes the world."
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earthch

National Post Story: Zen of Winter

2008-01-21T12:28:00.000-05:00

Here is a little treat from the National Post Today - a story on our Zen of Winter Yoga Retreats!

Weekend trips:
South River, Ont.
January 19, 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/life/travel/story.html?id=247689

(nature, food, adventure, distance 296km)

Northern Edge sits on a northwest corner of Algonquin Park (hence the name) and if you are looking to escape the city for a meditative appreciation of the great outdoors, this yoga-based eco adventure is perfectly off the grid. The large main lodge is surrounded by cozy log cabins, is solar-powered and allows for intimate groups of no more than a dozen at a time. Although there are small cabins, my friend and I opted for the more collegial women's dorm-style accommodation (camp for grown-ups!) with rows of bunkbeds, a wood-burning stove and its own composting peat toilet.

A central retreat building is fitted with comfy couches, hot showers and a skylit yoga loft for the several daily restorative Hatha yoga classes taught by instructor Stephanie Akroyd. Outdoor excursions, such as cross-country skiing on a perfect clear winter's day across a lake or snowshoeing in the woods, are lead by enthusiastic guide Vicki Arsenault (for the adventurous, there's also a late-night hike to a sauna). The schedule is loosely structured, leaving plenty of time for reading, a moonlit skate on the lake or a silent, solo candlelit walk through a snowy labyrinth to inspire introspection. Notably, the four-day retreats ($697, 10% less if you book with a friend) include simple but lavish vegetarian and vegan gourmet meals from chef Greg Waters using local and organic ingredients. Homemade granola and French toast, apple cake, pumpkin loaf ... frankly, forget the yoga or snowshoeing: I'd go back for the food alone. Upcoming retreat dates are Feb. 7 to 10 and Feb. 21 to 24.

• For more information and other retreats (including Making Tracks: Yoga and Dog Sledding), visit northernedgealgonquin or call 800-953-3343. N.A.

Wintery Weather at the Edge

2008-01-21T08:04:00.001-05:00

I'm sure the cold hasn't just decended on our home at the edge of Algonquin Park.... nevertheless, baby it's cold outside!
-32 this morning.... ouch.

We still took the opportunity to celebrate Greg's birthday with wonderful backcountry snowshoe and skiing excursions over the weekend.

We're looking forward to milder temps this week and we're also hosting retreats over the next three weekends.

Yoga and the Zen of Winter

2007-12-31T10:36:00.001-05:00

We were most delighted to learn that Yoga and the Zen of Winter was featured by the Canadian Tourism Commission in their Pure Canada Publication.

http://pure.canada.travel/en_ca/category/4/story/259.html

Winter is certainly fully upon us and we have been taking great delight in skiing the backwoods this holiday season. We hope you can join us for a little Zen of Winter in the New Year.

Zen of Winter Retreat.....

Happy New Year to All!

Wilderness Arts with Alexis Burnett

2007-12-24T19:58:00.000-05:00

Alexis Burnett and Chris Gilmore facilitate Wilderness Arts programs at the Edge. Here is a short video where Alexis demonstrates making fire, a part of Wilderness Survival programs at the Edge. In Winter, attention turns to tracking wildlife. Join Alexis at the Edge.

Torngat at the Edge

2007-12-20T13:58:00.001-05:00

A little while back, Emily invited Torngat to come to spend a night at the Edge. The concert they put on was delicious. I hope to drop a few sounds here shortly. Until then, here is Emily with her guests from Montreal.

We've got real high speed Internet in South River

2007-12-14T13:47:00.000-05:00

Bell has arrived in South River! Finally, after years of tortured delay and high speed via satellite in our office, we're upgrading to true dsl high speed Internet access!
We'll be better able to upload pictures, video and audio and be better able to meet the needs of our ideal guests.

Stay tuned, we'll be blazingly fast by next Friday! Wahoo!

Northern Edge Staff- 2007

2007-12-12T10:28:00.001-05:00

Meet the staff by watching the 30 second video.

The Best Chinese Food in Ontario

2007-12-10T07:56:00.000-05:00

I've finally made it home for a spell and taken time to ski, hike, snowshoe, attend a concert with Torngat, and see a movie with family - The Golden Compass, after travelling Ontario and teaching dozens of Tourism Businesses this fall throughout Ontario. It's been fun travelling with my daughter Natalie, who has been my technical assistant and guiding light when it comes to choosing the best chinese restaurants across Ontario..... and talk about service in the tourism industry, I entered a restaurant in Thunder Bay last week that could teach customer service to the Tourism Industry.

Incidentally, Best Chinese food in Ontario has to be Mr Chinese in Thunder Bay.... stop in and see Ning work her magic as she moves about this place magically making everyone feel like they have been missing something special if they haven't been there before, or if they are a regular who has been away for a while. Knowing most by name, or making guest feel as though she knows them personally her grace under the busy-ness that is 5:45 pm in a Chinese Restaraunt is truly inspiring. Thanks for dragging me in Natalie, I'll be back to visit the Best chinese restaurant in Ontario.

Have you see our new Feeds Page?

2007-11-29T06:40:00.001-05:00

We've been publishing image libraries, videos, blog posts and the like for a few years now. Finally, weve made it easy for Friends of the Edge to get updates immediately by subscribing to our feeds. Please visit our new Feeds page to stay connected.

Also, look for us on Facebook. We've started a new group that includes upcoming events, and up to the minute info on the happenings at the Edge. Got a group visit planned? This is a great way to share the Edge with Friends...... see you on Facebook!

Snowy Team Building Retreat: Is Winter here to stay?

2007-11-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

This week we hosted a production team from Toronto for a two day team building retreat. While the wind howled and the rain poured, little did we know that winter was blowing in. On the second day, we awoke to a blanket of snow and flurries.
Over the past three days, the snow has remained on the ground. The weather is calling for warmer temps, but I'm pretty sure our next Corporate Team Building Retreat will be among much deeper white stuff.

2007-10-18T17:33:00.000-04:00

Send us a Video Message
Record your video and email it to NorthernEdgeAlgonquin@gmail.com

Why the Leaves turn red before they fall each Autumn

2007-10-18T11:54:00.001-04:00

As Fall Colours wind down, have a gander at the reds and yellows across Canada on CBC's image link, and learn why the leaves turn red before they fall each autum on Science Made Simple.

See CBC's Images of Fall Colours

Simple Explanation for the Leaf Colour Change

Visit our Northern Edge Algonquin Home Page: Fall Colours have been especially brilliant this year.
http://www.NorthernEdgeAlgonquin.com

Colorama

2007-10-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

Fall Colours have been most spectacular this year. Just a quick update on some new things happening at the Edge.

Paula Jackson is our new staff member looking after custom retreat programs ! Big Welcome.
Blue Canoe has transitioned to a Healing Arts Centre with two meeting/gathering workshop rooms to host sessions ranging from 90 minutes to full days!
New office fish is a beta - siamese fighting fish (in need of a name)
Todd heads back to the rock (Gros Morne NFLD) this week to teach Edge of the Wedge Tourism Experience Course with GMIST.ca
Martha's two year program (her first) just wrapped up and next month our third Advanced Shamanism Program gets underway.
still a few leaves on the trees but evening temps drifting below 0!

My Brother Debuts on CBC Radio

2007-09-19T21:29:00.001-04:00

Hey Tom,
Congrats on your debut at CBC's Newest radio show - Spark, hosted by Nora Young.
Your comic genious shines through.... Heck, this three minutes leaves you at least another 12 minutes in the spotlight.
Way to go . . .

Have a listen, Tom is featured midway through this 30 minute episode plotting on getting out of his cell phone contract at:
http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/spark_20070919_3346.mp3

Yoga and Sea Kayaking on Georgian Bay - Ontario, Canada (pictures)

2007-09-15T14:00:00.001-04:00

Yoga Retreat Images from Labour Day Quest for Balance

2007-09-05T15:00:00.001-04:00

Quest for Balance: Labour Day Weekend 2007

Sandy, thanks for sharing your images.

The Edge - Home of Canada's Wonders

2007-08-30T12:52:00.001-04:00

National News report features the Edge and our 7 Wonders of Algonquin Park Canoe Trips