Before moving to Ontario 17 years ago, I admit that when I thought of Ontario, I thought of Toronto and that was it. When Mike and I moved here to Guelph from New Brunswick (he's from New Brunswick and I am from Newfoundland. We met while at Mount Allison University.), we were overwhelmed by the number of people and the pace of life, much faster than the pace to which both of us were accustomed. For several years, we ached to be home, for we did not consider Ontario home but rather the place where we lived.
And then we began exploring this province where we now found ourselves. And as we explored, we realized just how big Ontario is and just how diverse and beautiful.
Beautiful. Did I mention that this place is beautiful?
The above is a photo of the gondola we took to the top of Blue Mountain near Collingwood. The boys loved it and I was terrified the entire time. Images of us plunging to our death flitted through my head the entire time. I think I managed to mask my fear from them fairly well though. But maybe not.
With each road trip we take, I fall in love with another part of Ontario. At the end of each trip, I realize a little more that we are home.
it is beautiful! i would love to visit canada one day. it's such a gorgeous country. glad you're finally feeling "home." i look forward to a home again one day!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tara! Ontario is beautiful country...I've travelled through much of it when I lived in Canada. It does take a while though to truly consider a place home...glad that's happening for you. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Wow that is a beautiful place!!!
ReplyDeleteHow great to travel Ontario. I was there when I was fifteen (my older brother grew up in Toronto) I loved Toronto, and we did get to travel outside a bit to visit my parents friends. After that visit, I thought I would move to Toronto when I grew up, but life is always unexpected.
ReplyDeletenice. glad you got a chance to get away.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time! I, too, get scared on those gondola rides. . . have to wear sunglasses so my girls can't see that my eyes are closed. La La land is my refuge in those moments:)
ReplyDeletelove your first photo..
ReplyDeleteIt must be a mama thing because I would have been freaking out on the gondolas too. My grandma was in Collingwood the last ten years before she passed. Your post made me think of her. I don't think I'll ever stop missing her. It's so hard.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad you call Ontario home now. We get to be "neighbours." It is indeed a beautiful province. xoxo
looks like you are definitely discovering the beauty of your home. my only real time in Ontario was during one of the snowiest March's on record, so i didn't get to enjoy all that much. i will have to try again.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to explore were you live. I didn't used to like London but the more I explore it, the more I enjoy it and feel like it's home.
ReplyDeleteJust home in Ontario for a visit and fell in love all over again.... You are so right. I may post some pix from my trip as well. Dad lives in Collingwood so we spent time there as well. Thanks for sharing!! xo Jen
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling similarly about Minnesota. I really struggled to make peace with the move here from Illinois but more and more I'm finding it fitting me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery and your little guys are adorable.
These look like the pictures I took at Mont-Tremblant last week! :) I had the same knots in my stomache when we rode the gondola up the mountain!
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