Hello lovely blog readers! Today, I’ll be sharing a look back at my recent vacation getaway to the thousand islands in upstate NY and Canada!
After a week long work trip, I could not wait to head on up north to join Jonathan and Bear, who had left via car a few days earlier. Jonathan’s family cabin on the river is such a beautiful getaway and I look forward to going each year. It’s really one of those places that evokes true calm and relaxation full of naps and cool breezes.
Because the house is on a small island on the river, we have to get there by boat – crowning Jonathan as captain for the week.
The house has small little treasures all around!
One of few photos taken since we spent most of the weekend in comfy clothes. 🙂
Ottawa here we come!
We pretty much go up to island every year, and it’s usually spent relaxing at the house and on the hammock. This year, we decided to take a day trip to Ottawa, which is only a 2 hour drive from the Canadian side of the river.
It was my first time to Ottawa – the capital of Canada (who knew!) and they are actually in the middle of celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday, so the stops were all pulled out to show visitors the different aspects of Canada. In downtown, Byward market area, the city had a whole set up called “Inspiration Village” made entirely out of recycled shipping containers. People could simply walk through and visit different booths dedicated to celebrating Canada’s history and culture.
Our hotel was positioned within walking distance from Byward Market – a relatively popular downtown area filled with shops, market stalls and of course, restaurants. We spent most of the night and next day exploring in this area.
Is that a solar powered light on this post I spy – seriously, this whole city was beyond modern and tech savvy. Get with it America. lol
For dinner the first night, we spent a couple of hours exploring and going back and forth over where we wanted to go. Nat and I had spent the majority of the night before looking up places online and on blogs – we came upon this small bar/food stop that was close to parliament and boasted “amazing outside views”.
The restaurant had great views alright – just not much in the ways of food unfortunately. #Hangry. We all had a quick beer and asked the bartender for his dinner recommendation. 
#Views.
The Parliament buildings.
The bartender from the first bar, suggested a more off the beaten path restaurant called “Sidedoor” – the door was literally in an alley on the side of a building. Clever.
The menu changes quite frequently but did not disappoint. Feast your eyes on braised beef coconut curry and a Vietnamese pancake that will make you forget all about the Swedish kind.
Because what would a feast be without a donut sampler. NOM
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to change and then go out. Our first stop was the rooftop bar of the Andaz hotel, aptly named “Copper Spirits & Sights” – probably for the great view and delicious drinks.
After our pre-game drink, we headed out to the busier bars and ended up at a hole in the wall, basement-style spot called Lieutenant’s Pump. I know, from the photos it doesn’t look like much and I totally thought we were headed to one of those lame bar-fly kind of pubs but it was actually pretty fun! Definitely a younger crowd (and that makes me old for saying I’m guessing), but there were definitely college students there. Whatever, were not that old. 🙂 It was fun and we spent almost the whole night dancing, and not taking photos except for this one which according to Nat was necessary because “the wall was so pretty”.
The next day, we woke up and headed out to see the rest of the city before heading back to the island.
We took a LONG walk and headed up by the Parliament and associated buildings. The gardens were SO pretty. Oh, also it was Alabama v FSU day so we had to wear our garnet and gold (otherwise it’s bad luck). Pretty sure we looked a bit strange walking about the city matching but oh well!
The locks.
Couldn’t help taking photo after photo of the facades of these buildings. They’re just so intricate and pretty!
I want a door like this. Please and thank you.
Book store – rare find these days. lol
Some street art. Pretty sure it was the stages to building a robot.
Back to the island we go
After our visit to Ottawa, it was time to get back to relaxing. Bear absolutely loves coming to the island. He doesn’t wear a leash the whole time he’s there and wakes up at the ass crack of dawn. Apparently he thinks he’s a wild animal.
Sunsets on the island = True beauty
One of bear favorite island pastimes – hunting mink who live on the island. This is one of their hideouts.
The morning before we left to head back home, we decided to take a kayaking trip around the nearest islands – Jonathan’s brother Stephen is an amazing photographer (go check him out if you wish you were adventurous – @Trimbleezy) and had his drone with him. He got these awesome shots of us while sitting on the island!
The last afternoon, we went into the nearest Canadian town – Gananoque. We visited one of their local breweries, Gananoque Brewing Company and spent a few hours chatting with the bartender and enjoying each other’s company. If you ever get a chance, the naughty otter is one of their most popular beers!
Overall it was a great visit and I cannot wait to go back next year!!
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