Happy 2022!

It's the end of this year and the beginning of the next.

Season's Greetings

Another month has flown by and here it is Christmas Eve already! 

80 Kilometres in 40 Pics

December arrives tomorrow and while we've had a sprinkling of snow in November, it hasn't lingered. The pandemic, however, is another story and this week four people in Ottawa have tested positive for the Omicron variant. So...John and I continue to social distance and are grateful for our daily walks. 

 November 23 - Ottawa River Pathway

Incredible November Weather & Lifelong Friends

November has blessed us (for the most part) with daily Celsius temperatures in the teens accompanied with brilliant blue, cloudless skies.

Kale Salad - Revised Recipe

Eight years ago while visiting our friend's farm we were served a delicious salad using their garden fresh kale. It's become a favourite in our household and when I serve it to friends and family they always ask for the recipe. I realized this morning (while making it once again) that over the years I've slightly altered the ingredients and measurements and that perhaps an updated version might be a stellar idea!

Navan, Company & McKay Lake

Why I've not noticed this phenomenon before is a mystery, but the leaves of certain trees across the street from our condo have changed colour from the top down. It's as if they've pulled a warm wool toque over their heads.

October 16, 2021

Petrie Island

It was another gorgeous, albeit somewhat cool, day (8C) in the nation's capital and we opted to take full advantage of this fall weather and headed to Petrie Island for a walk. 

Two Days & Two Walks = Two Very Happy Canadians

We've had to pinch ourselves this week. On two consecutive days we've gone for two glorious walks and to put it bluntly we're two very happy Canadians. 

Thanksgiving in Elliot Lake, & Then Back to Ottawa

The week following our adventure on Endikai Lake was rather dismal with mostly overcast skies and plenty of rain, but as we were packing up to return to Ottawa for the winter we were grateful for this incredible summer and content to celebrate a quiet Thanksgiving in the north.

Endikai Lake

On October 6 John suggested we return to Endikai Lake with our motor boat (rather than the kayaks) as he thought the fall colours would be lovely. Talk about an understatement. Not only were the leaves impressive as we headed north of town, but so was everything else. Mother Nature truly outdid herself on this day. 

Lake Huron's Northern Shore Boat Cruise

On Tuesday, October 5 the wind was calm enough and the weather picture perfect so we took our 14.5' aluminum boat out on Lake Huron. Although John has kayaked the north shore numerous times, this was a first for the both of us. Ahoy, me hearties!

Serpent Harbour

Elliot Lake: Jewel in the Wilderness

This past September marked the 19th anniversary of our decision to retire and move north to Elliot Lake. It's not quite in the centre of Canada, and some folks might regard it as being in the middle of nowhere, but its close proximity to two of the Great Lakes is pretty awesome to our way of thinking.

Lake Superior Road Trip: Day 5 - Wawa to Elliot Lake

The final day of our mini road trip featured cool temperatures, but glorious sunshine as we said goodbye to the Wawa Canada Goose and headed south toward Elliot Lake.

Lake Superior Road Trip: Day 4 - Returning to Wawa

On day four of our Lake Superior adventure we left Nipigon and drove eastward to Wawa. Once again, we were in no rush and stopped to admire the amazing views and/or stretch our legs whenever the mood struck.

Lake Superior Road Trip: Day 3 - Nipigon and the Sleeping Giant

Day three of our Lake Superior adventure did not include as many kilometres as the previous two days, but it did include five flights of stairs to the top of the Nipigon Bridgeview lookout tower.

Lake Superior Road Trip: Day 2 - Wawa to Nipigon

Before leaving our gorgeous Airbnb cottage on day two (September 19th) of our mini Lake Superior road trip, we hit the beach for one last selfie. 

Glorious, GLORIOUS September 2021

September has always been my favourite month, but being ill in 2020 and undergoing radiation treatments meant I missed most of its splendour. This year, however, is a totally different story and on September 18 John and I hit the road to not only savour the glory of this incredible month, but also the majesty of the north shore of Lake Superior.

September ... Already?

If I didn't know better, I'd swear time is speeding up. How can it possibly be September already?! Still, August refused to go out without a bang. On August 29th a tornado warning was issued for Elliot Lake. Once again our street and property were spared, but it was quite a storm nonetheless.

An A+ August

For so, so many reasons John and I are really enjoying this August. It's been hot and humid and during the ten days since my last post it's not only felt like summer, but John's been kayaking (and swimming) almost daily. He's even paddled twice per day on a couple of occasions, and in his mind that truly is the absolute best version of heaven! 

Beaches, Islands, Storms and Bubbly

Two weeks have passed since my last post, and while I'm (somewhat) able to pat myself on the back for not waiting until I have a gazillion photos to share, I admit to having far more than I initially had in mind. Not that that's a bad thing. It means we've enjoyed every moment of the past fourteen days, beginning with a Saturday jaunt to Manitoulin Island.

Little Current marina

11 Weeks & Counting

Wow, the summer of 2021 seems to be zipping by at the speed of light and with the end of July fast approaching I realized it's been quite a few weeks since my last post. It also sunk in that we've spent eleven weeks here in the Great White North since May 10th. That said, we're enjoying each and every moment and I am offering an apology upfront for such a l-o-n-g post*. It's filled to the brim with photos and my favourite (below) was taken by John while he was kayaking on Quirke Lake. 

Jabs, Tests & Another 20 More Years

On May 28 John and I drove from Elliot Lake back to Ottawa. From start to finish it's equivalent of a trans-Atlantic flight and that seven-hour journey always impresses and reminds us how incredibly huge the province of Ontario really is. The trip was necessary, however, as during the first week of June we received a number of deliveries from local farmers and vendors, I got my second Covid 19 jab, conversed with our GP, plus I had a follow up CT scan and blood test.

Back in Elliot Lake, May 2021

With the lockdown still in effect across Ontario, John and I wondered when we'd be able to return to Elliot Lake. After I received my first vaccine job on May 4 we decided to drive north on Monday, May 10th. Again, for so many reasons, it's an absolute joy to be here.

SpringTime 2021

It's astonishing that nine l-o-n-g months have passed since my last blog post and if I'm honest, there were moments when I doubted I would ever add another. BUT, I'm here, I'm able, I'm thrilled and ever so grateful to post this update. So let's get to it!