This week, the Spring season has almost sprung and Kate is using it as an opportunity to talk about early maple syrup production. Plus, in the late 1700's Captain Cook's exploration of Canada's west coast led to a boom in sea otter pelts. Sea otter pelts were the world's softest and most luxurious furs, and some people were willing to pay a small fortune to acquire them. Canada's North-West fur trading company was active in the interior, but not wanting to miss out on the bonanza they needed to find a land route to the west coast. Enter Alexander Mackenzie who explored and found a route - and in the process helped link Canada from coast-to-coast.

Kate Butler is the Director of the Haliburton Highlands Museum. Paul Vorvis is the host of the Your Haliburton Morning Show 7 - 9 a.m. Fridays on Canoe FM 100.9 and streaming on your devices. Haliburton County is in cottage country about 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto. You can contact us at [email protected]