In the 'perfect' Del world ...
Mark Pavilons

There are many reasons why human beings crave vacation time each year.

The warm winds blowing through your hair; the waves kissing the shore, and the endless sounds of children laughing. Of course, there's the priceless R&R factor.

Holidays, like their human participants, are fickle commodities. Not every resort is what it's cracked up to be. Many are cold, monstrous structures with plenty of pizazz and luxury, but little in the way of heart and soul.

Those truly unforgettable family vacations possess all the wonderful things that are missing in the "real world." A family resort that beckons each year; that opens its arms and warms you like a terry cloth towel out of the pool, is truly paradise. It makes you question your very existence in the "real world."

We have found such a place and it's known to its regular family members as simply The Del. The Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort at Honey Harbour offers a unique glimpse into the whimsical land of what life should be like. We have made it our destination of choice for six years now and hopefully our love affair will never wane.

For those who visit, its attractions are obvious. From the food to the cheers led by the social team, time spent at The Del is more like a reunion of sorts, a reunification of mind and body that the "real world" tends to divide and drain. In a nutshell, it's like an energy drink for the soul.

Here's my family's comparison of the "real world" and the "perfect world of The Del."

In in the real world, cell phones and Blackberries sing and shout, ring and vibrate. When one goes off in a crowd, we frantically check to see if it's ours and what important call we simply must answer.

In The Del world, it's oddly silent, as if the heat and Georgian Bay breezes melt the diodes and render communications devices inoperative. If they are used, they're typically meant to send messages of joy and jubilation to the outside world, or contact a loved one on the other side of the resort.

Terms like hustle, bustle, deadlines and schedules only have meaning in the real, imperfect world. They're constricting, like trying to run through mud to escape a tireless enemy.

The only schedule of importance at The Del is the social itinerary, where your most difficult decisions involve choosing between a relaxing pontoon boat ride or hitting the pool after a great lunch at the Mackinaw Grill. The only hustle in this picture perfect holiday paradise for us was dancing to the song YMCA at the beach and pushing our children on the massive swings.

These words appear only in novels, read by parents poolside at The Del, as their youngsters spend the day at the Very Important Kids Club. Knowing our charges are safe, busy and happy further clears the mental fog.

In the harsh, real world, parents have the responsibility of being their children's social directors and camp counsellors.

Only at The Del is there a person named Gary Don, who begins and ends each day with "Howdy, folks." His greeting is immediately answered by hundreds of youngsters and adults, who pause to extend the courtesy by responding, "Howdy, Gary." They listen intently to the day's schedule of funfilled events. People stop what they're doing to be part of this wholesome exchange. Like some unique and yet undiscovered Yoga exercise, this daily ritual soothes the mind and sends the stress packing. Upon our return home, my two-year-old daughter awoke one morning with a huge smile on her face. "Howdy Folks," she whispered. "Howdy Gary," we replied.

Even the real world needs someone like Gary, Fun Girl and Fun Boy. No, they are not cartoon creations or superheroes, although it's easy to make that mistake. They are the guardians of peace, tranquility and friendliness - things not mentioned on the Web site or in the reservations brochure. They're added bonuses, not subject to GST or PST.

Our children bond with counsellors and make new friends during their daily camp outings. From minigolf and rock wall climbing, to pool parties and a birds of prey presentation, they're kept occupied and entertained. The floating trampoline and iceberg attract the little swimmers like magnets.

In the actual world, many adhere to strict exercise routines and feel guilty when they miss their regular workouts. People are, unfortunately, overly concerned with appearances.

At The Del, the only time people watched their waist lines was during the conga line on the North Beach that terminated in the limbo. And, swimming daily; walking through the majestic 25- acre property; taking the kids for a spin in a kayak or pedal boat, are all the exercise you need. That, and darting up the stairs for dinner! The twice-weekly barbeque nights are simply amazing. This year we decided on a family tennis match, even though most of us never held a racket before. I'm sure it was quite a comical sight for those passing by, who offered to retrieve our balls that somehow flew over the fence. Little Kyleigh got the workout of her life, chasing our out-of-bounds serves.

In the real world, accidents and traffic mayhem are daily news topics.

In the comfort of The Del world, we parked our vehicle and ignored it for a week. We walked. The only traffic we witnessed was the flotilla of boats that passed by daily. We imagined trips abroad on our own yacht.

Why would anyone ever want to leave such a world and return to reality? The experience, or reunion beckons. Take advantage of it! Reality can wait.