collingwood Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Making Memories All Year at Lakes of Wasaga #ParkbridgeLife #IFWTWA

Paula — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 12:17:08 +0000

Many of my happy childhood travel memories were set in, or around, Wasaga Beach. My Mom drove us to Wasaga Beach every year, until my brother and I were in high school. Our summers were spent making memories together in Collingwood and Wasaga. We were Three Musketeers, and we lived for those summer adventures. Now, decades later, I still treasure those times, even while building my own lasting family memories with my kids and my husband. This past Family Day, just like the one in 2016, we packed up our skis and gear and drove to Lakes of Wasaga. Our Family Ski weekend stay at Lakes of Wasaga has become one of my favourite February traditions. Once a year we pack the skis and gear and some warm clothing and take the drive to Wasaga Beach. Parkbridge Resort chalets and cottages are the perfect spot to make family travel memories any time of year. Located less than half an hour away from Blue Mountain, Lakes of Wasaga in Wasaga Beach has spacious chalets and cottages that are clean, safe and affordable for a weekend away, or even a week long stay. We have done both winter and summer stays at Lakes of Wasaga and love the versatility of the accommodations and the property itself. If you ski, and you want to tackle Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Parkbridge’s Lakes of Wasaga accommodations are a great option. From Toronto, Lakes of Wasaga is not a long drive at all. From London on a clear winter night, you can make it in 3 1/2 hours. As we have recently done the drive to Vermont which was 9 1/2 hours on the way back, this drive was a breeze. Last year we drove to Lakes of Wasaga in a snowstorm with inappropriate tires on the Dodge Caravan. On Family Day 2016 the temperature outside read MINUS 37 Celsius! But even then we had no issues warming up and making memories because Lakes of Wasaga chalets are fully heated. Many units have beautiful built in fireplaces. Another one of my favourite things about Lakes of Wasaga is that every unit we have ever stayed in has a fully equipped kitchen with stove, fridge and dishwasher too. Let’s facer it skiing can be expensive but I love to find ways to save. This is one of those ways. We bring food for lunches and pack a lunch for the day in Collingwood. We also bring the energy bars from home and at least one dinner to cook in the chalet or cottage. Two years in a row now we have enjoyed a winter weekend ski getaway at Lakes of Wasaga. There’s a lot to do in the area all year round from cross country skiing to downhill skiing and of course in summer there’s the beach. This year Lakes of Wasaga was bustling for the holiday weekend. Many units were full and there were clearly dozens of other families making memories of their own. The Family Day weekend weather this year was dramatically different than last and strangely warm for this time of year. No wonder so many families opted to visit the area. Parkbridge Resort’s Lakes of Wasaga is located within a quick drive of multiple restaurants. There is a Walmart nearby if you forget anything at home or need something while there. Parkbridge Resorts Lakes of Wasaga Amenities The resort itself has several swimming pools, one of which is indoors, so that you can swim all year round. In the summer, there are dozens of scheduled events for your family, from corn roasts to movie nights. In the winter the various options at Lakes of Wasaga mean you could schedule a cozy romantic getaway for just the two of you, or a full scale extended family weekend, sleeping up to eight people comfortably. This Ontario resort can be whatever you want it to be. Parkbridge’s unique land lease and RV homes also mean that you can make this lifestyle an affordable longterm commitment. In Ontario Parkbridge operates 21 resort properties. There are 9 in the Kawarthas, 5 in Georgian Bay and 7 in Southern Ontario Region. The Parkbridge Life Resorts are on Pinterest. and Instagram. and of course on Facebook too. Parkbridge Resorts are a great option for affordable family travel in Ontario. We were guests of Parkbridge Resorts Lakes of Wasaga for the weekend. My opinion is all my own and it is 100 % truthful.

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Blue Mountain Resorts Summer Activity

Paula — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 06:28:00 +0000

Skiing, snowboarding, skating. Blue Mountain Resorts and winter go hand in hand, but what do you know about summer at Blue Mountain Resorts? What can there possibly be to do in the summer? Turns out there’s activity around every corner at Blue Mountain these days. My kids are nothing if not active, so when Blue Mountain Resorts invited us to stay with them in June and test drive some of their great activities, well giddy up I said. Bring it on. What Can You Do in Summer at Blue Mountain Resort? We arrived on a Wednesday in a spell of very warm weather. First off Croc a Doodle pottery. Both of my kids picked out a ceramic canvas and began painting their little hearts out. Payton finished a girl on a unicorn, peppering her face with freckles and declaring it a perfect image of herself, despite the blue hair and Ainsley fancied up a new piggy bank. I made a magnet. The staff was supportive and sweet and we left our canvases there to have them glazed overnight. In the afternoon, we meandered around the resort village and took in all the sights and sounds of the cutest little shops and restaurants. Let me just note here that the sushi place was exceptional and the service there was great. We all had our first ever Beaver Tails while visiting. The OREO Beaver Tail was heaven. Loved the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup flavour too, but the cookie and icing of the OREO one really was incredible. We stayed in the Westin Trillium House. Read my review of the Westin Trillium House here. We fished for frogs and tadpoles in the swamp outside the Westin and we met up with several bloggers and my kids made friends fast. Plunge Aquatic Centre Plunge Aquatic Centre is a lot of fun for families of all ages. The pool there comes at extra cost to visitors, so budget for this especially in the summer months. Also the plunge pool with rope swing is old school fun. My kids have been to Plunge twice and we love the rope swing. There is a hot tub as well and an indoor play space for toddlers. The water slide inside Plunge is a gentle entry level water slide, and there is a regular slide into the pool too. Mom and Dad can swim with the kids, or relax and read a book poolside. The Woodlot The low ropes at the Woodlot were incredible. My oldest girl tackled them fearlessly. Bring the proper shoes – running shoes preferably. That was an hour of fun for our whole family. Low ropes were busy all day long and we were there in an off period before school let out. Ainsley didn’t have closed running shoes on that day, so she didn’t tackle that activity. Ropes Course Tips: Try to get there early. There is a ropes course for the older groups of kids 12-13 + and adult level and it can actually be hours to finish. There are several levels, so you can choose your adventure there. It is called the Timber Challenge. There are paddle boats on the small pond across from the Westin and on certain days there is yoga on the docks. That alone made me wish we were staying longer, so that I could do it. Family Golfing for Everyone Mini golf is one of my youngest daughter’s favourite activities. She thinks she is at the driving range though when she mini golfs so look out below, or behind us, or generally nearby at all. This Cascade putting range course is lovely, but also challenging. The landscape is nice cut into the side of a mountain and I couldn’t help thinking my husband would have loved it. He spent the week at work. But for our kids the 18 holes were challenging. I however did get one hole in one. That was an event! Ontario’s Only Mountain Coaster The Ridge Runner, is Ontario’s only mountain roller coaster. Now, it should be clearly stated that I am often quite a chicken when it comes to rides. But I rode the Ridge Runner with Ainsley twice and loved it. You control the speed, so even though it seems like you could be crashing through trees and racing down the mountainside, you can slow it down or speed it up for your adventure level. Huge incline at start of the coaster pulls you up the mountain. This was one of our favourite activities. Gondola Rides The Gondola rides up and down Blue Mountain are fun and a great way to look over all of Collingwood and Georgian Bay. We had a lovely view from the side of the gondola. The way back down was nerve-wracking for me, a person afraid of heights. We originally planned to walk down the side of the mountain on the trail. (We did this two years ago) but we ended up exhausted from the hiking episode on the trail. So the gondola was our ride back down. It’s the tiniest bit rocky inside the bucket when it stops to pick up new people at bottom. About half-way down, I was able to actually enjoy the view. My youngest daughter has same fear of heights sometimes. Payton, however, loved both rides and would happily do that half the day. (Naturally she tried to freak us out a couple of times rocking the gondola.) Hiking Up Blue Mountain Hiking up Blue Mountain all along the Bruce Trail was the end of our great three-day trip. My only complaint there was the trail needs better markings and signs. At one point, we passed another family who couldn’t find the trail and at another point we ended up walking on the mountain biking path. A mountain biker hollered and we moved, then a man working on the newest ski run pointed us in the right direction and gave us some water also. If you are going to hike up here any length of time, don’t forget sunscreen and water bottles. Leave the rest in the room. Swimming at Blue Mountain Resort Each of the pools at Blue Mountain Resort are lovely. Plunge is fun for kids and the Westin pool and hot tub is a showstopper. The hot tub was gorgeous and each building has access to a sauna too. The dining at Blue Mountain Resort is varied, with everything from pub food to Italian and frozen yogurt spots. Mountain Biking and Trails Mountain biking is a regular feature and quite a draw for many over on the Bruce Trail. Several paths are marked for mountain bikes and there are some serious bikers here. Blue Mountain Weddings Also, at the top of the mountain apparently the space is now also a great setting for weddings. I wouldn’t have believed it had I not seen the most elaborate Indian wedding setup occurring on the night we were getting ready to leave. What a backdrop! I can’t imagine a more romantic spot in Ontario. Segway tours are also offered at the top of the mountains. Buy your tickets down below. Scenic Caves While we were staying in Collingwood, we also took in the Scenic Caves experience. That was such a great opportunity for my family. My girls had never been and I hadn’t been back in 25 years at least. We used to tour the caves as kids. Read my post about the Scenic Caves here. Updates and New Things Stay tuned for an announcement soon about the coming attraction zip line experience. It is anticipated to be ready at end of July. Fingers crossed. We just zip lined at Kalahari in OHIO and it was a hoot. This will be a fair bit closer and a great addition to the numerous fun and exciting ways to spend your day at Blue Mountain Resorts. How to Get to Blue Mountain Resort? At only 90 minutes to 2 hours away for Torontonians and maybe 3-4 hours for those from London, Blue Mountain Resorts has a great adventure waiting for you in nearby Ontario. We were given a two night stay at the Westin and full access to all activities so we could write about the resort. My opinion is all my own. I would happily take my kids back yearly to see what is new at Blue. Follow them on twitter for up to date news and events.

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Blue Mountain, Collingwood Scenic Caves

Paula — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

My kids have the hearts of explorers. So last week when we had the chance to stay at Blue Mountain Resorts, Westin Trillium House for a family blogger retreat and we saw that a visit to Collingwood Scenic Caves was on the schedule, well I knew we had to bring walking shoes and take photos. When I was a child my Mom drove us to Collingwood for family vacations in the summer. I vividly recall exploring Collingwood Scenic Caves and the Blue Mountain Resort area way back in the late 1980s. Collingwood was one of my Mom’s favourite Ontario destinations actually. Wondering how much the caves and the resort itself had changed, I headed off on a quick hosted vacation with my kids in tow and ready for an adventure. Blue Mountain Resort and Collingwood Scenic Caves Just a 5 minute drive from Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood Scenic Caves are curious and educational too, well worth the admission price. Some of my favourite childhood travel memories are set here in Collingwood where we visited many a summer in the 80s and 90s. Together, with my Mom and brother I would trek up the mountains and into the scenic caves a few times as children. As a child that was a big adventure for us. Returning Now Thirty years ago the Scenic Caves were a simple experience, a charming day trip spent observing natural Ontario at its best. I also recall the Scenic Caves being larger than life back then and I remember squeezing through crevices and being a little bit awestruck and slightly overwhelmed by the size of the natural rock formations. What a hoot to be able to take my kids through the caves too. These are the moments I live for as a parent. Being able to see things I enjoyed as a child through their eyes now is all the feels. My girls are 9 and 11 now and they are active fit girls, so I knew they were up for the climbing. Payton took everything in and challenged herself climbing on several natural shelves with footholds in the hopes she might zip line at the top of the caves soaring high over the mountains. We were warned at the bottom before we went up that her height might not yet be tall enough to safely zip line and we poo pooed that until we actually saw the zip line for ourselves. As daring as my children are, the Thunder Bird, Canada’s longest twin zip line is an experience that I think my daughter may need to grow into. Her short height, and my fear of heights, meant we took a pass on the Thunder Bird this year. I fully anticipate she will return and ride that thing with her father next year or the year following that. Other Things To Do Take an entire afternoon here at the caves and explore the property itself along with several other attractions. A train ride, a gem mining activity, miniature golf and a pond where you can feed the trout if you can keep the seagulls away long enough, all await. There is also a playground and snack bar too. Not too far off there is also a suspension bridge, but we didn’t have time to do that. A Canadian Natural Wonder The caves each have names and a history that accompanies them. In fact, the Scenic Caves are a Canadian natural wonder. Located at the highest part of the Niagara Escarpment, Collingwood Scenic Caves were once under water and are now a key tourist attraction above Georgian Bay in the Blue Mountain area. Forming Collingwood’s Scenic Caves These curious caves formed over hundreds of millions of years followed by ice movement in the Glacial ages. Earliest written records of the area come from Samuel De Champlain and the Jesuit Missionaries, who once lived with the Huron and Petun peoples. The first cave you see is a natural refrigerator which meant I had to climb inside to believe it. Caves that maintained the cold temperatures like this one were naturally used to preserve food for early peoples. A key piece of the Collingwood Scenic Caves experience is the ice cave where snow sometimes stays until mid-July. I didn’t see any inside the ice cave but my daughter swears she did. Some lookout points have history posted and more importantly also allow a view of the deep blue waters of Wasaga Beach, Collingwood and Georgian Bay. Science Fun After we explored the caves, my girls spent some time mining for gems and then identifying them. They both enjoy science so that was a treat. Mining for gem stones A Spiritual Experience I couldn’t resist this shot at the end. There is something spiritual about hiking and climbing these caves, the same ones my Mom used to take me to as a kid, well that was a bit of magic. Last year my Mom passed away suddenly after her battle with Alzheimer’s, but sometimes I still feel her near me. This was one of these moments when my heart was open to hearing from her and reminiscing about the years we lived together with her always building magical summer experiences for our tiny family. Pausing to Take it all in When we came back down the trail we heard a snake before we saw it and it rapidly slithered away. The beauty of the place, Scenic Caves, and the memories I already had there made the day special to begin with. Being able to share these moments with my girls was priceless. At the end of the trail, still high up in the mountains, my oldest daughter and I took a moment to remember her Grandma and tell her she would have enjoyed such a beautiful day, in a magical place steeped in history. I was invited to take part in the Blue Mountain Family Blogger Retreat. We stayed at the Westin Trillium House and enjoyed food, accommodations and attractions as a guest of Blue Mountain Resorts. This post also contains affiliate links as a service to readers. My opinion is all my own. Want to do this yourself? You can stay at the Westin Trillium House just as we did. I highly recommend it. Book a stay at Westin Trillium House here. Book tickets for sights and attractions such as Scenic Caves and suspension bridge at Blue Mountain Resort.

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