Day Tripping Ontario

Nik Wallenda is On Top of the World! Approved to cross Niagara Falls.

2012-02-20T12:06:00.005-05:00

Nik Wallenda, a seventh generation of the famous Flying Wallenda family, triumphed in his bid to get permission from Canada to cross the mighty Niagara Falls on an 1,800 foot long, 2-inch wide wire rope. You might think this has been done before, but no has over ever crossed over the actual falls. In 1859 the acrobat Charles Blondin crossed the gorge on a tightrope, but his stunt was downstream from the actual waterfalls.

I have been following Niks dream to cross the falls for awhile now and was so happy when he got permission from New York State officials, but he then ran into a road block with the Niagara Parks Commission.

The NPC's reasoning was that safety and their responsibility to preserve and protect the Falls, for all those who wish to view its beauty, was their paramount concern in denying Niks request. They also stated that one of the reasons the Parks Commission was created was to eliminate the carnival-like atmosphere around the falls themselves. Hmm, isn't that a part of the history of Niagara? Thanks to another meeting with Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan, Nik got the green light from NPC.

Signorina Maria Spelterini crossing the Niagara Rapids on a tightrope.

Photo courtesy of Library Archives Canada

Now the whole world will be able to relive those bygone days that we could only envision from old black and white photos.

My husband and I visit the falls at least one a year, luckily its only a 1-3/4 hour drive for us. We go every February 25th for our anniversary and this year it will be 12 years. One thing about visiting in February, you get great rates on the hotels, and some years the snow and ice build-up in the gorge is just stunning. And you are always guaranteed to see a rainbow, no matter what time of year!

Back in September of 2005 when visiting the falls, I noticed a high wire and was dissapointed that I had missed seeing Jay Cochranes walk from the Fallsview Casino to the Skylon Tower. Unsure what the wire is in the above photo I took, but after a closer look I can see the incline railway to the right. It could be a leftover support wire. Since I have been a fan of the Wallenda family since the early 60's I am really excited about Niks walk and hope I can get a good room with a view. I can't wait to find out the date! And I'll post it here along with an update to www.facebook.com/DayTrippingOntario

The first time in your life you see the falls in person, you are in awe of its majestic beauty, the sound, the power of nature. I would highly recommend a visit to the IMAX theatre (pyramid shaped building in above photo) to see the movie, Niagara Legends and Daredevils. It will give you a better understanding of the history of Niagara Falls. I saw the movie many years ago, and am planning to see it again this upcoming weekend.

Another Niagara icon is Marilyn Monroe. The Club Rialto is a charming place with Marilyn memorabilia and at one time it had a center dance floor surrounded by a moat, which you crossed over little bridges to get to the dance floor. I think its still there, but without any water:-( The Club Rialto is attached to the rear of Caso d'Oro Dining Lounge on Victoria Avenue, which is one of my recommended places to have dinner.

If you have never been to Niagara Falls, you are missing out on one the worlds greatest wonders. Its wonderful for romance and also a great family vacation. I never saw the falls until my adult years, and even though my Mother & Father and two brothers all have visited the falls, we never saw it together as a family, but all did experience it on our own at different times in our lives. So make it a point this year, 2012 to visit the falls and be a part of a chapter of Niagara Falls History.

Nik Wallenda on top of the ferris Wheel at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

I can see it now, Nik how about a promo leading up to your main event, on the Niagara Falls Skywheel?

Watch for updates, as I will have recommendations with reviews on where to stay, where to eat, and important announcements of Nik's walk across the falls. Hmm, I wonder if he will have to stop at customs on his way across:-) The world will be watching!!

Picton Harbour Inn - Picton, Ontario

2012-02-20T03:20:00.001-05:00

In 2011 I have stayed at the Picton Harbour Inn, numerous times for business. Located in the heart of Picton, Ontario in Prince Edward County, the Picton Harbour Inn has a great view of the Picton Harbour and wonderful county style breakfasts.

The above photo shows the back of the Picton Harbour Inn facing the Picton Harbour. There are three levels, and a fourth wing show on the right. All levels are ground level, except for the third level. When you approach the Inn from Bridge Street, the second level you see above is actually the ground floor in the front parking area.

The relaxing view of Picton Harbour from the third floor balcony, where you can watch and hear the huge fish jumping and splashing about, the great blue herons and ospreys soaring through the skies.

Picnic tables and BBQ's are available for a waterside shore dinner or picnic.

The best part about staying at the Picton Harbour Inn is the Lighthouse Restaurant, open only for breakfast and lunch. Its a favorite of the locals, and sometimes its so busy you might get turned away, or have a long wait for a table.

The hash browned potatoes are prepared with mushrooms and peppers and onions, and the farmers sausage is a popular choice of frequent visitors.

The two above breakfast photos are courtesy of sakeandcheese.blogspot.com

The Lighthouse restaurant at Picton Harbour Inn

Picton Harbour Inn

33 Bridge Street

Picton, Ontario

Local: 613-476-2186

Toll Free: 800-678-7906

For directions or e-mail, click here.

Off The Hook Seafood Emporium - Whitby Ontario

2012-02-05T09:22:00.009-05:00

A friend and I were recently discussing that there are very few dining options, other than Red Lobster, for seafood only restaurants in the Whitby/Oshawa area. This past December we noticed an advertisment in our local newspaper for Off The Hook Seafood Emporium opening in Whitby with a 25% off coupon. We were thrilled, and decided to try it out before the coupon expired.

I checked out the reviews and most were good, except for a few complaints about service, but that is understandable with a new restaurant. We had no complaints about the service, it was excellent.

We arrived just after noon time, and were the first customers of the day. The commodious dining area was amply decorated in a fitting nautical theme.

If your a shellfish lover, they have an extensive selection of clams, mussels and oysters.
I wasn't daring enough to try a Vodka Oyster shot.

I started off with pan seared Nova Scotia scallops paired with a bacon and jalapeno cream sauce. They were excellent. I usually order Digby Scallops when I visit Barootes in Toronto, and I must say Off The Hook has them beat! I am craving them again looking at the below photo.

Off The Hooks menu is extensive for the fresh seafood lover, but I can be picky when I dine out. I only like shrimp, scallops, lobster, halibut and clams if they are fried or battered. And fried is the way I prefer most of my seafood. That left me with zero choices when it came to battered, except for the haddock but I'm a halibut lover.

I chose my favorite seafood for my lunch entree, Canadian lobster tail, which was only $13.99 minus my 25% off coupon. It was a nice size tail and came easily out of the shell. I did find it a bit overcooked, as it was so chewy, almost to the point that I couldn't chew it, but very tasty indeed. I had to ask for a steak knife to cut it. It came with steamed fresh vegetables and I chose a baked potato. Next time I will try the fresh cut fries, and I will give the lobster tail another try.

A cozy sitting area in front of a fireplace (above photo) was an inviting spot to have a few drinks before dinner or waiting for a dinner date. We entered through the doors to the left of the fireplace, and although it was a seasonably warm day, I did notice a draft. Perhaps on bitter cold days, they might close this door and use the other entrance further down to the right near the reservation desk.

Off The Hook, is located at 1600 Champlain Avenue, at the corner of Champlain and Thickson, just off the 401, in the plaza where Don Cherrys was formerly located.

Hilton Toronto -How to get a Great Deal!

2012-01-29T17:58:00.016-05:00

Every January since 2002 we have been attending the Toronto International Boat show. This helps us through the long winters when we are only dreaming of being back on the water.

Circraft was a cool little round boat/jet ski. Something new this year.

The Sheraton and Westin in Toronto would offer special boat show rates, so in 2004 we decided to take advantage of the $69. rates. It has become an annual tradition for us. The boat show special is now up to $99. a night and you have to make your reservation by mid-December. For a few years we stayed at the Westin or Sheraton, and even the Mariott, but now our hotel of choice is the Toronto Hilton.

Duma the Water-skiing dog is a big hit at the Boat Shows Indoor Lake.

The Hilton does not offer a special boat show rate, but with early reservations and my Hilton Honors points, I booked a weekend for only $57. a night. Can't beat that! If I had waited until the week prior to my arrival to book a room, that room would have cost me $289. per night.

The view from our room on the 25th floor. The little building on the left is the US Consulate.

This was the second year we have stayed at the Hilton and we love it. We live 30 miles east of Toronto, but to avoid parking and traffic we take the GO train into the city. The Toronto Hilton is easily accessible from Union Station in Toronto by the underground PATH system, the worlds largest underground shopping complex, so you don't have to go outside to access most of downtown Toronto.

The King bed was very comfortable. But room service could have done a better job of making the bed.

Nice sitting table/desk. Electric outlets where the lamp attaches to the table.

A full walk in shower, with hand held massager and a rain shower-head. Great water pressure too. The photo does not do it justice, the shower stall is the full length of the bathroom. The only problem, and we had this last year in a different room, was that the door does not close properly and you get a room flood:-) Oh and the best part is the soap. It was a full size bar, with massager nubs on it. But use it for a few showers and the nubs are gone.

The sink was really different looking also. But the same as last years room, we had to pull the drain plug out, as it wouldn't stay open.

Friends of ours stayed across from us at the Sheraton (pictured above). We didn't know what room they were in, or even if they were facing us. So we texted them Friday night and we both agreed to flash our lights off and on, and low and behold, they were in a left corner room 15 floors from the top.

You can see Nathan Phillips Square with Toronto's futuristic looking City Hall, behind the Sheraton. And there is a nice ice skating rink, that is missing from the photo.

The lounge chaise in the room is really cool and comfy.

There is a really neat air purifier in the room.

Ruths Chris steakhouse is located on the lower level of the Toronto Hilton. We ate there last year and had an enjoyable meal. A bit pricey, but you don't mind paying when the food is good!

Looking forward to next year. We love the Toronto Hilton!

Art of Transition - Tourism Summit

2012-01-01T14:40:00.006-05:00

This past November I attended the Art of Transition Tourism Summit, a daylong celebration of Durham Region's creative economy, showcasing the rich culture and history, attractions and business commuinity held at Durham College.

Three reasons I wanted to attend, it was free, only a 10 minute drive from my home and the most important was that I wanted to hear the presentation by Rebecca LeHeup, (pictured below) the executive director of Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA), on Ontario Culinary Tourism.

I first met Rebecca when I attended one of her presentations on Social Media, and then through my work with the Great Canadian Cheese Festival and all the help and good advice she gave us.

Not only do we share the name Rebecca, after enjoying her presentation, I realized we also share our love of all things Ontario.

Growing up in the states, I have always loved Ontario, as it was our annual family vacation destination, and now my home for the past 12 years. I looked forward to those trips to Canada and all the wonderful food we would find, such as butter tarts, curds, peameal bacon, whey butter and aged old cheddar that was to-die for!

One think I won't forget is that Rebecca asked, what do people remember most about their vacations? Answer: Their culinary experience. How true! Whether it be a fantastic dining experience or local produce or artisan food, you remember it! Think about it?

Rebecca stressed the importance to her audience of buying local and supporting your local economy and how it all ripples back.

My Dad was a big supporter of buying domestic, as he always said, if its not made in the US or Canada, don't buy it (he loved Canada just as much). And after my 20 years as a union leader in the garment industry, I too know the importance of supporting your community.

Rebecca also mentioned that if you don't see something local in your store, than ask them to carry it. I can't tell you how many times I have been asking our local LCBO stores to carry some of the great wines and cider from Prince Edward County. Granted we have a lot of local Niagara wines but I do love my PEC wines and cider:-)

The culinary students picture below with Rebecca, learned the importance of using local ingredients.

There was a culinary booth set up, but I didn't stay until 4pm when samplings from local Durham establishments were served.

The Royal Ashburn Golf Club was one of the many exhibitors showing all our region has to offer.

We are fortunate to have Mosport speedway, recognized as Canadas Home of Motorsports. Although my husband worked here in the past, its strange we have never visited it together, after all we met in a Nascar Chat room, and have drove many miles visiting our favorite tracks.

OK, its on my Ontario bucket list: Visit Mosport!!!

Dagmar Ski Resort is also close to home. Who needs to travel outside of Ontario, when we have everything here?

And a big Hello to our good friend Terry Johnston (below photo) the morning DJ from CKDO, Durham's Classic Hits!

Small for its first year, the Tourism Summit was very enjoyable. Hopefully next year there will be more participation. Its a great way to get out and see all that Durham Region and Ontario has to offer! Loved it!

Port Perry - Harp & Wylie's Canadian Grill House

2012-01-01T11:07:00.003-05:00

Port Perry located on the shores of Lake Scugog, is always one of my favorite destinations for a local get-away.

View Larger Map

I'm always looking for a really good restaurant in the Port Perry area. Recently a friend and I decided to try Harp & Wylies for some lunch. They have a nice selection on their menu.

For an appetizer we shared the crab cakes (pictured below) served with chipotle and lemon aioli. They were ok, but I never had crab cakes with corn as an ingredient. I guess I am spoiled being raised near the Chesapeake Bay where restaurants served Maryland style crab cakes with no fillers!

Although I am always up to trying new sauces, I asked if they had tarter sauce, as its a must for me when eating fried seafood. Nope, none available. I have tasted some wonderful tarter sauces in restaurants that didn't have tarter sauce, but the chef would whip some up for me. After all how hard is it, just some mayo and relish and a bit of lemon.

For lunch my first choice was to have the caesar salad and some french onion soup, but decided against it because I was told that I couldn't substitute another cheese in the soup for the jalapeno havarti. Makes me wonder why a restaurant wouldn't have a swiss or mozzarella on hand.

I decided on the Panko chicken tenders served with chili/lime sauce for dipping with sweet yam fries. Even my friend commented that the chicken looked a bit over done. I thought maybe it was me, that I was not used to a Panko coating, but panko bread crumbs are supposed to be lighter than regular crumbs as they are not made with the crusts of the bread.

I did not care for the sauce, and was not offered a choice of anything else when I asked for a substitute. You would think the waitress would say, well we have this or that, but by this time I was tired of asking.

My friend had opted for the Wylies burger, which looked pretty good.

Harp & Wylies claims to be an upscale casual dining experience. The food was good and the establishment was clean. Good choices on the menu. I would recommend this place but next time, I'll take a bottle of tarter sauce, or dill sauce or a ranch dip:-)

Bobs Lake - Early Ohio Cottagers

2011-12-11T10:16:00.023-05:00

HALCYON SUMMERS: OH CANADA by James A. Chisman

My grandfather, Vinton Wood (1887 – 1948), married my grandmother, Mabel Pitz (1888 – 1968) in 1908 in Ravenna, Ohio. Vinton was the son of an Iowa Civil War veteran, Leander Wood (1848-1915). Mabel was the daughter of Joseph Pitz (1865 – 1918) who had a meat market at 117 N. Meridian Street in Ravenna. His delivery wagon was horse-drawn. When Vinton married his daughter, Joe took him on as an apprentice.

Joe Pitz and His Meat Market 1911

Vinton and Mabel could not afford a new-fangled car when they married in 1908, so they bought a used motorcycle with a sidecar. This vehicle they had when my mother, Marthalee Wood, was born in 1909 and used until she was eight years old. Joe Pitz drove a big Maxwell touring car – his showy wife Mary’s choice.

1913 Motorcycles with Sidecars – Wood’s Far Right

1911 Maxwell with Joe and Mary Pitz and Children

When Joe Pitz died in 1918, Vinton took over the business and hired his younger brother, Lynn, as his associate—Lynn had earlier returned from WW-I where he had been lightly gassed in the trenches. Around 1919 they moved the business to 212 Main Street.

Vinton Wood’s Meat Market. Vinton on Right, Lynn on Left

Around 1919 Vinton bought a Model T Ford and a two-wheel “pop-up” camping trailer. He was an avid fisherman. He had heard that there was a lake, Bobs Lake, just across the upper New York border in Canada that was frequented by Ohioans and had an abundance of walleyed pike. So off he went for a month in his Model T with his wife, daughter and trailer in tow. He left the meat market in his brother’s hands.

Vinton Wood’s 1919 Model-T Ford

Bobs Lake was 50 miles north of Watertown, NY near Westport, Ontario. At that time a car-ferry was required to cross the St. Lawrence River. Near Westport you picked up a one-lane dirt road that ran for about ten miles to Bobs Lake. There were pull-overs about every mile needed for passing both ways. They camped in the woods along the shore on property rented from a local farmer, Billy Badour. There were other campers nearby so my mother occasionally had someone to play with—even then it was lonely for her. She missed her Ravenna friends.

In 1923, my mother’s brother, Norman, came on the scene. He joined the summer hiatus. When my mother graduated from high school in 1928, she forewent the annual pilgrimage. She attended Hammel-Actual Business School in Akron. Upon graduation, she went to work as president Martin Davey’s personal secretary at the Davey Tree Company’s headquarters in Kent, Ohio. The street car stopped right in front of her house on 1072 W. Main St in Ravenna, kitty-cornered across from Ravenna Township School.

Around 1927, Vinton bought a new car and camper. He had worn the Model-T out going back and forth to Canada.

Vinton Wood’s 1927 Car with Camper Trailer

In 1935, Vinton bought a quarter-acre of land on the lake from Billy Badour and built a small cottage. By that time he had either sold or closed his meat market and was working as a part-time butcher for Longcoy’s Market in Kent, Ohio—taking all summers off to go fishing at Bobs Lake.

Wood’s Bobs Lake Cottage 1938

Their cottage was near the farm of Mr. Badour, who sold milk, bacon, eggs, fire-wood and ice to the tourists. He and his son, Murton, cut ice from the lake in the winter and stored it in their ice-house, which was insulated with sawdust.

In 1929, my mother married Wallace F. Chisman who was living with his family in Ravenna, having moved from Cleveland and before that Indianapolis. My parents conceived me in 1935 in the middle of the Great Depression. My sister, Judith, was born in 1946.

In 1941 my dad bought a 1937 Chrysler Imperial with a roll-out windshield, which intrigued me. That summer we drove to Bobs Lake to visit my grandparents—the ferry ride was not required since the Thousand Island Bridge had been recently built across the St. Lawrence Seaway. We stayed two weeks. I immediately made friends with Ross and Madge Badour, Billy’s youngest kids, who were a couple of years older than me, and their dog Rover.

Jim Chisman, Rover, Madge and Ross Badour 1941

It was my greatest summer, which I constantly dreamed of repeating. But WW-II with its gas and other rationing precluded my going back until 1947. That six year dream was the longest and most frustrating one I ever have had!

At the start of the War, Vinton and Norman went to work at the Ravenna Arsenal assembling bombs for the war effort. In 1942 Norman was drafted—he chose the Navy specializing in aviation ordnance. Before he left, he married his childhood sweetheart, Flora Wiley. He came home on two short furloughs before shipping to the South Pacific. We met him at the train station. I can still feel the terror I felt standing on the station platform as the humongous, roaring steam locomotive passed a few feet from me with whistle blowing, brakes squealing and engine snorting steam.

Norman was a tail gunner on a Martin Marauder (B-24) bomber. In 1944 they took some ack-ack over Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and had to ditch their plane in the ocean. Uncle Norman was the only one to die—the ack-ack had destroyed the superstructure between him and the rest of the plane and his compatriots couldn’t get to him—he drowned as the plane sank. My grandfather never recovered from the loss of his only son. They had great times together, especially at Bobs Lake.

Norman Wood 1939

Norman’s beloved dog, Rex, remained with the Woods until he died at Bobs Lake the summer of 1946—their first time back since the War started. His grave and little tombstone were placed on the front corner of their property. Rex’s death was another blow to my grandfather.

Rex 1939

In 1947, my dream of returning to Bobs Lake was finally realized. My grandparents were happy to see us.

Vinton and Mabel Wood 1947

My parents brought along my one and a half year old sister, Judy—her first and only trip to the lake. She was most impressed with the Badour cows that roamed freely.

Judy Chisman 1947

My reunion with Madge and Ross was everything I dreamed it would be, except Rover was gone. The farm life was unhurried and productive. The area had no electricity. The Badour’s only had two pieces of mechanized equipment: a hand-cranked milk separator and a horse-drawn mowing machine. Billy had an old Model-T roadster that he would drive once a week into Westport to buy supplies for themselves and to sell to the tourists.
In the evening Billy, his wife, Grace, and Grace’s sister Erma, would sit on their big front porch with some of their seven children (some were old enough to have flown the nest) spinning yarns and talking about the good-old-days. I felt privileged to be included.

Three things endeared me to my grandfather: Vinton was a rather stern fellow and somewhat humorless, except around his fishing buddies. He had the “old-fashioned” idea that children should be seen and not heard. One day he woke up and announced to all that “my side hurts.” He didn’t indicate which side, so I asked “Which side?” He jovially responded “My outside.” I found this particularly funny.

The second thing of endearment was that he asked me to accompany him to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, to buy a new Peterborough boat and a 5HP Martin outboard motor. The boat was built like a canoe, but with a small transom to mount a motor. The motor had a sleek black cowling, not like most predecessor cowling-less motors which exposed the cylinders and carburetor.

The third and most important thing of endearment was his desire for me to catch a big walleyed pike. He had caught and had mounted a 12 pound walleye. We trolled everyday in his new boat. One day I snagged what he thought was a 15 pound walleye, but it jumped the line as I tried to get it into the boat. He was sad for me. I finally caught a 10 pounder, which pleased me.

Jim Chisman 1947

On a shopping trip to Perth, three unusual things happened that registered on my 12-year-old mind: First we passed an airfield that had a British Spitfire parked outside of a hanger. Second, we happened to be there when Perth was having a parade honoring Barbara Ann Scott, Canada’s reigning figure skating champion and soon to be Gold Medalist in the 1948 Olympics—she was beautiful. And third, my mother and grandmother stopped at a roadside palm reader and had their fortunes told—this scared me a little. Fortunately, they each had a “good” reading.

Later in 1948, my grandfather died supposedly of a heart attack, but I suspect it was more from a broken heart—he had grieved four long years over the premature death of his only son.
In 1950, my grandmother wanted me to accompany her to Bobs Lake to settle her estate. She wanted to bring home some personal items and to sell off the cottage and its contents. She gave me Uncle Norman’s Meriden (Sears) pump .22 caliber rifle, which I used for target practice way up in the woods. I also shot two poisonous milk-adders. I sat down to rest against a hollow tree. Shortly I felt a thump on my back. I jumped up to see two milk-adders hanging upside down menacing me in the hollow. It scared me half-to-death. As a knee-jerk reaction, I emptied the gun on them. I felt bad about that for a long time.

We stayed a month there. I spent a lot of time tagging after Ross—helping with his chores where I could. It was the first time in my life that I enjoyed doing work.

At 15 years old, I was really noticing girls. I had had a minor crush on Madge three years before, but the love bug hit me this summer. Diane Dodd, who was staying in the Hogue’s cottage on the other side of the Badour’s, and I got along well until an older guy turned her head. Then I noticed Helen Broughton, who often piloted her boat from Broughton’s Camp across the lake to Chicks Camp down the road from us. She was beautiful. I said Hi to her a couple of times, but I was too bashful and insecure to talk with her.

Diane Dodd

There was a small one-room Anglican church between us and the Badour’s farm. It was serviced by a circuit preacher. The church was always open. It had a portable pump organ and a windup Victrola with a few 78rpm records. Every day on the way to see Ross, I would stop in the church for a few minutes and “play” the organ and listen to a record. I played my favorite record “In Apple Blossom Time” so many times that to this day, over 60 years later, I can still sing the song.

On Sundays after church, the Badour boys and some of the tourists played softball on a pasture hillside—it was a challenge running on a hillside and dodging rocks and cow-pies. Except for the snake episode and the unrequited love, it was another halcyon summer.
The last time I went back was in August 1953—I had graduated from Stow High School and was ready to start at Akron University. Grandma Wood wanted to go back up to Bobs Lake for one last nostalgia trip. I took along two buddies: Dick Glass, my best friend, and Paul Kunkel, the son of a guy who worked for my dad at Ohio Edison. Paul and I had worked together on construction for Ohio Edison that summer. He was scheduled to enter a Catholic Seminary that fall—he changed his mind at Bobs Lake, which his father accused me of precipitating. “Father forgive me for I knew not what I did.”

We rented a cottage at Chick’s camp for two weeks—it was just down the road from her old cottage. The neighborhood had electricity by then. I introduced them to Ross and Murton—Madge was away. We all had a good time, but it wasn’t the same as before for Grandma or me. Grandma had tears in her eyes as did I as we left. We knew our dream was over. You finally reach a point where you can never go back!

I LOVE BELLINI'S - Milestones Grill + Bar

2011-10-26T12:42:00.001-04:00

I always enjoy a frozen drink, no matter what time of year and a Bellini from Milestones Grill + Bar is now on the top of my favourites list.

The Original Bellini is a frozen blend of premium white rum, peach liqueur and sparkling white wine, topped with Boone's sangira. All of my favorites blended into one throat freezing experience!

You can opt for the Ultimate Bellini which is the original with an extra shot of Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka or Smirnoff White Grape Vodka. And they come topped with a cute little plastic animal or a shoe for girls night out.
I have only tasted the Original, but I think next visit I will try the Ultimate with the Smirnoff Raspberry.

Founded in 1989, Milestones has a chain of over 35 restaurants in Canada, and last year was my first visit to their new location in Whitby. At first I thought the place looked like just another of the millions of coffee chains here in Canada, but when I saw it was a grill and bar, it was looking better!

This past February 2011, we visited the Niagara Falls location (above photo) which was inside the Sheraton Fallsview. We had a few hours to kill before our room was ready at the neighboring Embassy Suites so we thought we would grab a drink and some lunch. By the time I am getting around to writing this review the Shearton Fallsview is under new ownership and is now called the Marriott Gateway to the Falls Complex, with the Marriott Fallsview being next door.

You can see the former Sheraton on the left, the Marriott Falls view in the center and the Ramada Tower in the background.

The Embassy Suites (above center) which is our favorite in Niagara was a short walk from Milestones.

Ok, call me crazy, but I love the Winter. The Niagara Milestones has an outdoor patio overlooking the falls and we convinced them to let us go out there in February. You think I would be drinking something warm rather than a frozen Bellini in the snow:-)

Looking up from the outside patio (above) at Milestones, I imagine this now says Marriott. Like changing underwear, hotels in Niagara Falls change ownership often, and new ones are always popping up.

The decor is cozy with photos of the Falls, and a bar area (below) to watch your favorite Hockey game.

Next time your in Niagara Falls, Ontario be sure to stop by Milestones for a Bellini and some lunch or dinner, you will love it!

Milestones Niagara Falls

6755 Fallsview Blvd.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

905-358-4720

Thanksgiving in Ontario

2011-10-12T07:00:00.013-04:00

For forty years of my life I have celebrated a cold November Thanksgiving as an American living in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The holiday falling on a Thursday always made for a nice extra long weekend.

Now as a Canadian citizen, celebrating Thanksgiving in October was a new tradition which took some getting used to. In Canada Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October and is more of a harvest celebration than celebrating the pilgrims feast. Click here to read more about the history of Thanksgiving in Canada.

Never in all my years, would I have ever imagined that I would be swimming on Thanksgiving weekend, but this year with the above average temperatures, it happened. The air temperatures were in the high 70's and the water temp near Thorah Island on Lake Simcoe (below photo) was 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since 2008 our tradition became a lovely Sunday dinner at Beaverton Yacht Club on Lake Simcoe, where we dock our boat. In my 11 years in Ontario, I have noticed that Canadians don't necessarily celebrate Thanksgiving on the actual Monday that it falls on, but when it is convenient for them to have friends and family around. Some cook their turkeys on Saturday or Sunday, and some on the actual holiday Monday. After all who wants a turkey hangover heading back to work on Tuesday:-)

This year the turkey dinner at the yacht club turned into a pot luck with no turkey, so we declined. Kind of selfish of me, but without turkey it was not Thanksgiving. This was one tradition I could not bring myself to change. My husband and I decided to start our own tradition and cook a Butterball stuffed turkey breast on the boat in our convection oven, even though we would miss sharing the bounty of goodies (below) with our friends.

With the weekend forecast calling for unseasonably warm weather, we left the turkey breast at home to be enjoyed on Monday the actual holiday, and opted for a ham dinner with loaded mashed potatoes, turkey gravy and waxed beans, all done in the microwave without using the oven which would heat up the boat. A new tradition was started and we enjoyed swimming and cruising on Saturday with steaks on the BBQ, and a harvest dinner on Sunday and Monday, and pumpkin pie for breakfast all weekend long.

I'm really getting used to an Ontario Thanksgiving in October, and loving it!

Bobs Lake - Maberly, Ontario 9-11-11

2011-10-03T08:56:00.055-04:00

Bobs Lake always had and always will have a special place in my heart. I try to find words to describe my feelings and come up with the three M's. Magical, mystical, and magnetic.
Anyone who has ever visited Bobs Lake knows this feeling. Years ago when there was limited information on the internet about Bobs Lake I made a page on my website, and it became my most popular page: click here.
Many people have sent me e-mails and shared their special memories.

Since my first year at the lake in 1960, not even a year old, my family would drive over ten hours from Wilmington, Delaware to spend two to three weeks there every summer. We would spend every vacation at Cedar Haven Camp. I'm excited that I just now came across this old postcard of what the camp used to look like when Chick and Elsie Reynolds used to own it, about two years before I was born circa 1957

Below is a photo of what the lodge at Cedar Haven looks like now.

The view (below) of Cedar Haven Camp taken from the boat, or Cedar Haven Cottages as they call it now. You can hardly see the lodge. They had called it a lodge, because that was all it was at first, there were no cottages, and you stayed overnight in the lodge and meals were served.

MAGNETIC - Definition: Having an unusual power or ability to attract

It has been about seven years since I have been back, so you can imagine my excitement about returning. I don't know why I have not visited more often, because I currently live only three hours away. This must have been the magnetic pull at work, but 12 years ago I met my husband in a Nascar chatroom, who happened to be Canadian and a few years after moving to Canada I became a Canadian citizen. The photo below is of us at Bobs Lake about 8 or 9 years ago.

The below photo is from 1972 of my Mom coming out of a cheese factory. This Cheese Factory was located just outside of Westport on the long dirt road to Cedar Haven Camp. The place didn't look like much from the outside, but it was a true learning experience for me as a child to see all those shiny vats of cheese in the making, and to learn about the whole process. I would take home curds and whey butter to all my friends, as they didn't have a clue what curds & whey were. We didn't waste money on souvenirs, but a wedge of the oldest, sharpest aged cheese was what my Mom would take back for all her sisters in Pennsylvania. It made the best macaroni & cheese, and my Dads favorite, melted cheese on toast. And this leads into the next M . . . . .

MYSTICAL - Definition: Of hidden or esoteric meaning

Much to my surprise and delight someone had signed my guest book privately telling me about his newly acquired property on Bobs Lake. I was wondering why his name sounded so familiar, but just thought it was my imagination. You ask what does cheese have to do with this? Well my love of cheese and my bosses' vision led me to be Event Coordinator of The Great Canadian Cheese Festival. It was then I realized he was recently a speaker at a cheese conference that my boss had attended about a week or two prior. After many e-mails back and forth he offered me a week at his lovely property which just so happened to be close to my favorite area of Bobs Lake.

So call it what you will, mystical, six degrees of separation, or just the amazing powers of the internet, I was able to rekindle all of my Bobs Lake Memories this year! Thank-you!

The above photo was taken at 6:52 am. I went out to get some photos of the sun which had just risen, but instead got this photo of the full moon. It is always great to have a full moon during your visit to the lake, as its the best place to sit back on the dock and look for satellites and shooting stars. But between the full moon and the cloudy week, it hampered my star gazing, but I think I did see that NASA satellite go by:-)

MAGICAL - Definition: Enchanting; bewitching

To me the lake has always been magical. I remember jumping out of the car as a child and could not wait to get my bathing suit on and spending every possible hour that I could in the lake. And never forgetting that longest hour of my life that I had to wait after eating a meal to go swimming. LOL

In my teens I would just jump out of the car and sit on the dock and just look out over the lake in awe of the beauty and solitude and had to pinch myself to remind myself that I was not dreaming. So many times upon arrival the spirits in the skies would have a rainbow waiting for me. And that first night I would always catch a Northern Pike off the dock with my old faithful daredevil lure.

This year there was no rainbow waiting for my arrival, just a gorgeous view as usual, but I did catch a nice perch, and I did run to the edge of the lake and rip off my shoes and socks and walk in the lake, before I even unlocked the cottage or unpacked the car.

The cottage was absolutely the most comfortable and cozy place I have ever stayed at in all my years to Bobs Lake, and ironically it was located at the exact spot where I would get my first glimpse of my favorite area of the lake.

The view from the bay.

When I was 16 years old, staying at Cedar Haven, I became best friends for a week with a girl named Jane, whose family owned the white cottage (above) called Rocky Knoll. And thanks again to my Bobs Lake web page we re-connected after her cousin saw the page and contacted me. And ironically we hung out playing pinball and bumper pool and listening to the jukebox with the kids from Ohio who formerly owned the cottage I was staying in this year. Now if only I could get Rod Stewart's Maggie May out of my head. LOL

THE MICA MINES
I remember as a child my Dad taking me to the mica mines and I still have a big chunk of mica that I found that day. This year I had to go back and see if I could still find the remains of the mines. BINGO, I found it and some more chunks of mica for my collection.

From the lake you look for the old mining car at the shoreline (above photo). With my binoculars, I quickly found it and we began our exploring.

You have to be very careful as there are pits and deep crevaces hidden all over.

The above one looked very deep. We hiked up to the top of the hill and found more old equipment. (below)

John Lovelace did an episode "In Search of the lost (mica) mines" on his TV series Wings over Canada. This again confirms the fact of how special this lake is, when a bush pilot like John Lovelace actually lived there for a number of years. The tape can be ordered from Wings over Canada, Look for season four episode 404.

THE WILDLIFE

I remember my family going for a walk, and we found a big nest up high in the trees in a swampy area. At first we thought it was an Eagle, but after getting out the bird books, we found it to be an Osprey. They were not very common back in the 60's but I am happy to say the lake now has an abundance of Ospreys. In fact so much so they never shut up. LOL Don't get me wrong I love to hear their gentle peeps, but I love hearing the loons so much more. And don't get me started on the annoying crows. I did see more Ospreys this year than herons.

The above photo is a little island with a man made stand for the ospreys to nest. At one time this little island had one single large tree on it, and I nicknamed it loon island, because when I would canoe over there, the loons would always be nesting.

A loon above and another osprey below. We did see a golden eagle.

I watched this little mink (below) swim across the bay, over to the boat house and then wander over to check out if I was catching any fish on the dock.

Photo below is of a red squirrel. I should have taken a photo of a black squirrel as I keep forgetting they are not common place for my friends south of the border. My husband calls them tree rats, and they can be a pain, as one had chewed a computer wire on my van. Luckily my husband is an excellent mechanic and I saved $1000. of labor, but was out $400. for the part. In my opinion the red ones are more of a menace.

Photo of a woodpecker below. My husband don't believe me, but I actually petted one when I was a kid at Cedar Haven.

Check out the below video for the peaceful sounds of Bobs Lake.

I only hope and pray that I don't see any cormorants there, or I'm going to have to go cormorant hunting. They are a species that are quickly becoming a problem in many areas of Canada and the United States. They destroy the vegetation on the islands and shorlines that they inhabit and eat up all the fish. The Canadian Government is calling their return a success story. I say HOGWASH! Read here to see what the Toronto Star has to say about their deforestation. I would hate to see any of Bobs Lake landscape be ruined by these evil birds.

I think we are being followed! We take the half hour dive into the beautiful little town of Westport and what is the first thing we see? The Kawartha Voyageur.

I imagine one of the reasons we don't get to Bobs Lake as much as I would like, is because we have a boat on Lake Simcoe, which is where we see the Kawartha Voyageur quite often. We also saw her wintered one year closer to home in Pickering, where she was getting some work done, and the years we spent at the 1000 Islands we would also see her there.

She does have some of the most beautiful cruising grounds, but its not the most glamorous ship. But for someone who does not have a boat, its the best way to see the best of Ontario's waterways and quaint little towns.

St. Andrew the Fisherman, Anglican Chuch. Church services for the cottagers in the summer months. I wanted to get married here in the summer of 2000, but we were kind of rushed into a February wedding, thanks to immigration Canada:-(

Additional photos have been posted at our Day Tripping Ontario facebook page. Please visit and LIKE the page!

And one last thing, while I was there this year I came up with a new word to describe my feelings:

SUREAL - Definition: having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream

Until next time, the dreams will continue:-)

Food Truck Eats Part II - 8-20-11

2011-08-20T10:21:00.004-04:00

My top recommendation for this weekend would be to visit Part II of the Food Truck Eats Festival at the Historic Distillery District in Toronto, Saturday August 20, from 11am to 3pm, but early birds arriving at 10am can purchase a wrist band to avoid the lines.

We are not talking your local hot dog carts but gourmet Food Trucks from all over Ontario will converge in one place for a sampling of eats ranging from cupcakes, grilled cheese, poutine and smoked meats and much more.

The inaugural event, Part I took place in July with only five trucks and some vendors in tents.

Photo courtesy of: The Distillery Blog
Stay tuned for the announcement of Part III. I hope I can make it to Part III, as the Distillery District has a charm of its own and is one of my favorite places to visit, along with a nice cold Organic Lager from Mill Street Brewery.

Brocks Big Bite - Beaverton, Ontario 8-14-11

2011-08-18T14:10:00.012-04:00

The 2011 first annual Brock's Big Bite was hosted this past Sunday, August 14, in Beaverton, Ontario. Naturally since Beaverton is our home away from home for a big part of the year, along with my involvement with The Great Canadian Cheese Festival, I just had to check it out. Beaverton's Town Hall, pictured above, featured exhibits from local Lake Simcoe Artists.

The event was well advertised locally as a celebration of family and friends at a long lunch table spanning the main downtown core of Beaverton, a picturesque little town on the shores of Lake Simcoe. The $20. advanced tickets sold out before the event started, and I unfortunately didn't purchase one. But everyone was still encouraged to come and support the vendors and the many downtown shops that Beaverton has to offer and grab a bite to eat at one of their many restaurants such as Kings Bishop or Crusty's Pizza, to name a few.

The meal consisted of sliced BBQ pork or beef, fresh corn on the cob, salad, rolls, pie and a drink. I had envisioned this being served family style at the long table, but you received a ticket for your meal and had to stand in line for that.

The stage at the end of the street provided musical entertainment for all to enjoy.

Artisan exhibits lined the streets. Other than the local artists, the vendor participation was minimal. I had only noticed two produce vendors, and Thornloe Cheese and a few other charitable stands. Hopefully next year they can entice more!

All weekend long the Lake Simcoe Squadron and the US 25th Infantry re-enactors were camped out on the shores of Lake Simcoe near the Beaverton Harbour for an 1812 battle. The troops marched into town and captured the Mayor and took him to the jail! Musket and cannon fire echoed out on both Saturday and Sunday when they did a surprise attack on the American troops. I'm glad they didn't notice my American Flag on our boat in the Beaverton Harbour:-) This too is an annual event, but could really use some more publicity, as you don't know they are coming until you hear the explosions!

Cannington, Ontario will be the 2012 host of Brocks Big Bite, so mark your calendars for August 12.

Boat Cruise to Orillia & Lagoon City - July 2011

2011-07-30T08:40:00.000-04:00

This month we decided to cruise our boat, a Four Winns 278 Vista Cruiser to Georgian Bay from our home port in Beaverton, Ontario on Lake Simcoe.

The weather didn't cooperate and we only had a weeks vacation so we decided to tour some local ports closer to home.

We left Lake Simcoe and cruised into Lake Couchiching ending up at the Port of Orillia.

View Larger Map

Whether you are visiting by boat or by car, the town of Orillia has lots to offer in the way of accommodations, restaurants, attractions and a really fantastic down town core with the Mariposa Market being the highlight.

If you didn't arrive to Orillia by boat, you can get a tour of Lake Couchiching on the Island Princess. There is a variety of cruises to choose from a 1 hour tour, a twin lakes tour which includes Lake Simcoe, to lunch and dinner and fireworks cruises.

Adjoining the port of Orillia is Couchiching Beach Park.

Sixteen Front Casual Fine Dining and Lounge - Orillia, Ontario

2011-07-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

The first evening we walked a block from the marina to find some dinner and decided upon Sixteen Front Casual Fine Dining and Lounge, which we knew was a good choice from the savory aromas that helped to motivate our hunger.

My husband was considering the Maple-brined pork chop and beer-braised cabbage with lardons. After joking with the waitress about the strange sounding lardons, my husband and I each chose the 8 ounce filet mignon. Since the menu stated "Help us make this your most enjoyable dining experience. please ask your server if there is anything more we can do" my husband asked if he could have his filet bacon wrapped. It appears that he could but it was a $5. charge for the strip of bacon. Oh well, he didn't want it that bad, and the filets were so tender they didn't need any bacon. The garlic mashed and the baked potato were nice accompaniments.

One of our party had the chicken breast stuffed with fresh herbs and Goat cheese topped with a mushroom, maple-smoked bacon, pearl onion and white wine cream sauce. The other chose the 3 course steak special of the day with came with a cold gazpacho soup and dessert. We had no complaints at all, and returned again for lunch during our three day stay in Orilla.

Location:
Sixteen Front Street
Orillia, Ontario.

For Reservations:
705-326-3135

Winter Hours:
Sun: Closed*
Mon - Wed: 11am - 9pm
Thurs - Sat: 11am - 11pm

French's Hot Dog Stand in Couchiching Beach Park

2011-07-30T07:59:00.001-04:00

Our second day in Orillia we strolled along the waterfront and decided to try French's Hot Dog Stand. This place has been in operation since 1920 and has always been a local favorite. We each had a burger, hand cut fries and a shake. Satisfying but our meal came to a grand total of $26. but was well worth the experience and the view.

It's a nice stop for beach-goers, walkers, bikers and people who want to show off their "rides".

Lagoon City: Brechin, Ontario - July 2011

2011-07-30T06:50:00.002-04:00

The waterfront community of Lagoon City is located on the Eastern shores of Lake Simcoe, between the towns of Orillia and Beaverton, Ontario. I call it a waterfront subdivision, and I mean that in a nice way! You have the best of both worlds, a driveway for your car and a dock or covered slip for your boat. Some of the condos even have a boat house on your lower level. Imagine, open the garage door, pull in your boat, and bingo your on the lower level of your house!
Above photo courtesy of Lagoon City Community Association.

Whether you decided to visit Lagoon City by car or boat, its a lovely destination.

After entering Lagoon City via boat from Lake Simcoe, on the right (above photo) you will approach The Harbour Inn & Resort Club. Overnight accommodations are available here, but we have never checked them out. Watch this website for an upcoming review of Chef Konstantine Restaurant at the Harbour Inn. We have heard and read exceptional reviews for this greek cusine restaurant and we will be sure to be visiting it soon before the season ends.

It is really cool to cruise though all the little channels of the community (above). It's like driving down a street, but only in your boat. Further down from the Harbour Inn on the left is Lagoon City Marina, where we decided to do a transient stay for three nights in our boat. (pictured below)

They were calling for rain so we opted for a covered slip, and the Marina has a restaurant which was a big plus. We had water, electricity and cable TV hook-ups at our slip. Unfortunately I did't bring enough cable wire to hook up our TV.

Kaytoo Restaurant & Bar is located on the 2nd floor above the Lagoon City Marina office. There is an outside balcony that overlooks the marina. Although we opted to sit inside, we did come out to enjoy our drinks and have a smoke. For those that opted to sit outside, once the sun started to set, they were all chased indoors by the mosquitoes and spiders.

The first night I opted for the house white wine, which was acceptable. It must have been good, because it was my wine of choice for the next three nights we dined there. Wednesday night they had wings on special for .65 cents each. I ordered a few for us to sample and they were very good. In hindsite, we should have just done a wing night on Wednesday, but we were hungry for a good dinner. I had the beer battered whitefish and home cut fries which was excellent. My husband had the beef filet and garlic mashed, which he enjoyed. He said it was the best garlic mashed he ever tasted.

The restaurant was very busy that night and our waitress warned us that there could be a wait, but we didn't mind as we were not going anywhere! Thats what vacations are for:-) There was a couple of tables of I would say 10 to 12 people and a few other tables occupied by couples. There was only two waitresses on duty, but they did a good job, even though it did take awhile our food arrived hot!

The second night we had burgers as we were not as hungry. The were good and we had the home cut fries which were very good! And we added a side order of perogies to try them, as they do offer an all you can eat perogie night. I think the Thursday special was and afternoon happy hour with drink specials and nachos. The service was even better this night. I am sorry I didn't try the bison buger, as I heard quite a few people ordering them the night before.

The final night (Friday) we went for dinner a bit early, as the regular boaters would be showing up for the long August weekend and we wanted to beat the crowds. The first Monday in August in Canada is a civic holiday, or Simcoe Day as its sometimes called in Ontario.

It was not that busy yet but they had extra staff on duty for the weekend crowd. My husband ordered the caesar salad with chicken which he said was good. I enjoyed the whitefish so much that I ordered it again. I'm picky when it comes to ordering fish, I don't like something that is fishy, as Halibut is my usual choice, but I'm glad I tried the whitefish. It was fantastic.

One nice touch they had on their menu which I though was really cool, is that if you were out on the lake fishing, you could bring your catch and the chef would clean, filet and cook it along with rice and a vegetable for only $14.95. I think I'm going to have to go fishing soon!!

The only downfall we have had with our three nights dining at Kaytoo was on our final night. I had read some bad reviews about the Brechin location, but we had no complaints with the food or the service. This last meal we had, on a night when they had more staff on duty and less customers than the first night, our food did not arrive hot. The home cut fries were dried up.

Not sure if they had a different chef on duty that night or the waitress just left it in the kitchen too long. Bottom line, I did tell her about it, not complaining though, just for their future reference, and she didn't seem to care.