Going Home to Balsam

This past summer we had the opportunity to take our family to Balsam Resort for a week long family vacation.  It was baby Irelynn's first trip and our first big adventure as a family of six.

When I was a little girl, until I turned about sixteen, my grandfather used to take us to Balsam each summer for two weeks.  Considering it had been almost twenty years since I had been there I was beyond excited to take my family to one of the places I used to call my summer home. 

For the past few years I had been contemplating someday returning to Balsam and to be honest at one point I had decided that my memories from there were better left untouched.  I thought to myself that perhaps it was better to start some new traditions.  However last winter when my grandfather offered to send my family on a summer vacation, the idea crossed my mind once again.  With baby number four on the way, my hubby and I were looking to spend our vacation somewhere that catered to families with young children.  In the past we had rented a cottage which was great, but it was also extremely difficult to be on our own in an unfamiliar environment with young children running around.  We were always on edge worrying about one of kids and trying to stay ahead of the game by constantly childproofing...setting up barriers, locking doors etc... It was easier said than done -ha!

That's when it occurred to me...maybe it was time to go home to Balsam.  I ran the idea by my grandfather and I knew then that it was the right decision.  He was overjoyed at the thought of us returning to the same resort he had taken me to for years.  It was the perfect place for our growing family...two beautiful beaches, a park, a games room, and tons of open space for endless hours of running around.  It was also conveniently located near the town of Fenelon Falls which made grocery shopping and running other errands much easier.  The resort itself was very safe, family friendly and well contained for the most part.  I'll never forgot my days at Balsam: each morning started with an early breakfast and then I was off...only to return back to our cottage for meals and the occasional break.  I loved the freedom I was given to explore and meet new people, and now as a parent I realize how confident my grandfather and mother were in knowing I was safe.  The beauty of a family resort is that you get to know other families during your stay and everyone is always looking out for each other.

 

 Twenty years later and not much has changed.  A few modern upgrades, new additions and ongoing renovations have been implemented, but during this process it is evident that the new owners have done their best to maintain the comfort and integrity of the original resort.  I was delighted to see that some things were exactly as I remember...ready for a new generation to enjoy.

 

 We had such a wonderful week at Balsam creating new memories, meeting new friends and reminiscing of summer days not that long ago.  My grandfather who is 99 even had the opportunity to return and spend a few days with us - the man never fails to amaze me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you grandpa - for keeping the family tradition alive.  We can hardly wait to return next summer.  Our cottage is already booked and we just found out our very good friends will be joining us for the entire week!

http://www.balsamresort.com/
 

Have a wonderful week!