A Weekend in Canada

Our annual trip to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake was this weekend. This summer we wondered if it would take place when Mike was so sick, but he’s nearly fully recovered, and we had a great time.

I took this shot out the front window of the car as we approached the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls. The cloud of mist was amazing. Sadly, the Falls were on the far side of the bridge so I didn’t get any shots of it.

The Niagara River is always beautiful in the fall.

Friday night we relaxed at our favorite B&B. We’ve been coming here for many years, and the new owners are the third set we’ve known. John and Phyllis are warm and friendly, and we had a great time with them Saturday afternoon on their patio.

(This photo is from the web since I totally forgot to take a shot myself.)

Saturday was clear, sunny, and warm. We headed off to a few of our favorite wineries. We always seem to learn something new on these tasting tours, and inevitably end up with a case of wine to bring home. This year was no exception.

Strewn Winery has the best ever semi-dry reisling. 

There are still a lot of grapes on the vine. I think this is my 52/50 shot for this week.

This still life was arranged in a nook at another of our favorite wineries, Vineland, our favorite winery for red wines. Tracy bought six bottles to put away for five years. It’s good now, and inexpensive, but they told us it will be exceptional in a few years and worth a lot more than we paid for it.

After Vineland, we went off to lunch at The Irish Harp. We couldn’t get the parking meter to work, so one of the guys at the restaurant gave Tracy a band-aid (they had no tape) to attach a note. The parking meters are monitored constantly here, and we didn’t want to have to deal with a ticket in Canada.

Here’s a shot of Karen and Mike at The Irish Harp. You can see how great he looks, thanks in part to all your good thoughts and prayers!

After lunch, we strolled down the main street. The flowers are still beautiful.

And I loved this window filled with caramel apples decorated for Halloween.

Saturday night we saw a wonderful production of Guys and Dolls at the Shaw Festival Theater.

Before we left on Sunday, we stopped at the Pie Plate and picked up a pumpkin praline and a cranberry/apple/pear pie. They’re safely tucked away in my freezer for November entertaining.

There was a long line of cars waiting to cross the border. Nearly all of them were from Ontario. This weekend is their Thanksgiving, and our Columbus Day holiday, so folks from both countries have a three-day weekend. 

Today I’m busy organizing and packing for the next trip. We’re home just two days before we head off for Rachel and Juan’s wedding in Florida.