Travel

Whispering Springs Glamping in Grafton, Ontario

Categories Travel3 Comments on Whispering Springs Glamping in Grafton, Ontario

Due to the global pandemic, it’s been quite sometime since I’ve had the opportunity to “travel,” and I’m glad to say my first “trip” was to Whispering Springs – just an hour east of the Greater Toronto Area in Grafton, Ontario. (The last time I went camping was in 2019 when we ventured to Emily Provincial Park, read here)

Whispering Springs is a beautiful glamping resort, with plenty of space to enjoy a getaway under the stars. We stayed during the last weekend of May in their guest-favourite Willow Rush Safari tent. Complete with a soaker tub, king sized bed, gazebo with grill and fire pit, along with a heated blanket, our mini vacation was well-loved (and a little chilly!).

It was probably the coldest May weekend we’ve had this year, but we spent the evening under the stars wrapped up in layers, hats and bug netting. We even spotted the International Space Station (using the Stellarium app) above us as it made its quick pass overhead.

My advice if you’re staying at Whispering Springs? Brings lots of bug spray! The mosquitoes were out in full force. I am glad our kindling and netting helped to repel them for the evening. But I still walked away with a few bites. 😛

Whispering Spring glamping resort welcomes you in Grafton Ontario
Willow Rush Safari tent and set up at Whispering Springs in Grafton
Willow Rush Safari Tent
Pond at Whispering Springs Grafton Ontario
Wildlife at Whispering Springs
Fire pit at Whispering Springs Grafton Ontario
Willow Rush safari tent at Whispering Springs, Grafton Ontario
The night sky at Whispering Springs, Grafton Ontario

Throwback: Canoeing at Emily Provincial Park

Categories Travel13 Comments on Throwback: Canoeing at Emily Provincial Park

I feel like them summer flew by and I didn’t share everything I wanted to, including canoeing at Emily Provincial Park.

Emily Provincial Park is located northeast of the GTA, near Lindsay, Ontario in the Kawartha Lakes. What I liked about the park (besides them fact we share a name) was it’s simplicity. It wasn’t packed like a usual campground, they had entertainment for the families, and a canoe rental location.

emily provincial park
emily provincial park
emily provincial park
emily provincial park
emily provincial park

WATCH me canoe!

Canoeing In the Kawarthas from Emily Santos on Vimeo.

Squamish, British Columbia (Pt. 2)

Categories Travel, 8 Comments on Squamish, British Columbia (Pt. 2)

Squamish, British Columbia has to be one of my new favourite town in Western Canada. With the smoke from the wildfires, we were lucky to have experienced Squamish.

Squamish located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. Also, the Sky Pilot Sea to Sky Gondola (100 metres/328 feet) is a great way to be an adventurer –  with awesome views, accessible trails and year-round, and its suspension bridge.

This town has a long and unique history with the Sasquatch, or otherwise, the legend of the Te Smailetl by the Squamish first nations. According to Squamish Adventure, “The men [are] exceedingly tall, had a strong sense of smell and were great hunters. They dressed in garments made from the untanned skins of the animals they had slain and because of this the Squamish people called them the Te Smailetl, or wild people.”

Sea to Sky gondola Squamish Squamish Squamish Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge Squamish

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia (Pt. 1)

Categories Travel19 Comments on Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia (Pt. 1)

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has some serious hiking trails!

I have been in British Columbia this week and the weather has been very unpredictable. Right now, there are over 600 wildfires and the province has declared an emergency. I was in Kelowna at the beginning of the week, and we had to leave. The smoke covered the sky and filled my lungs. I shot a video of the scene:

So, I was advised to head back to the coast. I spent time in Vancouver, Whistler and these are some photos from my 5 hour hike at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. I visited all three lakes; the three glacier-fed lakes – Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre Lakes.

I am no expert hiker (I was SO exhausted after these trails). But  am told the hike can take anywhere between 3.5 – 6 hours.

These photos are in no particular order.

Bruce Peninsula National Park – Cyprus

Categories Travel, 19 Comments on Bruce Peninsula National Park – Cyprus

Our annual camping trip came and went this past weekend, and this year, we ventured 4 hours north of Toronto to the beautiful Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Bruce Peninsula is one of my favourite locations for photos, visiting it many times in the past, including last summer.

But, it is my first time camping there! We stayed at Cyprus, walked to the grotto, canoed (NOTE: rentals made from Thorncrest Outfitters can be picked up right at the National Park) and of course, the traditional delights that come with camping – bonfires, marsh mellows and the stars.

Bruce Peninsula National Park - Cyprus Grotto Bruce Peninsula National Park - Cyprus Grotto Bruce Peninsula National Park - Cyprus Grotto Tobermory Tobermory Cyprus Lake Cyprus Lake Cyprus Lake Cyprus Lake Cyprus Lake Bruce Peninsula National Park