The Laurentian Mountains are a mountain range in southern Quebec. We stayed at Auberge Du Lac Morency in the town of Saint-Hippolyte. We were right on the lake where we could swim, canoe and take out a paddleboat.
There were wonderful little towns to visit nearby...... Saint-Sauveur, Sainte-Adele, Val-David, Saint-Agathe-des-Monts. We also drove to Mont-Tremblant which is a world famous ski resort. The views were amazing and it was so much fun to practice my french again.
OTTAWA
Ottawa is Canada's capital and is in the east of southern Ontario, near Montreal. On our way to Quebec, we spent a few days there. Sitting on the Ottawa River is Parliament Hill which is home to the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament and the Peace Tower. There is a lot of rehabilitation of these buildings going on but they are still beautiful. We also saw the Changing of the Guards and while we were waiting for the change, a marching band went by us!
We also went on a boat ride down the historic Rideau Canal. It weaves its way through Ottawa's charming downtown core. In the winter, the water freezes and you can skate on the maintained ice for almost 5 miles!
FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA
I just spent 4 days in Alabama. Fairhope is a wonderful town on the Gulf Coast. It is so scenic with streets lined with live oaks and a charming downtown. It sits on bluffs that overlook Mobile Bay.
The shopping district has lots of character, locally owned stores, art galleries and eateries. We started our first day with beignets in the French Quarter. We did some shopping and then walked out on the Fairhope pier where a fisherman had caught a 3-foot red fish!
The Grand Hotel in Point Claire is a beautiful resort that was built in 1847. It served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. It was fun to walk around the gorgeous grounds.
We also drove to the beach at Gulf Shores one day. The water was crystal clear and the sand so white....beautiful!
And food! One night I ate fried oysters, hushpuppies, fried okra and french fries. It was delicious but ate a little healthier after that!
Fairhope comes as close to utopia as a place can be. I felt like I was living in a Hallmark movie the entire time.
DOWNTOWN TORONTO
Our last day in Toronto we went downtown to an area called Kensington Market. Odd little shops, restaurants and the El Mocambo where The Rolling Stones sometimes used to show up unannounced to play. Then we walked to Chinatown for Dim Sum. This is a restaurant where women serve lunch the old fashioned way where they push around carts stopping at your table to see if you would like one of their dishes. Look whose picture were on the wall.......the Queen and Justin Trudeau!
PETERBOROUGH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Peterborough is a very picturesque town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. It has a charming brick downtown with many galleries, shops and great restaurants. We had dinner at a restaurant right overlooking a very fast flowing river due to the large amount of rain they had this summer. It was beautiful and the food delicious!
THOUSAND ISLANDS PLAYHOUSE
The most scenic theatre in Canada is the Thousand Islands Playhouse on the banks of the St. Lawrence river in Gananoque, Ontario. We went to Kingston for 4 days to visit friends. The Buddy Holly Story was playing at the theatre....a very good show and wonderful setting!
We also visited the Kingston Farmers Market where the vendors were selling beautiful fruits, vegetables and flowers.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
This is such a pretty town located on the Niagara Peninsula at the point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It is only a 20 minute drive to Niagara Falls. It is known for its wineries, fruit growing and the Shaw Festival, a series of theatre productions.
OLD QUEBEC
Old Quebec is a historic neighborhood of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, clustered around the city's harbor on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. It is a walled city that is an architectural treasure and monument to European colonial history in the New World. It really is like being in France!
Quaint stone Buildings, shops, restaurants and art vendors are plentiful. Not to mention the most amazing food!!!
NEW HAMPSHIRE
While on vacation in Hew Hampshire, we enjoyed the mountains, cooler weather, hiking and taking the Cog Railway to the top of Mount Washington, the highest peak in New England. A cog is one of a series of teeth as on the rim of a wheel or gear, whose engagement transmits successive motive force to a corresponding wheel or gear. This allows the railway car to climb up the mountain in a straight line. The only other such railway in the U.S. is at Pike's Peak in Colorado.
At the summit, is a weather station and the highest wind ever observed by man was recorded there, 231 m.p.h. You can see in my picture that the roofs are chained to the ground!
We also took a day trip to Kennebunkport, Maine to see the Bush Family compound and of course to eat a lobster roll!
PORT ELGIN
Port Elgin is a community in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada. It sits on a beautiful beach on Lake Huron. Its waters are shallow and warm. One of the main attractions at Port Elgin other than enjoying the beach and swimming, is viewing the amazing sunsets.
BEARIZONA
When you first drive into the park, you stay in your car for a 3 mile drive to see bears, mountain goats, sheep, elk, mule deer, wolves and bison.
Then there is a separate walk-through area where you see bobcats, otters, porcupines, javelina, red fox, jaguar and more.
Bearizona keeper staff also give educational chats and animal shows. Great for kids!
ANTELOPE CANYON AND LAKE POWELL
Antelope Canyon -
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon on Navajo land just east of Page, Arizona. There are two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, the "Upper" and the "Lower". We just did a tour of the lower canyon which is a more difficult hike than Upper Antelope. It is longer, narrower in spots and requires ladders to enter and exit.
The canyons were formed over hundreds of years of water running through sandstone creating spectacular formations. It is a sacred site for the Navajo and a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world.
Lake Powell -
Lake Powell is a reservoir on the Colorado River straddling the border between Utah and Arizona. Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers amazing recreation opportunities. We took a 2 1/2 hour boat tour from Wahweap Marina through Antelope and Navajo Canyons. At Navajo Canyon, we saw "desert varnish" also known as Navajo Tapestry on the sandstone walls. Also on the way back to the marina, we went by Glen Canyon Dam, which is the second largest concrete dam in the United States.
SPRING IN MISSISSAUGA
I visited Mississauga, Ontario in the first week of April. It was a great time to see the first signs of spring.....a robin hopping on the lawn, daffodils and other spring bulbs in bloom and forsythia. Forsythia is a hardy shrub that blooms early with a profusion of yellow flowers.
A walk along the Credit River path was beautiful on such a warm spring day.
PINE, ARIZONA
Pine is a town in north-central Arizona just below the Mogollon Rim. The elevation is 5,448 feet. Our friends have a cabin in this charming town.
We sat on their deck with a magnificent view and watched the elk strolling by and wandering among the meadows below. Their bugling could be heard into the night.
Not far from Pine, is the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. We had a beautiful hike along the Waterfall Trail and then the Gowan Trail to see the bridge. What a wonderful time!
HIGH PARK TENNIS CLUB
The High Park Club is a tennis and curling club in Toronto, Ontario. When I lived in Toronto, I used to play on the grass courts. There are very few true grass courts in North America. When Wimbledon is being played in Britain, we used to play our own Wimbledon tournament. We would start the day with strawberries and cream. Then when we weren't playing, we would watch the action from the balconies .....such fun!
PETERBOROUGH LIFT LOCK
The Peterborough Lift Lock is a boat lift located on the Trent-Severn Waterway which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Huron. There are a total of 44 locks in all. One-way travel time is five to seven days.
It was first built in 1904 and for most of its life, the lock's dual lifts were the highest hydraulic boat lift in the world, raising boats 65 feet. We went on a two hour cruise through a few locks including the hydraulic one. It was an amazing experience!
Perched on the edge of a spectacular gorge and nestled along the banks of a river lies the lovely village of Elora. Many of the buildings in the downtown village are from the 1800's and are built rom the local limestone.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
Only 20 minutes from Niagara Falls is the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is probably one of the most picturesque towns I have ever visited. It is located where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. I have never seen so many beautiful flowers not only in residents' gardens but also in the parks, along the streets and outside shops and restaurants.
Surrounding the village is Canada's wine country. This is a community of wineries where you can stop, have a tour and do some wine tasting. Many orchards are also in the area.....the peaches were amazing!
And of course, you must visit Niagara Falls.
GEORGETOWN, ONTARIO
Georgetown is a small town in Halton Hills, Ontario situated on the Credit River. It is a beautiful town surrounded by farmland and nurseries.
A farmer's market operates on Main Street in downtown Georgetown on Saturdays. The street is closed off to vehicles during the event. Many of the farmers in the area sell their produce at their stands.
Along Main Street hang huge, gorgeous flower baskets making the town so beautiful!
ST. JACOB'S AND ELMIRA, ONTARIO
St. Jacob's and Elmira are located in Waterloo Region west of Toronto. The Village of St. Jacob's has an amazing Farmers Market. It is home to a population of approximately 4000 Old Order Mennonites who farm the surrounding countryside. Just down the road from St. Jacob's is Elmira.
Surrounded by farmland, Elmira offers a bounty of fresh, local produce, much of it available for sale at farm gates, roadside stalls and markets. The following horse and buggy photos were taken in Elmira.....
SEDONA
For my friends who do not live in Arizona, I wanted to share some information and photos of Sedona..... I just spent three wonderful days there.
Sedona was established in 1902 but did not become a popular destination until the 1960's. The town is surrounded by large red and white sandstone cliffs and buttes. There are more than 100 maintained backcountry trails for hiking as well as camping, fishing, golf and biking. Downtown Sedona is quaint but stylish with many art galleries and shops.
The unique beauty and serenity of Sedona has made it a spiritual destination and an outdoor lover's paradise.
MAUI
We recently spent a family vacation on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Our condo at Kaanapali Alii could not have been nicer. We had a view of the ocean from our balcony where we would have breakfast and watch the whales go by.
Located on Maui's northern shore is a small town named Paia. It is kind of a hippie town with many boutiques... fun to browse. While in the area, we visited Hookipa Beach where there is fantastic surf and many windsurfers.
From Paia, we headed up the slopes to Makawao in the upcountry of Maui..... another fun town to visit and have lunch.
There are many fantastic restaurants on the west side of the island. In Lahaina, there is Honu, Ma'la and Fleetwood's on Front Street (owned by Mick Fleetwood). The best sushi and seafood restaurant is Sansei at Kapalua Resort just north of Kaanapali.
We ate so much fresh fish. It was wonderful.
Activities abound on the island..... the guys golfed and we all went on a beautiful new catamaran called Ocean Spirit owned by The Pacific Whale Foundation. On this 2-hour sail, we saw many whales near our boat.... such amazing sights!
1000 ISLANDS, ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
The Thousand Islands consist of 1864 islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. We went on a cruise along the river on a glorious, sunny day. Some of the smaller islands are occupied by a single residence. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, the land has to have an area greater than 6 square feet and support at least 2 living trees!
Thousand Island dressing originated from this area and was first served at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
MUSKOKA, CANADA
Muskoka, Canada is a vast district of 1600 lakes, waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, pine forests and maple forests. This area is located 1 1/2 hours north of Toronto. We spent just over a week at a resort on Lake Rosseau. The three largest lakes in the area are Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. Cottages line the shores of these lakes where people come to relax, water ski, canoe, fish and just enjoy the water.
It is a wonderful place to spend summers!
SAN DIEGO
On a recent trip to San Diego and La Jolla, we visited the USS Midway. The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier opened in 2004 as a naval aviation museum. This ship was commissioned a week after the end of World War II. It was the largest ship in the world until 1955. She served for an unprecedented 47 years, saw action the Vietnam War and was the Persian Gulf flagship in Operation Desert Storm.
We also visited Sea World where we saw the Shamu whale show, dolphins, penguins, sharks, turtles, many different fish and more.
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
Want to get away from the heat of the city in the summer? A few days in Arizona's White Mountains is a nice break. This area in the northeast part of the state has the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the state. The cool beauty of the mountain air is perfect for fishing, hunting, camping or just poking around as we did. Pinetop-Lakeside is the community that we like to stay in. It is noted for its golf courses and excellent recreational facilities.
HAWAII
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands. We stayed at a "sister" resort of the resort where my husband works. Turtle Bay Resort is located on a beautiful peninsula on the North Shore of Oahu. The peninsula is surrounded by the ocean so you can see wonderful sunrises and sunsets. If there is such a thing as a perfect wave, you will likely find it on Oahu's North Shore.
We swam, played golf, toured the island and met many warm and friendly people.
CALIFORNIA COAST
Santa Cruz is the quintessential California beach town. There are tree-lined streets filled with vibrant shops, outdoor bistros and sidewalk musicians.
As you travel south along Monterey Bay, you come to the town of Monterey. Cannery Row is a fun spot to visit. There are specialty shops, local artists' galleries and many restaurants.
From there you must drive along 17-Mile Drive. The picturesque coastline will leave you spellbound. We stopped at Pebble Beach Golf Course for lunch and sat overlooking the famed eighteenth green. The Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance was going on when we were there.... what luck! Rare, unique vehicles are invited to compete in a 60-mile tour through the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast. A high point of the tour is the lunchtime stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea where owners park their automobiles on Ocean Avenue for people to see their spectacular cars.
VERMONT
Vermont is the Green Mountain State. From the mountains to the Champlain Islands, the state is a great place to vacation. We have stayed in the Mad River Valley where my husband lived for many years and we have toured the Lake Champlain area also.... it is truly beautiful!
Vermont is known for its beautiful fall foliage and its maple syrup. It is a popular destination for hiking and skiing as well.
My photos below show a friend's sugar house, a covered bridge and Sugarbush Ski Lodge.
TORONTO, CANADA
There is a piece of history in downtown Toronto.... the St. Lawrence Market. The Market is over 200 years old. it contains over 120 specialty vendors known for the variety and freshness of their fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, baked goods and dairy products.
You must visit at the lunch hour to have a Canadian back bacon/peameal bacon on a bun. This is not what Americans call Canadian bacon.
The St. Lawrence Market is one of my favorite places to go.
MAINE
Maine in August...... a wonderful time to visit! Maine's MidCoast Region is a great area to stay and explore. We stayed in Rockland at first. From there we toured Rockport, Camden and Bar Harbor area. Lighthouses are everywhere.
We sailed out of Rockport Harbor for an afternoon aboard the Heron. It is a family built, owned and operated schooner. The boat was featured in the Johnny Depp movie, "The Rum Diary". Once we were out in Penobscot Bay, we put the sails down and enjoyed lunch..... what else but a delicious lobster roll!
It is very interesting to see all the fishermen's boats checking their lobster traps everywhere along the coast. The traps are marked with brightly colored buoys.
Speaking of lobster..... if you travel through Wiscasset, you must stop at Red's Eats along Route One. It's little more than a tiny red shack but the lobster rolls are fantastic and full of so much meat.
FRANCE
France is a wonderful country to visit. We started off in Nice on the Mediterranean. A bus ride along the coast to Monaco and the casino at Monte Carlo was spectacular.
Then a drive with our small rental car through the countryside to Avignon was beautiful. Henri, a fellow chef and friend of my husband summers in Avignon. He gave us an intimate tour of the old walled town where he was born and grew up. We also visited Les Baux, a walled town as old as 6000 BC.
Our next stop was at Domaine de Clairefontaine in the countryside just south of Vienne. It is actually a splendid house from 1780. The restaurant has a Michelin star and our meal there was unlike anything else I have experienced. As the chef was aware that my husband was also a chef from America, we received superb attention and many extra courses.
Once we were in Paris, we visited the many tourist spots that the city has to offer....
the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Montmarte, the Latin Quarter and the Paris Antique Market. And of course, many fine restaurants and bakeries. How many pains de chocolat (chocolate croissants) could I eat?
Another one of the highlights of our trip was a bicycle tour of Versailles. Our final evening was a dinner cruise on the Seine.
ALBERTA, CANADA
One of the most beautiful and inspiring places that I have ever visited is Lake Louise and Banff in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada
From the Chateau Lake Louise, there is a trail that climbs higher and higher to the Lake Agnes Tea House. After hiking for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours and an elevation gain of 1300 feet, we arrived at a small log cabin where we were served hot tea and a cookie.
The Tea House was built for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901. The staff hike up fresh supplies 2 to 4 times a week. There is also one helicopter supply run a year which flies in all of the flour, sugar, propane and other dry goods.
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