The day is bright, clear and sunny as we drive up Capilano road, on our way to the north shore mountains. Heading into higher elevation, the road starts to turn slushy and snowbanks and evergreens line the edges. We follow the winding twisting road. Suddenly the shadowy sky gives way as we enter a snow covered world of Mount Seymour, filled with brilliant blue sunshine. “Welcome to my office,” states Lois Tomlinson, my guide and owner of Natural Trekking, proudly.

Only 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver, lies a snowy mountainous playground. We have come to play. Even though the ski hill has yet to open for the season, the parking lot is full. It seems others are here enjoying the fresh powder too.

Tomlinson makes sure we are well prepared for today’s adventure. Prior to our trip, she advises me on what to wear and what not to wear. “Wool, or polyester tops and bottom should be warn as a base layer, followed by fleece and Gortex. Dress in layers,” she recommends. “Never ever wear cotton. It can accelerate hypothermia and cause death.”

Tomlinson pulls the lightweight metal snowshoes from her bag, along with adjustable ski poles and gaiters, to be worn around our pant cuffs to keep out the white stuff. Weight and height determines the size of a person’s snowshoe. It’s important to factor in the weight of your pack as well. Good snowshoes will have crampons or sharp metal teeth around the bottom of the frame and a big crampon in the toe area. Compared to the old wooden bulky snowshoes I’ve used, these ones are light and feel very flexible when my boot is strapped in. “Snowshoes have come down in price the last couple of years. Expect to pay around $200 - $300 for a pair,” Tomlinson says. “Mountain Equipmnent Co-Op is probably the best place to buy them.”

After adjusting our hats, sunglasses and knapsacks: filled with water, snacks and camera, we are off. The trail has been tramped down, thank God. We start climbing and with a few breaks here and there, don’t stop until we get to the top. The trek, although sweaty, is beautiful. It really should be called snow hiking, because that’s exactly what we’re doing. “It’s actually safer than hiking,” Tomlinson explains. “You’re not going to trip over trees and roots.” Just like hiking though, you can get lost, so it’s recommended that first time snowshoer go with an experienced guide.

The same rules of engagement seem to apply to almost every outdoor activity. Never snowshoe alone. Always tell someone responsible where you are going and when you’ll be back, and be prepared. Tomlinson cautions, “Don’t go light one day, because that will be the day that something happens.” Make sure one of you is carrying:

• a flashlight
• whistle
• candles & matches
• Swiss army knife
• grand sheet - preferably orange so it can be seen
• blanket
• flares
• extra food
• water
• extra clothing

I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed our day on the mountain. Tomlinson is an excellent guide, and her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. This is a fun activity that anybody, regardless of their age, can do.

Cheers,

Julie

After a frosty day of snowmobiling or cross-country skiing, cozying up to the fire and a rich cheese fondue seems like a perfect ending. Cheese fondue originated in Switzerland, but chocolate fondue was created in 1964 by Konrad Egli, a Swiss-born chef working in New York. Kinda like old world meets new. So today at Cottagedaily, we are bringing you the best of both worlds, Three-cheese fondue with Champagne and Toblerone dark chocolate honey-almond fondue. These are fun dishes to make with a gang of people, particularly if you plan on spending New Year’s eve at the cottage. The champagne will definitely not go to waste.

Three-Cheese Fondue with Champagne (Bon Appetit February 2001)

Ingredients

• 4 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups dry brut Champagne
• 1 large shallot
• 2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere cheese (about 7 ounces)
• 1 1/3 cup coarsely grated Emmenthal cheese (about 5 ounces)
• 1/2 cup diced rindless Brie or Camembert cheese (about 3 ounces)
• Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground white pepper
• 1 French-bread baguette, crust left on
• Cubes of apple and pear
• Roasted potatoes
• Julienne raw red bell peppers
• Blanched broccoli florets

Preparation

Stir cornstarch and lemon juice in a small bowl until cornstarch dissolves; set aside. Combine Champagne and shallots in fondue pot or heavy medium saucepan; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Add all cheeses and stir to combine. Stir in cornstarch mixture. Return fondue pot to medium heat and stir until cheeses are melted and smooth and fondue thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Season fondue with nutmeg and white pepper. Place over candle or canned heat burner to keep warm. Serve with cubed bread and other prepared foods and left over Champagne.

Makes 2 generous servings.

Toblerone Dark Chocolate Honey-Almond Fondue (Bon Appetit December 1997)

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp whipping cream
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 3.52 ounce bars Toblerone bittersweet chocolate or 7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tbsp Kirsch (clear cherry brandy)
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• Assorted fruit (whole strawberries, 1 inch think peeled banana, orange segments, large marshmellows, cubed angel food cake, cubed apple)

Preparation

Bring cream and honey to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Add chocolate; whisk until melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in Kirsch and almond extract. Pour into fondue pot or bowl. Place on platter, surrounded with fruit. Serve with skewers.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

If anyone has any other fondue suggestions or tips, I would love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Julie

PS - Tomorrow I am off to try snowshoeing with my buddy Lois from Natural Trekking - see Friday’s blog for details on our adventure in the mountains.

Warning
What happens when out-of-towners go into cottage country, buy up all the prime waterfront properties, drive up the price of real estate and don’t live there year-round? As a cottager have I ever stopped to consider the impact I have my seasonal community?

No. In fact, I complain. I scan my tax bill and think, ‘Why am I paying school taxes? My kids don’t even go to school here.’ I actually think the town must love people like me. I seldom use its facilities and they get a huge tax grant.

If I had a cottage on Wasa Lake, I would be dead wrong. Considered one of the warmest lakes in the Rocky Mountains, Wasa is a quiet cottage community tucked in the Kootenay River Valley. The town of Wasa is based around this small lake. In the past 5 years, the permanent residents, who now only comprise 38% of the town’s population, have witnessed their property values approach $1 million.

Are they happy with what’s happening to their town? Not according to Susanne Ashmore, chair of the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District. The influx of Alberta dollars have radically changed their social and environmental landscape, and not for the better.

Five years ago, they have lost their school. Young families, considered gold to small communities like Wasa, cannot afford the premium to live there. Both their restaurants have closed; unable to make it on eight weeks of business. Only a threadbare gas station remains. The town would like a volunteer fire department, but with the majority of it’s residents over the age of 50, Ashmore, one of the youngest at 51, says it just isn’t possible. “We have become road kill for the demand,” she states.

When asked if the town is benefiting from the increased tax base, Ashmore answers, “Property taxes are the gift that keeps giving…to the provincial government.” She is actually working very hard to get the government to fund water stewardship. “Last year did water tests on the lake, but not this year,” she explains.

Ashmore has reconciled that cottagers are not going away. The future of Wasa hangs in a precarious balance. Alberta residents now comprise 43% of the town’s population. But they are not allowed to vote in BC, nor do they have a say in the town’s planning process. They are becoming the majority in a village they only live in eight weeks of the year. She has hope for the emergent community and has begun seeking input from the cottagers association as to what their interests are. On Thanksgiving weekend, the cottagers were asked to participate in a shoreline cleanup. “Only 12 people showed up, but it’s a start,” Ashmore concludes.

Cheers,

Julie

PS Today’s photo comes from Bed and Breakfast Inns in Wasa Lake

Thirty to forty people will be die this year snowmobiling and more than 300 will be injured, according to Bill Harrison, manager of Safety and Public Education for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobiling Clubs.  The good news, the fatality rate has not changed much in the last 20 years despite the increase in riders. Harrison estimates there are over 200,000 snowmobilers in Ontario alone, who collectively traveled more than 150 million kilometers last year.

“The deaths,” he says, “Are predicable and preventable, and are the result of riders making bad choices. ” When asked what the fatalities can be attributed to, Harrison responds, “Poor riding behavior. Drivers are going too fast, they lose control and then crash into trees, fences or other snowmobiles.”

Alcohol is also factor. Harrison states, “Thirty percent of snowmobiling fatalities are alcohol related. Riding on ice is yet another. People go through the ice and drown, or they hit a pressure crack or a tree stump.” He recommends that people who ride on ice need to be prepared mentally and physically to go through the ice.

“Wear a flotation suit and carry an ice pick. People need to keep their composure if they fall through the ice. Riders will experience a gasp reflex where the air is literally knocked out of them. They will also experience mini paralysis. Riders need to mentally understand this and wait. They will regain their breath and mobility. After that, they have about two minutes to pull themselves up onto the ice before they lose control of their limbs or their hands freeze to the ice. You don’t want to die going through the ice. Check the conditions ahead of time and be prepared.”

Harrison also suggestions snowmobilers use extra caution when riding at night. Night riding is five times more risky than riding during the day, largely due to reduced visibility.

If you’re going to be out snowmobiling this winter, ride on a groomed, clearly marked trail. “On the trail is a totally different environment than off trail, where there is a greater element of risk,” Harrison explains. Ontario boasts over 41,000 kilometers of groomed trail, making it the largest trail system in the world.

If you are interested in getting out and trying snowmobiling this winter, there are snowmobiling clubs across Canada, who offer driver training courses and special events.

“If done properly,” Harrison explains, “Snowmobiling is very safe, fabulous enjoyment with many benefits. It’s just as Canadian as hockey.”

Cheers,

Julie

Some people bemoan the onslaught of winter, while others wait for those first flakes of snow with the giddiness and joy of a three-year-old child. I can’t say I love jack frost nipping at my nose, toes and butt, but I do love playing outdoors. Snowmobiling and cottaging seem to go hand and hand. There are over 200,000 snowmobilers in Ontario alone, who enjoy over 41,000 kilometers of groomed territory, making it the largest managed trail system in the world, according to Bill Harrison, Manager of Safety and Public Relations for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.

For those folks living in Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs has dubbed this Get Ready for Snowmobiling Week, so we thought we’d tang along and examine the sport of snowmobiling.

The first snowmobile was invented by Joseph Armand Bombardier, a Quebec inventer, in 1937. It rolled out of his small repair shop in Valcourt, Que. giving birth to a new winter sport and a legendary Canadian company. It would not be until 1959 when he would refine his design to what is known today as the modern snowmobile, with an open cockpit, and one or two passenger seating.

Bombardier was trying to create a practical device that would replace the dog sled for trappers. He originally coined the new machine the “Ski-Dog,” but somewhere between marketing and printing the stem fell of the g, by the time Bombardier discovered the mistake it was too late to change it. The Ski-Doo was born.

Around the same time, Edgar and Allen Hetteen and David Johnson of Roseau, Minnesota were also building a more practical snowmobile. The early machines were too heavy (1000 lbs or 450 kg), and too slow (20 mph or 30 km/h). Their company, Hetteen Hoist & Derrick Co., would later became Polaris Industries and remains one of the four largest snowmobile manufacturers.

Snowmobiling hit its peak in terms of sales between 1970 - 1973 when over 2 million machines were sold. Many snowmobile manufactures were forced out of business in 1973 as a result of high gasoline prices and the ensuing recessions.

Snowmobiling is still considered a lucrative sport today, pumping more than $2.1 billion into the winter economy in Ontario. In Canada and the United States it generates more than $28 billion in revenue for equipment, clothing, accessories and vacations.

On average 30 - 40 people die each year in snowmobile related deaths. According to Harrison, “Most snowmobile incidents are predictable and preventable.” We will take a look at what causes the fatalities, and how cottagers can avoid them.

Cheers,

Julie

PS Today’s picture comes from the CBC’s website.

What do you call a group of 46 guys sitting on a couch watching the Grey Cup?

The B.C. Lions.

On a more serious note, I was watching Peter Mansbridge on the CBC last night, and my heart went out to those folks living in Ontario. Brrrrrrrrr. While here on the west coast we are experiencing frostier temperatures, (+6) they are getting hit with the first major storm of the season. Being involved in an accident while in the midst of a blizzard would be quite simply, horrible.

I’ve always wondered how the police and hospital staff notify next of kin and relatives in the event of an emergency. In B.C., our phone numbers are printed on our driver’s license. I’m not sure if that’s the case in other provinces. I recently read in a magazine about ICE - in case of emergency, It was conceived in the mid 2000’s, and promoted by British paramedic Bob Brotchie. It’s purpose is to get people to key their emergency contact numbers into their cell phone under the name ICE. For example, ICE1 - Mom, ICE2 Husband. This enables first responders, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, to identify victims and contact their next of kin to obtain important medical information.

Coincidence?

How often do two bloggers talk about the same subject on the exact same day? All the time. Recently, Heather from Cottagenews.ca posted a great blog on Preparing for a Winter Trip to Cottage Country the exact same day I posted Winter Survival Essentials for your Car. Heather included links to two websites that are very useful, Environment Canada and the Weather Network.

Reviewing Environment Canada’s Emergency check list there I realized there were some items missing from my list. They are:

• Sand, salt or kitty litter
• antifreeze or windshield washer fluid
• tow rope
• jumper cables
• small shovel, and scraper

Update on Shortbread Cookies

I would like to thank Debb for responding to my SOS for a good shortbread recipe. Debb often leaves me comments and they are all appreciated. Here is her response:

Debb’s Mom’s Shortbread Recipe

The key is to not over mix the dough. Ideally, you want to mix gently with a mix-master, but I have been know to whip up a batch in a food processor without too much damage to the dough.
I like to put the dough into a cookie press. Each Christmas I make trees, stars and flowers. You can decorate them the way you would sugar cookies, but I like to put a smal bit of candied cherry on top or just leave them plain! You can also roll them into tiny balls, then press them on the cookie sheet in a criss-cross pattern with a floured fork. It’s also fun to make cookie bars and then dip one end into melted chocolate!

Mix together 3/4 cup soft butter
1/2 cup corn starch [this is what makes the shortbread short!
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 cup flour
Bake at 300º for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges.

Cheers,

Julie

When it comes to making shortbread cookies with my children it’s, well, a disaster.

While my children, Ben and Jillian, eagerly drag out the box of metal cookie cutters from the cupboard and sort through them deciding which shapes to use, I pull out Martha Stewart’s Basic Sugar Cookie Dough recipe. My right shoulders begins to knot. As Ben struggles to lift a chair over to the counter for he and Jillian to stand on, the dull ache spreads to my neck. By the time all the ingredients are lined up on the counter, my whole right side is throbbing.

Together we cut in one cup of butter, add a cup of white sugar, then gently turn on the mixer to medium. We stand back and watch the mixer’s big paddle flick butter onto the counter. Both children fight over who gets to crack the egg and add the tablespoon of vanilla. I turn off the beater while Ben adds the first cup of flour followed by some more mixing. Jillian finishes it off by tossing in the remaining cup and a half of flour.

We’re almost done now. A little more stirring and then it will start. The melt downs, their’s and then mine. What comes next is never shown in Martha’s glossy magazine. How do you take the melted glob of dough and make beautiful heart shaped cookies with red sprinkles? Maybe the question should be, how do you make these cookies without suffering a meltdown?

I’ve tried putting the dough in the fridge for two hours. I’ve even put it in the freezer for three weeks, but as soon as I get the buttery mass to room temperature, everything sticks. The dough to the parchment paper; the cookies to the cutter. Try as I may, none of our cookies are uniform, symmetrical or even remotely resemble a heart let alone a angel or Christmas tree.

So instead of posting a fabulous recipe for short bread cookies I am posting an SOS - if anybody out there has a good shortbread recipe that doesn’t stick to everything including the dog, and is child friendly, I would love to hear from you, so would Ben and Jillian.

Cheers,

Julie

PS - Below is Martha Stewart’s Recipe - it’s tasty but it’s trying.

Basic Sugar Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter - room temperature

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 1/2 cups of flour

Directions

In a the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt; mix on medium speed until combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour in 2 batches, mixing just until incorporated.

Divide dough into tow equal portions. Place each on a piece of plastic wrap; flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.

When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks on upper and lower thirds. Remove one sheet of dough from the refrigerator, and let stand one minute. Using a 3- inch snowflaked cookie cutter, cut into shapes. Place two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Gather scraps, and reroll as above, chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes, then cut more shapes.

Decorate cookies with sanding sugar or red sprinkles. Bake cookies until golden brown around the edges and slightly firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets. Store in airtight container at room temperature, up to 5 days.

With soaring property prices and a limited supply of waterfront cottages, the dream of owning a vacation home is becoming increasingly difficult to attain. And then there are the costs of ownership: taxes, maintenance, boat, insurance and renovations. In a recent blog, Renting versus Buying, I estimated the cost of maintaining a cabin to be roughly $12,000 a year. This figure does not include mortgage payments.

How then do people afford the dream? Some will rent out their cabins over the summer to recoup their expenses, but there are other ways to make ownership affordable.

Co-ownership

People have mixed emotions when it comes to co-owning a property. It’s not for everyone. Compatibility is likely the hardest hurdle to overcome. The issue of how the property is to be used is another. One family might want to rent it; the other may prefer to keep it open for last minute get-aways. Deciding on who gets to use it, when and how, all have to be agreed upon. Any of these issues can be deal breakers, but in reality, they are actually qualifiers. If the both parties are unable to come to terms on these items, then they are probably not suited to enter into this type of arrangement.

The first test is actually buying the property. This is a great opportunity to see how other people react under pressure. It’s during this phase that discussions around occupancy, renovations, and budget should be discussed. It’s important to put everything on the table in the beginning and make sure everyone has an opportunity to voice their concerns and expectations. This is also the best time to walk away from the deal before anyone has invested anything.

Once the property has been chosen and the offer accepted, an “Agreement of Use” should be drawn up and verified by a lawyer. Think of this as a prenup. This document will provide the foundation for conflict resolution. If the partnership works well it may never be used, but if it fails, it will make the dissolution process much easier.

When drafting an Agreement of Use, it should include the following:

• Budget – agreement on expenditures: capital and operational

• Selling the property – how to get out

• Divorce/New spouse

• Death

• Inheritance – children’s ownership

• Non-payment of fees - dealing with deadbeats

• Calender – who uses it and when

• Mediation – can a co-owner be forced out

• Liens on the property

• Rental income

An Agreement of Use will cover the big things, but sometimes it’s the little things that can sour a relationship. Things like: bad housekeeping, dirty lines, no linens, failing to stock up i.e. empty propane tanks or no toilet paper. Being considerate will go a long way to keeping the partnership intact.

A bank account should also be opened to pay bills and track expenditures. It’s healthy for both parties to understand each other’s strengths and use them. For example, if someone is a detailed numbers person then have them manage the finances.

Finding the right partner or family can save a lot of money and help both parties realize their dream of ownership.

If there are any co-owners out there, I would love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have.

Cheers,

Julie

PS Next week we will take a look at fractional ownership.

It’s minus 20. The road is barely visible, obscured by blowing snow and darkness. The icy conditions have scared away other drivers, leaving the snow rutted highway void of traffic. Suddenly the 4 x4 goes into a spin and loses control. It plows off the road into a deep ditch. The taillights, dusted with snow, form a white camouflage making it invisible from the road. Unless the occupants of this vehicle are prepared, there is a strong likelihood they will die of hypothermia, if left undiscovered.

“What most people don’t realize,” explains David Arama, owner and chief instructor of the Wilderness Survival Challenge and School, “Is that cars are full of metal. They draw heat away. If the temperature is -20 or colder, you will likely freeze to death in your car, or suffer severe hypothermia if you can’t produce any heat.”

When asked what is the most important thing people should carry in their car during the winter, Arama replies, “A sleeping bag, good for minus 20, and an underpad.” He also recommends if people are able, to get out of their car and go into the woods and build a lean-to. I must admit, I’m not convinced on the last point. I personally think trying to build a lean-to in a raging blizzard is more likely to kill me than staying in my car. However, I do not teach wilderness survival skills for a living.

As we head into winter, we’re likely to encounter bad road conditions, especially on the way to the cottage or cabin. Simple things can save lives. “Most people are unprepared and don’t think it (getting stranded) can happen to them,” states Arama. He recommends you be as prepared as you can, starting with your car. Here is his list of essential items for your vehicle.

Wilderness Survival Essentials

1. Sleeping bag rated -20 degrees and an underpad
2. Wool clothing i.e. hats, mitts, long underwear as well as wool/fleece blankets
3. High energy snacks like granola bars, nuts, or trail mix
4. Water or water purifying tablets
5. Road Flairs
6. Cell Phone
7. Candle - nice to have but doesn’t warm you up much
8. First Aid Kit

Another important point is to let people know where you are going and when you are expected back. Arama recounts a story of a man in the Muskokas who went out driving in his SUV. He took a wrong turn, got lost and ran out of gas. Unfortunately he waited 9 days for help that never came. Eventually he made his way out to the highway, where he was discover, but suffered severe frostbite. People were looking for him; they just didn’t know where to look.

Given that our family will likely be spending more time on the sea-to-sky highway this winter, this is one piece of advice I am going to take. I hope you will too.

Cheers,

Julie

If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, than this one is worth a million. Taken at the height of the July 1st long weekend, it succinctly captures the vestiges of the day.

It’s our dock. But it could be any body’s dock, taken anywhere in Canada. Out of all the photos I have of our cottage, this one is my favourite. Odd, considering it contains no people or even a picture of our cabin.

What it does show is all the fun we’re having. The toys, minus the boat and wake board, are all lined up, ready for our beck and call. The long blue water skis, the stacks of soggy beach towels, the life jackets and wet suits strewn over chairs or left to dry in the sun, the balled up tee shirts and flip flops, all waiting for their owners to come back and claim them.

I see this photo and I yearn for summer. I miss the feeling I get standing on our dock at the beginning of the day – that feeling of infinite possibilities. Should we take the kids for a tube, or how about a paddle before the sun gets too hot, or maybe a wake board? The day opens before me like a flower, waiting to be picked and enjoyed.

When I ask my son what he misses most about the cabin he immediately replies, “Spending time with you, mom.” My husband pauses, reflecting on the question and then slowly answers, “The beer.” Hmm, not what I’m expecting, but we all enjoy the cabin in our own way.

If I had to rank what I miss most about the cabin it would likely go like this:

• The lake – despite its frosty temperatures and unwillingness to rise about 74 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s still the best part of the cottage.

• The boat, while it makes a very loud beeping sound that can be heard clear across the lake, it pulls me out of the water on one ski. I just wish it wouldn’t speed up so much and then die going around corners, but maybe that’s just Bill having a little fun.

• My wakeboard, it only cost $149 (Costco), but it is the best wakeboard in the world.

• Our cottage neighbours, People don’t do happy hour in Vancouver, at least not the moms I hand out with. At the lake, it’s socially acceptable, even encouraged, to be a little tipsy at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

I’ve left the fifth one blank. I’d like to hear what you miss most about your cottage.

Cheers,

Julie

P.S. Don’t forget to send you cottage pictures to julie@cottagedaily.com for your chance to win the romper featured above.