Relax at Grand Haven

Pet Pals: On The Road Again!

2011-10-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

My dog, Sadey

Traveling with pets, particularly dogs, is an enjoyable experience and for many people enhances their trips. Many of our members wouldn’t dream about leaving Fido at home, and that is why we offer pet friendly accommodations.

It may be something you have considered in the past and perhaps thought it seems like too much work or maybe you weren’t sure how your lovely pup would react. But there are some things you should consider before bringing him on his first road trip. If you are going to stay with dogs, either in a cabin or campsite, it is important that you can answer a few questions. Is your dog well-behaved around other people, both adults and children, as well as other animals? When the fires go out and it’s quiet time will your dog also be quiet (no barking)? Will your dog be able to handle the physical demands of the travel, extra walks, or even hikes? (You should also learn the signs of heat exhaustion.) And lastly, are you willing to pick up after your little one’s waste?

If you plan on bringing your dogs be sure you talk to the resort and get their requirements for vaccinations and licenses. Another recommendation is additional dog ID tags with your current location or unit number.

Do you take your pets with you when you travel, and do they get special treatment? Share with us pictures about your pets and your favorite place you like to spoil them! Tell us your comments below!

SEASONAL CAMPING

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Seasonal Camping a Big Hit: As the season begins

to wind down, we encourage any campers who are

thinking about a “Seasonal Campsite” to please notify

the business office. As we review this year’s program

and begin planning for next season, we want to plan for

you. This program has grown from 3 to 33 members

in just a few short years; so, it would be helpful if you

let us know of your possible interest in 2012. As in

past years, all existing Seasonal Campers have the

first option to renew their existing campsite agreement

up until 4:00 P.M. March 1, 2012 after which time all

available sites will be assigned on a first come-first

served basis. Any open Seasonal Sites may be

assigned beginning January 1, 2012 once full payment

arrangements have been made.

SAVE ON CABIN RENTALS

2011-10-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

Our Cabin Promotion allows you to take advantage

of special savings on your overnight stay with us!

Cabin Club and Captain’s Circle members have the

opportunity to stay three nights for the price of one!

Availability may be limited so call and make your

reservations early! We hope you can take advantage

of these available dates and we look forward to seeing

you soon.

September 9th -15th October 7th -13th

Halloween Weekends

2011-10-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

October 15 & 22 2011

A lot of our members are very familiar with Grand

Havens’ Halloween weekends. We have so much

going on those weekends that you may think, is there

anything more that can be done. I say YES! Therefore,

the activities department will add to the Halloween

weekend; a haunted golf car show. Decorate your golf

car in the scariest way you can. The top 3 decorated

golf cars will win prizes each weekend. We‘ve moved

the haunted house to the large pavilion to make it

bigger and better than ever. Why not! It’s the perfect

place to scare you, your friends and family. There will

be a haunted bus ride to and from the haunted house.

So come and have a frightening time!

Nature's Corner

2011-09-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a fresh cup of Apple Cider on an Autumn day. So, here are a few tips for making delicious homemade apple cider.

• Avoid using apples that have visible signs of decay or mold growth.

• Wash apples thoroughly before pressing or grinding to make cider.

• Use a fruit press or small kitchen appliances to crush the fruit.

• Start by washing your hands and sanitizing equipment. Place washed and rinsed utensils andequipment in a mixture of 1 tablespoon household bleach per gallon of water for at least 1 minute.

• Squeeze juice through a clean, damp muslin cloth.

• Pasteurize cider to ensure safety. Heat to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit and pour into warm jars to prevent breakage.

• Store cider in refrigerator for immediate use, or up to 5 days. Put cider in the freezer if you wan to keep it longer.

• Be sure to use strong, sound glass bottles that will not break during fermentation.

Caution: Young Children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals should never drink fresh apple cider unless it has been heated to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Consumer’s Guide to making Apple Cider)

FALL FOLIAGE

2011-09-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

As the days of summer wind down along with the temperatures we begin to notice the change of the seasons.

We are quickly approaching the most colorful time of year. What makes the fall season so gorgeous? It’s the

combination bright sunny September days and cooler nights that tend to make the colors of the Southeastern

Ohio leaves so vivid with color. Add to that the early frosts that cause trees to prematurely build an abscission

layer. Dryer conditions can cause a delay in colors changing and extreme windy conditions can quickly remove

the beautiful leaves from the trees and cut short our fall foliage scene.

We have a few suggestions for your viewing pleasure so that you can enjoy this time of the year and take in all

the beauty that our resort, which is nestled within so many various beautiful trees, has to offer.

1. Road trip it…. call the resort and reserve a stay or two during the fall foliage weekends of late September

through the end of October. Enjoy the colorful ride as you make your way from your home to your weekend

getaway in this beautiful state of Ohio. And then once you are at the resort you can enjoy the season in a few

more ways.

2. Float past it… by boat, canoe, or kayak on our local state park lake. Float along the forested bank

seasoned with multiple colors that compliment the variety of trees. Stop in at the Captain’s Club or reserve one

when you book your stay with us.

3. Trot past it… take time to indulge in the beauty of this season by horse back. The temperatures are

cooler and our resort woods are full of gorgeous colors through the next 2 months. So check with the stables

and see when the next trail ride is hitting out during your next stay.

4. Get up close to it…load up your backpack and hit the trails by foot. Pack some snacks, waters, the

camera and some friends and family and enjoy what our resort has to offer via the hiking trails. Reach out

and touch nature and see how many of vivid colored leaves you can find amongst the various trees that

Southeastern Ohio grows right here at the Grand Haven Resort. Stop by the Captains Club and see when our

naturalist Mark will be taking a nature hike and sign your crew up to join him or venture out by yourselves.

However you decide to view the vivid colors of orange, red, yellow, purple, and green make sure you take the

time take in the spectacular natural beauty that happens ever year during these next several weeks.

TAILPIPE TRAVEL

Keep an Eagle Eye Out

2011-07-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

The only noise to be heard was that of our excited voices and our paddles cutting through the waters of Salt Fork Lake. It was a beautiful day and there were 9 members on this canoe outing plus myself. The surface of the lake was smooth like a mirror reflecting the summer sky with its billowing white clouds. Then suddenly a black shadow blocked the sun’s reflection! I spun, to see what had just passed about 15 feet above us. I knew instantly by its silhouette what it was, AN EAGLE!!! I cried out and pointed. Just then another flew by, just to our right and into the same tree as the other one. It was a pair of mature Bald Eagles. This was not the first time that we have spotted an eagle on our weekly canoe trips, but little did I know what our flying friends had planned for us. We continued along on our canoe route paddling to a quiet cove. One of the members pointed to a bird flying just below a giant billowing white cloud. It was the female eagle soaring. For the next 20 minutes we watched her. Later as we were getting ready to end our trip the male flew just above our heads and tried to catch a fish not more than 10 foot from one of the member's canoe. John Denver once wrote “You know he would be a poor man if he never saw an Eagle fly”. Well this day we all left richer than when we started.

We are fortunate to have this magnificent bird right in our back yard and occasionally they even visit the Resort. During the 1960’s we almost lost these majestic creatures due to habitat loss and the use of DDT, a pesticide that the Eagles ingested from fish poisoned from field runoff. The chemicals made the eagle’s egg shell thin and brittle, thus making it impossible for them to incubate the eggs without crushing them. Then the 1970’s restoration projects began to save the Eagle. They are now off the National Endangered Species List, but are still on the Ohio’s Endangered Species List. Fortunately, there are 116 active nests in Ohio and counting with a steadily increasing population.

We invite you to join us for our canoe programs offered every Wednesday and Saturday weather permitting. Information can be found in the Captain's Club, Weekend update or on our web site at: www.grandhavenresort.com.

Thanks for joining us.
Mark Burgan,
Grand Haven Resort-- Naturalist

HOT DOGS, APPLE PIE AND FOURTH OF JULY

2011-06-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

July 4^th Weekend is just around the corner and the activities department has a few new activities up their sleeves for our special celebration. This year’s Theme is “ Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Fourth of July. In conjunction with the “Super Hot Dog” Cookout at the Chuck Wagon there will be a Homemade Apple Pie contest so you can live out our theme. A real highlight on Saturday

July 2^nd will be our second concert at the Pottawattomie Pond. This program entitled: “Music by the Water”, will feature the Live Band --Country Rein. Music by the Water concerts also have several activities in conjunction with the live Band including a Jump House, Corn Hole, and more; so, plan on staying awhile and bring your blanket or chairs. The pedal boats and canoes can also be rented during the concert to add to the fun.

On July 3^rd there will be a Block Party next to the Clubhouse with a DJ and Karaoke, a Watermelon Eating Contest, the Homemade Apple Contest, Potluck Picnic, Corn Hole Tournament, Kid’s Activities, and an Adult and Teen Craft focused on recycling a pop can. We will also be offering some of our regular summer activities over the weekend that will require sign up.

PS: In case you can’t make it out for the Fourth, plan on coming to our Open House on July 30^th & 31^st. This Special event has grown every year and will be bigger and better this year. The Open House this year will include the PowWow, a Bike and Truck Show, and lots more.

Hope to see you here! The Activities Staff.

Morel Advice!

2011-04-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

It's Mushroom Season again!!! Some of my earliest memories, and perhaps yours' too, is of the family loading up in the car with paper bags in tow; heading out to roam the woods and look for the elusive Morel mushroom. We walked around the hillsides looking for these wrinkly little mushrooms under elms and spice bushes usually from early April to early June. Sometimes we found them and sometimes we didn't but, it was always fun to get out into the woods.

Here are a few pointers if you would like to take your family on a mushroom hunt.

They are typically they are found in moist areas, around dying or dead Elm trees, Sycamore and Ash trees, old apple orchards and maybe even in your own back yard. Ground cover varies and it is very likely that each patch of mushrooms you come across may be growing in totally different conditions.

If you cannot take an experienced hunter along find some information on line like http://thegreatmorel.com/ or books like Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mushrooms which has good pictures and even recipes.

We have 3 types of Morel mushrooms at the Resort:

1. The common morel (Morchella esculenta): When young, this species has white ridges and dark brown pits and is known as the "white morel." As it get older the ridges and the pits turn yellowish brown, and it becomes a "yellow morel.

2. The black morel or smoky morel (Morchella elata): The ridges are gray or tan when young, but darken with age until nearly black. The pits are brown and elongated. These morels are best when picked young; discard any that are shrunken or have completely black heads.

3. The half-free morel (Morchella semilibera): This is the exception to the rule that morels have the bottom of the cap attached directly to the stem. The cap of the half-free morel is attached at about the middle. These morels have small caps and long bulbous stems.

We hope you all have good time in the woods looking for these delicious tastes of spring and would encourage you to pick up any that you may find.

We would also like to invite you to join us in the many activities inside and out that we offer. Information can be found in the Captain's Club.

Thanks for joining us.
Mark Burgan,

Grand Haven Resort-- Naturalist

Horse Trails

2011-04-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Variety of horse trails

Rocky Fork Riding Stables currently has 2 one-hour horse trails and 1 two-hour horse trail. We will be working on adding another one hour trail this summer so our repeat riders can enjoy some more variation on their rides.

Our trails are wide and well kept with beautiful scenery all along the way.

We also host a Salt Fork State Park trail ride that goes out once a month during the summer. This trail is 3 1/2 to 4 hrs long with a sack lunch at the end of the ride. The scenery on this trail is amazing with several overlooks of the lake. We even take the horses into the very edge of the lake so they can get a nice cool drink. If you are looking for a more adventurous and longer ride then contact us about the State Park Ride. It takes most of the day to transport our horses and get set up but, it is a great riding experience.

Ride Safely,
Stacy Paden, Stable Manager

When bad weather approaches...

2011-04-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

ZAP! CRACK! BOOM!
One sure sign of Spring is the sound of thunderstorms rolling thru the park. When you're camping or outdoors, you need to be aware of the potential for danger. A lightning strike can extend far out from the edge of a thunderstorm. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning and should immediately go inside a sturdy building. (This is where the expression a "bolt from the blue" comes from). Whenever on vacation or a weekend campout, your should check the weather before going so you know what to expect. Some things you can do to prepare for a storm are: put down your awning on your camper, extinguish all fires, put away any objects that may become airborne from gusty winds, secure your pet on a leash and close the blinds or drapes on windows. Once inside stay away from the windows, faucets, sinks & bathtubs as metal pipes can conduct electricity,and think of an indoor pool as a large bathtub; so, it is certainly not safe to be in or around the pool. You can use your cell phone but should not use land lines. Once a storm passes, then go outside to check for any damage, but please stay away from any downed power lines. For more information on Severe weather safety & tips go to: WEATHER.COM-WEATHER READY.

Looking forward to a Safe Summer,
Jane Yoder, Administrative Operations Assistant

Footnote: Jane, who along with several other GH staff are trained as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), just completed a course on "Advanced Weather Spotting".

Do you have any tips for campers or those enjoying outdoor recreation when a fast moving storm approaches?

Weekday Activities

2011-03-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

Weekday Activities Abound

As many of you know the activities department has a wide variety of activities on the weekends; but, you may not realize that we also have a super weekday activities schedule starting June 1st and ending September 1st. We have something for just about everyone. The summer weekday program consists of: story time, kid’s camp, corn hole tournaments, and adult crafts. There are also family activities like pontoon boat rides, community campfire, and scavenger hunts just to mention a few. A brand new program for this summer will be a week-long Teen Summer Camp for members’ children ages 13 to 17. If you would like to know more information about our Weekday Program, The Teen Camp or any of our Activities or Special Events you can find all these programs on our web site at www.cardidaresortgroup.com

We have a fun family summer planned for you!

Sandy Dinkins,
Activities Coordinator

Post your comment:
What is your favorite summer activity?

Ohio’s Best Hometowns in 2010 by Ohio Magazine

2011-02-21T17:26:00.000-08:00

CAMBRIDGE, OH (November 9, 2009) – Ohio Magazine recently announced
that Cambridge has been selected as one of Ohio’s Best
Hometowns in 2010.Cambridge is featured within the publication’s November
2009 cover story available on stands now.

“Your achievement is especially impressive in light of the fact that Ohio
is home to many of the best hometowns in America. Only one town is
chosen from each of the state’s five regions for this very special honor,”
Ohio Magazine Publisher and Editor Richard Osborne noted. “This
award recognizes that Cambridge is among the best of the best.”

Ohio Magazine editors selected Cambridge because the city embodies
all of the qualities and characteristics that make Ohio hometowns so
special: historic landmarks and architecture, quaint shopping and galleries
as well as an amazing sense of community.

Read Full Article...

Guided Horseback Trail Rides

2011-02-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Rocky Fork Riding Stable

Two Hour Trail Ride

If going horseback riding for an hour just isn’t long enough, then we have the solution for you. Rocky Fork riding stable now offers a two hour ride for those want to extend their time in the saddle. In addition to the longer riding time, there are a number of added benefits to the Two hour Ride. The longer ride includes a beautiful scenic trail that winds deep into the woods above and behind the Captain’s Club. The scenery is amazing as the trail overlooks Pottawattomie Park, Bear and Turtle Rocks, and has several gorgeous valleys to look down into. The Two Hour Rides must be scheduled at least 24hrs in advance to allow time to make all the arrangements and riding schedule adjustments. There has to be a minimum of three riders to schedule the ride so plan on bringing some friends. This is not a pre-scheduled ride so, it is subject to availability of horses and trail guides. The farther in advance you reserve the better! All Trail rides are subject to weather and trail conditions of course. Call Rocky Fork Rec. Center at (740) 498-4505 or stop by the stable to get more information about our riding schedule.

Customized Reservations

2011-02-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Making a reservation is the first step to an enjoyable stay. Grand Haven Resort has many different overnight lodging options to choose from and most of our members have their favorite. We want to do all we can to get your visit off on a positive note. When calling the Resort, you can expect a friendly courteous staff member will be ready to customize your family vacation. To be sure we get everything just right, we will ask you a number of questions. Please bare with us as we find and fit the cabin to meet your needs. Some of the questions we will ask are:

1. What is your membership number? This saves you time since we can pull up your personal data, address, phone number, etc., already on file.

2. We will ask for your planned arrival and departure dates. It is always a good idea to have a calendar handy for reference.

3. We will ask you how many persons will be in your party”

4. Do you need a pet unit?

5. Do you need a smoking unit?

6. Do you require any kind of special accommodation such as a handicap access?

Our reservationist will also discuss our weekend activities and announce any special dinners or other events requiring registration that you may want to take advantage of or participate in. And we will kindly answer any questions that you may have. We want your stay to be special and will do all we can to get it started off that way.

Hunting Packages At Grand Haven Resort

2011-02-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Fellow Hunters: While the Ohio hunting seasons for upland Game Birds
have passed, the " Hunting Preserves" such as Monogold's is still open for
hunting and will be through mid April. There is a good supply of
pheasants, chuckar, and quail left and we have the perfect cabin
accommodations as well. So, all you need is your trusty shotgun, some
upland game bird steel shot, a good hunting partner (unless you prefer to
hunt alone) and your all set. We've got the accommodations including an
indoor pool and hot tub to soothe those muscles after a day of stomping
through the bird field. Remember too that we can provide breakfast and sack
lunches; so, give us a call at 1-888-613-4368 and schedule a fun day of
hunting and an evening of relaxation at Grand Haven Resort.

Grand Haven Seasonal Camping Program..... A Sweet Deal

2011-02-12T10:49:00.001-08:00

Seasonal Campers: Our seasonal camping program started in 2006 with just 3 members participating and has now, just four years later, grown to 31. The seasonal campers have the convenience and satisfaction of knowing where their camper is and that it is already set up waiting for their arrival. They avoid having to select a site or wasting their precious leisure time setting up, tearing down, and storing their camping unit each time they visit. With the planned expansion of the seasonal campsite program, we hope to provide even more stress free camping options in the future. For more information about our program you can call: 1-740-498-9158.