This is my Favourite Time of the Year!

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There’s something so special about this time of year in southern Ontario. The mornings are cool and crisp, the air smells fresh and earthy, and every step through the woods brings that satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. It’s like nature takes one last exhale before winter and paints the world in golds, reds, and oranges. I can never get enough of it.

A few weeks ago, I joined a group of friends for a road trip into cottage country to soak up the fall colours. It was a little early in the season to see a lot of colour but the weather was perfect. We started out in Buckhorn, where we were staying for the week. The drive itself was a treat - the winding roads were lined with towering maples and shimmering birch trees, some glowing in stunning hews of autumn. Around every bend, it seemed, was another lake that was edged in colour.



Our first stop was in Dorset, a small Ontario town set in the middle of cottage country. We found a spot for lunch, and enjoyed chatting over soup and sandwiches on the sunny patio that overlooked the lake. Then it was time to climb the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower. It was a bit of a climb but the breathtaking views from the top made it worthwhile. While we were still early in the Fall Season, there was some colour peaking out amongst the green, providing us with some great photo ops.







From Dorset, we continued our journey through Algonquin Park, which is absolutely stunning this time of year. The park is famous for its fall foliage, and, even though we were early in the season, it didn’t disappoint. Every bend begging us to stop and enjoy the view.  We took advantage of the beautiful weather and walked the Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail. It’s an easy, peaceful trail that winds through spruce trees and across wooden boardwalks that hover over the bog. The smell of pine and damp earth filled the air as we walked the 1.5 km trail, enjoying the birds and vegetation as we went. 



 After grabbing dinner at a small town pub-style restaurant, we headed for home.  The roads were dark, and we were tired.  As we neared home, we turned a corner and noticed a faint green glow in the sky ahead of us - it was the Northern Lights.  We pulled to the side of the road and enjoyed the soft ribbons of green and hints of pink as they danced above us. We stood there in the cool night air, completely still, just watching in awe. It felt like the perfect ending to an already perfect fall day.




There's something magical about autumn in Ontario. The crisp air, the brilliant colours, and the scent of the forest. Sharing that experience with good friends made it even more special. It reminded me how lucky we are to live surrounded by so much natural beauty and how important it is to take the time to enjoy it while it lasts.

Every year, I fall in love with fall all over again. 

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TBD - we are working on that.

Where We've Been