Mountain Life - Blue Mountains - Spring 2026

Gravel Gravel!

A local national champion shares her fave rides P.28

LADIES' DAY

Inside the legendary annual party at Georgian Peaks P.22

Escape the noise

STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

WE DESIGN AND BUILD LANDSCAPES THAT FEEL LIKE A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE OUTDOORS.

Business Up Front, Good Times Everywhere Else

Once a year, when Facebook prompts a “memory,” this photo gets exhumed by two people, both Mountain Lifers: Glen Harris, this magazine’s owner, and Colin Field, our photo editor.

They post it back up on Facebook, tag each other, tag me, then smugly snicker—all day long—at the sheer cleverness they displayed by documenting the monumental day when Dave forgot his shoes and had to MacGyver replacements out of flip flops, dirty volleyball kneepads, shin pads and duct tape.

The comments pour in. The truth is, I love that photo.

It was 2008 and I had two lives. In one, I was a young businessman, the founder and publisher of what would become Ontario’s largest home decor magazine brand. In the other, I was just a stoner-type dude, riding a 26er KHS mountain bike with flat pedals. Glen and Colin seemed hell-bent on exposing the real Dave. On that day, we had the perfect afternoon ahead, so we loaded up, gave each other high fives, put beers on ice, and listened to Damian Marley all the way to the promised land. That’s when I realized I left my shoes on the porch.

Colin and Glen could hardly contain their glee. They’re both photographers, so for the next two hours cameras whirred while businessman Dave got documented in his ridiculous shoe substitutes—pedalling, standing on a rock, standing beside a tree, drinking beer and looking especially goofy talking to a group of spandex-wearing serious riders with wraparound shades and judgmental expressions.

They photographed me everywhere that day. I loved it. I felt like a celebrity. Plus, nothing gets in between me and a ride. (Remind me to tell you about the time that I took off my front wheel to fit my bike in the hatchback, left the skewer on the driveway, and tried to ride with a stick as a replacement.)

My determination to get outside and have an awesome time in the forest doing something rad—every single day—sometimes results in a gong show, but when it comes to business, I’m all business. Sure, I don’t take it overly seriously—stress kills—but I always make sure my product offers the very best value, and delivers to clients superior, carefully thought-out solutions and service. Every detail matters, particularly in an era where attention spans are under attack from all angles. Magazines are more than ever an extremely effective way to build your business’s brand and connect with people when they are in a relaxed frame of mind—for example, when they sit down to enjoy a carefully curated, premium local publication.

This issue, we celebrate the winner of our readership survey. Congratulations Christine Lonmo! See the article on page 22. We had an absolute flood of participants (thank you!) which gave us an excellent glimpse into the characteristics, lifestyle and spending habits of the fans and readers that we attract issue after issue living their best Mountain Life—Ontario style. Our readers are educated, affluent, active, influential and always planning their next ski trip, home renovation, landscaping project, family road trip or gear purchase. And they look to Mountain Life as their inspiration—even if the publisher is, in reality, the type of dude who forgets his shoes and fashions a solution out of duct tape.

Enjoy this issue.

–Dave Loopstra Publisher

Landscapes for Quiet and Restoration

In the stillness of water and the gentle sway of trees, find a space that inspires your inner calm. A landscape that invites contemplation — where light dances, thoughts settle, and clarity unfolds. Designed for quiet moments and deeper connection. Designed for you.

REGIONAL PUBLISHERS

David Loopstra david@mountainlifemedia.ca

Glen Harris glen@mountainlifemedia.ca

NATIONAL PUBLISHERS

Jon Burak jon@mountainlifemedia.ca

Todd Lawson todd@mountainlifemedia.ca

Glen Harris glen@mountainlifemedia.ca

INTERIM EDITOR

David Loopstra david@mountainlifemedia.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DESIGNER

Amélie Légaré amelie@mountainlifemedia.ca

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Tara McLellan tara@mountainlifemedia.ca

MANAGING & WEB EDITOR

Ned Morgan ned@mountainlifemedia.ca

PHOTO EDITOR

Colin Field colin@mountainlifemedia.ca

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Allison Kennedy Davies allison@mountainlifemedia.ca

Colin Field colin@mountainlifemedia.ca

Scott Parent scott@mountainlifemedia.ca

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, DIGITAL & SOCIAL

Noémie-Capucine Quessy noemie@mountainlifemedia.ca

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Krista Currie krista@mountainlifemedia.ca

DISTRIBUTION

Glen Harris glen@mountainlifemedia.ca

Brendan Thompson brendan@mountainlifemedia.ca

Distribution Inquiries david@mountainlifemedia.ca 705-445-3392

CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Bennett, Andrew Fearman, Shjaane Glover, Bryn Honeywood, Brian Hunt, Mike Kearns, Jenna Kitchings, Sam Kolber, Paulo LaBerge, Carl Michener, Mike Penney, Nadia Pestrak, Aaron Pilon, Aidas Rygelis, Andrew Ryzebol, Kirsten Schollig, Phil Szczepaniak, Ashley Warrington, Dave West, Jody Wilson.

SALES & MARKETING

David Loopstra david@mountainlifemedia.ca 705 445 3392

Glen Harris glen@mountainlifemedia.ca 705 441 6334

Bob Koven bobby@mountainlifemedia.ca 416 721 9940

Mike Strimas mike@mountainlifemedia.ca 416 779 7908

Ashley Warrington ashley@mountainlifemedia.ca 705 888 2456

Published by Mountain Life Publishing Inc, Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. To distribute Mountain Life in your store please call 705 441 6334.

Landry LaneThornbury

Table of Contents

UPFRONT

P.12 Outdoor Office

P.18 Mountain Mama

THE MOUNTAIN LIFE - EVENTS

P.21 ML Readership Survey

P.22 Ladies’ Day at The Peaks

P.24 Next-Level Thrifting

P.26 Live Music

GOIN’ PLACES

P.28 Glorious Gravel

P.30 Weekend Done Right

P.32 Spring at Sauble

P.34 Forest Bathing

P.37 Spring Basecamp at Blue

P.40 MTB Retreat

BETA - NEWSWORTHY

P.44 Conservation Land Trusts

P.48 Three Stage Trail Update

P.50 Winter Crossing

P.52 Real Estate Update

GEAR SHED

P.55 The Latest Premium Schwag

MTN HOMES

P.60 Built for the Bay

P.73 Living Outdoors Mega Showcase

APRÈS

P.114 Bike Guy Extraordinaire Jason DeHetre

FEATURES

P.87 NOMA Gallery

P.92 When to End Full Send?

P.101 Kevin LeBlanc’s Garage

P.106 Photo Gallery

s

MUD AND MAGIC

Bryn Honeywood COLUMNIST

Around here, spring seeps in, one muddy driveway at a time. One trail of paw prints across the kitchen floor. One afternoon where the sun lingers just long enough that you don’t rush inside for dinner.

The spring equinox comes quietly, carrying its own kind of magic. Equal light, equal dark: a fleeting moment of balance before the days tip forward again. It’s a cosmic reset built into nature itself, reminding us that nothing stays frozen. That even after long winters, renewal is always possible.

For families in the Blue Mountains, spring is a shoulder season in the truest sense. Not winter. Not summer. A constant dance between the two. We stack skis and boards in the garage, edges still damp with memories. We tuck away ski helmets, mitts and toques, knowing they’ll be needed again. In their place appear rain boots by the door, bikes, the requisite summer entourage of bike helmets and waterproof shells to layer over ultra-light down that somehow works for snow flurries and sunburns in the same week.

The furnace starts cycling less. We crack windows open at night. Mornings suddenly feel easier with 60 per cent less gear to wrestle onto small humans before school. Coffee tastes better when the sun is already hitting the kitchen counter. The snow tires debate begins. (My rule of thumb is April 15. Also my husband’s birthday. Coincidence? Maybe. Tradition? Absolutely.)

The trails tell the real story. Packed

snow softens to ice. Ice gives way to mud. Mud gives way to that first stubborn green pushing through last fall’s leaves. Wild leeks start cutting through the forest floor in the Kolapore Uplands, sharp and bright and alive after months of sleeping under snow.

Spring here isn’t clean or curated. It’s messy. Transitional. Honest. Which is exactly what motherhood feels like most of the time. The equinox is about balance, but not the kind you see on wellness posters. It’s not perfect symmetry. It’s standing in mud while the sun hits your face. You can still be tired, and feel things getting easier. You can still carry winter’s weight, physical and emotional, and feel momentum coming back into your life.

Mountain winters ask a lot of families. Logistics alone could be an Olympic sport. Layers. Illness cycles. Record-breaking snow days. Workdays that start and end in the dark. Winter is survival season. Spring is when you remember you’re a person again, not just the keeper of mittens and snack inventories. As the clocks spring

forward, everything else follows. Days stretch. Energy shifts. Après migrates from fireplaces to tailgates.

You feel it in your body. You see it in your kids. The days feel long, but the years feel shockingly short. Spring has a way of holding both truths at once. Nature doesn’t rush the thaw. It just keeps moving forward, reminding us that renewal is constant, balance is flexible and growth happens best when we let it unfold.

Parenting, like mountain seasons, is never static. It’s gear piles and growth spurts and emotional weather systems and unexpected bluebird days. It’s half winter still living in the back of your car and half summer already living in your imagination.

Spring arrives in inches of daylight. In open windows. In muddy boots. In laughter that sounds lighter than it did in February. And every year, without fail, it reminds us: Nothing stays frozen. Not the ground. Not our kids. Not us.

Out here, we mother right inside the changing seasons.

ML’s Readership Survey Results Are In

Over the past six months, Mountain Life offered you, our readers, a chance to win a Blu Wave Board package from our partner Blu Wave Board Co., in exchange for a little information about your lifestyles, so our advertising partners can better understand how to serve you. The results are very interesting.

ML readers are conservation-minded, educated, affluent and like to have fun outside.

You are active and engaged in the community and you plan and execute fun adventures and projects that benefit your life. Your average age is between 34 and 69, you are involved in outdoor activities (no surprise there) and seventy-six per cent of you are planning a home renovation, landscaping project or real estate or capital investment in the near future.

Perhaps most important is your level of community engagement. You are influential, active and vocal in your desire to preserve the natural and cultural characteristics that make Southern Georgian Bay such a special place.

We would like to congratulate winner Christine Lonmo, the quintessential Mountain Lifer—Ontario style. We hope you enjoy your Blu Wave package!

Next-Level Thrifting

Giving old gear new life, and supporting those in need

Probably the best place to thrift in Canada is southern Georgian Bay. Especially for outdoor gear. Think about it: Ontario’s highest concentration of a high-earning recreationalfocused demographic, six private ski clubs and Blue Mountain Resort. It’s the perfect storm that results in lots of gear that gets turned over as technology improves, fashions change and needs

clothing,” says Gilpin. “The donations we receive are not cast-offs; they are quality items that get a second life.” Gilpin often sees brands including Arc'teryx, Patagonia and The North Face coming through the shop.

There’s a rhythm to the place. Donations are received Tuesday through Saturday where a crew of volunteers works tirelessly to sort, price and tag

The result is a thrift boutique where sustainability meets intention.

and wants evolve. That’s exactly what Amy Gilpin had in mind when she started Common Thread— that, and the element of charity.

The company donates its proceeds to My Friend’s House women’s shelter in Collingwood, helping women and children rebuild their lives after violence. Every fleece, ski jacket and pair of brokenin Blundstones carries that quiet weight of purpose.

“Collingwood’s closets are full of brand-name

new items. The result is a thrift boutique where sustainability meets intention.

Come for the deals, sure. But know that your purchase contributes to a meaningful cause, supporting women as they rebuild their lives.

– ML Staff

Do you have an event that you would like Mountain Life to cover? Email us! David@mountainlifemedia.ca

Four Winds Music Fest

A weekend celebration of music and culture in a rural setting

If you’ve never been to Riverstone Retreat, you’re missing out. Just outside of the town of Durham lies a 136-acre farmstead, surrounded by forests and trails stretching along both sides of the Saugeen River, that offers eco-retreats, event hosting and educational programming. It’s a central rallying point for visitors from Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the GTA.

July 10-12, Riverstone transforms into the venue for the Four Winds Music Fest: A long weekend of live music, camping, swimming, a vendor market and more.

“Music festival” doesn’t do Four Winds justice. Conceived by Elephant Thoughts (the educational and social justice charity that runs Riverstone Retreat) together with The Happiness Mafia (an independent live music and event company), it’s more a labour of love than a commercial undertaking—a cultural celebration featuring music rather than a music fest as we know it.

This year, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings are headlining, alongside 20 more acts including Tim Baker, The Bros. Landreth and Georgia Harmer, as well as an open-mic showcase on Sunday afternoon.

Get ready for folk, rock, roots, bluegrass, African beats and everything in between. Plus, all kinds of food, art, vendors, camping, kind people and good times. –Carl Michener

Live Music

On any given weekend, you have your choice of thriving venues abuzz with a great time. Southern Georgian Bay produces and attracts world-class performers. Give 'em some love! –Ed.

OWEN SOUND

HEARTWOOD CONCERT HALL Regular awesome bands that get the crowd dancing with energetic performances, alongside quieter ballad-driven acts, thoughtfully curated. heartwoodhall.ca

MEAFORD

MEAFORD HALL Meaford Hall is a beautifully restored historic venue in downtown Meaford. Its intimate 330-seat theatre hosts a steady lineup of live music, theatre and touring performances. meaford.ca/en/meaford-hall

THORNBURY/CLARKSBURG

THE CORNER CAFE & GRILL Free live music every Friday and Saturday, and open mic nights on many Tuesdays. cornercafegrill.ca

THE MARSH STREET CENTRE Community hall vibe and a big stage. marshstreetcentre.com

BLUE MOUNTAIN

THE VILLAGE AT BLUE Regular big-name acts on an outdoor stage for free. bluemountainvillage.ca

STUDIO 79 Intimate venue bringing in big names in the Canadian music scene, across the road from Blue Mountain Resort. instagram.com/studio79.atblue

COLLINGWOOD

RESONANCE Wholesome venue for all ages. Events, workshops, music and art to create and connect. instagram.com/resonance_collingwood

THE MILKBARN Dance, groove and ogle Ontario’s best jam bands, prog rock and very cool art. BYOB. facebook.com/milkbarn-sessions

DURHAM

COME TOGETHER MUSIC FESTIVAL Out of this world. Buckle up for a good time. Featuring Ontario's tightest and best jam, funk, prog and blues bands, camping, fire spinning and the legendary late night in the saloon. It's a party. facebook.com/cometogether@fgt

FOUR WINDS MUSIC FEST Family-friendly festival at the Riverstone Retreat every July, featuring both big-name artists and local bands, camping, art, wellness, food and more. fourwindsmusicfest.com

Did we miss one? Want your venue listed here? Reach out to us at david@mountainlifemedia.ca

BLUE MOUNTAINS CIDER FESTIVAL

GOIN' PLACES day Trips

Glorious Gravel

The perfect day of gravel riding with national champion Devon Clarke

words :: Carl Michener

Mountain Life sat down with Devon Clarke to see if we could unearth a couple of gorgeous gravel rides and build the perfect day in the saddle.

ML: So, Devon, you live in Collingwood, you won last year’s national title for gravel racing (congratulations!) and you’ve been featured on the cover of Canadian Cycling

Magazine. I think you’re the ideal person to tell our readers about the great gravel rides in the Collingwood/Blue Mountains area.

DC: Thanks for thinking of me! I do love riding around here. I originally moved here for the skiing, but it’s the ideal spot for riding, too.

ML: You were an NCAA alpine skier for many years in Ontario, Colorado and Utah. How was it making the switch from a power sport like skiing to an endurance sport like gravel riding?

DC: It was a tough transition. As a skier, I focused on getting big and strong. Now as a cyclist, my focus is on building up an aerobic engine I never had. It was not an advantage being a ski racer.

ML: Let’s talk about your rig. Any advice on tires, gearing, anything?

DC: Around here I run semi-slick 38C tires with some tread on the sides. The gravel in Collingwood isn’t that aggressive. You could pretty much take a road bike on it. Just make sure you have some small gears because there are some pretty steep climbs, so being able to spin up those hills really helps.

ML: Do you mix road and gravel when you’re training?

DC: I do. It’s about 70 per cent gravel, 30 per cent road. Gravel’s more fun. And it’s nice to get off the main roads because it’s safer, it’s scenic, there are fewer cars and you can actually ride side by side.

ML: How do you like the Collingwood area for gravel?

DC: For southern Ontario, it’s amazing. There are so many different options around here. Leave from Collingwood and there are a lot of little different pockets and climbs that we like to ride. Of course I’m biased, but I think we’re really lucky to live here.

ML: What are some of your favourite rides? How would you stitch them together? Assume that you’re not trying to kill our readers.

"My husband and I always have a challenge to see if we can make it to the top without spinning out: Loser buys beer."

– Devon Clarke

DC: I have a few go-to routes around Collingwood, but I’ll give two options that can be stitched together into one big route. The first one starts at Curries Farm Market and climbs up half of Grey Road 19, then turns left onto a steep windy gravel climb bringing you up to Three Stage. South of Gibraltar there’s a segment called Peppa the Pig that’s fun. It’s kind of like an ATV road but very rideable on a gravel bike. Then Little Germany is probably my favourite place to ride. It’s canopied in the summer, some

nice turns, a cool climb where you go up towards Metcalfe Rock. Then go down through Redwing, up to Rock Union Church, and end up back at Curries. Sweet ride.

ML: Sounds ideal. How far is that?

DC: About 50 km. A couple hours.

ML: For you, maybe. For me it’s a few.

DC: Well, maybe. Two to three. So that would be my go-to. You’re pretty much on gravel the whole time other than the initial climb, so there aren’t many cars.

ML: What’s next? Your second-favourite ride?

DC: Well, it might be my favourite, actually. It’s got a great start, spinning up the Georgian Trail towards Thornbury and hooking a left on County Road 40. The best parts are a cool gravel climb that

winds around, and 18th Sideroad, which is really rocky. My husband and I always have a challenge to see if we can make it to the top without spinning out: Loser buys beer.

ML: And do you ever stitch them together?

DC: All the time. Just figure out where that makes most sense for you. I like to cut up Line 10 after Redwing and head east on 24th Sideroad.

ML: Nice rides. So, what’s in store for this season?

DC: It will be pretty similar to last year. I work full-time here at Chalk’s Training, which I own with my husband, Chad. We do private and semi-private strength training, and work with lots of cyclists and skiers. For races, I’ll have lots of Nationals.

"It’s nice to get off the main roads because it’s safer, it’s scenic, there are fewer cars and you can actually ride side by side."

GOIN' PLACES day Trips

A Weekend Done Right

Treating yourself to two incredible days

words :: Ashley Warrington

You wake up Saturday in the heart of Blue Mountain Village. Shops are opening and patios are coming to life. There is a sense of calm before the village comes alive. There will be time to take it all in later. This morning is for exploration.

You wind your way up the escarpment, pulling into Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. A suspension bridge stretches 126 metres across the treetops, steady underfoot, opening to wide views of Georgian Bay. Below, the legendary caves wind through the limestone—cool, narrow passages shaped over millennia. Lookouts along the escarpment open up to long, uninterrupted views, the kind that hold you there a little longer than expected. It’s a mix of elevation, history and peaceful moments built into the landscape.

Back in the car, you ease into a country cruise up County Road 119 through the Blue Mountains. With winding roads, open farmland and sweeping views that the locals never get tired of, it’s one of those drives where you don’t really think about where you’re going—you just keep going.

You drift into Meaford and pull up at Savvy & Co. Jason’s behind the counter, greeting people like old friends. It’s time for a latte, done right, and perfect for sipping while you stroll the picturesque downtown and waterfront of this best-kept-secret.

From there, it’s an easy drive parallel to the shoreline, the escarpment all around. Thornbury comes up without much effort.

You are in the mood for a unique shopping experience, so you step into Loved You Madly—and what was meant to be a quick stop turns into time well spent. The space is full of charisma. It’s a designer exchange built on the idea that great decor and fashion deserve a second life, constantly evolving. Behind the scenes, Straw Hat Renovations is working alongside owner Leslie Fisher to create something new—a reimagined home for Loved You Madly, opening summer 2026 up the street. What was once an aging downtown building is being carefully reworked into something new, without losing what made it worth saving. It’s not about more space, but better space. Leslie’s vision is to create a place people want to spend time in: a shop built on story, sustainability and personality. But for now, visit the current shop, just north of Hwy 26 in downtown Thornbury.

Soon it’s time to head back to Blue Mountain Village, now in full swing. It’s time for dinner, then out into the night—bars fill up, music carries through the village, the energy building as the evening settles in. It pulls you from one spot to the next without much of a plan.

Sunday is for recharging. You wake up and head to Vettä Nordic Spa, a little piece of Finland in Oro-Medonte set in the forest and built around the rhythm of heat, cold and rest. Phones off and into the circuit—wood-burning saunas, steam rooms, hot pools, then cold plunges—then repeat. The outdoor pools, fire pits, heated stone beds and quiet lounges are designed to slow you down and leave you feeling restored.

The place is built around a simple idea: disconnect to reconnect. You stay longer than planned. You can book a massage or just keep repeating the circuit: No rush, no schedule.

By the time you leave, everything feels lighter and clearer. It’s the perfect close to a weekend that lets you explore, slow down and fully reset.

GOIN' PLACES day Trips

SAUBLE: A MUST-VISIT IN SPRING

words & photo :: Allison Kennedy Davies

Full disclosure: I grew up in Sauble Beach

My family moved there from the city when I was 5 years old. Before that we spent every weekend at our family cottage. Eventually, my parents decided it would be far nicer to live at the beach than to rush there after work every Friday.

When you grow up in a town like Sauble, you get to know the rhythms of the place. Sure, everyone knows that Sauble in the summer is the place to be, but I’m here to tell you that early-season Sauble is something special.

Imagine miles of sandy beach all to yourself. No fighting for a spot for your

towel. No worrying about the blinding white of your winter legs.

Spring is also when the main attractions wake up, although in recent years there are more four-season offerings than ever, including The Dunes Restaurant and Bar with weekly specials, live music and sometimes line-dancing with the locals.

Across from The Dunes you’ll find Jack n Jill’s new flagship surf shop. After establishing the business in 1996, owner Jason Schnurr invested in the local watersports community with this massive new location. Whether you’re looking for kiteboarding gear, a wing foil setup, a stand-up paddleboard for those calm days or a boogie board for those Lake Huron

waves, the staff at Jack n Jill’s will set you up. For chilly spring water, the surf shop has a large selection of wetsuits, rash guards, gloves and protective footwear.

After a day on the water, cap things off in epic style: Grab a latte at Amici's Coffee Bar, Mexican food at the Casero Taco Bus and a sunset pint at Sola’s waterfront patio.

Add more days of outdoor fun with a paddle on the Sauble River, a mountain bike ride at nearby Sawmill Ski Trails or another kiteboarding session in Oliphant’s legendary shallow waters.

Whether you’re spending your time on Saugeen Beach or Sauble Beach, the spirit of this place always shines through.

GOIN' PLACES dAY Trips

Tread Lightly: Forest Bathing in the Valley

words :: Megan Bennett

It’s a hot June day in the Beaver Valley. After a long winter, we had waited months for our skin to feel the heat again. We’re heading to the Bruce Trail north of Duncan Caves to meet Monica Branigan, a member of our climate care book club, who is leading us in a forest bathing session for the afternoon.

At the trailhead, Monica explains that forest bathing is a practice of slowing down, being present and connecting to nature. This hike would be a slower pace than I typically log in my fitness app, but I hit record anyway.

At our first stop in the meadow, Monica invites us to face each cardinal direction: east, then south, west, then north. I notice the warm breeze, the piercing call of the cicadas, the gentle waltz of the swaying tree branches, the tickle of the long dry grass on my fingertips. My nervous thoughts melt away.

I notice the temperature change as we move from the meadow into the canopy cover. The sunlight bounces through the leaves, creating playful shadows on the mossy ground, while blossoms beckon pollinators from concessions away. Nothing in the forest is stationary, alone or quiet.

By the creek, Monica asks: “What is fluid in our lives?” I feel my emotions unlock as I watch the water move steadily downstream. In the forest I choose a thick maple tree to sit with.

“Share a challenge with the tree and see what message you receive,” Monica prompts. “Steadfast” is my answer.

Finally, in a sunny clearing by the serviceberries, Monica lays out a red blanket with teacups, apple slices and a bowl of chocolate raisins melting in the afternoon heat. We gather in a circle and share feelings of wonder, surprise and gratitude for this experience and the beauty of this place. We also share feelings of fear, grief and loss for how vulnerable and precarious the world around us feels right now. Especially the natural world.

This forest bathing practice helped cleanse—as baths do— our crowded brains and aching hearts. Leaving the forest feels like coming out of a deep meditation—a little disorienting and not to be rushed—but with renewed clarity and nourishment. The sun, still high in the June sky, has shifted. Perhaps something in us has shifted, too.

Megan Bennett leads a climate care book club that meets monthly online and gathers annually for an in-person retreat in Thornbury. More details about the book club and retreat can be found at pluggedinpocast.ca

Monica Branigan offers workshops on regeneration, land stewardship, climate change, nature connection and wellness in Bluebird Barn on her property in Creemore. Contact her at bbarnregeneration@gmail.com

South Georgian Bay’s Land Trust

@escarpment_ca

Escarpment Corridor Alliance

The Escarpment Corridor Alliance

Annual Community Update

June 2nd, 4-6pm at The Marsh Street Centre

187 Marsh St, Clarksburg, ON

Scan the QR code to purchase a $20 ticket!

Join us in celebrating the conservation achievements that ECA supporters made possible in 2025. Discover the ECA’s priority objectives for 2026, meet the Board, and hear directly from our leadership. Special guest speaker - Mike Hendren, Executive Director of the Ontario Conservation Accelerator.

*This is a hybrid event-virtual registration available.

*A tax receipt will be provided for this purchase.

Photo By: Andrew Interisano @theotterbiography

Spring Basecamp at Blue Mountain Resort

words :: Allison Kennedy Davies

Spring. Wiarton Willie said it would come early, but after 20-plus snow days in the region, subzero temps for months and Georgian Bay freezing over for the first time in ages, it seemed more like a mirage than a quickly approaching reality.

But we’ve made it back to one of the best seasons to visit South Georgian Bay. Whether you’re looking to hit the Bruce Trail without the crowds, spend the first warm afternoons of June on a quiet beach, ride the gondola and the Ridge Runner at Blue with few (if any) lineups, cycle the Georgian Trail among the apple blossoms or bike at Three Stage through a sea of trilliums, spring here is magical.

Why Basecamp at Blue?

Whether you’re sneaking in a few slushy days on the slopes or dipping your toes into a still-chilly Georgian Bay, it’s a great time to make Blue Mountain Resort your basecamp. The village, much like the forest, is just waking up for spring and summer activities. While attractions open gradually leading up to the May 2-4 weekend, you’ll often have those that are open to yourself. If you’re a 5X7® or Ikon Pass holder, you’ll enjoy free access to the gondola and the trails. While it’s quieter at Blue in the spring, you can still find live music at many village venues on the weekends. With off-season accommodation deals available, it’s an ideal time to escape the

city for a long weekend touring the Blue Mountains region. Maybe you’re Airbnb-ing your city pad during FIFA World Cup, or you just want to get a feel for our beautiful backyard during quieter times. You can make Blue your home base and easily explore the surrounding communities.

Tasting Local

You’re in apple country and while the harvest doesn’t happen until fall, the blossoms begin to pop in late April and early May. Check out the stops on the Apple Pie Trail (applepietrail.ca) for ideas of where to eat, sip and shop.

With an expansive craft beverage scene and patios opening up for the

season, you can head to the area’s breweries, wineries and cideries for the perfect afternoon outing. Whether you’re hitting the patios in the Blue Mountain Village or heading further afield to Spy Cidery or Georgian Hills Vineyards, you’ll be tasting local and relaxing in style. Check out the Collingwood Craft Beverage Tour for suggestions on where to head at craftbeveragecapital.ca.

Trail Season, Crowd-Free

If you’re looking to get out and hike, you can check out the resort trails at bluemountain.ca/things-to-do or connect with the Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club, the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club, the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club or if the Grotto

and Bruce Peninsula National Park are on your bucket list, the Bruce Peninsula Bruce Trail Club. Spring is the best time to spot trilliums and wild leeks lining the trails.

Beyond the Map

Want to get outside with an experienced guide? Check out Free Spirit Tours’ spring offerings, from caving at Metcalfe Rock to paddling on the Beaver and Nottawasaga Rivers, or custom experiences like the Hike and Wine, Hike and Cider and Hike and Hops tours. Looking for something introspective? Their Woodland Wellness, Forest Therapy and Wild Edibles Experience will add a dash of zen to your spring getaway. Check it out at freespirittours.ca.

Approachable Adventures

While bike trails may be too wet in the early season, the Georgian Trail always provides an easy ride to neighbouring towns of Collingwood, Thornbury and Meaford. Store your bike overnight in one of Blue’s bike lockers or pick up a rental for the day to get out and explore.

If you have friends or family looking for a spring escape, staycation or weekend getaway, there’s a Blue Mountain adventure that’s perfect for you just a short drive from the GTA.

RIDE, HIKE, RELAX

words :: Ashley Warrington

You’re up early—legs fresh, bike loaded—and your car rolls toward Mansfield Outdoor Centre. This is where the weekend starts: on the trails, followed by Apres on the spacious outdoor patio at the cafe.

A singletrack network of over 30 kilometres, Mansfield is perfect for the family—drying quickly after a rain due to the sandy soil, challenging for experts but not overly technical for beginners. You find your pace early, flying around carefully built banked corners and over jumps, connecting trail after trail. One lap turns into another. You stop keeping track.

By the time you meet back up with your family at Mansfield's Pine River Cafe, your legs are worked and your hands are buzzing; it’s the kind of satisfaction you can only get from a seriously good time on your mountain bike.

You load up and head north along Airport Road, taking a slight side quest to Duntroon Highlands Golf Club to check out the Highlands Art and Tree Trail, a 2 km loop set high along the escarpment.

As you walk through the woods, art shows up along the way, worked into the landscape. Sculptures, tree installations and other pieces reflect the history of the land and its return to something wilder. The art and trails tell a story that leaves you feeling connected to nature.

Soon you arrive at Castle Keep Boutique Inn. As you step into your suite, it’s clear this place is built for recovery. A private spainspired ensuite—steam shower, sauna, deep tub—awaits you. You can book an in-room massage or a guided circuit in your space.

As you step into your suite, it’s clear this place is built for recovery.

Later, you settle in by the fireplace, the space pulling you in with every detail—stonework anchoring the room, natural textures and colours, every element carefully chosen to work together. You throw on a record and crack the patio door, letting the night drift in. The line between indoors and out softens. Outside, the pond catches the last of the light as you ease into relaxation mode.

Morning comes easily with coffee on your private deck. After a simple breakfast, your legs feel ready again. You continue on to the Three Stage trails, just minutes away. The network opens up fast—40-plus km of singletrack spread across the escarpment, trails linking in every direction. You move through a mix of long, flowing sections and tighter, more technical lines. There’s a bit of everything—fast descents, punchy climbs, sections that keep you on your toes. It’s the kind of place where you can ride for hours, piecing together your own route as you go.

By the afternoon, you’re back at the Keep or as owners Jake and Emily Lawson would say, “the last point of refuge in the castle.”

Bike down. Shoes off. Straight into the tub. This is the kind of rest and rejuvenation that hits deeper the second time. Step outside and it’s all there—hiking trails, a stocked pond, space to cast a line or simply take it in. As the sun drops, you find your way to the bonfire to share stories from a weekend of riding hard, connecting with nature and feeling restored.

A CULTURE OF CARING AND COMPASSION

ADVERTORIAL – The first in a four-part series

WHERE VISITING WITH THE GRANDPARENTS BECOMES PART OF THE VACATION.

The Retirement Residence at Living Water Resort offers all the amenities of a resort, but most importantly: human connection.

When Larry Law talks about the motivation and inspiration behind Collingwood’s newest and most exciting retirement residence, his eyes light up—and it’s not because of the huge popularity of the business offering.

It’s because this retirement residence was born from the drive to make a positive, life-changing difference not only in the seniors who live there, but their kids and grandkids too.

Law, the Founder and CEO of Living Water Resort, injects meaningful purpose into everything he does—from business, to life, to leadership—and is guided by a deep spiritual connection to create a positive workplace and destination resort where employees feel so taken care of that they naturally take care of guests. The retirement residence is a natural extension.

According to recent studies, isolation and loneliness are one of the biggest health and wellness risks to today’s seniors.

“Many of today’s seniors are not being visited regularly,” says Law. “Kids and grandkids might come for an hour or two—once a week, you know?”

Law’s face turns downcast as he ponders this sad fact, but brightens as he explains how he and his team were divinely inspired to create the solution.

The idea was born when the province was shut down by Covid. Law, true to character, instructed his staff to check up on past clients—not as a sales call, but to genuinely see how they were doing in those difficult times.

“The seniors were lonely,” he said.

The phone calls resulted in “cheer and warmth in the hearts of seniors,” says Law.

It was another moment of divine inspiration— what Law calls, “Love in action.” Law vowed to manifest more of that positivity. Covid, he knew, would be temporary, but the risk of loneliness among seniors would persist.

Enter the Retirement Residence at Living Water Resort, a place that naturally encourages human connection, and results in quality family time.

“Here, this is a resort,” he says.” It’s in a four-season recreational community. So, kids and grandkids: they are often here for several days, with many activities to participate in.”

Visiting the grandparents becomes part of the vacation.

Living Water Resorts already provides world class dining, accommodation, activities and connection, so the result is a maintenance-free lifestyle. With housekeeping, concierge support, and 24/7 staff on hand, the residence offers fitness classes, creative workshops, games, live entertainment, and social events.

And the rooms are beautiful, bright with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and modern safety features. Dining is a highlight, with three chef-prepared meals daily. Wellness amenities include a gym, pool, spa services, and beautifully maintained outdoor spaces for walking and relaxation along Collingwood’s waterfront.

There’s even a part-time pastor hired. “For spiritual support,” says Law.

Perhaps the most important aspect, however, is the care and compassion that pours from Living Water Resorts staff, due to the company’s philosophy.

It’s a place of positivity and harmony. Smiles are everywhere on the resort, along with kindness and patience. The staff here have integrity of character, compassion, and care, and the teamwork and chemistry they show is palatable. Law says, “I am driven not by money, but by the thought of, ‘Who can I help today? How can I help? How can I make a difference in someone’s life?”

For the staff at Living Water Resorts, he already has—and that translates into thousands of ripples of benefits into the lives of others— in the community, for guests, and now, most importantly, for seniors and residents of the new Retirement Residence at Living Water Resorts.

WHERE WORLD-CLASS GOLF MEETS SUSTAINABILITY AND HONOUR OF THE PAST.

The course has earned certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, a benchmark focused on habitat protection, water conservation, and environmental stewardship. Here, birdhouses double as yardage markers, native grasses replace thirsty imports, and irrigation systems are designed to reduce strain on local water resources.

That philosophy flows directly from its parent, Living Water Resorts, where a culture of “serving with caring hearts” guides all decisions. The resort group’s broader sustainability pledge emphasizes reducing carbon footprints, investing in eco-friendly operations, and continually improving how their properties interact with the natural world.

But Atoka’s story is also about respect. The land on which the course sits carries generations of Indigenous presence, and the resort’s evolving philosophy reflects a growing commitment to honouring that heritage through stewardship.

The result is a course that feels both polished and grounded, set amid a resort that exudes caring for staff and guests alike.

Golf course, driving range and restaurant are ALL open to the public!

Set between the blue sweep of the Bay and the forested edges of the escarpment, Cranberry Golf Course—known as Atoka—has quietly become one of Ontario’s most thoughtful expressions of what modern golf can be. Not just in design, but in purpose.

WHAT’S A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST… AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?

words :: Ned Morgan

Shrinking Countryside

I grew up on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. On my excursions through the countryside in recent years, I’ve noticed that it’s shrinking— the countryside, that is. There’s less

country and more (for lack of a better word) town: more and bigger houses and outbuildings, more luxury housing developments, more infrastructure. Where forests, escarpment features, fields and wetlands once dominated, countless multipeaked rooftops now jockey for position.

Much of this development is piecemeal, with little sign of sound

land-use planning—for example, the Ontario Farmland Trust estimates that Ontario has lost almost 3 million acres of farmland to urbanization and aggregate mining since the early ‘90s. Even more shockingly, Statistics Canada's 2021 Census of Agriculture reported that Ontario was losing an average of 319 acres of farmland per day.

Dystopia or Progress?

As former farmland is scooped up, the remaining hinterland is by no means off the menu. A relatively booming economy, coupled with population growth and a lack of government safeguards, is driving development pellmell into every corner of the landscape, leaving our shared natural heritage more vulnerable than ever.

When my 10-year-old daughter reaches middle age, will the landscape I loved—where nature and humans coexisted on an even plane—devolve into an endless chain of sprawling upscale real estate, data centres,

warehouses, golf courses, quarries and superhighways? To me, this is a dystopian vision: a blighted planet stripped of its vital resources and reduced to an overheated husk on life support. To others, it is a clear-eyed vision of human progress and the inevitable arc of Western civilization.

A Crisis Point, and a Solution

But even with the inevitable polarization over land-use principles and the larger question of humanity’s place in the biosphere, surely no one actually wants to lay waste to the only home we have (assuming most of us will be priced out

of Mars or the moons of Jupiter and Saturn). Fortunately, there’s a growing recognition that urban development has reached a crisis point in Southern Ontario, and in the face of government inaction, something must be done.

One solution is the conservation land trust (CLT).

A CLT is a charitable entity, powered in large part by volunteers and community fundraising, that acquires land (or easements) to preserve habitats in perpetuity and restore ecological function. The work also includes reconnecting people with nature, often through establishing and managing trails and community events for learning and shared stewardship.

The newest CLT in the South Georgian Bay region is the Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA). Launched as a charity in 2022, the ECA should be credited with locally popularizing the concept of ecological corridors and their importance not just for biodiversity but for overall ecosystem health and the confluence of intact biospheres with sustainable recreation and agriculture.

“While the ECA has been clear that we are not against development in general, we do seek to influence smart, sustainable development in existing settlement areas,” says executive director Jarvis Strong.

Late last year following successful campaigns including a joint effort with the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) that resulted in the latter’s purchase of the former Talisman resort (a 120-acre slice of escarpment corridor), the ECA became a CLT.

“We studied the geographical and organizational landscape, spoke to hundreds of local residents, and determined that if the ECA became a land trust, more landholders would come forward to protect land and water, forever,” explains Strong. And by working with other CLTs, the freshly motivated ECA prioritizes partnerships over competition. “We want to see 'sensitive lands in the right hands,’ so land donated to any land trust is a huge win for nature and the community,” he says.

Sandy’s Summit and Beyond

The ECA made its first acquisition, Sandy’s Summit Nature Preserve in the Kolapore Uplands area, late last year. The 24-acre property is a rugged showcase of escarpment cliffs and caves, mature hardwood and cedar forests, springs and wetlands. This year the ECA is aiming for five more preserves or conservation easements, including a property in the Pine River watershed of the Mulmur Hills south of Creemore. Some future ECA preserves will include new public hiking trails and other nature-access features, Strong adds.

While boosting the region’s climate resilience and nature-based recreation profile, CLTs also offer potential donors a powerful incentive. “As an eligible recipient of Canada's Ecological Gifts Program, and through provisions in the Income Tax Act, the ECA can offer enhanced tax benefits (i.e., 100

per cent capital gains exemption) to landholders who want to help preserve this ecosystem,” says Strong. “Many community members are excited to learn about these benefits as they consider estate planning and leaving a legacy for future generations. We think of this as the ‘head and heart

This year the ECA is aiming for five more preserves or conservation easements.

combination’ for deciding to make a gift of property. The 'head' being the significant tax benefits and the 'heart' being the legacy for nature and future generations.”

Notwithstanding heads and hearts tuned to nature legacies, humans are nonetheless too often compelled to value our own needs far above those of every other species; we need a

reminder that we’re just one among many passengers on Spaceship Earth’s loop voyage around the sun, and our fate is tied to theirs. "From red-headed woodpeckers to American hart's tongue fern, the shores and escarpment of South Georgian Bay are home to an incredible diversity of habitats and species at risk in Ontario,” says ECA conservation director Carolyn Thickett. “As a community, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to preserve and restore this landscape for nature and for people. This will preserve our towns, strengthen our economy and retain access to nature."

Jarvis Strong adds: “Since our inception, the ECA has operated on a ‘conservation done differently’ principle, advocating for the concept of a conservation economy, which does not force us to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy natural environment.” myescarpment.ca

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING

THREE STAGES OF LIMBO

After closures, fines and frustration, riders are slowly rebuilding trust with Ontario Parks at Three Stage

words & photo :: Colin Field

When Ontario Parks abruptly closed sections of the Pretty River Valley trails (better known to riders as Three Stage) it felt like someone yanked the e-brake on one of Ontario’s best trail systems.

According to Collingwood OffRoad Cycling Club (CORC), the shutdown followed meetings in late 2022 and early 2023 between club representatives and park staff, including ecological managers concerned about environmental impact.

“That’s when the closures happened,” said CORC advocacy director Jason DeHetre. “We went into code-red mode. Like, hold on, what’s going on?”

Some of the decisions puzzled riders. Trails that had seen heavy bike traffic for decades were suddenly offlimits. But from the park’s perspective, species-at-risk protection and ecosystem health carried more weight than recreation.

For CORC, the immediate goal shifted from fighting the closures to limiting damage. Both to the land and to the relationship with Parks. But one of the quietest wins is something most riders will never notice: Mountain biking is now formally acknowledged as an activity in the park. Something that had never been explicitly stated before.

That recognition creates a legal and administrative foundation for future improvements. Without it, any trail work would be impossible. But momentum stalled in 2025 when the devastating ice storm hammered the area, overwhelming park resources. Work orders for trail fixes, reroutes and infrastructure upgrades were pushed aside while staff dealt with widespread damage elsewhere.

“We stepped back a year because of that ice thing,” DeHetre said.

Behind the scenes, however, CORC volunteers continued scouting

alternatives, snowshoeing potential reroute corridors and collecting GPS data to bypass sensitive areas. Instead of restoring trails exactly as they were, the emerging plan focuses on durability. Solutions to chronically muddy sections, aggregate surfacing, drainage improvements and carefully planned diversions could allow riding to continue while reducing ecological impact.

“Let’s just put in a boardwalk so we’re not damaging the trail,” DeHetre said. “Clear Sailing is a perfect example. There’s one mud pit that’s there year-round.”

Signage upgrades and clearer loop options are also high priorities. One major issue is connectivity: Closures near Five Points leave riders stranded without obvious loops back to the trailhead.

“When you’re at Five Points, if you head straight west, you end up on Gatekeeper,” said DeHetre, “and Gatekeeper runs really close to the access road. So theoretically you could be at Five Points, head straight west, hit that double track and then come back into the network. It’s not ideal, but at least you can complete a loop. Parks

is on board with that.”

Not everyone has respected the closures. Riders continue to sneak onto banned trails, sometimes undermining negotiations. Ontario Parks has issued fines in at least a few cases, DeHetre said, though details are scarce. The enforcement highlights a difficult reality: CORC represents riders collectively, but cannot control individual behaviour.

Perhaps the most important development is invisible. Ontario Parks has expanded CORC’s authorization to perform maintenance, including chainsaw work.

“It means they’re starting to build trust with us,” DeHetre said.

The process is slow and bureaucratic. But compared to the uncertainty of early 2023, the trajectory is positive. For now, Three Stage remains partially constrained; most trails are rideable, but a couple are restricted.

In other words, it’s not gone. It’s just evolving. And if history is any guide, trails built by stubborn volunteers rarely disappear for good.

ONTARIO ADVENTURERS COMPLETE RARE WINTER CROSSING

A five-day journey across shifting Great Lakes ice saw unsupported trio travel 56 kilometres from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island

Three Saugeen Bruce Peninsula adventurers spent five days navigating one of the most unpredictable stretches of ice on the Great Lakes, traversing the Fathom Strait by foot and paddle.

Scott Parent, Billy Shearer and Andrew Ryzebol left Tobermory on March 2, 2026 and arrived in South Baymouth on March 6, moving through a constantly shifting landscape of

pressure ridges, ice floes and open water. The team spent four days travelling and one day diving.

“It’s not like walking across a frozen lake,” Parent said. “The ice is always moving. You’re constantly making decisions.”

Each member of the team hauled roughly 200 pounds of gear, including winter camping equipment, safety systems and freediving gear. Their setup? Modified stand-up paddleboards mounted on ski sleds, allowing them to move across ice, then transition to paddling when the surface broke apart.

After completing roughly 30 km on foot, the remaining 26 km required paddling through open water and fragmented ice. In sections where the ice was too thin to walk and too thick to paddle, the group relied on breaking through by hand to keep moving.

“It’s a mix of problem-solving and patience,” Parent said. “There’s no straight line.”

The environment added constant layers of risk. Parent acknowledged that fear is part of travelling in conditions like this.

“There are definitely moments where it gets real,” he said, noting that moving through unstable ice requires focus more than anything else. “You manage it by paying attention and making good decisions.”

The team paused for a full day to freedive the wreck of the City of Cleveland, a steamship that sank in 1901 during a storm. Located roughly 30 km offshore near Perseverance Island, the site is difficult to access even in summer. They cut 50 holes in the ice before finding the wreck.

The crossing builds on more than a decade of refining what Parent calls “hardwater travel” systems. It’s a hybrid approach combining winter expedition

It’s a mix of problem-solving and patience. There’s no straight line.

travel with paddling. He employed a similar setup for a 2015 crossing of Georgian Bay.

A 2019 effort and another attempt earlier this year to cross the Fathom Strait both ended due to deteriorating conditions including gear failure.

This time, their systems worked. “The Great Lakes behave more like an ocean than a lake,” Parent said. “Ice thickness alone doesn’t tell you much. It’s wind, current, structure. Everything is changing all the time.”

A more detailed, first-person account of the expedition by Parent will appear in an upcoming edition of Mountain Life. – Colin Field

FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND

Why Southern Georgian Bay’s real estate market is showing resilience

Over the past 18 months, real estate markets across Canada have experienced a period of adjustment. Rising interest rates and economic uncertainty have cooled activity in many urban centres.

Toronto and Vancouver have seen slower sales and greater price volatility compared to the frenzied pace of the pandemic years, when houses were selling faster than lift tickets on a powder day.

Yet here in Southern Georgian Bay, the story has been somewhat different.

While our local market has felt the impact of higher borrowing costs and broader economic headwinds, it has also demonstrated a level of resilience that has allowed it to outperform many larger markets.

Part of that resilience comes from something that has always defined this region: lifestyle.

Southern Georgian Bay is not simply a place people buy homes. It’s a place people choose because of how they want to live. The region has evolved into a four-season playground.

Another factor may also be quietly influencing demand.

In recent months, a growing “Buy Canadian” mindset has begun shaping consumer decisions across many sectors, including real estate, notes Phil Soper, Royal LePage president and CEO. For some buyers, this means redeploying investment dollars domestically rather than internationally.

That trend may be especially evident among Canadian snowbirds reconsidering their exposure to U.S. real estate. “For the Canadian snowbird who is selling their U.S. holdings, the primary objective isn’t just to cash out, but to trade up into the stability and safety of the Canadian landscape,” says Soper. “The top use for this repatriated capital is a reinvestment in our own world-class recreational property markets.”

Regions like Southern Georgian Bay

are well-positioned in this environment. Located within driving distance of the GTA, the area provides exactly the kind of accessible lifestyle many buyers prioritize.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and instability have made international property ownership feel less predictable for some Canadians. The appeal of a second home that can be reached within a few hours by car becomes more compelling, especially if it’s near a ski hill, a golf course or a quiet stretch of Georgian Bay.

At the same time, housing supply in the region tends to grow at a measured pace. Planning constraints, environmental protections and infrastructure considerations limit how quickly development can expand. While these factors can sometimes slow new construction, they also help maintain long-term balance in the market.

The result is a market that, while no longer moving at the extraordinary pace of 2021 and early 2022, remains

fundamentally sound.

Homes are taking a little longer to sell, and buyers are approaching decisions more thoughtfully. The past 18 months have demonstrated that

In recent months, a growing “Buy Canadian” mindset has begun shaping consumer decisions across many sectors, including real estate.

Southern Georgian Bay continues to benefit from something deeper than short-term market momentum.

For many buyers, it is not just about owning property. It is about owning a place where you can spend the morning on the trails, the afternoon on the water and the evening walking to dinner downtown. For many Canadians right now, that sounds like a pretty good investment.

– Mike Kearns

START YOUR ROUND IN OUR NEWLY RENOVATED GOLF SHOP, UPGRADED TO REFLECT THE SAME STANDARD FOUND ON THE COURSE.

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Built for the Bay

A

NEW PREFAB APPROACH TRANSFORMS

REMOTE CONSTRUCTION INTO A STREAMLINED, LOW-IMPACT BUILD

words :: Nadia Pestrak

Building a home on a remote Georgian Bay island comes with strenuous logistics. Materials must be transported to the nearest port, then barged to site, with crews travelling back and forth. Months of on-site construction can disrupt otherwise pristine land.

Enter MC McLean Contracting. Owner of MC McLean Contracting and partner at Honomobo, Jason McLean has plenty of experience building in challenging landscapes. But with modular homes, the process is fundamentally different.

By the time the modular units arrive, they are roughly 95 per cent complete, including mechanical systems, finishes and fixtures.

“When you’re building on an island or remote lot, every trip matters,” says McLean. “With modular construction, most of the work happens off-site. That

means fewer deliveries, fewer barges and far less material waste on the property.” The approach also brings a high level of predictability.

“Building remotely always introduces variables,” McLean adds. “When the structure is built off-site, it removes a lot of those unknowns, especially when it comes to cost and timeline.”

Honomobo homes are known for their modern aesthetic and high-end finishes, such as western red cedar ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass, large-format tile showers, heated tile and sleek cabinetry. Their design platform allows would-be homeowners to customize everything from the number of modules (some projects use as many as 16) to interior finishes and fixtures.

But the quality runs deeper than appearance. “A key part for the Honomobo brand is sustainability,”

“When you’re building on an island or remote lot, every trip matters.”

explains McLean. “We’re here for longterm builds. We’re building for the future with air-source heat pumps and induction cooking. We’re fully electric. Everything we do is for the better for the environment.” The homes are also engineered for a wide range of climates.

“Our roofs are engineered to withstand snow load on clients’ homes in Ontario up to 125 pounds per square foot and 850 pounds per square foot in the Sierra Nevada. We’re steel construction, which makes us extremely popular in California because of wildfires. We have easily a 100- to 120-degree variable in the climatic zones that we build in.”

One project, nestled just inland on Georgian Bay, illustrates the approach. Composed of five modular units plus a custom timber-frame screened room, the home is arranged to frame expansive views of the water.

Installing the cottage required careful choreography, but happened in less than two weeks. “We only used the barge three times for this cottage,” says McLean. Modules were transported by truck from Alberta to a local port, then ferried by barge to the island. The team cleared a small portion of the site in advance, then prepared the foundation and installed steel anchors. A temporary gravel road allowed access for a crane, which positioned each module precisely, with a welder securing them to the foundation. Once complete, McLean’s team removed the access route and restored the site.

“Logistics become the biggest part of the job,” says McLean. “Once the pieces are in place, the structure comes together very quickly.”

The home was designed for a family of four with dogs, with durability and

“It’s

ease of living top of mind. “It’s all very clean. Just simple lines. This homeowner went with luxury vinyl plank flooring. It looks great, but they don’t have to worry about their kids or dogs coming in wet

super low-impact. The township of Georgian Bay loves

these homes.”

or sandy. The idea is they can leave their shoes in the boat. They wanted a place to completely relax and enjoy life.”

Throughout the cottage, the design remains minimal, with a focus on the surrounding lake country. An open layout prioritizes views and natural light. Large glass panels draw the outdoors in. Wide decks extend toward the water, while

shaded outdoor spaces create areas for cooking, relaxing and gathering.

Stepping out of the house, a concrete terrace blends subtly into the granite outcrop that drops into the lake. At first or even second glance, it appears as though the home is built directly on the rock. From the water, the structure maintains a low profile, sitting as though organic in the landscape, low and dark, reflecting the lake in its windows, the interior paint like shadows in the forest.

“It’s super low-impact. The township of Georgian Bay loves these homes. We blend in. We’re not obtrusive. We’re environmentally friendly. It just ticks all the boxes,” McLean adds.

As companies like MC McLean Contracting and Honomobo continue to refine the process, luxury modular homes may become an increasingly common presence in landscapes where building once seemed nearly impossible.

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Living Outdoors

ML presents six distinctive landscapes to inspire you to get outside in your own backyard

words: Nadia Pestrak

Outside: It’s where the stars burn brightly at night, where the songs of the birds are mesmerizing and where the air is fresh. And when you feel relaxed in your backyard, it’s even better. This issue, Mountain Life has compiled six landscapes— brought to you by six of the region’s top landscapers— to showcase just how inspiring your property can be.

A Landscape in Motion

Perched above the Georgian Bay, with views of Christian Island in the distance, Marc and Julie’s Tiny Township property was once just a forested lot. At that time, the homeowners envisioned a house with a “multi-functional outdoor space, flowing from driveway entry and home to deck and pool and finally to lawn and beach.” Now realized, the homeowners are happy with the result. The Landmark Group, they say, “are real pros. From design, to planning, to execution, they nailed it.”

The couple brought in the landscaping

team at the outset. As Matthew Civiero, senior designer at Landmark, explains: “Builders often pull us in early so we can help with details that an architect isn’t necessarily focused on.” Early involvement ensures the team can account for practical elements like septic or well placement, air conditioning or a generator, without adding unnecessary cost or work.

It also allows for the productive dynamic between trades that The Landmark Group highly values. “For example, we designed the pergola to seamlessly complement the home’s

interior and exterior wood detailing, collaborated with the builder on material sourcing, finalized stamped drawings and oversaw its completion,” says Matthew.

Marc finds it hard to choose a favourite outdoor spot.

“They all have their allure: The upper deck for sunset dinners and views. The pool for entertainment, play and exercise. It’s definitely an attraction for the neighbourhood kids. The lawn allows for games while the front porch rocks for coffee and morning sun. A sunset hot tub is pretty sweet too.”

Each of those spaces flows naturally into the next. Stepping out from the house, there is a covered wood deck with a hot tub on one side and a large L-shaped barbeque area on the other, complete with bar seating. Terraced stairs lead to the pool area, where a sitting area, a pair of large loungers over durable wood inlay, and a dining area for 12 create multiple areas for gathering. The glass

Other details further unify the space. The patio is crafted from locally sourced Eramosa stone, with its natural striations and smooth, barefoot-friendly finish, which also matches the pool’s bullnose coping.

While there is nothing but relaxation to be had now, the pool itself was hard won. Landmark designed the pool, while Betz Pools Limited handled construction,

“The lawn allows for games while the front porch rocks for coffee and morning sun. A sunset hot tub is pretty sweet too.”

fencing alongside the dining table serves a dual purpose, protecting from the wind while meeting pool safety laws. Likewise, the large retaining wall at the front of the pool, with the same stones as the house, negates the need for a full pool enclosure.

As Civiero notes, “They were able to have unobstructed views of the bay from their pool without having to see any glass or metal fencing.” From the water, the lake just beyond creates a subtle infinity pool effect.

working through challenging site conditions. Soil instability and natural springs required the installation of helical piles drilled approximately 20 feet down, topped with grade beams, drainage and a concrete slab, an engineered solution made possible through close coordination between designers, builders and trades. What began as a plan for movement, from driveway to shore, now plays out daily, each space leading easily to the next, all the way to the bay.

Living Art

When Teresa and Peter step out their front door in the Beaver Valley, they’re greeted by a hillside alive with grasses, perennials, birds and butterflies.

But the view wasn’t always this way.

Just a few years ago, the steep slope between their driveway and vegetable garden was filled with knapweed, thistles, Queen Anne’s lace and other weeds. “The usual suspects,” says Teresa, an avid gardener.

Her inspiration for a naturalistic garden made entirely of native species came from Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, known for layering perennials and grasses.

To help bring that vision to life, the couple turned to Woods Wildscaping, the husband-and-wife team of Brenden and Kristie Woods, who specialize in ecological gardens designed to enhance biodiversity.

“The vision was to transform the scrubby hillside into one with layered

plantings and vibrant seasonal colour,” says Kristie; “something immersive and ecologically rich.”

“There’s a misconception that naturalistic gardens are necessarily messy, Brenden adds. “But they can be purposeful, very tidy and structured.”

Preparing the steep slope required patience. Rather than tilling with power tools or relying on chemicals, the team minimized disruption by solarizing the site: covering it for two seasons to suppress invasive plants while protecting the soil beneath.

“Our commitment to wild goes deeper than what we do above the ground,” says Kristie. “We believe that how a garden begins, matters.”

Once the site was ready, Woods Wildscaping and Teresa exchanged ideas about what to plant, selecting more than 1,000 native grasses and perennials for bloom succession, erosion control and wildlife habitat.

Teresa remembers digging in the dirt with the team. “Brenden would say, ‘this

purple next to this yellow is going to be so great,’” she says. “I can’t see what’s going to be, but they can.”

“We like to imagine how people will move through the garden,” adds Brenden. “It’s about creating a living piece of art.”

They also consider how plantings evolve throughout the year.

“What’s so important about those types of gardens is that they stay standing in the fall and winter and can be a haven for birds and other beneficial critters. Plus, they look absolutely beautiful. It’s like a whole other garden with golden colours and structures like interesting seed heads.”

“Every time you walk out the door it’s this wonderful view,” says Teresa. “And I can’t wait to see it this year as it fills in more and more.”

Woods Wildscaping hopes projects like this hillside are just the beginning. The team is launching an initiative called Wild Valley (with a website of the same name) to inspire Beaver Valley residents to welcome more wild spaces and native plants into their landscapes.

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Connecting the Landscape to the Bay

In the Georgian Bay region, living on the water means being able to see it, and reach it easily. But for homeowners Julie and Robert, their steeply sloped property made both difficult. “The yard was simply something you pass through on the way to the water,” says Julie. Trees also blocked the view. To open up the landscape and reconnect the property to the bay, the homeowners engaged Garden Holistics, whose work is guided by sustainability and a strong focus on listening to clients.

Before turning to design elements, Garden Holistics first had to address the site itself. They removed several trees and cut back the slope to improve access to the water. While the topography and shoreline setback regulations posed challenges, ultimately this helped shape a strong design solution.

The changing levels between the house and the waterfront created different opportunities. At the upper level, a hot tub sits beside a polished limestone flagstone terrace with a firepit. From there, a limestone path, smooth on its surface but with a natural edge, winds down the hill to a

handsome aluminum pergola set on a deck tucked against granite boulders.

“This project transformed the experience of the cottage by making the outdoor space feel like a natural extension of the home and the landscape,” say Julie and

owner Gabriel Matamoros. “There’s a lot of limestone, but also granite along the escarpment, so the stonework we used echoes those elements. With a property on the water, it’s also nice to create a cozier space within that environment.” They also

“This project transformed the experience of the cottage by making the outdoor space feel like a natural extension of the home and the landscape.” – Julie and Robert

Robert. “The space between the house and the water became a place to slow down, explore and fully appreciate the setting.”

The pergola has become one of the family’s favourite areas. “The rock retaining wall that frames the pergola creates a space to sit, gather and relax,” the homeowners enthuse. “It naturally draws people toward the water and offers a private viewpoint sheltered from the surrounding cottages.”

Natural materials were central to the design. “Georgian Bay has a very rugged shoreline,” notes Garden Holistics co-

used Kebony for the deck, a sustainably treated softwood product engineered to handle the harshest of conditions.

The landscape is finished with rugosa roses, echinacea and irises along the path, along with trailing plants among the stones. Landscape lighting extends the enjoyment into summer evenings.

Following the success of the project, the homeowners recently added an addition to the cottage, and once again reached out to Garden Holistics to begin planning phase two.

Clean Lines

When Frances and Ray finished building their home, the landscape was the final piece of the puzzle. At the time, the outdoor property consisted mainly of a gravel driveway, grass, and a deck. It was functional, but not reflective of the polished design of the house itself. It was time for the landscaping to catch up.

Located on a corner lot, the couple wanted to enjoy their outdoor space while maintaining a sense of privacy. They also hoped to create a natural setting that wouldn’t demand constant upkeep.

Owner and Landscape designer Matt Van Andel from Outdoor Reflections and the homeowners began with a detailed planning process. Once finalized, the build was under three weeks. As Matt recalls, “It was bang on. It turned out exactly as we forecasted.” Frances agrees. “Matt listened and executed my vision perfectly.” She adds, “The team was always flexible and considerate.”

For Matt, that collaboration is key. “We do the wow experience for clients in terms of listening to what they want, and implementing that in a way that works for their lifestyle.”

The design itself took direct inspiration from the architecture of the home.

“The house has a modern style. It’s got some traditional aspects, but there’s an emphasis on clean, straight lines. There are very few curves anywhere.” Those crisp lines were echoed throughout the landscape, including precast slab pavers set with grass between them and layered plantings of hedge and hydrangea along the front of the house.

Outdoor living was a priority. “When people live in the Georgian Bay region, they want to be outside.” The design

allowing the couple to feel connected to the surrounding neighbourhood as they relax or have a meal al fresco.

While the softscaping was low maintenance, it didn’t lack for interest: diverse trees were planted throughout the property, carefully selected to frame views and create seasonal interest. Evergreens and white spruces provide year-round structure, while serviceberry (where birds stop to nibble berries), maples and a weeping Nootka tree add character and height. Underplantings of echinacea and hydrangeas bring colour and texture.

The transformation didn’t go unnoticed. “We've done six projects all within 30 houses,” Matt says. “And every single one of them looks different.”

The relationship with Frances and Ray

“We do the wow experience for clients in terms of listening to what they want, and implementing that in a way that works for their lifestyle.” – Matt Van Andel

includes several seating areas, some shaded, each positioned with privacy in mind. Rather than closing the space off, screening panels and evergreen plantings create a sense of seclusion while still

continues. “Matt still visits our home during the holidays with a gift which speaks to how much this company cares about their product and service.” Says Matt, “We’re a client-focused company.”

OUR CLIENTS SAY, UNDERSTATED, BUT FULLY AND ABSOLUTELY STUNNING—IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT LOVE SCOTT YOUNG AND HIS TEAM.

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We build your home with intense care and pride. We bring you all of our resources to construct your masterpiece—your home.

Creativity and Solutions: Landscaping Beneath the Surface

In Canadian landscaping, what happens beneath the surface defines lasting success. For today’s top-tier landscapers, creativity is essential in solving one of the most persistent and complex challenges in outdoor design: drainage—especially in tight neighbourhoods, or low-lying areas.

Across regions like ours, where fluctuating seasons bring spring thaws

landscape by Rock Solid Landscaping, where complex design and solutions are often invisible.

“This was a really fun project,” says John Pedlar, Rock Solid’s owner. “We had to get creative. There was a lot of planning involved, with channel drains and gas lines for the fire feature.”

The home was built by K. Vogel Construction. Rock Solid was hired after

Where fluctuating seasons bring spring thaws and heavy summer downpours, managing water is both an art and a science.

and heavy summer downpours, managing water is both an art and a science. A seemingly simple lawn can conceal subtle grading shifts, permeable layers and strategically placed drainage channels— all designed to guide water away from foundations while preserving the integrity of the landscape. Enter this thoughtfully executed

the pool installation and brought the perfect landscaping to make the property truly, yet subtly, majestic.

It’s all about details: like the fact there are no visible fasteners on the corten steel—from Howie Welding in Creemore—around the driveway. “We strapped the concrete and used glue on the strapping,” says Pedlar.

Or the radiant heat in front of the garage door—one of the owner’s favourite features—which keeps snow clear.

At the heart of the property, a fire lounge offers an immediate sense of intimacy. The contrast between the structured geometry of the hardscape and the organic presence of surrounding boulders speaks to a distinctly Canadian vibe, never disconnected from nature.

This interplay continues throughout the garden. A series of substantial armour stones edge the planting beds, grounding the design while referencing the rugged landscapes of Georgian Bay. Above them, layers of perennials and ornamental grasses create movement and softness. Pops of colour bloom in creamy clusters, while low conifers and thoughtfully placed shrubs provide year-round structure. The planting palette is cohesive without feeling controlled—lush, but never overworked.

Closer to the home, the landscape transitions seamlessly into a highly resolved front entry sequence. A custom

corten steel planter introduces a rich, weathered patina that contrasts beautifully with the clean lines of the paver walkway. It’s a moment that feels curated.

As evening falls, soft interior lighting glows outward, transforming the cabana into a focal point that draws guests in. What distinguishes this landscape is the clarity of its vision. Every element—from the fire lounge to the planting beds to the architectural cabana—feels connected, part of a larger narrative about how outdoor space can enhance everyday life.

Thoughtful Landscaping

Owners Blair Richards and Lee Robinson of Grey Shores Landscaping & Renovations have done their share of multi-million-dollar jobs. But they also have expertise in smaller-scale projects that can transform a property, even on a budget.

A 1947 bungalow project in Meaford is a case in point. “The house was on a quiet street and had a lot of character, but was neglected for many years, says Richards. “We saw a lot of potential. It was dated but it didn’t look like a regular box home. If done properly, it could become a charming little home without great expense.”

Here’s how that happened.

Grey Shores started with a renovation that reconfigured the home from a two bedroom, one bathroom to three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a finished basement.

“It was a gut job,” Richards notes, “and as time went on, the budget for the landscaping kind of shrank. So, we worked with the clients to create a budget-friendly landscape that they were happy with.”

What does that look like in practice?

It starts with working with what’s

already there. At the front, the team preserved and repaired the existing stone rather than replacing it entirely.

Explains Richards, “the original design was to put in large armour stones, but the budget just didn’t seem feasible. So, we fixed all the rocks that were cracking or had shifted, retied these back into the foundation and then laid new interlocking stone on top.”

Buying factory direct also helped bring down the cost.

And rather than designing an expensive deck at the back door, the team designed steps down to a stone patio at the existing grade, avoiding additional excavation, footings and permits. “You find a way that both looks good and provides the function you need.”

Some elements, however, are non-negotiable. Like many homes in the Beaver Valley, this property was vulnerable to flooding.

“Homeowners aren’t excited to spend their money on these things, but you always have to divert water away from a home to make it work,” Richards adds.

Grey Shores excavated around the perimeter of the home, installed proper footings and a delta wrap and added drainage systems.

The finishing touches balanced both function and comfort: the team added fencing and nine-metre blue spruces to provide privacy from a new development looming into view. They also installed a fire pit and seating area with barbecue, hot tub and a gazebo. Meanwhile, the

“It was a gut job, and as time went on, the budget for the landscaping kind of shrank.” – Blair Richards

low-maintenance perennial gardens, with filter cloth and mulch, mean less weeding.

Beyond the immediate lift in livability, thoughtful landscaping can boost curb appeal for resale, a reminder that even a budget-conscious transformation can deliver lasting results.

I understand we are working with some of your biggest assets and I take it very seriously. Being creative, precise and honest produces powerful results. Your goals become my goals and I’m ready when you are.

A New Order for Modern Art

words :: Carl Michener

photos :: Ashley Warrington

The Blue Mountains area has a rich history of gorgeous art. It truly kicked off with the signature green/black glaze of Blue Mountain Pottery and the bucolic paintings of local legend Robert Kemp in the ‘50s and ‘60s. In more recent years, Collingwood’s Tremont Hotel, shrugged off its dive bar shtick to emerge as a beacon of artistic pursuits, with gallery space and an entire floor of artist studios. And the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts (BMFA) in Collingwood and Marsh Street Gallery in Clarksburg are powerhouses celebrating and supporting local artists.

Then there are the many traditional galleries. Like other vacation hotspots—Port Carling, Whistler, Niagara-on-the-Lake—the Blue Mountains region attracts its fair share of art aficionados.

The area’s newest gallery, NŌMA, breaks the mold. It’s a gallery built around intention, designed

by someone who has spent most of his life on the other side of the counter as an artist selling through galleries. And taking note of what he would do differently.

NŌMA’s founder is 30-year-old Ryan Sobkovich, a landscape painter whose star is rapidly rising. Ryan began selling paintings before most kids had their first job. He grew up in Wasaga Beach, attended Collingwood Collegiate Institute, and took lessons locally with artist celebs Michelle Fleming and John Anderson at the BMFA. By 16, he was exhibiting in Clarksburg. By 17, he was showing in Toronto. Over the next decade, he worked with galleries across Canada and beyond. At the end of summer 2025 he opened his own gallery. Situated on busy Huron Street in Collingwood, NŌMA shares a spacious, newer building with BMO. At night its picture windows glow with artwork facing traffic. Inside, the space is bright and minimalist. With high ceilings and a polished concrete floor, flooded with light, the overall impression is a plenitude of space.

ART WITH INTENTION

As an artist, Ryan noticed when galleries skimped on lighting or took on too many artists. He’s felt the chill atmosphere of galleries set on cultivating an aura of exclusivity and privilege. He has had his fair share of waiting months for payment.

“So right off the bat, I’m doing things from the artist’s perspective,” he says. Building artists’ trust has helped NŌMA gain momentum fast. Six months after opening, the gallery represents just over a dozen artists from across Canada. Sales of paintings, prints and sculpture have been brisk.

“I paint mostly from memory. The camera doesn’t do a good job of capturing what it feels like.” – Ryan Sobkovich

“We have items here that are only a couple hundred dollars, and we have others that are a couple hundred thousand,” explains Ryan. The idea is to present like a proper high-end gallery, but keep the door open to everyone. “Whether you’re browsing or buying, you’re new to art or an experienced collector, our goal is the same: tell the story, answer questions, no pressure. There’s no sales aggression—just conversation. Everyone is welcome.”

EXCLUSIVELY CANADIAN

NŌMA’s focus is clear: Canadian art exclusively, historical and contemporary, from coast to coast. The aim is to give a snapshot of Canada’s artistic voice while maintaining strong relationships with living artists.

So far, NŌMA displays the work of several historical artists (including A.J. Casson) and fewer than 20 contemporary artists. Those low numbers are unusual for modern galleries, but Ryan wants to keep it that way. “When you have 80, 100 artists it can no longer be personal,” he says. “No one wants their work stacked up in a back room, waiting for display. If we want artists to give us their best work, they need to be selling.”

One artist in particular deserves special mention: Inuit sculptor Abraham Anghik Ruben. Getting him on board, especially for such a young gallery, is a coup. One of Canada’s greatest living artists, Abraham works in Brazilian soapstone— beautiful and less likely to fracture than native stone—carving intricate (and sometimes enormous) sculptures depicting traditional Inuvialuit scenes and stories from the western Arctic, sometimes blended with elements of first-contact Norse lore.

FIND NŌMA HERE

25 Huron St, Collingwood, (705) 321-2419 nomagalleries@gmail.com IG @nomagalleries nomagallery.ca

UPCOMING SHOWS

August 1-16, 2026

Ryan Sobkovich Solo Exhibition October 3-18, 2026

Abraham Anghik Ruben Solo Exhibition

You can find Abraham’s work in the Louvre and in five commercial galleries worldwide, but none of them have the collection that NŌMA displays, including a spectacularly carved narwhal tusk. That’s down to Ryan’s relationship with Abraham, and it has made NŌMA an unexpected destination for serious collectors. Look for a solo exhibition of Abraham’s sculpture in autumn 2026, with the artist in attendance.

THE PAINTER’S PRACTICE

Despite having a gallery that’s open seven days a week, Ryan still paints most weekdays. He and his wife Colleen—also an artist—live the cottage lifestyle near Nobel, north of Parry Sound. Inspiration is but a picture window away. And yet Ryan sources most of his landscapes the hard way: multi-day hikes, island-hopping on snowshoes in the winter, and solo backcountry canoe trips in his 29 lb Kevlar pack boat, for example. Looking for unadulterated versions of Canada, he finds them in abundance.

Like artists who painted scenes in the backcountry before cameras became

commonplace, Ryan totes along a pochade box for smaller sketches in oil. He also brings a camera, but the photographs he takes during these trips are simply reminders. “I paint mostly from memory,” he says. “The camera doesn’t do a good job of capturing what it feels like.” Ryan works wet-on-wet in oils, starting with an underpainting—often pink or magenta—overlaid with bold brush strokes that blend to create cohesion and depth. The result is work that channels Varley, Carmichael and Thomson, but also Monet and Van Gogh. His style feels at once familiar, luminous and contemporary. It’s a look with obvious appeal; collectors have taken to his work and it’s increasingly found hanging on celebrities’ and billionaires’ walls, though still priced within reach for most.

What he’s after is an immersive experience—the colour, the light, the emotional quality of each scene. There’s also an environmental undercurrent. Many paintings are titled for specific locations. “I see my work as time capsules,” says Ryan. “These are records of what these places looked like, as well as quiet reminders of what’s worth preserving.”

“Whether you’re browsing or buying, you’re new to art or an experienced collector, our goal is the same: tell the story, answer questions, no pressure."

WHEN TO END FULL SEND

For athletes who thrive on pushing limits, dialling it back can feel like losing a piece of themselves. When the body says no, the real challenge isn’t physical. It’s existential.

Climber and endurance athlete Jany Mitges and dirt jumper Troy Chipman have different injury histories and different personalities. But their perspectives on aging land in remarkably similar territory.

Mitges has already lived through multiple forced resets. Cancer treatment led to a bilateral mastectomy a few years back. At 59, she’s recovering from a total knee replacement. Due to her reaction to meds, she’s doing it without medication. To say she’s a tough lady is an understatement. She’s rebuilt herself before, and she’s ready to do it again. But each time, she has to rebuild not just her strength but her identity.

“I keep reinventing myself and that’s how I deal with things,” she says. “I do know that I have to adapt to an ever-changing world.”

Adaptation, she suggests, is not a weakness. It’s survival. The hardest part isn’t learning new limits. It’s letting go of the old self.

“There’s a process of mourning who I was.”

Chipman describes a similar shift from the perspective of a rider who still loves jumping big gaps, still loves the community and still wants to show up. He’s a master jump-builder and is still working on his biggest set yet: a 40-foot gap jump that he’s been working on for years. He’s 50 but

feels his skills have yet to peak. Aging, in his view, doesn’t erase the appetite for risk. It makes the consequences unavoidable. The margin for error narrows, recovery stretches out and every decision carries more weight than it used to.

“I don’t want to crash,” says Chipman. “Both my shoulders don’t feel great. Both my ankles don’t feel great. Is it worth the risk? I guess that’s the question.”

Neither athlete talks about quitting. They talk about recalibrating. Mitges is blunt about what makes that recalibration so difficult.

“My desire to hold on to something from a long time ago will only rob me of my joy.”

In high-performance sports, identity is often tied to the sport itself. Letting go can feel like failure. Even when continuing to chase is what causes the suffering.

“I’m still willing to try hard and push, but my gains are very small,” she says. “But I do have the memory of when I could crush 5.13 in three or four tries. I do have that memory. I had an opportunity to have that chapter. So I’m OK putting out my best effort on a 5.10. Even if it kicks my ass. My ego is gone. I don’t hold on to the ego aspect of it.”

Effort, not comparison, becomes the metric.

For both Mitges and Chipman, one of the most surprising shifts that comes with age isn’t loss: it’s redirection. As personal performance becomes less central, the focus naturally moves outward. Instead of being the one everyone watches, they find themselves doing the watching, encouraging and quietly making space for others to shine.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a 50-yearold; you’re hanging out with people who want to ride. And they could be 12 years old. But you’re friends because you share riding. It bridges it all.

Mitges describes this transition as unexpectedly fulfilling. After years of pushing her own limits, she found that helping someone else discover theirs can feel just as meaningful.

“Seeing someone thrive and blossom and gain who they are capable of being; that’s as good as sending,” she says. Cheering from the belay, offering advice, sharing perspective—these acts carry a different kind of intensity.

Chipman sees the same dynamic on the bike. Watching younger riders progress. Clearing features for the first time, gaining confidence and finding their place in the community becomes its own form of stoke.

“It’s always about the vibe at the trails. You’re out there with your friends and everybody’s vibing together on the same thing. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 50-year-old; you’re hanging out with people who want to ride. And they could be 12 years old. But you’re friends because you share riding. It bridges it all. And to see that stoke get ignited, maybe even for the first time, you get the full-send feelings, just from watching them and supporting them.”

The goal shifts from proving something to preserving something. As he put it, staying involved means making sure the next wave has the same opportunities: to learn, to push themselves and to fall in love with the sport.

Chipman

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There’s also a quiet freedom in stepping out of the spotlight. Without the pressure to perform, both athletes say they can better enjoy the culture around their sports. Mitges noted that it’s “actually kind of cool to not be the one that always tries to be the spotlight,” choosing instead to “allow others to shine.” The parking-lot conversations, shared days outside and mentoring moments become the real reward.

In that sense, participation evolves from performance to stewardship. Passing along skills, values and enthusiasm ensures the sport keeps moving forward even as individual roles change. For Mitges, that means using everything she has learned, including the hard lessons, to help others navigate their own challenges. For Chipman, it means staying present in the scene even if his role shifts.

For both, involvement with the next generation isn’t a consolation prize for aging. It’s a meaningful new chapter. One where the impact

may be quieter, but often deeper and longerlasting than any personal highlight reel.

The thrill doesn’t disappear. The need to measure it against past performance does.

As personal performance becomes less central, the focus naturally moves outward.

After surgery, Mitges found herself confronting the unglamorous reality of recovery: nausea, sleepless nights, medication side effects and slow, incremental progress.

“It’s a less-is-more thing.”

That phrase could apply equally to aging athletes in any discipline. Fewer sessions. More rest. Smarter choices. Hard efforts deployed selectively

instead of constantly. She doesn’t frame it as decline. She frames it as sustainability.

“Nothing is sustainable,” she says of peak performance. “You can’t keep peaking. Those valleys get steeper.”

Chipman’s experience in gravity sports reinforces that idea. The goal shifts from maximizing intensity to maximizing longevity. Showing up week after week becomes more meaningful than any single heroic effort. The drive to move, to test limits, to feel alive in motion remains intact.

What changes is the definition of “full send.” It becomes less about spectacle and more about presence. Less about proving something and

more about participating. Less about chasing the person you used to be and more about protecting the ability to keep doing what you love.

Mitges summed it up with clarity: holding onto the past version of yourself can steal the joy available right now.

Chipman, in his own way, reaches the same conclusion. Staying involved—riding, showing up, sharing the experience—matters more than maintaining a particular level of performance.

For both, the end of reckless intensity isn’t the end of passion. It’s the beginning of a different relationship with it.

Full send, it turns out, doesn’t stop. It just grows up.

The Dream Garage

Kevin LeBlanc’s garage is part workshop, part time capsule—a place where vintage Harleys roar back to life, a rare split-window bus slowly takes shape and teenage obsessions never really fade

words and photos :: Colin Field

Kevin LeBlanc’s converted garage in Grey County is more than just a backyard workshop—it’s a living museum. From restored vintage Harleys to a 1967 Volkswagen split-window bus, LeBlanc’s collection speaks to a lifetime of passion for preserving and building beautiful machines. “I want to be that old guy rolling around town in a vintage bus with my Harley in the back,” LeBlanc laughs, leaning against his latest project.

The transformation of that bus masterpiece is a painstaking labour of love—and it began not with a complete vehicle, but just the forward cab. “The split-window bus is sort of the holy grail in any car world, really,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re into muscle cars, it doesn’t matter that it’s not a fast car, it’s just supernostalgic,” LeBlanc explains. “I searched for a whole bus for years, but when I couldn’t find one, I decided to piece one together.”

That piecing together requires hours of welding and body work. He’s building the subframe, sourcing parts and meticulously sculpting it all together. For LeBlanc, there are no half-measures; everything is done with a fastidious attention to detail. All by hand. All in his little two-car garage. This isn’t what he does for a living; it’s simply a passion. A hobby.

“I want to be that old guy rolling around town in a vintage bus with my Harley in the back.”

– Kevin LeBlanc

“I don’t watch TV,” he confesses.

LeBlanc’s vintage Harley collection includes a World War II-era Harley-Davidson WLA, which he’s also restoring piece by piece. “During the war, Harley supplied the U.S. military with bikes and trained soldiers to repair them in the field,” he explains. “Afterward, a lot of the parts were left behind, especially in Europe. That’s why so much of my sourcing comes from places like Poland.”

LeBlanc recounts building a Harley from two separate frames—one sourced from Texas and the other from Ontario. “It’s like a global puzzle,” he says. “Every part has its history.”

The love of restoration extends beyond bikes and buses. The garage walls are adorned with vintage skateboards—some originals and others reissues of boards he coveted as a teenager in the 1980s.

His first pro board, a blue Powell Peralta Tony Hawk, was bought with money left to him after his father passed away. “I skated it to death,” LeBlanc remembers. “Now, I collect the boards I couldn’t have back then.”

“We all made fun of posers back in the day,” he recalls. “But you know what? They had their place, because if it wasn’t for posers there’d be no collecting. Because I’ll tell you, I had about ten boards in the ‘80s and I don’t have any of my original skateboards because there’s absolutely nothing left. There would be nothing to see. They were totally wrecked.”

LeBlanc’s approach to collecting is rooted in both passion and practicality. “You collect what you love, but sometimes

you have to let go to fund other projects. It’s kind of constant upgrading,” he says. “So you start off with a cheaper vehicle and then build up and up and up. The ‘69 Dodge Charger was probably one of my bigger projects I ended in 2013. That’s when I sold it and did the transition into Harley-Davidson. I used to have a ton of original Star Wars stuff, too. I think I had all the figures in the packages and then the bubbles started to hit that prime age that they were deteriorating. So I ended up unloading a lot of those and some of that helped me finance the Harley project.”

“But I probably reinvest everything I’ve got. Once you’re into collecting, you’re always into collecting.”

“Skateboards now are more just my own personal eye candy. My investment-collecting is my crazy-ass comic books. I try to collect blue-chip comics, which are comics that just continually go up very gradually in value.”

His comic book collection—complete with graded classics like the first appearance of Wolverine—is another facet of his treasure trove.

Despite constant activity, the garage is impeccably tidy. “People walk in and say, ‘You don’t actually build anything here,’” LeBlanc laughs. “But I’ve built hot rods, Mustangs, Harleys—you name it. I just clean up every night.”

LeBlanc’s space is both a time capsule and a testament to the art of restoration. Whether welding together a 60-year-old bus frame or hunting down a rare skateboard, he approaches every project with the same meticulous care. Is it weird that a fifty-year-old man collects comic books, toys, skateboards, motorcycles and vehicles? Nah. And is it a collection I’d love to have in my own garage? Damn straight it is. It’s cool as hell.

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Lion Tamer

photography :: Scott Parent athlete :: Billy Shearer

Scott: “Ever since adventurer Billy Shearer started ripping out on Isthmus Bay with his e-foil, I’ve tried to photograph the action in a split shot in hopes of capturing Bernoulli's principle in still motion.

To get the shot required anchoring my SUP offshore and shooting over the nose while Billy hummed back and forth. I used a fish-eye lens for the wide angle to ensure we bagged both the closeup action and Lion’s Head landscape. I sprayed and prayed over a halfdozen passes until we landed a frame where the water surface cooperated.”

Billy: “E-foiling is surprisingly approachable; most people are up and flying on flat water within a couple of hours. The real magic is the progression—you start with those calm glass mornings and eventually find yourself carving through open-lake swell. It’s a constant learning experience that turns every season into a new perspective on the water.”

Jason DeHetre

From volunteer rider to community builder

words :: Colin Field

If you ride in the Collingwood region, chances are you’ve benefited from Jason DeHetre’s work, whether you know it or not. He’s the advocacy director for the Collingwood Off Road Cycling Club (CORC), the owner of Little Ed’s Ski & Bike Shop, and a familiar face at everything from trail days to council meetings. He didn’t arrive with a master plan to reshape the local riding scene. He just kept showing up, helping out and saying yes when things needed doing.

ML: You weren’t born and raised here. How did you get pulled into the local scene so quickly?

JD: Right when CORC started, we were at those first events. We’d always be at every event and help where we could. Then eventually we got into the advocacy stuff. Just seeing the potential of losing Pretty River [Three Stage] is insane, right? So I wanted to make sure that from a rider’s perspective, I knew what was going on and maybe could help. I just started doing things whenever they needed help. Now I’m the advocacy director with CORC, which is super cool. It’s a great group of people who are passionate about cycling.

What made you want to move north in the first place?

JD: We love being outdoors. We love cycling, skiing and snowboarding. I like to get involved in the community I’m in, right? To me, that’s rewarding. I think it’s important we get as many people involved as possible.

ML: Buying Little Ed’s was a big leap. Why do it?

JD: I started running the numbers and I thought, you know what? This is viable. Collingwood’s growing, more people are getting active and then all of a sudden, boom, you know, COVID took off and everybody went outside. I officially took ownership in February 2021. I don’t think the bike industry or ski industry has been normal since I’ve been a

retailer, and I had zero retail experience. So there’s been some learning in there, but the foundations are the same, right? Offer good service, be happy and get involved. We’re having a good time with it. There are stressful moments, but for the most part it’s great. I get to do what I love; I’ll take a little bit of stress on the sides. It’s OK.

ML: Beyond trails, you’ve helped create new spaces like the Collingwood pump track too. Why are those important?

JD: I started working with the town to advocate for a pump track. I researched and talked to a couple of different companies that build pump tracks and brought the information back to the town. They liked it. If you’re into cycling and you see the pump track, kids are always on it. Not just kids; adults are riding it too. It’s a great community hub. Your age doesn’t matter. I mean, I’ll be 50 this year and there’s a 12-year-old with me on the track and we’re both giggling like we’re 6 years old.

ML: A lot of volunteers burn out. How do you stay engaged?

JD: I think it’s important we get as many people involved as possible. That’s what CORC does, right? You get people involved on light duty. Next thing you know, they’re doing bigger and bigger things and then they’re on the executive. Then they get frustrated and burned out. So they go back to light duty, right? Rotate people in, so you don’t get burned out.

ML: What would make trail advocacy easier?

JD: If everybody contributed, man, it’d be easy to get stuff done. I think it’s important that we get as many people involved as possible.