A
luxury cruise on Ontario’s
Lake of the Woods
Guests aboard the Grace Anne II receive
royal treatment while cruising on one of the province’s most
scenic lakes
| It’s abundantly clear to
anybody who lays eyes on her the Grace Anne II is the unquestionable
queen of vessels on Lake of the Woods; a vast body of water that
stretches from northwest Ontario south into the state of Minnesota. This elegant motor launch
constructed of solid mahogany and built in 1931 at a then enormous cost
of $75,000 is a poster boat for vintage, classic-design yachts that
never go out of style. |
Boarding
the Grace Anne II is like stepping into a luxurious lifestyle of a
bygone era |
“It
would cost a fortune to build a boat like this today," says Brad
Doerksen, the Grace Anne’s general manager.
This summer I had the pleasure of cruising aboard this awesome 85-foot
gem that offers customized cruises of varying durations.
| Departing from its home
port at the waterfront town of Kenora, Ontario, myself and five other
guests embarked on a three day journey on scenic Lake of the Woods
where its 65,000 miles of pristine shoreline and nearly 15,000
islands--together with hundreds of acres of surrounding virgin
wilderness - has earned the area a reputation as an outdoor paradise
for vacationers, boaters, fishermen and hunters. |
The
table is set for another sumptuous
culinary experience |
Life onboard
Accommodating a maximum of eight guests, comfortable staterooms are
mahogany lined and each of them has a window onto the great outdoors.
However, the bulk of time on the boat is typically spent either in the
combination main lounge and dining room or the topside deck. The
yacht’s mahogany-clad public space features upscale furnishings,
Persian rugs, leaded glass windows and dinner is served on elegant
Spode china. A dumb waiter delivers food from the galley where Nicky
Dartiailh, a chef extraordinaire from Bordeaux, France, prepares three
outstanding meals a day including five-course gourmet dinners.
| It’s not unusual to catch
the wafting aroma of Chef Nicky’s home baked bread, croissants
and
desserts, together with other tantalizing smells emanating from a
kitchen that looks far too small to be the source of such outstanding
cuisine. A dining room liquor cabinet is stocked with an excellent
selection of wines and spirits which are liberally doled out and are
part of the Grace Anne’s all-inclusive packages. Also part of the
onboard indulgence is a service level I have seen only in ultra-deluxe,
five-star hotels. Two
young uniformed
stewards are constantly on alert for any small need a passenger might
have and they perform their roles in a gracious and accommodating
manner. |
A
wonderful way to enjoy unspoiled nature |
Functioning
more like personal butlers than stewards, they strike a fine balance
between exemplary service and a sincere desire to please.
Life on the
water
While many guests aboard the Grace Anne simply enjoy the yacht and
cruising among the islands, fishing on Lake of the Woods is a huge
attraction where it’s widely known for clean water and abundant
fish.
| There’s no need to go home
with a fabricated fish story because this lake provides the real deal.
Grace Anne’s fleet of auxiliary motor boats is used to take
guests on
fishing excursions led by expert guides who know where to find the big
ones. On a single morning, I and two other guests reeled in more than
50 walleye, pickerel and northern pike--and that’s no fish tale. There’s also angling
for
prize muskilunge. All fishing equipment is provided and Chef Nicky will
turn the catch of the day into a gourmet dinner. Also, Grace Anne staff
will pack and freeze caught fish for guests to take home. |
2
Stewards |
Private island
Like many of the big cruise ships the Grace Anne also has its own
private island where a rustically luxurious, five-bedroom lodge that
can be used for one- or multi-day visits. My particular cruise
itinerary involved a half day on the island where activity options
included sport clay shooting, ATV riding, nature walks, bird watching,
a golf driving range, water sports, hot tub and sauna. Typically,
however, the biggest hit with guests is what the cruise company refers
to as its shore lunch. Over an open camp fire, Grace Anne guides cook
fish caught by guests a mere few hours earlier. The meal also includes
freshly cooked skillet potatoes, corn and baked beans. The shore lunch
is a cruise highlight, and take it from me, nothing can compare to a
campfire-cooked fresh fish meal.
Looking back
Part of the mystique of the Grace Anne II is its history. Folklore has
it that the owner of the first Grace Anne yacht, John Forlong, won the
52-foot boat in a poker game in 1913 and used it for pleasure cruising
on Lake of the Woods. In 1930 he commissioned the building of a larger
boat as a birthday present for his wife, Grace Anne, hence the Grace
Anne II. Built by an esteemed boat building company in Orillia,
Ontario, the new yacht was enjoyed by the Forlongs for many years until
they sold it to the Minnesota-based 3M Company that used it as a
corporate retreat. Today it is owned by Winnipeg business man, Morris
Chia, who is committed to maintaining this rare and exceptional boat to
the highest standards.
| Travel
Planner |
Information: Call 1-800-987-3857
or go online at www.graceanne.com.
Getting there: Fly to Winnipeg, Manitoba; where Grace Anne II staff
meet guests and transport them in a luxury coach to Kenora. The trip
takes about 2.5 hours. |
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