Quite a Change of Pace

The Ridge

Friday, Aug. 11^th was a typical start to our day. Kind of. I was up and on my way to the Mat by 7. Only a young father with his ‘soon to be 5 years old!’ daughter. What a cute couple of customers. She was watching ‘Cry Babies’ on an ipod while Dad did the laundry. 😊

Our drive to Gravenhurst

Today was my day to do the big dryer lint and when I did that, I found $1.20. With nothing to give a ‘soon to be 5-year-old’, I asked Dad if I could give her a gift. I didn’t need that looney. She was quite happy to add it to her piggy bank. ♥ I had 3 items that I wanted for the weekend, so I washed and dried those before I left. At 8, Bill had taken Ptooties to Grey Bruce Fleet to get the oil filter changed and we met back at home around 9:30.

We thought the Arizona business sign was neat
Who doesn't love a kokopelli?

I had finished packing things up at home and we loaded everything in the car. We were closing the gate and pulling out of the lane at 10 o’clock. Driving to my sister-in-law’s cottage near Gravenhurst was about 2 ½ hours and we had a beautiful day for a drive. At Stayner, we stopped at Tim Horton’s for a hot drink and since I didn’t have breakfast, an egg and bacon wrap with a hash brown was perfect.

Perfect 

Gibbs in his new thunder shirt
for calming him on the trip.
Can't say that it worked perfectly this time
but we'll keep at it.

Arriving at Campbell’s Landing Marina around 12:30, Carol, Brian, Liz and Bruce met us and showed us where to park our car. I told you I was nervous about the barge? Well, nothing to fear, it was just different than I expected and quite comfy and a fun ride to their cottage on Miller Island. 😊 What a beautiful space they have created with their son, Todd. We were shown our room and then a tour of this lovely place.

They met us at the Marina
I love the lily pads

Carol and Brian's cottage comes into view
Gorgeous!

Bill lifts Gibbs onto the barge

The gangs all here

Our Captain at the helm
Bruce and Carol ride along

Lunch was served, hot dogs, corn on the cob and Liz’s delicious brownies. I wasn’t hungry so just had corn and a brownie. That would tie me over until supper. We spent an hour or so. on the dock deck and then went for a ride around Skinner Bay on the barge. It was really nice to see all the cottages around the area, some bigger than others but all beautiful. What money can buy. ♥

View from their deck

Back at the cottage, Bill and I hopped in 2 kayaks and went for a paddle of our own. Gibbs rode with Bill after Brian handed him in and was quite content. He wasn’t keen for the water, like Gracie. She’s a little fish! It was fun to get back into a kayak again, not to mention good exercise for my arms. Maybe not the best for Bill but he obliged me with my request to join me and didn’t seem to come out any worse for wear.

Our afternoon boat ride

For supper, Carol and Brian made us a lovely meal. Pork loin, potato salad, cabbage salad and brownies and cookies for dessert. I started writing my blog, (wow, a lot of pictures today!) and yet when Carol mentioned playing Skip Bo, which I don’t think I’ve ever played, I wanted to join in. The blog could wait until morning. It was confusing until we were into it but it was fun with the 4 of us.

Some afternoon fun.
Gibbs gets a swimming lesson
Liz gets a fishing lesson

I enjoyed the kayaks
So did Gibbs but Liz didn't get a picture of him in it with Daddy.

Brian and Bruce went fishing before it got dark and returned with a nice size bass. Nice! Bruce was quite happy. Our game ended shortly after 10 and that was it for the night. This has been a wonderful day. We are so glad we came, spending time with someone who to spend time with us and we don’t see Bill’s siblings often enough. 😊

Supper and the sun slowly
disappears into a cloudy sky.
Good night!

Thank you for popping by.