Lake Huron in the Fall

Lake Huron brings a feeling of nostalgia whenever I am there. It is where I grew up and where I spent endless hours at the beach with friends. It is where I spent my summer with family at our cottage and where I grew my love of the water. It is where I got married and where we will spend countless hours in the future with the little babe. 
My parents' live right on the shore of Lake Huron. So without fail, every time I visit, a beach walk is in order. While the beach is certainly the place to be in the summer, Lake Huron in the fall is just as spectacular. I think you'll agree. 

I'm not the only one that loves a good beach stroll. Our family dogs, Lola and Titus, are always game for checking out the new sights and smells. Beach is a regular word in their 'vocabulary' and part of their daily routine. As soon as they hear the word, its straight for the door. 

And once that door opens, its a mad dash down. There's no stopping them, not even with their second favourite word, treat. Its always the same game - they lead, we follow. So helpful. 

Most of the time, they're just happy to have the freedom to wander. But sometimes, it does get them in trouble. Especially if they come across a dead fish or a fresh patch of poison ivy. 

Titus can be a bit of a drama king. It can never be a perfect walk. Whether he's too cold (hence his sister's leopard print sweater), the flies are out (he has bad fly anxiety and thinks they're all out to get him) or he just feels like being dramatic, there's always something he's not happy with. So sometimes a time out is needed, to remind him to slow down, relax and enjoy the view. 

Because I definitely enjoy that view.

If you asked me to tell you one of my favourite places on Earth, the answer would be simple. Lake Huron. And I think Lola and Titus (on most days) would agree.

Have you been to Lake Huron? Where is your favourite place on Earth?

A Surprise Visitor

The plan was set in motion about two weeks earlier. Time off of work was scheduled and flights were booked. We would swing by the airport at 6:30am, scoop up the package and make the two and a half hour drive to my parents for five relaxing days. 

My sister lives in Edmonton, and while we've been lucky enough to see her twice since Morley was born almost 8 months ago, this girl is missing her baby sister. I was beyond excited when she was finally able to take some time off work and wanted to surprise our parents with a trip home.

I'm a horrible liar. So when, "Have you talked to your sister lately about when she's coming for a visit?" was asked leading up to the surprise, I panicked and stumbled over my words before awkwardly changing the topic so I could avoid the lie. 

It's safe to say the surprise was a success. My parents thought it would just be Steve, Morley and I making the trip down, so when my mom opened the door to take Morley out of the car and my sister popped out, she let out a scream, which also scared Morley and made her cry. My dad was out running errands, so the surprise was repeated a few hours later when my sister was sitting at the kitchen table and my dad walked in, immediately walking over to Morley not realizing there was an extra body in the room. 

Like any visit to my parents, the relaxation and break from the concrete jungle was welcomed with open arms. 

I mean really, who wouldn't want to relax in a place that looks like this?

We took a trip to the local animal farm. Morley loves animals and enjoyed yelling at the cows, pigs, goats, ponies and the crazy llama. 

We baked pumpkiny-treats, rolled in the leaves, visited a local Cider farm, carved pumpkins and went for our standard walk on the beach. You know, standard fall stuff.

And did I mention, Lake Huron in the fall is beyond gorgeous?

Because it is.

Despite many attempts, including a lucrative offer to be Morley's nanny, Edmonton was calling. Eight days was just not enough, I'm ready for my little sissy to come back.


Don't forget to follow me on Instagram (@toandfro21) for more fabulous fall photos! And if you love preserving your memories as much as I do, check out Chatbooks - a monthly photo subscription series at a super reasonable price! Start your first Chatbooks for FREE on me >> HERE. 

How do you celebrate family? What is your favourite family activity? I'd love to hear!

Spring & Summer Bucket List

After a long winter, the warmer weather is FINALLY here. And that means it’s time to start thinking about our spring and summer adventures!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the warm weather passes by rather quickly - so, it’s important to make the most of it. The perfect reason to make a bucket list!

Read on to discover what’s on my family’s bucket list this spring and summer.

To & Fro’s Spring & Summer Bucket List

Annual family camping trip. For the past few years, we’ve taken a annual family camping trip in Ontario. The first few years we did a canoe-in trip in Algonquin (link). And then kids happened, so we scaled it back a bit with the Pinery and car camping in Algonquin. This summer we look forward to exploring a new provincial park - Awenda, on the shore of Georgian Bay.

More camping. Our condo has a fairly large terrace, large enough to fit a small tent. I foresee many nights spent “camping” on the terrace. It’s also good practice to see how the girls do in a tent.

Picnics in the park. We have an incredible park across the street from our house, that we frequent almost every single day in the summer months. We love to pack up a picnic lunch, grab a blanket and make an afternoon of it. 

Dinner on the beach. One of our favourite things to do last summer was to whip up a homemade pizza, pack it up and head down to the beach (a quick 20 minute walk from our house). We’re looking forward to packing up the pizza, some beverages and the pails and shovels and doing it all over again this summer.

Swimming in the lake. I grew up on Lake Huron, and I have many fond memories of swimming with friends each summer. We’re very lucky to have the Great Lakes in our backyard. It’s not a summer without a dip in the lake, whether it be Ontario or Huron.

Plant an herb garden. This one I’m especially excited for because it will be my very first garden! That very same terrace I mentioned above has two large planters, one of which I will be using to grow our own herbs. Also a chance to teach my oldest where our food comes from. And let’s be honest, food just tastes better when you grow it yourself. 

Canada Day fireworks from the rooftop. Our condo’s rooftop has the perfect view of the lake, so I look forward to grabbing a few folding chairs and watching the Canada Day fireworks from eight floors above. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to battle the crowds at the boardwalk (especially with two little ones in tow).

Visit to the Zoo. Always a must during the summer months! Since we’re such animal lovers, I don’t think this bucket list item needs much of an explanation. 

Watch a Lake Huron sunset. Preferably while sitting around a campfire, while roasting marshmallows, with a cold beverage in hand. Lake Huron sunsets are seriously like a piece of art. 

Get outside, as much as possible. Summer wouldn’t be summer if we stayed indoors the entire time. Whether it’s all of the above, or just a walk down the street, we get outside as much as possible, rain or shine. Getting outside is just good for your soul. And if you don’t believe me, you can read more about why it’s good for your mental health, here. 

You know what is always with us when we get outside? Our AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones. I’ve been talking about them for the past few months, and can’t tell you enough how much we love these bad boys. 

Seriously, these headphones are a total game changer. They use bone conduction technology, sending mini vibrations through your cheekbones, directly to your inner ear, leaving your ear canals open to hear the ambient sounds around you. You can listen to your podcasts, music, audio books or favourite sports game, while still being able to hear the world around you!

The Trekz Air headphones sport a wireless wraparound titanium band that loops behind the neck and hooks over the ears. It provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability. No cords, no worries - perfect for an active and on-the-go lifestyle.  

I will admit, at first, I was a little hesitant. It felt weird not having something in my ear. But, after a few minutes, I was used to being able to hear the ambient nose of the cars passing me and the neighbourhood dogs barking as I walked down the sidewalk and through our local park. And, when you’re walking down a busy street, with a toddler who asks for a snack every 4 seconds, being able to hear is definitely key.

AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones come in four different colours (slate grey, forest green, midnight blue and canyon red) and retail for $189.95 Canadian.

Follow #ShokzSquadCAN on social to see what the rest of the review team is saying about these headphones!

What’s on your spring and summer bucket list? I’d love to hear!

*GIVEAWAY*

I’ve been talking about these headphones for four months now, and it’s about time we give away a pair! Enter below for your chance to win 1 of 3 pairs of AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones. Good luck :)

AfterShokz Giveaway

Fine Print:

• Giveaway open to residents of Canada and the US only.
• Open May 8 - June 6, 2019. Winners (3) will be contacted within a week of closing.
• Prize pack will include the following: Trekz Air headphones, water bottle, black sport belt, portable large case and sport towel.

Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with AfterShokz and PTPA Media. I have received products and/or compensation in exchange for this post, however, all opinions and advice shares are 100% that of To & Fro.

A Lake Huron Breeze & #VacayEveryDay

Living in a big city can be exhausting, especially for this nature lover. At the end of each work week, I am in desperate need of a vacation. But like all realistic people, I don’t have the time, or funds, to hop on a plane to some far off destination every time I need to unwind. Instead, I escape the concrete jungle by hopping in the car and taking the 3 hour journey west to my parents’ Lake Huron home. It may not be the tropical beach or mountain trail that I often crave, but being on Lake Huron is like being on a vacation every day. 

Last weekend we made the ever so familiar journey down the highway to celebrate family - a special lady’s 80th birthday, big moves and first homes, the warming weather, and just being together.  It was the perfect vacation away. All the things that make me one happy girl - good company, good food, and good drinks thanks to the new Palm Breeze sparkling alcohol spritz. The delicious tropical flavours of Ruby Red Citrus and Pineapple Mandarin Orange helped me forget the hustle and bustle of the work week ahead, and instead enjoy the moment, surrounded by family, with beautiful scenery, the fresh breeze off the lake and the sun shining down. I could get used to that.

Now your very own #VacayEveryDay is only s sip away. Palm Breeze is a flavoured malt beverage, which means it’s an alcoholic drink made with a malt base, kind of like beer. It is the perfect beverage for sipping on girls' night, during outdoor activities, while soaking up the sun, or like me, for spending time with family. Now available anywhere liquor is sold in the US.

If you live in San Diego, DC, Dallas or Austin, Palm Breeze invites you to enjoy a fun girl's night with Blo Bar. Free food, drinks and pampering with your best girlfriends, all courtesy of Palm Breeze. [Click on your city to RSVP.]

Have you tried Palm Breeze? I’d love to know what you think!

How do you make every day a vacation?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Annual Family Camping Trip: Awenda Provincial Park

We are so lucky to have many incredible provincial parks to explore here in Ontario. Everything from swimming, to hiking and camping, and even cross country skiing in the winter months - our provincial parks are what an outdoor lover’s dreams are made of.

For our family, camping is an annual summer tradition. It’s a way to break away from the every day, to slow down, disconnect and escape the city for a few days of relaxation and fun in nature.

Earlier this summer, our annual family camping trip took us to Awenda Provincial Park. A new park for us to explore, Awenda sits on over 2,900 hectares of forested land on the shores of Georgian Bay. I had been told by many that it was a very kid-friendly park. And just a short 2 hour (approximately 170 km) drive north of Toronto, we definitely agree.

>> You May Also Like: Best Family-Friendly Camping in Ontario

Awenda offers camping in six campgrounds - Wolf, Snake, Hawk, Deer, Bear and Turtle. Sites are shaded beneath Sugar Maples and Red Oaks and are spaced further apart than many other provincial parks. We stayed in Wolf, a radio- and dog-friendly area with electrical hookups (for my parents’ trailer).

The site we stayed at (Wolf 247) was a large site, with two picnic tables. It had a high canopy, which was perfect for the trailer. However, it was also very shady which caused a few issues after it poured the morning of our second last day (more about that later).

The Wolf campground also had centrally located washroom with showers and children’s play structure, which was always filled with kids. 

We were surprised at how quiet the campground was. Coming from other provincial parks, like the Pinery (which has sites closer together), it was a welcomed surprise.

>> You May Also Like: Camping Reflections

The park has numerous activities, including biking, birding, canoeing (rentals available), fishing, hiking, swimming and more. They also offer a wide variety of staff-led educational programming, for all ages. Regularly scheduled guided hikes, children’s programs, special events and evening programs occur from late June to early fall featuring the unique cultural history and the biology of the park. While we didn’t make it to any of these programs, there was at least one or two scheduled every day, including a Friday night bonfire on the beach. 

White Admiral Butterfly

Speaking of the beach… Sadly, this year it was virtually non-existent. To be expected I guess, as the park sits on Georgian Bay which is a part of Lake Huron. Considering how high the water is at my parents’ house along Lake Huron in southwestern Ontario and our family cottage up near Tobermory, it should have been expected.

One of the negatives of the park (if it can even be considered a negative?!) is that the campsites at Awenda are located far from the beach, so a car or bike is required to get around. You could walk, however, from where we were in Wolf, it would have taken approximately an hour on the Bluff Trail which is not necessarily stroller- or clumsy/slow toddler walking-friendly.

When it comes to hiking, Awenda offers a nice variety of looped and linear, easy to moderate trails that range from 1 to 13 km in length. One trail provides barrier-free access - the Beaver Pond Trail, perfect for those with limited mobility or, like us, pushing a stroller. With a double stroller in tow, this is one of the trails we chose to hike. Located in a nature reserve zone, most of this trail is a boardwalk that takes you through an area altered by past and present beaver activity. The 30 minute hike is full of history, and along the way you will see the remains of both a building and a bridge from the early logging days.

Beaver Pond Trail

If you are looking to go for a paddle, skip Georgian Bay (it can get pretty rough) and head to Kettle’s Lake. This lake is thought to be a kettle lake formed by the gradual melting of a large buried piece of ice left by retreating glaciers. The quiet and scenic lake is an excellent location for having a picnic and then putting in your canoe or kayak for a relaxing post-lunch paddle. This small, motorboat free lake is ideally suited for the novice paddler or nature enthusiast. It apparently also has good bass fishing. Canoes and PFDs are available to rent through the park.

>> Check out our other annual camping trips, here: 2014  //  2015  //  2017  //  2018

While we didn’t get the chance to get out on the water with our new kayak, we did take a short walk along the Wendat Trail (5km, 2 hour loop) to the boardwalk through Kettle Lake’s marsh. Despite having our littlest (and chattiest) daughter with us on the walk, it was extremely peaceful sitting on the board walk, watching the birds and listening to the breeze roll through the reeds. Ah, nature. Sometimes living in the city, I forget what that sounds like...

Kettle's Lake

Unfortunately, our time at Awenda was cut a bit short and we took off a day sooner than planned. We woke up Saturday morning to an unwelcome down pour and a soggy camp site. Because the site was so shaded (as previously mentioned), we knew it wouldn’t dry out and we’d likely be forced inside the trailer with the girls for the day. So instead, we decided to pack up and take off. In the end, it was probably for the best. We had bought a new house just a few days before and time was ticking to get ours staged and on the market. Leaving early gave us an extra day of cleaning and packing. But more on the move later…

We had a great time with family at Awenda Provincial Park. If you are looking for a family-friendly campground within a short distance from Toronto, we highly recommend Awenda. 

And with this summer’s family adventure behind us, we’ve already started thinking about next… Looking forward to checking another of Ontario's provincial parks off of our list!

You can find Awenda Provincial Park, here: 670 Awenda Park Rd Tiny, ON L9M 2J2

Have you been to Awenda? What other Ontario Provincial Parks do you recommend for families? I’d love to hear!

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