A Fun-Filled Summer (so far)

Many of us wait patiently and look forward to summer.  What’s not to love about this time of year? When it arrives, we pack as much as we can into the sun-filled days. It seems like if we blink the summer is over. Does anyone else feel this way?

On weekday evenings, I enjoy sitting on our deck or on a patio, visiting family and friends and being outdoors as much as possible.  On the weekends, when there is more time, it is fun to explore new places that are a little farther away from home.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Toronto, where I attended a Keith Urban concert at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (amazing show!) and watched a Blue Jays game (exciting game but they lost).  While in the city, Summerlicious was taking place.  This was an added bonus, as we could experience great food at a great price.  A new restaurant, Hush (casual atmosphere, upscale food) was discovered  and we dined at a favourite spot, Le Papillon.

     

Recently, my husband and I travelled to the Bruce Peninsula to spend a couple of days at The Last Hope Cottage (last one on Hope Drive), on Shouldice Lake. My parents rented the cottage for the entire week, and Brendan and I wanted a short vacation, so this was an ideal arrangement.  Before I provide details about the stay, I must mention a restaurant we stopped at on our way, Kettles Back Home Cooking, just outside of Chatsworth.  A must visit, for a delicious home-cooked meal with generous portions at a very reasonable price.  The burgers and pie are fantastic.

Now back to the cottage. There are lots of types of cottages out there to rent, depending on what you are looking for. This to me was a cottage in the truest sense: remote, no air conditioning or internet and minimal television stations. These are necessary aspects which let you fully disconnect from the busyness of every day life.  I was slightly hesitant at first about not being ‘plugged in’, but it was not bad and it was good to get away from it all.  Shouldice Lake is picturesque and does not allow motorized boats, making it easy to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and truly unwind.

            

The sunrises and sunsets were incredible.  During the stay, we enjoyed some water activities including paddle boating and fishing, as well as just sitting in Muskoka chairs and reading, while enjoying a beverage. I was outdoors most of the day and had all three meals outside. This is what summer is all about, right?  The downside was not being able to swim in the lake (it was too shallow), but just being surrounded by the water was enough.

I had heard lots of people going to Tobermory, so we took a trip into town (20 minutes from the cottage), explored the shops, ate ice cream and watched the boats in the harbour.  The highlight was watching the hundreds of vehicles unload and load on the
Chi-Cheemaun ferry.  One day I would like to take this ferry, even it is simply for the experience.

                    

Summer is definitely not over yet and I look forward to what is still in store (Canada’s Wonderland next weekend).

Stay tuned, as I also have some upcoming trips this Fall that I am sure I will write about, that you won’t want to miss.