Canada Week 2

July 24, 2025

We spent our second week at the cottage, enjoying the lake (in all ways) and the surrounding towns. Bonus: the lake water was warm enough to comfortably swim in!

Up bright and early, and ready to head to the cottage.

Lucky Arlo and Lucy were given brand new LEGO sets from neighbor Marsha.

And we're off to the cottage! Zzz....

Wasting no time at all: setting out to build his new LEGO ambulance the moment we arrive.

Lucy, on the other hand, wastes no time with the indulgent donuts we stopped for in Gravenhurst.

Tea time!

Going down to check out the lake.

Checking the temperature of the lake.

We made it!

Arlo remembers it, but Lucy not so much.

Lucy felt fast at home.

Careful when frolicking on the dock!

Granny & Grandpa thoughtfully saved the box that their new lawnmower came in.

Entertainment for the week!

Enjoying their new LEGOs.

Daring spaghetti bolognese for our first cottage dinner.

Diving all-in to her breakfast.

The Bracebridge Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.

Enjoying the rainbow bench.

Didn't expect to be holding a python there!

Stopping by to visit Aunt Chris.

Lunch at the famous Thai food truck in town, Nid Noi.

Not bad!

Afternoon down by the lake.

Brave Arlo is the first of the Thai contingent to go into the lake.

The two brave men.

Swept up by the momentum, Lucy thinks it would be a good idea to go in, too.

As far in as Lucy would get for her whole cottage visit.

(Action shot.)

A cold burrito recovering from her lake encounter.

Still recovering.

Coloring break.

Delicious, sweet Ontario corn for dinner.

It's a hit!

A beautiful, still morning down on the lake.

(Until these two arrived, that is.)

Checking out a beautiful, wet spider's web.

More watercolor painting, this time on solid ground.

Going out for our first canoe ride, to further disturb the calm.

Through the lily pads.

Brief stop at Aunties Jas & Julia's cottage, even though no one is home.

We made it back!

Working through a reading file.

Visiting the playground across the river from Chris's condo.

It's decently shaded, with lots to climb, slide, and swing on.

Another dandelion opportunity.

Learning that it's fun to "fly" on the swings.

Granny bought very bright, colorful popsicles for these two lucky ducks.

The horse and deer flies are loving our heads... so it's time to bust out the cottage hat collection!

Enjoying the cottage time with Chris (including learning a lot more about what it's like not to be able to see...)

Lucy turns 3 years and 4 months old today; this is her "tree" photo in front of the door that Arlo has decorated.

Brr! It's a refreshing 15 degrees out this morning!

Fresh!

This eager beaver wants to swim, despite the air temperature.

Lucy will help by handling the noodles. (Note: she's wearing two layers of swim suits.)

In goes brave Arlo - brr!

Brrr!

Lucy is dressed the part, but has decided for the better.

Here is as far as Lucy's going today.

These two polar bears were much braver than wimpy mum!

Despite being cold, it's never too cold for radioactive popsicles!

Going for a nature walk on McKay Trail Private.

Are these bluebells? Snowdrops?

What a wonderful mossy rock!

Electric ears!

Paddington and his doppleganger.

A pile of grandchildren.

The Fraserburg Road is like a roller coaster!

Going on a second nature walk...

... But this time we're visiting May Chutes, in the South Muskoka River.

Beautiful afternoon to be there.

Arlo was very interested in the chutes and the nature surround them.

Looking for skipping stones.

Here we are, representing all the primary colors.

Back at the cottage, more fun with the lawnmower box.

Lucy's helping Granny with the BBQ...

... but Mum is wholly unqualified to be doing this.

Delicious hodgepodge hotdog dinner!

And pudding for dessert. Two thumbs up!

Another good night's sleep at the cottage.

Another calm water morning at the cottage: with mist on the water and everything.

Walking carefully along the rocks to the "beach".

"Fishing."

Double trouble!

Cottage vibes.

What a relaxing morning on the dock.

Another banana that's larger-than-life!

The tiniest spider has landed on Arlo's arm this time.

Quick trip to Port Carling, to see the Locks in action.

Patience required.

The ever-picturesque Lake Rosseau.

Stopping for an ice cream treat... but regretting his choice of flavor.

Lucy's is good to the last drop! (And gone, baby, gone!)

Admiring a boat he hopes to one day own.

And trying on the town's Muskoka chairs for size.

One last dash over the locks before heading back.

Fast asleep in the morning cottage sun.

Enjoying milk in these magic mugs.

Visiting Aunt Chris at her house again.

Hooray! Delicious lunch at Harvey's!

What a crime on so many levels!

Any resemblance? (Probably would be more if Lucy still had her bangs...)

Oh no! Is it time for Mum & Granny to swim, too!?

Well, the old ladies are in!

Lucy the modern monk.

Lucy's dancing on the table... and Granny Aki is rolling over in her grave.

Enjoying an ice cream cone with sprinkles - how deluxe!

(They didn't realize you could eat the cone...)

First encounter with a Daddy Long Legs.

Ants on a log: a moderately successful snack. The celery was deeply rejected.

How exciting: a tractor drove by (twice) and they got a wave each time!

Delicious pancake & berry breakfast courtesy of Granny.

And then it's a morning in Bracebridge, while Granny & Aunt Chris go to Huntsville.

We spent almost 2 hours at the playground on the river.

They climbed on all the things.

And Arlo even played helpful big brother, catching Lucy at the bottom of the slide.

Look at our little climber go!

Pushing each other on the swings - what a lark!

And building sand castles.

Digging the deepest holes that have probably been dug at that playground, in order to reach wet sand.

Success!

Snack break.

Heading along the historic walking trail, toward town.

Look, berries!

The tiniest wild raspberries.

Posing with the falls and several Inukshuk.

Plenty of water going over the falls! (And under the structurally unsound Silver Bridge!)

Enjoying the TV at Chris's house afterward.

Adventure for the afternoon: helping Uncle Peter get the motor boat ("speedboat") into the water for the season.

How many grey hairs does it take?

Meanwhile, Arlo and Lucy's interests were piqued by the pedal boat.

Last step: the gasoline.

And done! (With the benefit of lots of added supervision.)

And we're off to take the "speedboat" for an inaugural spin.

Unsurprisingly, these two are having fun!

So many things to see! (Everything looks different at speed.)

We're back!

And there's just enough time left to go for a short swim back at our cottage.

In such a hurry to swim, there's no time to change into his suit.

Lovely water again today!

But all of this was foreboding... ominous weather to come shortly! Stay tuned!

Starting supper outside...

... and finishing in indoors, by candle light.