Slight Change In Plans....

So...we had a cottage booked for a weeks vacation that my friend, her kids and I had planned for almost 2 months...or...at least we thought we did. When she called to confirm pick up of the keys, she got the news....we had been double booked and the people who they had also booked were already there ....

Needless to say...after our anger subsided (we do have a free weekend coming our way though after this complete mess up on their part) we hopped online to see what else we could find.

Most cottages were already booked for the week (of course) but I did find this great cottage rental website via Cottage Life.... I also found some cottages in the Bayfield area that I would realllly like to go to this Fall!

My friend and I are outdoorsy types so we decided to have a look at some of the Provincial Parks to see what they had available for campsites...

Well...we were in luck! I had heard about how some of the Parks have permanent camping structures called Yurts and we were able to reserve one for 2 nights at MacGregor Point, just south of Port Elgin (and literally right around the corner from the cottage we were to have rented)!! I enjoy tent camping as well, but the thought of having a bed, electricity and a solid structure overhead helped to soften the blow of going from a week at a cottage to a few days of camping. 

As you can see, the Yurts are PERFECT for winter camping too  as they're quite well insulated (no, it did not snow while we were there) and we plan on going back for a weekend of cross country skiing and snowshoeing. 

The change in plans also meant a trip to Canadian Tire for some camping supplies...and the great thing about this time of year is that a lot of the gear is on sale!! I'm a BIG fan of Coleman products (they even have a Lantern App for your smartphone) and my new set of pots and pans sure came in handy!

So we packed up the vehicles and off we went. First stop in Port was for lunch down by the lake, a walk around the harbour (see below) and then for groceries that needed to be kept cold...and ice! 

Then,.. off to the Park to check in, get our permits and get set up! Once we were set up, we set off on a hike around a wetland called the Tower Trail.

 

There was literally a tower we could climb and take pictures of the beautiful and serene setting...we saw turtles, a variety of birds, frogs etc... The kids loved it!

Then, it was back to the site to get dinner ready...I was a camp counsellor 'back in the day' and those fire making skills came in handy!

Camping food porn!!

We settled in for the night and kept cozy around the fire.....

The next day was filled with more hiking (we did the 6km Old Shore Road Trail) and we also headed to the beach for some relaxation (I also had a conference call from the shore as well).

We had a picnic here while hiking the Old Shore Road Trail....

My friend and her kids...

Amazing views and scenery...

The Beach....the Lake.....Time to just relax...

We took what could have been a very upsetting situation and turned it into an adventure...We have also started a great new tradition...let alone finding all of these new places to explore and come back to!!

I'm thinking maybe Algonquin next summer......

Hope you all had a great long weekend and if you're on vacation this week like I am...ENJOY!!!

RR

Long Weekends = Weekends Outdoors

I take every excuse I can to get outdoors (if you're a regular reader of my blog you already know this), but even more so on a summer long weekend.

Whether it's walking the beach at sunset, rollerblading a lakeside trail, horseback riding through the forest, or sitting on a patio having drinks with friends we really do need to take advantage of the short summer season we have!

We can't all get away for the weekend or a holiday and  taking that into account, why not turn your back yard into your own retreat?

Lonny Magazine has an amazing gallery of patio, deck and outdoor spaces. I have included some of my favorite and hope these inspire you to turn your home/space into your own holiday getaway space..that you get to enjoy everyday!

LOVE everything about this space...literally EVERYTHING!

The chairs, the brick wall, the coziness....and of course the Hermes blankets!

Love the idea of using tall shutters for privacy....and the wicker/rattan furniture, animal print rug & french doors....

That pool....

An outdoor fireplace!

The greenery, the brick patio and the huge expanse of windows to let the outdoors in...

Rustic stonework...

Wow....I could just wander and lounge in this atmosphere all day....

So fresh and lush....

Beachy....can almost hear the waves crashing!

A great day to night setting....

The modern pergola - like structure mixed in with the rustic details like the brick shed....

Have a seat and enjoy a latte while reading the morning paper...

Modern, Cali style....that enormous daybed!



Another perfect place for the perfect cup of coffee!



Literally a melding of the indoors and outdoors...feels like a Tuscan villa.

Cheers to a long weekend....I'm off to the lake and I hope you have the opportunity to get outdoors, relax and enjoy yourself!

RR

A Day in the Mountains..

I have just returned home from a trip to Calgary to visit friends. To say I LOVE the West would be an understatement and this trip only added to my love affair with the Western lifestyle, especially the mountains.

My friend Antonio, his lovely 18 month old daughter Isabella and I took a day trip out to Kananaskis Country to hike at Upper Kananaskis Lake with the goal to get to Rawson Lake. It was an amazing day, with the temperature perfect for a hike. There was only a bit of rain from time to time and the sun peaked out through the clouds  all day long.

When you drove into the parking lot...this was the scene that greeted you....

A section of 'beach'...

Out flow of a gorgeous waterfall....we had lunch lakeside just left of this outlet.

The waterfall...

Close up of the waterfall from the footbridge...Isabella had a great view from the pack on her Dad's back.

Where we had lunch...

I could have sat there for hours just taking it all in....

As we climbed the Rawson Lake Trail, you could still see Upper Kananaskis Lake from time to time through the trees

As we climbed higher (past 6000 feet above sea level) the snow pack hadn't really started to melt (hence why the lakes were so low). The snow to the side of the 'hard packed' trail was well above our waist level as we found as as we fell through from time to time. 

We could hear this fast flowing creek as we climbed the Rawson Trail....we went off the path, in snow up to our waist, to see if we could find it.

The snow kept getting deeper the higher we climbed so we did not quite make it to Rawson Lake. It was a difficult climb, not only through snow, but also in steepness and the change in elevation...this Ontario Gal got quite a workout at almost 6 times my normal sea level elevation at home.

 Panorama shot from the Upper Lake trail...

Isabella and I enjoying one last look at the lake before we headed back to Calgary.

I had an amazing trip and can't wait to get out again and finish that trail hike!

RR

Rustic Transitions....

The transition to Fall has to be my favorite time of year. The light, the colours, the chill in the air...time to pull out the wool sweaters, cozy blankets, leather boots and the most fun of all....time to change the decor in your/my home!

When it comes to home decor this time of year, the best place to pull your inspiration from is right out your front door....

The rugged bark of a tree in mossy browns and smokey greys, the mustard yellow of golden rod, the burnt oranges and deep burgundy of mums, the muted greens of the trees & corn stalks, the greeny blues of the lake and the sandy beiges of the last walks on the beach.

Take a look around your home....Small changes such as adding knit throw cushions, a wool throw/blanket, add more candles in earthy tones, fill a vase with branches rather than flowers, a simple wooden bowl filled with stones from the beach....All of these will take your home from Summer to Autumn and add warmth, coziness and character.

Just walk out your front door, down the lane and around your neighbourhood or take a weekend roadtrip through the countryside...take lots of pictures and come home with more inspiration then you'll know what to do with!

RR

Thanks Mom.....

My Mom really is my best friend.....

Thanks so much Mom....for always having my hand, helping me stand tall and move forward...

Some pictures from the past few months that remind me of her....

Mother's Day Bouquet...I wish I could give her one everyday!

Picking paint colours for Mom and Dad's new home....we had them spread out everywhere!

Mom and I went for a drive...and had to stop and 'chat' with these guys..

Some of our finds after a day of antiquing and 'auctioning'...

A day at the beach with Mom this Spring.....such a great day! Thank you for the memories Mom!! Love you always...xoxo RR