Canada Week 3 — Mika's Photos

We're back! We survived the tornado, but the trees and the power lines at the top of Fraserburg Road didn't fare as well...

Here, people are using chain saws to cut up the trees in the road so it's passable to cars.

Being the thick-skinned survivalists that we are, we dashed into town, grabbed breakfast from Independent, and landed in Chris's house faster than you can say "tornado".

A little power outage can't put a damper in our plans...

... so off to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary we go.

It was too hot for most of the animals to come out...

... but we did glimpse a bear and this silver fox.

Well, Arlo enjoyed playing with the mud anyway, and we got a nice walk in. And heard some nice commentary!

Back at the cottage, the power is not back yet, but they're working away at it.

Power or no power, it's a nice afternoon and great swimming weather.

Racing to the "rubber duck".

Oh, who's that approaching from the distance?

It's Uncle Peter and his speedboat... which is still running nice and strong on gas!

Uncle Peter's teaching Arlo how to drive. Uh oh!

Fun for everyone!

Meanwhile, Granny & Grandpa enjoy some peace without their grandchildren.

Upon return, Arlo wanted to swim again...

... but what about the ladies?

Ladies and gents, Lucy has learned how to photobomb.

We thought it would be a good idea to eat up the ice cream... but it's already soup! (These cones were a bit too ambitious, as the body language suggests.)

Learning how to deadhead the flowers with Grandpa.

No power? No problem! Enjoying an improvised lasagne (on the barbie) dinner with Uncles Peter & Josh, and Aunts Clearley & Jas.

Pita on the barbie, too!

Delish! Way to pull it off, Granny!

Recreating another photo from 2 years ago. Both Lucy and Mackie look older.

A nice Saturday morning surprise: the power is finally back!

Lucy's getting her first lesson in playing cards from Grandpa. Never too young to start!

Heading over to the other Tomczak cottage... by canoe? Are we being too ambitious?

Here we come!

Wasting no time getting into the water for what would be a full day on the lake!

Cousin Mackie didn't want to miss a second.

Poor Uncle Josh was steering the pedal boat for the first while.

Mackie to the rescue!

These two have the peddle boat figured out.

Chaos in the water!

Finally able to take a back seat!

Arlo's next endeavor: the paddle board.

He got the hang of it in no time!

But somehow, poor Auntie Julia ended up it the tug boat position.

Yes yes, I like having this chauffeur.

Holding down the peddle fort.

Good job figuring out how to do it standing, Arlo!

Although it's probably trickier than it needs to be, using a kayak paddle!

Much-deserved lunch break!

Delicious lunch, courtesy of Clearley & Josh.

Mackie's enjoying lunch, too.

Spoiled by their aunties!

More electric ears.

Back on the water after lunch, and Mackie on the watch. Is everyone okay?

Oh no, the water guns are out now, too!

Laying low with my pal.

With a little time and lunch, Lucy now has the confidence and ambition to try the paddle board, too.

Wishing my children well...

... and sending them off to fend for themselves!

Arlo was kind, and tried to help Lucy stay the course.

But eventually, some intervention was needed.

Lucy's back from her afternoon on the water to wake Granny from her rather lengthy nap.

Working hard with (captive?) Uncle Taylor.

Lucy's concentrating hard on making this contraption taller than herself.

Face of concentration, or frustration?

Buzzing Auntie Jasmine's head.

Dinner buddies.

Another meal already?

If there hadn't been enough water action for the day, these two insisted on taking the paddle boat out for another spin after dinner.

They went all the way to the other side of the bay and back all by themselves.

Good job, team!

Oh yes, we canoed over here this morning. Time to head back!

Lucy's wondering why she, too, didn't choose to go by car.

It's a very overcast, and somewhat blustery, Sunday morning!

Collecting stones, on the dock. Which is the most optimal place for a stone collection, clearly.

Patiently (excitedly) waiting for our water taxi service to take us across the lake.

Here we go: fun on the water, take two!

Mackie's trying on his life jacket... he was a good sport.

Today is much windier than yesterday, so the (water) fun didn't last as long.

Lunch time (again) - this time courtesy of Clearley & Taylor.

Ice cream buddies! (And a new flavor of ice cream, to boot.)

These two have no idea what's about to hit them!

More being spoiled by Auntie Julia & Uncle Taylor.

Mackie's got his eye on the prize: two large bowls of potato chips!

And Arlo manages to eat them in the most appetizing, crunchy way possible.

Heading back to our cottage - thanks to Water Taxi driver Julia!

Thanks again for the ride! Great service!

It's our last night, so we're having dinner with Aunt Chris at her place.

Lucy (and Arlo) were totally captivated by the aquarium on TV. (Clearly, any screen time is good screen time!)

Bye bye, Aunt Chris!

"See" you next time!

Late evening game of Tag.

Sleeping peacefully at the cottage. So dark, so quiet.

Last opportunity to play cards at the cottage.

The lake had an amazing mist (haze?) on it for our final morning.

The photos don't do it justice!

We rescued this fellow from the water. What is (s)he?

Popsicle for breakfast? Why not, it's our last hour at the cottage.

Bye bye, cottage. See you next time!

We needed to make a rest stop just past Barrie - but as a *super bonus* we got up close with a Cyber Truck that was also stopping there.

A quick search for pine cones back in Toronto...

... and then a quick dinner with Uncle Chad, who came all the way into Toronto to see us.

(Watch your head!)

Cheers!

Thanks for making the trip up, Uncle Chad! Great to see you!

Using Granny's old binoculars to spy (not-so-subtly) on the neighbors.

Working on the new sticker books from Val.

And then doing an activity we'd planned since our last visit: the drive-through car wash!

It was as much a hit as we'd hoped it would be!

Mid-day date with Auntie Julia at the Boulevard Club.

After a *long* swim (I think these guys missed the pool) a delicious lunch.

Checking out all the boats that dock at the club (sizing up which one(s) they'd buy in the future.)

A very quick, hot stop at the playground.

And then spending the rest of the afternoon/evening at Auntie Julia and Uncle Taylor's beautiful condo.

Lucy quickly caught on to UNO, and didn't want to stop playing.

The rest of the gang arrived shortly.

Quick, impromptu ukulele concert by Arlo.

And another delicious dinner.

The balcony was a perfect temperature, and perfect lighting, after dinner. So comfortable!

What a nice evening.

The Tomczak ladies.

Arlo and his doting Aunties. (And Mackie.)

On Wednesday morning, we made one last trip to Lucy's favorite playground (with the short monkey bars).

And used the opportunity to meet with Mum's former colleague.

Lucy learned a new trick from Granny while in her care.

And exploring the playground at Grange Park, just below the AGO.

Arlo was much more into the water features...

... whereas Lucy enjoyed the climbing and the slides.

Brave Lucy!

Maple and Uncle Henry joined us as well.

Got these gems of videos / photos!

Thanks for coming up to see us on such a busy day, Uncle Henry!

After a failed attempt two weeks ago, finally getting to see the garbage truck!

Last playground of our visit, and it's in a league of its own: the brand new Biidaasige Park.

The playground itself opened less than 2 weeks ago (thanks for the tip, Chris!) and is sprawling.

(Although this was the only slide.)

There was no shortage of things to climb!

Great traditional wood sculptures (but, made in Germany!)

The owl is the centerpiece.

You can climb up to the eyes and look out.

View from the eyes. Not much shade yet, so good thing we came on a cool, overcast day.

There was also a sprawling sand and water play area.

Hello in there.

Lucy's favorite, hands-down, were the two zip lines.

She showed no fear, and rode them combined at least 10 times.

Eventually, Arlo found his way over and tried them, too.

And was eventually able to try it standing up.

There was a wobbly foot bridge...

... and these stepping logs...

... and a swinging balance beam.

More beautiful sculptures (from Germany).

Flying.

Bye bye, Biidaasige Park.

Seeing a few more family friends... and Granny's spoiling the kids with the too-posh desserts.

The Last Supper.

The ice cream enthusiasts, enjoying the last birthday cake bars.

Going for one last walk around the block.

Doing the maze for the first (and only) time this visit.

Done!

And running out some energy before the flight with a final game of tag.

The last dandelions.

Someone couldn't quite stay awake until 11pm... which is probably a good thing!

Sad farewell.

But there's always Angry Birds to look forward to!

Got a few hours of Zzz's.

A decent appetite for breakfast.

It's always fun to have a Taipei layover, although when we landed before 4am, nothing was open yet!

Lucy, enjoying a second breakfast of Haagen-Dazs in the lounge with Mum.

We're experts at killing time here now.

Back at our favorite LEGO store.

Here's our aircraft!

Final stretch of the journey!

Kudos to Arlo for. making a good dent in his meal.

And, well, Lucy ate all the butter!

Not a lick of sleep on the flight, but fell fast asleep while waiting for the luggage.

Heading home. (It's going to be a tough afternoon!)