In 2000, Jeff, Lisa and Jordana Rosen headed north to Orillia for different holiday experience, staying at Fern Resort. Needless to say, we had a great time and one summer gave way to two, three and before you know it, nine summers had passed. Along the way, the resort changed and we grew as a family and tried new programs. We experienced the resort in different seasons, one year going up for a weekend, others for five or seven days. Jordana missed a couple years which made the holiday experience quite different.
All in all, it was (almost) a decade of fun. The end result, nine web sites of memories and photographs and one book which went on sale at the resort.
We eventually felt we had outgrown the resort and said our goodbyes in 2008. However, very few things really end in life and, in 2024, Lisa and I decided a return visit was in order. So, 16 years after we left the resort, we set sail for a weekend getaway.
2000 – 5 nights (Sunday-Friday)
Stayed in Fireside
Dining table in Bertyl’s which is separate from main dining room
4 computers in Bertyl’s
Live entertainment in Mary Lou’s
2001 – 5 nights (Sunday-Friday)
Stayed in Fireside, Lakeview, room 104
Dining in Bertyl’s
2002 – 7 nights (Sunday-Sunday)
Stayed in Fireside, Lakeview, room 104
Learned how to kayak
Enjoyed one dinner out in Orillia (Chinese food)
2003 – 7 nights (Sunday-Sunday)
Stayed in Fireside, Lakeview, room 104
Bergwen’s added to Entertainment Centre
Computers and pool tables added to Mary Lou’s
Took part in water skiing
Enjoyed one dinner out in Orillia (Webers)
2004 – 5 nights (Sunday-Friday)
Jordana not with us this trip
Stayed in Fireside, Landview, room 115
2005 – 7 nights (Friday-Friday)
Fireside, 2nd floor Landview
Jordana not with us this year
Bertyl’s is now the bar in The Main Inn
We are eating in the Dining Room, 2 tables down from regular table in Bertyl’s
All computers are now in Mary Lou’s
Gift shop has been scaled down
Left resort for dinner at Webers and then to see Jesus Christ Superstar in Orillia
2006 – 7 nights (Friday-Friday)
Jordana is with us again
The animal farm and nature pond are both gone
Jordana wins Big Bucks Bingo - free winter weekend at Fern
Went out for dinner at Webers one evening
2007 – 4 nights
Autumn visit – 2 nights (Friday-Sunday)
Stayed at Edgewater Cottages, cottage 315
Computers closed in Mary Lou’s due to conference in autumn
Winter visit – 2 nights (Friday-Sunday)
Stayed at Sweet Fern, cottage 300
Took part in snowshoe trek across lake
Jordana with us both trips
2008 – 2 nights (Friday-Sunday)
Stayed in Bayshore Cottage
Jordana with us
2024 – 2 nights (Friday-Sunday)
Stayed in Hearthside Building, room 608
Jordana not with us (she is working)
Computers in Mary Lou’s replaced with old-style video games
No live entertainment in Mary Lou’s
2025 – 3 nights (Sunday-Wednesday)
Stay in Edgewater Cottages, cottage 310
First visit during pre-season
First three day visit
