Fall Road Trip Memories

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GladeForFall #CollectiveBias

I am so happy to live in a place that experiences fall. While it means the weather is getting colder, the changing colour of the leaves makes me happy.

Besides the changing weather and colours, I also love the scents of fall - – the cool autumn breeze, the crunchy leaves and all of the fall food. Thanks to the Glade^® Limited Edition Fall Collection, you can bring these fall scents into your home all season long. I love the Pumpkin Pit Stop™ and Hit the Road™ scents. 

The Glade^® Limited Edition Fall Collection's Hit the Road™ scent takes me back to one of my favourite fall days – a spontaneous road trip to Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. It was a dreary day, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the vibrant fall colours in the Park. 

Fall comes much earlier in Alaska than we're used to down in Canada and the lower 48 United States. However, it doesn't mean it is any less beautiful. While Denali National Park is spectacular no matter what season you visit, I especially love the layers of colour in the fall. The further into the park we got, the more the leaves changed – from green to yellow to orange to a brilliant red. 

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." - Elizabeth Lawrence

Looking to bring a little fall into your home? The Glade^® Limited Edition Fall Collection scents are available in jar candles, wax melts, PlugIns^® Scented Oils and premium room sprays, and can be found in the air-freshener aisle at your local Kroger or Kroger banner store. Each fragrance encapsulates a timeless, yet unique, fall experience, and helps you capture a moment you might otherwise miss. 

Happy fall!

What Glade^® Limited Edition Fall Collection products do you have in your home?

Have you taken a memorable fall road trip to see the changing colours?

Fall Family Traditions

*This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

It’s hard to believe that in just ten short days, we will be saying an official goodbye to summer. Fall is just around the corner. 

After spending the majority of the summer basking in the AC (thank you pregnancy), I am excited to be able to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather, crisp air and changing colours this fall with my family. That is, before baby and I go back into hibernation this winter. 

Fall is the chance for new traditions, new routines and new memories.  And while we have our favourites, we are so excited to be able to create new ones with little sissy this season.

In our family, fall is filled with fun family traditions. Here are just a few of our favourite. 

Go apple and pumpkin picking.

No fall is complete without a visit to the local apple orchard or pumpkin patch to pick your own. Many farms also offer special activities for families, such as hayrides, petting farms, corn mazes and more. 

And because picking apples and pumpkins (and, ahem, chasing after a toddler, ahem) is a tough job, and can bring aches and pains, we always keep ALEVE® in our diaper bag, just in case. After a full day of activities, ALEVE® Nighttime helps to relieve mom and dad's muscle aches and pains for up to 12 hours - plus it has a sleep aid to help fall asleep and stay asleep after a fun-filled day.

>> You may also like:  Tips for Apple Picking with Your Family

Bake all the fall goodies.

Once you leave the orchard, don’t let the apple fun stop. Head home and make some homemade apple sauce, apple pie or apple crisp (our personal favourites).

A trip to the family cottage.

One of my favourite times to visit our family cottage is in the fall, when the leaves are changing. The tourists have all gone home for the year, so it is much quieter, and there’s just something about the smell of a wood fire in the fall that makes me happy.

Go on a fall walk.

There’s nothing better than going for a long, fall walk to take in all the sensory experiences the season has to offer - from the smell of fresh air, to the colourful changing leaves. And for our toddler, jumping in the fall leaves.

But with the change of season comes a change to our wardrobe. Switching from sandals to shoes and boots can be uncomfortable as our feet get used to different footwear. To help ease any discomfort, add a pair of Dr. Scholl’s® Comfort and Energy Massaging Gel® Insoles your footwear. These insoles are great for foot and leg fatigue, with gel waves that massage the most sensitive areas of your foot.

Watch a fall sunset.

There’s just something about a sunset, am I right? Although it means the days are getting shorter, fall sunsets can be enjoyed by the whole family because they now take place earlier in the evening. It is the perfect time to turn off what you’re doing and just sit and enjoy the rainbow sky.

>> You may also like: 50 Essential Fall Activities 

Our family is always looking for new fall activities to do together. What are some of your favourites? I’d love to hear!

*This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

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50 Essential Fall Activities

Happy (finally) fall! In our next of the woods, the weather is finally starting to feel like the season it says on the calendar. 

While I am sad to see summer go, I am not at all sad to say goodbye to that humidity. I swear, as I get older, I get less and less a fan of the heat. Bring on sweater weather.

Take advantage of changing colours, cool crisp air, festive harvest and all of other fall goodness with these 50 essential fall activities, including some of my family's favourites.

50 Essential Fall Activities

1. Go apple picking.  
2. Make an apple crisp.
3. Visit the pumpkin patch.
4. Carve a pumpkin.
5. Go Trick or Treating.
6. Drink hot apple cider.
7. Take a road trip to see the changing leaves.
8. Visit the animals at the local zoo.
9. Make your favourite fall soup recipe.
10. Give thanks.
11. Go for a fall hike.
12. Go to a farmer's market.
13. Drink a pumpkin spice latte.
14. Eat pumpkin pie.
15. Bake a pie.
16. Eat a turkey feast.
17. Press fall leaves.
18. Watch Halloween movies.
19. Add to your fall wardrobe.
20. Watch a fall sunset.
21. Sit under the harvest moon.
22. Go for a hayride.
23. Pack away your summer clothes.
24. Eat corn on the cob.
25. Visit a fall fair.
26. Spend time with family.
27. Go fall camping. 
28. Make a pinecone bird feeder.
29. Visit a local u-pick farm.
30. Try a new fall vegetable.
31. Make your own Halloween costume.
32. Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer and sausage.
33. Throw a Halloween party.
34. Tour a local winery.
35. Breathe in the cool, crisp air.
36. Collect pinecones.
37. Create a festive fall table centrepiece.
38. Build a bonfire.
39. Have a picnic in the park.
40. Wear flannel.
41. Go to a haunted house.
42. Play in the leaves.
43. Photograph the changing colours.
44. Plan your winter vacation.
45. Get lost in a corn maze.
46. Roast pumpkin seeds.
47. Learn to knit your own chunky scarf.
48. Dust off your boots.
49. Cook with vegetables in season.
50. Go on a ghost walk.

Related articles >> Winter, Spring & Summer Essential Activities

What activities are on your fall bucket list? I'd love to hear!

Toronto Zoo in the Fall

Growing up three hours west of Toronto, a visit to the Toronto Zoo as a kid was always a special treat. Now that we call the big city home, I can't wait to make visiting with my little family an annual tradition.

During my sister's recent visit back to Ontario, we decided to take an afternoon and visit the Toronto Zoo. Neither my sister, husband or I had been in years, and it was Morley's first visit. We were excited to see what was new, but also to see what baby girl thought of all of the animals. 

Set in the beautiful Rouge Valley in the east end of the city, the Toronto Zoo first opened its doors in August 1974. The Zoo is made up of 710 acres of land, which is divided into seven zoogeographic regions - Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas (North & South America), Eurasia Wilds, the Tundra Trek, Australasia and Canadian Domain - and home to over 5,000 animals representing 450 species. Since opening its gates, it has been a leader in saving and protecting species and their habitats, both locally and globally. 

The fall really is the best time to visit the Toronto Zoo - the summer crowds are gone, the weather is a comfortable temperature and the fall colours are stunning. And I mean stunning. Against the vibrant yellows, oranges, reds and browns of the leaves, the animals popped. Take a look for yourself.

Our visit started at the giant pandas. The pair arrived at the Zoo in spring of 2013 on loan from China as part of a long-term conservation partnership between China and Canada. Due to the fact that they are endangered in the wild, successful breeding in zoos is extremely important in order to keep these animals around for future generations. In October 2015, the pair welcomed two cubs - the first in Canadian history. While we were visiting, the cubs were sleeping peacefully inside with mom, while dad was outside happily munching on his bamboo.

Did you know? A panda's daily diet consists almost entirely of the leaves, stems and shoots of bamboo. Since is contains very little nutritional value, pandas must eat 26 - 84 lbs every day to meet their energy needs.

Aside from the panda cubs, there were a number of other babies born at the Zoo in the past year -  four rare white lion cubs, a polar bear cub, a rhinoceros calf and Bactrian (two-humped) camel calf. While they are no longer baby-sized and growing quick, it was still cute to watch them play, or sleep in the case of the bears, and feel good about the successful work zoos do breeding animals in captivity, especially those of concern in the wild.

Naturally, my favourite part of the Zoo is Tundra Trek, home to the wolves, reindeer, snowy owl and polar bears. I could have spent all day watching the big white bears, even though they were sleeping. However, time is of the essence when you have a 7 month old, so we had to move on.

Did you know? You can tell a male snowy owl from a female by the colouring of their feathers. The above picture is a male because his feathers are all white, whereas females would have black markings on their feathers. So, for all of you Harry Potter fans out there, think back to the movies - was Hedwig a male, or female?

While we knew we were taking our chances on the weather before we walked through the front gates, it only started raining about half way through our journey. Luckily, we could escape the drizzle by popping in to one of the many animal pavilions to warm up. Visiting the gorillas, lemurs, orangutans and more was like a trip to the tropics.

I pity those that visit any zoo or aquarium with me. Without fail, it will always be filled with random (and I mean really random) animal facts and the phrase "Oh, these are my favourite" said to about every animal we come across. This visit was no exception. Luckily, my husband and sister know what they've signed up for well in advance - they patiently listen to everything that spews out of my mouth, or they've just gotten really good at tuning me out. Poor Morley, on the other hand, is really in for one when she gets older. 

Despite the bit of rain, it was the perfect fall day at the Toronto Zoo, and we can't wait to go back!

Things to know if you visit the Toronto Zoo in the fall:

• Location: 361A Old Finch Avenue Toronto, ON
• Hours: The Zoo is open 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day), but hours vary depending on the season. Give yourself at minimum 2-3 hours to visit. Last admission is one hour before close.  Check the website before you go.
• Admission & parking: Cost of admission varies by season. Check the website in advance. There is also a fee for parking.
• Several portions of the Zoo are closed during the winter season, including Splash Island, Kids Zoo and several gift shop and food kiosks. 
• Plan your route in advance by taking a look at the map and daily animal keeper schedule. 

If you liked this post, you may also like:
Diving with Sharks at Ripley's Aquarium
Assiniboine Park Zoo's Journey to Churchill
Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC

Have you visited a Zoo lately? What is your favourite animal? I'd love to hear about it!

A Fall Family Road Trip Through Ontario’s Blue Coast

When you think of a place that makes your heart happy, what comes to mind? 

For me, it’s Ontario’s Blue Coast. 

Earlier this fall, we had the chance to explore my old stomping grounds - Ontario Southwest’s Sarnia Lambton. Better known as, Ontario’s Blue Coast. 

Located a short 2 1/2 hours southwest of Toronto and 1 hour north of Detroit, Lambton County is the perfect day or weekend getaway - from arts and culture, to the stunning Lake Huron beaches and everything in between, there are many ways to experience the Blue Coast. And one of the best times of the year to explore is the fall.

With the vast array of scenic drives, fall fairs and farms to explore, there is so much to do in Sarnia-Lambton during the fall months. 

Hop in the car, and join us on our fall family road trip through Ontario’s Blue Coast…

FRIDAY

After leaving Toronto before ‘rush hour’ hit, we arrived in Lambton County early afternoon. We dropped Morley off with Gramma and Poppa and drove to F.I.N.E. a restaurant in Grand Bend for dinner, just mom and dad (and baby Berkley, of course - she doesn’t stray too far from mom yet).

F.I.N.E specializes in regional cuisine with exciting daily specials, utilizing the local wealth of fresh available ingredients. After enjoying the mussels as an appetizer, for the main course I opted for the local pickerel with seasonal veg and Steve had the duck. The peanut butter cheesecake and local wine from Dark Horse, the local winery, were also delicious. 

We had an amazing dinner experience, and part of that was in thanks to the Grand Bend locals that were also dining. As we had Berkley with us, we were taking turns eating. Pretty typical when we’re out these days, and a cold meal is something we’re now used to. A woman the table next to us asked us if she could hold the babe while we both enjoyed our dinner. Without hesitation, I passed Berkley over. And it didn’t end there - two ladies from the table on the other side of us said they wanted to hold her as well. Safe to say, we enjoyed our meal at F.I.N.E. that much more knowing that Berkley was content. We are very thankful for the complete strangers offering to hold her. Now, I wonder if that would happen in at home in Toronto… (but that’s for another time). 

SATURDAY

We woke up Saturday morning and the sun was shining. We knew it was going to be the perfect day for exploring.

We drove back down Lakeshore Road to Ipperwash Beach, and enjoyed breakfast with the entire family at the Ipperwash Beach Club. This local dining spot is just steps from the Lake Huron beach access tucked away in this quiet community of Lambton Shores. Breakfast consisted of eggs benedict and smoke salmon roti. Both delicious! With a large patio, we could tell it would be a popular spot with all of the cottagers during the summer months and vowed to come back.

After breakfast, it was time to continue our annual apple picking tradition. This year, we visited Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House, an award-winning cider house located in the countryside. The weather was perfect for hitting the orchard and filling our basket with apples. 

Make note, if you plan to visit, be sure to mark Apple Fest (the last weekend of September) in your calendar. It’s busy, but a great chance to pick your own apples, sample both hard and sweet cider and choose a pumpkin to carve for Halloween. 

After a quick afternoon siesta back at Gramma and Poppa’s house, it was time for more food! Dinner was at Grog’s Pub and Grill, located on Lakeshore Road in Port Franks, not far from Twin Pines. To be honest, I’ve driven past Grog’s many times but have never actually stopped in. Even with an early dinner at 4:30pm, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house. It is definitely a local hot spot. And after enjoying one of their homemade pizzas, we know why. It was delish!

Safe to say, after our fall fun-filled day, it was an early night for everyone. 

SUNDAY

We woke up Sunday to grey skies and rain. Not the ideal day, but that didn’t stop us from making the most of our last day.

Breakfast was at Highway Girl, a finer food shop in Grand Bend featuring a bakery and cafe with a lovely retro style gift shop with local goods. They offer a wide variety of fair trade specialty coffees and teas, fresh baked delights and pressed juices. Their breakfast bomb (tasty dough filled with egg and bacon) is delicious, and toddler-approved. 

It’s been years since I have visited the Pinery Market, located along Lakeshore Road not far from the entrance to Pinery Provincial Park. Pinery Market is a family-owned market filled with an eclectic blend of vendors, from local produce and meat to toys, antiques and more. The Market runs every Sunday from the beginning of May until Thanksgiving weekend. Be sure to check their website for all of their fun family events, including Barktober Fest and Superhero Sunday.

Before heading back to Toronto, we stopped for lunch at the Schoolhouse Restaurant in Grand Bend. Grand Bend Public School opened in 1874 and remained an active school until 1925 when a new school was built. Today, the old schoolhouse is a restaurant filled with history and delicious food. Schoolhouse specializes in from-scratch fare (the biscuits and sausages gravy are seriously delicious), ensuring the finest ingredients make it onto your plate. 

With full bellies and full hearts from a weekend of family fun, it was time to hit the road and head back to the concrete jungle of Toronto.

Every time I visit, I’m quickly reminded why I love this little corner of Ontario so much - good food, good scenery and good company make my heart so happy. 

Until next time Blue Coast…

Have you ever visited Ontario's Blue Coast? What is your favourite thing to do there? I'd love to hear!

Disclaimer: This trip was in partnership with Ontario's Southwest and Ontario's Blue Coast, however, all opinions are 100% that of To & Fro.

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Welcoming Fall

This year, we rang in fall in style, with a trip up to the family cottage for just our second visit of the year. Although the temperatures in Toronto were still hovering around summer-like, fall had arrived on the northern Bruce Peninsula.

While I love visiting the cottage in the summer because it means scuba diving and swimming in the lake, the start of fall really is the best time to visit. Tourist season is winding down, so you can visit your favourite places that you haven't been able to all summer. The cooling temperatures are also the perfect excuse to throw on your sweater and slippers, toss a few logs in the fireplace and just relax with a good book. The night skies are clear, bringing out all of the stars. The temperatures are mild, and the air is still and crisp, creating the perfect conditions for an afternoon, and sunset, paddle in the kayaks. And let's not forget those fall colours. With a landscape scattered in birch and aspen, I swear its one of the best places in Ontario to see the fall foliage.

I can't say enough about the peacefulness of being by the lake. After living in the big city for so long, the hum of the traffic, the hustle and bustle of the people and the glow of the city become normal, like background music to your life. Being up at the cottage is the reminder we often need to slow down and relax. It gives me the chance to turn off my brain and just listen to the sound of the birds, to the sound of wind and the sound of the waves hitting the rocky shore. It also doesn't hurt on the eyes, especially when you have a view like we do.

Of course, baby girl had a blast. But I didn't have any doubts that she wouldn't enjoy herself. Seeing her face light up when she sees her grandma, poppa, great grandma, puppies and even the water, make this mama super happy. There was a permanent smile/nose scrunch all weekend.

Another successful cottage weekend in the books.

For more on our adventures this fall, make sure to follow me on Instagram (@toandfro21).

How did you ring in the first days of fall? Do you have any fall traditions? I'd love to hear!