Canada Trip - Day 2

Sorry this took so long to post!!! Day two was our actual anniversary and we had a very busy day planned.  Our first stop was Kakabeka Falls, about 20 minutes from our hotel.  We could hear the falls as soon as we stepped out of the car I can only begin to describe the sheer power I felt seeing the falls for the first time.  I’ve never seen waterfalls this big and I’m a pretty emotional person, so of course I got tears in my eyes just staring at the water. It was amazing and the roar of the water nearly deafening. I hope you get the chance to go to Kakabeka Falls some day.

 

 

 

 On our way back, The Mr. and I each made a wish on a penny, kissed them and then threw them over the edge.

Our next stop was the Conservatory Botanical Gardens and we drove around for over an hour trying to find this place.  We didn’t have cell coverage in Canada, so we’d map out our route at the hotel and go from there.  Let me tell you how frustrating it is not having GPS!  We finally just gave up, only to find out there were two roads with the same name and it was on the other half of the road that we DIDN’T know about.  We did eventually find it but didn’t spend time going through it.


The Blue Point Amethyst Mine, located in Pearl, was soooo cool! I could have spent an entire day there.  The information online said it was off the beaten path, and they weren’t kidding.  We followed all the homemade signs, but I wasn’t expecting what we saw when we pulled in.

 There were a few old campers, a tiny shack, and buckets stacked all over.  An older man came out, greeted us, and gave us pretty simple instructions to stay out of the actual mine itself and to have fun.

I was so excited to start finding amethysts that I wasn’t very picky with the first few pieces I put in our bucket, though we did find quite a few beautiful pieces.  I would have liked to dump my bucket out and start over after I knew what I was really looking for.  A nice young man came over and offered to help us find some bigger pieces.  He was going to school for mining and was happy to share his knowledge.  In the end, we ended up with a whole bucket full of amethysts for only $20!  I would definitely go back again but next time bring water and dress cooler.  We got HOT!

 

After our adventures at the Amethyst mine, we headed to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

 

 Honestly, the coolest part of this stretch was seeing a young bear on the side of the road. 

Silver Islet, a 140-year-old mining community, was pretty.  We walked past some of the original miners’ homes that have been modified for summer residences and then got ice cream in the general store.  Now that I’m writing this and looking at the brochure I grabbed but never read, there was an old grave yard, a small gallery and a studio I didn’t even know were there.  My advice to you is that you read up on the material given to you so you don’t miss something interesting.

We weren’t all that impressed by Sleeping Giant but now we realize that we didn’t even get to the park area!  There was a visitor center we missed with a lookout and exhibits.  Honestly, at that point we were getting tired and hungry as we hadn’t eaten since breakfast, but I’m sad we rushed this part of the trip.

We drove past a restaurant called Montana’s on our way back and, since it was busy, we figured it must be good.  We couldn’t have been more right.  It was by far the BEST steak I have eaten in a LONG time and I finally got to have a Canadian beer!

 

 

After dinner we headed back to the hotel for some wine and relaxation.  It was a wonderful anniversary :)

Canada Trip - Day 1

August 1 of this year was our five-year wedding anniversary!  I suppose that to some people that doesn’t seem like a big deal but, since both of our first marriages didn’t last even a year, each year for us is a milestone.  I’m blessed to say our marriage is effortless; these past 5 years have just flown.  I couldn’t have picked a better husband.  OK, I’m done with the sappy part of this post.

We wanted to celebrate by going somewhere different, and The Mr. picked Thunder Bay, ON.  Since I‘ve never been to Canada, I was super pumped.  He had one place in particular that he wanted to take me, Kakabeka Falls.  For those of you who know me, you won’t be surprised that I spent the next few weeks planning and researching things to do and see.  Imagine my excitement when I came across an amethyst mine where you could “mine” your own gems!

This post is a recap of our very short three-day trip to Canada.  May I suggest that if you plan to go, take longer than three days!

 

The first morning started out VERY foggy but so beautiful.  It’s about a 6 hour drive from Phillips (we cut off a few hours of our trip by staying at my dad’s the night before) and the first stop we made was at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors, MN.  It was beautiful, but there were quite a few people there so it was hard to get many photos without them.

 

We got stuck in the worst construction EVER, making the trip take even longer.  We’d drive 10 minutes and then be stopped for 15-20 minutes.  I spotted an artist in the ditch painting trees and I wish I would have been able to get out and talk to her.  It would have been neat to buy a finished piece from her.

We also stopped at a few quilt stores along the way to pick up patterns for my mom, one of which was in the middle of nowhere.

This sign cracked me up.

We stopped at the Grand PortageTrading Post to exchange our money to Canadian currency.  The ladies there were very helpful and nice.

 

I got so excited when we pulled up to the border, hoping all would go smoothly.  The officer asked the purpose of our trip and when we were last in Canada.  I said I had never been before.  He looked at me and said “You live in Wisconsin and have never been to Canada?!”  He wished us Happy Anniversary and sent us on our way.

The scenery was so beautiful.

We finally arrived to our hotel around 5:30 which means it took us 10 hours to get there!  We stayed at the Best Western Crossroads Motor Inn.  It wasn’t much but was a place to sleep.  The breakfast was OK and the view was decent, but we probably wouldn’t stay there again.

First thing on our agenda after getting settled in our hotel was finding a place to have supper.  We ate at a place called Swiss Chalet; I had the chicken dinner and the Mr. had a chicken club.  The first high point of our meal was Poutine, a common Canadian dish originating in Quebec.  Essentially, its French fries topped with a brown gravy-like sauce and cheese curds.  Let me tell you that it may not look appetizing but it was AMAZING!  Our main course was good, too, and we finished off with cinnamon and sugar stuffed powdered donuts with a caramel dipping sauce.  I’m drooling right now remembering how delicious they were.

We headed back to the hotel after dinner as Day Two was going to be long.  That will need a post of its own or this is going to get WAY too long.

Stay tuned!

 

I should note that quite a few of these photos were taken with my cell phone. There weren't many people around when I wanted to take photos of us and I wasn't going to haul out my good camera for food shots lol...people would think I was nuts and the Mr. didn't want to cause a scene.

The Old Barn & House

Do you have a building or place that you think will stand forever? I do. It's an old barn and house that has been standing on my dad's property for 114 years.

 

 

 

 

As a child, the house was fully furnished but left vacant for years. There was plastic covering most of the furniture and the beds were left made. I used to walk around the house, wondering what it was like when the family still lived there. I wish I would have had the passion for photography that I do now so I could have captured it as it sat waiting for its owners to come back. The house began to deteriorate and the relatives of the original owners came and cleaned it out. Now it sits nearly empty, a few things left inside. Most of the windows are broken or removed, and the integrity of the structure gets worse every day.

 

 

I've used the house for photo shoots and I've also photographed details of a home that once had a family filling it. Thankfully the house is still standing. Every time I go home, I try to photograph different angles and parts of the house. One day, it won't be there anymore.

The flowers in the front of the house have bloomed year after year with no care.

That brings me to the sad part of this post. The beautiful barn that has been standing on the property fell down. This winter has been very hard on it with feet upon feet of snow piling on top of it.

 

I knew it was only a matter of time before it would fall....but you just never think that day is going to come. I've used that barn for many photo shoots and used to play in it as a child, as well.

 

                                           Before                                                          After :(

 

 

The next few photos are just details of the downed barn. In some of the photos, you will see that the boards actually just bent and didn't break.

 

I am hoping to salvage many boards from it to make various things. Maybe a headboard or wall display...I'm not sure, but I feel the need to save as many parts as I can.

If you have a building like this in your life...take time to sit and think about all the memories you made. Photography the little details that made it special for you. You just never know when it will be gone.

The photo below is of my grandpa's barn, the place where I spent most of my childhood. I learned how to ride horses, helped make hay, fished, and enjoyed every second of being a kid. I'm going to do a separate post on this beauty. It's an important part of my childhood, especially since my grandpa has been gone for many years. I'll never forget my days at the farm.

The same goes for the people in your life. Never be afraid to photograph those close to you. Tomorrow is never a guarantee. Sorry this was so melancholy but I just want you to remember to enjoy every second of life :)