Monthly Musings

 

1. Share your summer trips for 2025

We went to Paris earlier this month.  This was technically not a "summer" trip because we took the kids out of school for it, but it was summer weather so I guess it counts.  Other trips include four t-ball tournaments. They are all in Southern Ontario within an hour or so from our house, but we are getting hotel rooms for a few of them, so it counts as a trip!  And we have a few days at a cottage in Prince Edward Island in July planned, just need to get our flights booked. 

2. How do you manage the post-vacation laundry?

I take all of the luggage upstairs to our rooms to sort it all out in respective baskets, and then just do the laundry as I usually do, everyone's laundry is done separately and when required.  That may or may not be immediately after the trip.

3. Most memorable summer vacation?

Whenever we go to Hyatt's Manion Lake, we make some great memories.  It is a fishing and hunting camp run by my family in Northwestern Ontario.  Our last trip was in 2020, you can see my posts about that here.

4. Do you cook or eat out on vacation?

Obviously it depends on where we are staying and the location.  If we are in an Airbnb, we will typically get breakfast food to eat before heading out for the day, and we did that at Disney World too.  But going out to eat is my favourite thing to do, so unless we need to pivot on plans, we will go out for lunches and dinners.

5. Are you an overpacker, underpacker, or just right packer?

I've usually been an overpacker but am doing better now about being a just right packer.  I will lay out what I think I need and then subtract shirts. 

6. Beach, lake or mountain?

Beach!

7. Road trip or fly?

Typically we will fly to where we are going.  Our country is pretty spread out so flying is usually a better use of our time.  We have driven to Northwestern Ontario and to Nova Scotia before, and we do like having our car with us, but mostly we fly.

8. Favourite vacation activities?

We like it all - touring around a city, spending the day by the water, skiing all day - there is a place for all kinds of trips in our travel itinerary.  What is a constant is that we are always up early to make the most of our day.

9. Best packing tips?

Write out on a piece of paper what outfits you need, including changes for dinner, repeat outfits, etc. It helps from getting overwhelmed and allows you to make some decisions in advance when you have everything in front of you, instead of fretting about it when you get there. 

10. Favourite road trip songs?

Bobcaygeon, Ahead By a Century, Grace 2 - The Tragically Hip

Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys

All Summer Long - Kid Rock

All Too Well (10 minute version) - Taylor Swift

If I Had $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies

Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell

Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

Fast Car - Luke Combs or Tracy Chapman

Thunderstruck - AC/DC