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Despite stereotypical questions I have heard from non-Canadians along way, I have never believed I would have opportunity to rnush my own dog sledding team. You know questions I'm referring to; "Have you ever mushed?", "Have you ever seen a polar bear?", or my own personal favourite, "Do you live in an igloo?"

Fortunately at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, Ontario, you can indulge in a true Canadian experience.

Driving up one Friday afternoon from Toronto, I feared my well planned weekend of taking advantage of "Old Man Winter" would not be possible — there was no snow at all in GTA. (Greater Toronto Area). Deerhurst is located approximately 2.5 hours from Toronto and I was about 30 minutes away. Then suddenly within a turn or two I literally drove into a winter wonderland. It was like I had driven into a secret world around corner and over rainbow. Before me was a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, wooded terrain and an incredible partially frozen lake, and situated right in middle of it all was Deerhurst Resort. My weekend was begging to begin.

Deerhurst is located in Huntsville, Ontario, on Peninsula Lake. in Muskoka. and has been open for business since 1896. The original resort was built by an Englishman, Charles Waterhouse, and only available access to resort at that time was by steamboat! Today resort is reached by road and train; there is also an on site landing strip for those who choose to travel by plane.

DEERHURST RESORT - "Best in Canada" by North American Inns, Bed & Breakfast and Resorts Magazine.

Deerhurst was passed down through two generations: first to Charlie's son, Maurice, and then on to his son, Bill. One hundred and five years in operation and it is still going strong. It's now owned by Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors. There are 425 guest rooms and suites, with choice of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom accommodations located throughout 800 acres, complete with living room, kitchen, and appropriate dining facilities. Some rooms feature fireplaces and whirlpools! For gatherings there is 30,000 square feet of meeting space and 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, along with two ballrooms and 32 function rooms. Rooms range in price from about CND$99.

Silently, I was welcomed by large entrance way, gushing fountain and beautiful ice sculptures of a sleigh and Deerhurst crest, all located outside main building referred to as Pavilion. My feet could not move fast enough as I lugged my baggage (although resort's bellman did offer help) through front doors to check-in. I was greeted a number of times with warm smiles and polite demeanor. Before going to my room, I thought I would steal a moment and sit in front of warming and relaxing lobby fireplace.

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Quiet and extraordinarily patient, they endlessly search treetops for a chance to add one more notation on their treasured checklists. For them thrill is never gone AND "trill" part of that delight. Their boundless optimism is forever present.

Bird watching for enthusiast (or novice) is a chance not to be missed, and "peer pressure," never a problem. For binocular-carrying visitors who come to laid back island environment of Montserrat, most southerly of Caribbean's Leeward Islands, it's part of a memorable stay.

Rare though they may be, part of quest is to see country's national bird, Montserrat oriole, whose distinctive orange and black plumage was once easily seen length and breadth of this 12 miles by 7 miles territory of United Kingdom. Now, due to unfortunate capriciousness of nature, resident population of Icterus oberi has been reduced to a drastic degree, perhaps critically endangered, leaving major habitats only in central and southern forests.