This just in – Canada and Mexico separate themselves from North America Travel Spork Trip Advisor

This just in – Canada and Mexico separate themselves from North America

Posted by Xavier Brookman | Posted in Trip Advisor | Posted on 25-07-2011

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Nothing like getting yourself worked up about a website on a Monday morning after a blissful weekend in Muskoka.

A quick scan of some major travel websites this morning revealed an interesting item on cnn.com about “secret” beaches of North America. Forgetting the fact that there isnt a “secret” beach anywhere on the planet, there are a couple of noteworthy items, including Caladesi Island near Dunedin, Florida. Its a great little spot you mostly reach by boat from Honeymoon Island, just north and west of downtown Dunedin. You also can walk there from Clearwater Beach at high tide.

Its a lovely island with nature trails outlining the eco-system and small mangrove swamps and higher ground dotted with towering pine trees. And a beach that stretches on forever.

Thats fine, as are entries for Pfeiffer Beach in northern California and Queens Pond on Kauai, up the deserted west coast near Polihale. But, my goodness, isnt it amazing that an American website would list nine such “secret” beaches and fail to mention anything in Mexico or Canada? Sadly, it isnt.

I get lists and lists and more lists sent to me on a regular basis, and almost none of them acknowledge anything beyond the U.S. borders. Its fine for USA Today to be American-centric, I guess, but what excuse does a world-wide operation like CNN have for blithely ignoring the U.S.As NAFTA trading partners?

It drives me batty. No mention of Sandbanks or Nova Scotias endless coastline or Sauble Beach or Wasaga or Tofino in B.C. Not to mention no Cancun or Mazatlan or any of the glorious beaches in Baja California in Mexico, such as Loreto or Cabo San Lucas.

Nope. Once again, we in Canada and the poor souls in Mexico are reminded that the world begins and ends with the U.S.

Anyway, it was a glorious weekend in Muskoka once more. Had a chance to play (not well, but there you go) South Muskoka golf club in Bracebridge. Its truly one of those tucked-away sort of places that dont get the attention they deserve. Several holes have that classic Muskoka rock that sticks out above the grass, while almost all are nicely shaped in a true parklands-style layout. I couldve used easier pin placements and faster greens, but its a fun, not too long course thats about $60 on the weekends; much less than the big boys in the region.

Highly recommended.