Muskoka Moments

It has become pretty much a tradition that we spend our last weekend of the summer at my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's in Bracebridge,  otherwise known as "Camp Manolakos".  It is a wonderful way to end the summer and spend some quality time with our family.  They live on Lake Muskoka and the setting as well as the company is fabulous.   Aunty Sheryl makes sure we get outside as much as possible and no visit is complete without at least one hike, a paddle to the beach and a swim to the sandbar.  Uncle George makes sure golf is on the agenda for the guys followed by a little lounging in a muskoka chair with a brew or two. Thanks to hubby we eat like kings all weekend not to mention carnivores.  There's usually a bonfire to end a full day of fun complete with guitar, sing-a-longs and even appearances by some local celebrities.  But, as with the rest of the summer things turned out a little different  this year.  After a summer of major heat waves and lovely weather we were hit with the coldest Labour Day weekend I can ever remember. It rained on and off most of the time and the wind was fierce.  We barely sat by the lake (so much for prolonging my tan!), and no one except the dogs made it into the water. We managed to keep our spirits up even though there was no bonfire, canoeing or swimming.  

The start of our hike, crossing a dam.

A little rain doesn't discourage Aunty Sheryl and she took us  on a short hike by one of the falls in town. All three kids came and it was rather pleasant, as evidenced by the picture below.  We took our dog, Sheryl's dog and a neighbour's and they had quite the time. Our little city dog loves to run around with the big country dogs in the forest, but he's not too fond of bathing in the lake before he can go in the house again!

A rare but precious moment!

On the trail.

The next day two of the kids went with the rest of the gang on another hike, but I opted out as it was raining and I'd had enough of that.  Wish I would have gone, because it looks beautiful and just like Sheryl predicted it stopped raining by the time they arrived at the trail.  Oh well, I'll know better next time.

Cuddles in the Kitchen - where else?

It was a weekend of relaxing indoors instead of out, puzzles and fun family games

- well sort of - Apples to Apples and the game of Imagine can really go either way!  

It is always sad to see a good summer end,

but the adventures of school and the colours of fall can be something to look forward to...that is if you want to see the glass as half full.  

Only 10 more months until summer!!!

The end of summer kind of day....