Revisiting an Important Part of my Past

Growing up almost every weekend was spent making the journey "up north" to our family cottage in Bracebridge. Our cottage was on a double lot shared with my maternal grandparents home. Sadly, as my grandfather's health declined, my grandparents decided it was best to move back to the city. Because the lot was unable to be severed, both properties had to be sold. It broke my heart. The biggest reason that we vacationed at Arrowhead park, was so that I would be able to share a part of my history with my children. The only request that The Boy made for vacation this year, was to go see Toy Story 3. I googled to see where it would be playing before we left the city and was delighted to find that it was playing at the same movie theatre that I went to as a child. The Norwood has undergone renovations, but it still feels the same. It is here that I saw E.T, Ernest Goes to Camp, and other movies. I smiled when I saw the billboard - "Welcome Back To Muskoka" it felt like they put it up just for me.

Just outside the movie theatre is a park. Once a year, in the summer heat, the park would host a giant craft fair. I loved that day. Looking at all the booths, and creative talent. I remember one year being allowed to buy a pencil with fun fur and googly eyes glued on it . I wonder how much that sent my mother back? I am sure it cost a small fortune. My sister and I were in love with the gazebo at the park. For me, I thought it was so romantic, the idea of bands playing and people dancing...

I also made Hubby do a drive by of the seniors centre. My Grandparents were very active with this organization. When I would stay with Grandma and Grandpa in the summer or on winter vacation, they would take me to the seniors centre with them. The seniors would make such a fuss over me, and I felt like they all were my extended grandparents.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to drive by the cottage. I thought it might be too hard for me. But in the end, I couldn't get this close and not go have a look. I was surprised to recognize so many of the family names on the signs on the cottage road being ones that I remembered. As we got closer to our old property, I was nervous and excited. And there it was.

Our cottage

My grandparents home


Even now a week later, its hard for me to articulate my emotions. Am I glad I went back - yes. All I know for sure is that it was just as hard to leave it in 2010 as it was almost 20 years ago. As my husband drove away, my stomach sank, and the kids, even The Little Man was silent. My sweet middle son said, "I like your cottage mom."

"Thanks guys, me too" -fade to black

Arrowhead Provincial Park

Our week long camping trip to Arrowhead Provincial Park was everything you could ask for in a family vacation: great weather, campfires, sitting on a beautiful beach and connecting with family.
It was our first time at Arrowhead, we had only heard good things about the park and we were not disappointed.
Arrowhead is a large park with 3 beaches to choose from. We spent most of our time at the small beach because it was less crowded and it was within a 5 minute walk from our campsite. The sand was soft and powdery - the kids and I loved how it felt on our feet. The water was cool and clear. The kids geared up with their goggles, and spent most of their time under water looking for minnows and muscle shells.
One afternoon as I was watching my family swim, the sun warming my shoulders, and my tunes playing ( thanks hun, for the new ipod ), I welled up with emotion. It was one of those moments in life where what matters most is crystal clear and you are filled with gratitude for all you've been blessed with.

The site itself was large and private. Usually The Kid will take her younger brothers out on adventures, but, with an active bear in the park, she did not venture far on her own.

We try to choose sites that have morning sun so that the site does not overheat during the hottest part of the day. Pictures above is a little morning sun flare.

With an active bear in the park, whenever we were outside of our campsite, we were on the lookout for the bear. As we drove away from our site one evening, The Kid spotted this dear on the NEXT site. So cool!

Because of the heat and distance, we decided not to do any of the bike trails, but Hubby, The Little Man and I went for a short 45 minute bike ride to the Big Bend Lookout. The Boy and his dad had gone the previous day and reported that it was worth the trip - and it was! It took my breath away. The Big Bend lookout is an oxbow formation from the Big East river. It is an 80 foot drop from the lookout point, with steep, sandy banks. Each year 1 foot is lost from the lookout as it erodes away. I don't think that the pictures do it justice.

We went out for dinner on our last night. It rained pretty hard while we were in the restaurant, but it had cleared up by the time we finished. After the rain there was a beautiful mist, so we headed down to the beach so I could get a few shots. Stunning.

Before heading back to the site, we stopped by Stubbs Falls. I wish we had more time to explore this place. Stubbs Falls reminded me of "the falls" that was at the end of our cottage road. It was sweet to see this new found treasure with my family.