....the name itself stirs up thoughts of gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, magic lands and faerie tale forests. And well it should, for this place is a land of wonder and a land of wooded majesty, a place of natural spirit treated with care and reverence by both it's caretakers and those who find themselves camping within its environs.
Mythwood is a 61 acre privately owned campground about an hour and a half north west of Toronto. It is located in Grey County and is the result of a passionate vision and hard work on the part of its owners and the friends and family that have helped rejuvenate the land it lies on. When it was purchased a few years ago, it was so scarred and untended that it's new owners trucked out over a half dozen 20 yard bins of garbage. They have been busy re-establishing a connection between the natural environment and the humans who occupy it since.
Actually, occupy is a misnomer. They have been busy creating a rapport with the nature they share the space with.
Though it is and always will be a work in progress, it is now a realm of pond and lake and large private camp-sites with electricity where one can bask in the serenity of nature around them and escape from the rat-race of society.
Spiritual re-connection can be found here whatever one's faith, and magic from cultures around the world have a place as well:
A circle containing Brigit's fire lies not far from the edge of a pond and a Buddhist meditation circle sits within sight of it.
There is an open space with another circle and a beautifully hand-carved figure of a woman representing those who follow the Goddess' in all her aspects.
One of Mythwood's most remarkable and awe-inspiring pieces is the Stone Circle, with it's Solstice stone carefully positioned to allow the sun to strike directly in the middle of the circle at the appropriate time during the Solstice. At that centre, lies the Table Stone and carefully placed to correspond to the placements in the inner circle of the original Stonehenge are a series of stones. There is an energy there that can be felt almost tangibly by any visitor open to such things.
The pond is open to swim in and Triskelion Lake holds an abundance of life as well as the magic of the Lady of the Lake and the Sword in the Stone. Two herons fished along its banks he one morning we were there.
Ask about the Phoenix and the Cairn stone if you are interested in more of the magic of Mythwood.
There is a grouping of outdoor facilities that include showers that many describe as "heavenly". There is a covered stage with a charming castle-like facade and many other facilities available for special events and hosting festivals which you can learn more about at the campground web-site.... www.mythwood.ca
The time I spent there was during one of the festivals and I was made to feel welcome beyond anything I could've expected. So if any of you who appreciate and revere nature want a fulfilling and revitalizing place to camp, or somewhere to host a special event or a festival, Mythwood may be the place for you.
Thanks again to Khaman and Alyx for taking on the mantle of Mythwood's custodians and protectors.