Make the most of your stay!
You looked over our Things to do, and you looked at our Maps, and you still have questions.
We understand!
We love answering questions, because we want you to have a good time just as much as you do. We want you to be well prepared. The more you know the better.
It's just that when you ask us for general tips, ("So, do you have any tips?") we don't know what to say.
First of all, it's amazing how differently everyone uses this place. Some want to explore the area, some want to stay put, some want to be off-grid, some want to Instagram the chipmunks. Stays range from one night to one week.
Secondly, we give all our guests absolute privacy, which means we don't know what they bring to eat, or what personal camping equipment they carry in with them, or what they do with their time.
Sometimes they tell us, of course, and that's how we know that reading in the hammock is a popular choice.
Books and games
So one tip is to bring a book.
But if you don't bring one, and you still want to read, it's okay. We have a few books you can read while you are here.
There are a few games under the bed, but if you love something specific, do bring it along.
Cooking
There is a tripod grill that goes over the outside campfire. Its height is adjustable. We provide the wood. If you wish to borrow a campstove, let us know when you book. The one we have to lend is the kind that uses those Coleman 16 oz propane cylinders you can get at Canadian Tire. Be nice to it, okay?
You cannot cook inside the treehouse. You would not believe how awful that is!
What to cook? Absolutely depends on your tastes and camping style. We, ourselves, dehydrate food when we go hiking, but some people like a fresher menu. They bring coolers, ice, the whole nine yards.
Think about what you like, how willing you are to carry things, how much prep you want to do, and then google some camping recipes.
Remember that there is no electricity or plumbing at the treehouse, and that everything you bring has to be carried 1 km down a footpath. The footpath is not suitable for wheeled coolers/luggage. Remember also that this is a leave-no-trace place. You must pack out your trash and take it home with you when you check out. If you are flying internationally or on a road trip, just sort your trash into recyclable and non-recyclable and bring it to us at the house. In those cases we will take care of it for you.
There are a few restaurants around, but their hours are limited. Take a look at our guidebook for recommendations.
Sightseeing and shopping
This is where we fall down a bit. This is not a touristy area at all. There are provincial parks, museums, a meadery, things like that. Again, take a look at our guidebook. Also take a look at google, but remember this is Florence, Ontario, not Florence, Oregon, or Florence, Nova Scotia, or Florence, Michigan, or the big one, Florence, Italy...
Trails
The number one question we get is about local trails. Our trail to the treehouse is only a km long. The quiet country block here is 5 km. If you are looking for a real, honest-to-goodness trail, the closest is in Rondeau Provincial Park. It is in the guidebook.
Just be
Our happiest campers seem to be those who come to just be: to listen to the birds, catch up on some reading, throw in a fishing line (you have to have an Ontario Fishing Licence for that), do some canoeing (see Things to do), make some art, do some thinking.
We understand!
We love answering questions, because we want you to have a good time just as much as you do. We want you to be well prepared. The more you know the better.
It's just that when you ask us for general tips, ("So, do you have any tips?") we don't know what to say.
First of all, it's amazing how differently everyone uses this place. Some want to explore the area, some want to stay put, some want to be off-grid, some want to Instagram the chipmunks. Stays range from one night to one week.
Secondly, we give all our guests absolute privacy, which means we don't know what they bring to eat, or what personal camping equipment they carry in with them, or what they do with their time.
Sometimes they tell us, of course, and that's how we know that reading in the hammock is a popular choice.
Books and games
So one tip is to bring a book.
But if you don't bring one, and you still want to read, it's okay. We have a few books you can read while you are here.
There are a few games under the bed, but if you love something specific, do bring it along.
Cooking
There is a tripod grill that goes over the outside campfire. Its height is adjustable. We provide the wood. If you wish to borrow a campstove, let us know when you book. The one we have to lend is the kind that uses those Coleman 16 oz propane cylinders you can get at Canadian Tire. Be nice to it, okay?
You cannot cook inside the treehouse. You would not believe how awful that is!
What to cook? Absolutely depends on your tastes and camping style. We, ourselves, dehydrate food when we go hiking, but some people like a fresher menu. They bring coolers, ice, the whole nine yards.
Think about what you like, how willing you are to carry things, how much prep you want to do, and then google some camping recipes.
Remember that there is no electricity or plumbing at the treehouse, and that everything you bring has to be carried 1 km down a footpath. The footpath is not suitable for wheeled coolers/luggage. Remember also that this is a leave-no-trace place. You must pack out your trash and take it home with you when you check out. If you are flying internationally or on a road trip, just sort your trash into recyclable and non-recyclable and bring it to us at the house. In those cases we will take care of it for you.
There are a few restaurants around, but their hours are limited. Take a look at our guidebook for recommendations.
Sightseeing and shopping
This is where we fall down a bit. This is not a touristy area at all. There are provincial parks, museums, a meadery, things like that. Again, take a look at our guidebook. Also take a look at google, but remember this is Florence, Ontario, not Florence, Oregon, or Florence, Nova Scotia, or Florence, Michigan, or the big one, Florence, Italy...
Trails
The number one question we get is about local trails. Our trail to the treehouse is only a km long. The quiet country block here is 5 km. If you are looking for a real, honest-to-goodness trail, the closest is in Rondeau Provincial Park. It is in the guidebook.
Just be
Our happiest campers seem to be those who come to just be: to listen to the birds, catch up on some reading, throw in a fishing line (you have to have an Ontario Fishing Licence for that), do some canoeing (see Things to do), make some art, do some thinking.