RICE LAKE, ONTARIO – It was maybe a quarter to 7 a.m. on our first morning at Elmhirst’s Resort. We were in a lovely, second floor loft at a lovely cottage overlooking Rice Lake, and I woke up to see a soft, orange light glowing in the sky. Not being one to miss a good sunrise, I threw on a t-shirt and some flip-flops, grabbed my cell phone and scampered down to the dock in front of our cottage. I could hear some distant Canada Geese welcoming the morning with their familiar honks as I stepped out onto the dock Read more
restaurants.
ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST – One of the world’s great drives. Sensational food. And a wide mix of places to stay. The Monterey/Big Sur region of California is one of the most magical destinations on the planet, a “pinch me, I must be dreaming” kind of place that almost defies the imagination with its mix of soft light and rugged beauty. Here are some highlights from a recent trip from Monterey to Big Sur and back, including visits to the towns of Carmel and Pacific Grove, and a stunning, hillside spot on the coast. I’m also sprinkling in some tips Read more
MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA – We were due to hit the road and drive to the San Francisco Bay Area from this lovely oceanfront town on the Central Coast. My wife was dying for an acai bowl, and we both wanted a good cup of coffee to fuel us up for the drive north. I did a little research on my iPhone and settled on a place on the main shopping street in Morro Bay called High Tide Deli and Cafe. A few minutes later we pulled into the parking lot. I loved the place the minute I got out of Read more
Tina from Mexico was listening to classical music and wanted to talk about Canadian politics as she drove us to dinner one night. Mohammed was blasting out hurtin’ tunes on a country music radio station as he shepherded us from an evening meal. And a young guy whose name I forget was bopping away to Marvin Gaye and other soul artists from the 1960s and 1970s as he drove us to the Museum of Latin American Art. During a three-day visit to Long Beach, California, I found some of the nicest and most interesting rideshare drivers that I’ve met in Read more
I posted this story a couple years ago after a visit to Burlington, Ontario. Now that Canadians are seemingly determined to stay close to home for their 2025 vacations, an easy getaway like this from the nation’s biggest city is even more attractive than ever. From trails with fabulous on-high views from the top of the Niagara Escarpment to fine dining, and from one of Canada’s greatest gardens to a stylish hotel on the shores of Lake Ontario, here are some great options in Burlington. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Mount Nemo Conservation Area The Mount Nemo Conservation Area is one of Read more
