Chasing Waterfalls - Hiking Chippewa Falls

 Earlier this summer we took a driving trip to Northern Ontario, gradually meandering our way to Wawa and back. To break up some of the long spells of sitting in the car we'd plan roadside stops and short hikes. Chippewa Falls is one of the best road side stops we've ever taken. Here's six reasons why:

Located directly off the Trans-Canada highway this popular road stop requires no extra driving time (provided your route is on the Trans Can). This hike offers maximum beauty for minimal time spent. 

This viewing spot can be easily seen at a distance from a viewing platform, or from a short 0.50 KM out and back trail. We opted to do both. Bring a pair of solid running shoes so you can billy goat around the rocks and explore the waterfall completely. Most kids over 4, who will listen to parents on the rocks should be able to handle this hike.

Since this is a popular spot, it means it has a picnic area and washroom available for use.

This spot is truly as beautiful as it seems. It's also the subject of art from Group of Seven Painter A.Y. Jackson. A true gem of Canadiana history. 

For those really pressed for time, the view from the platform is gorgeous, but if you have 20 - 30 minutes to spare I highly recommend climbing the falls.

In addition to being the a gorgeous spot, this also marks the half way point for the Trans Canada Highway, which is pretty cool.

I would come back here in a second!

Reflections on Turning 10 for their Champagne Birthdays

 Each year, usually the night before their birthdays, I ask both minions a bunch of questions to find out a bit about them.  Along with their annual birthday photo this helps both them and us look back on who they were and who they are becoming.  It amazes me how some things stay very consistent while others change drastically. We are officially into double digits tomorrow. Where did the time go! I love how big and capable they are yet at the same time I am dreading the attitude that is coming as we approach the tween/teen years. If I could freeze them at this age I probably would, just for a little while.

Molly Age 10

What is your favourite colour?

Red

What is your favourite toy?

Stuffed animals (Specifically Beary and Slothy)

What is your favourite food?

Crab Sushi, Wendy's (chilli and burgers), and Subway

What is your favourite song?

Cloud 9 by Beach Bunny

What is your favourite movie?

Trolls and A Fault in Our Stars

What is your favourite animal?

Foxes and cats

What is your favourite book?

The Babysitter's Club Graphic Novels

What is your favourite drink?

Milk (and I also love pop)

What do you sleep with at night?

Still blankie

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Artist or a teacher.

Jack Age 10

What is your favourite colour?

Green

What is your favourite toy?

Jabbe the hut collectible from 1997

What is your favourite food?

Pepperoni Pizza, Tuna Sushi and Salmon Sashimi, hot dogs

What is your favourite song?

Ocean Man by Ween

What is your favourite movie?

Python, Deep Blood, Star Wars, and King Kong

What is your favourite animal?

Shark

What is your favourite book?

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Series

What is your favourite drink?

Pop (Root beer & Coke, all of them)

What do you sleep with at night?

My weighted blanked with a radio and the fan on

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A movie maker and writer: I want to make the following movies: Killer Beach Ball, Crabalanche, Metal Man vs. The Amazing Bulk

A Hiking We Will Go - Exploring Burk's Falls Screaming Heads

What could be better than an art hike on a 310 acre property? An art walk filled with Tim Burtonesque cast concrete sculptures, that's what! This summer we visited The Screaming Heads!

Our hike was meant as an easy way to stretch our legs on the first portion of our 10 day road trip to Wawa an back earlier this summer. 

Artist Peter Camani has created a unique experience for anyone who wants to enjoy a bit of macabre inspired art. It's more of a walk than a hike, but worth it all the same.

We spent roughly an hour and a half exploring the grounds, and we only explored about half of what's available.

Offered for free, but you can provide a donation to support (highly recommended because this place is awesome!), the Screaming Heads has a robust outdoor gift shop that Molly was inspired to buy a necklace at.

The man we spoke to working at the Screaming Heads was incredibly knowledgable about the history of the area, offering tips on the best ways to explore.

This was a simple, 4KM stoll for us and I didn't need wear hiking shoes, my sandals did the trick!

This area of the display was under construction, but that's okay, we could take photos from a distance and have something new to visit the next time we come. It also means this space continues to be a work in progress with something new to see year after year.

There is one section of the park, known as the dragon eye, where the screaming heads provide an aerial view of a dragons eye. It is amazing, but hard to envision from the ground.

The Screaming heads are open all year round. We have been told that the trees around the Screaming heads were deliberately planted in a way to provide a vibrant display of fall colours.  A unique winter view that can be seen in the winter by snowshoe bringing you up higher into the mouth of the heads!

This art park, roughly half an hour north of Huntsville and Arrowhead provincial park is well worth a visit. It is fairly accessible, we saw people using a stroller while we were there and anticipate you could see a great deal in fair weather via wheelchair. This spot can be enjoyed by kids of all ages (provided they aren't scared). 

So check it out this summer, or add it to your Halloween schedule right along with your Pumpkin Spiced Latte!

Things My Kids Say As Posted On Twitter

It's been a while since I shared someisolated gems my kids say. While they're getting older and are a little less random, they still manage some zingers. All items I share on Twitter (and here) I share with their express permission.  These are the things my kids say, as posted on Twitter.  Enjoy!

Image via Giphy

1. J: can I watch that Netflix show The Ripper? Me: no, it’s inappropriate. J: Why? Is it about farts?

2. Every time my kids do something weird I remind myself that when I was a child I collected sad clown dolls, but was secretly afraid of them & would turn them all towards the wall before I went to bed so they couldn't watch me sleep. #parenting #memories

3. M: I know how to do laundry. First you put the dirty clothes in the machine, then you pour oil all over them, and then you turn it on. When it's done you have clean clothes. #thingskidssay #parenting

4. J: can i borrow your phone so I can look up how much a prosthetic swollen face is? I need to know if I have enough allowance saved up. #parenting

via Giphy

5. They’re such big kids. Until you hear your son yell from the shower “hey, wanna here my orca impression” and then you know they aren’t quite grown yet #parenting

7. M: Mom, you're wearing eye makeup today. Me: I'm not wearing any makeup today. M: (pause) Oh, so those are just circles under your eyes from being tired. #parenting

8. Me: J where were you? You're supposed to be paying attention in class. J: just dancing in the hallway. #kids

via Giphy

9. J: ever notice when people in movies are trying to be sexy it just comes off like they were pretending to be cats? #parenting #thingskidssay

10. Teaching J to build a fire. J: so when it’s time to add another log can I just throw it into the fire as hard as I can? Me: no.  J: so that would be a bad idea? Me: to throw a giant projectile at the fire? Yes. J: Ohhhhh #parenting #camping