September 02

 Monday September 2nd 

Today was another travel day.  We gathered up our things, then checked out the breakfast bar before leaving. We’ve actually been using one of the hotel luggage carts and filling it with suitcases, cooler, and the purple tote with all our emergency lunch and breakfast supplies. We get some interesting looks but hey, we come prepared!

Wow, were there ever a lot of people in the breakfast room!! We were guessing that most of them were on their way home for school or work tomorrow.  But it truly looked like a United Nations with several countries represented. As we rolled our over-loaded cart out to the car, we noticed licence plates from several provinces and states. 

No crazy curving roads or steep hills today. We think because it’s the last day of a long weekend, the roads were much busier than they have been for most of our trip. (other than maybe our trip “around” the outskirts of Chicago where traffic is never quiet). 

We were on the lookout for a souvenir/craft shop and finally stopped near the Spanish River. It looked great from the outside but there was just so much stuff crammed into the store that you didn’t know where to start. Kinda like a sugar overload. We did find a couple of fridge magnets and a few other things, so all was not lost. 

Karl was driving “twice” in the past few days when I saw quaint quilt shops. Would you believe it, he didn’t seem to hear me telling him to stop and drove right by??? I need to get his hearing checked.

We managed to find the Grand Tappattoo Resort near Parry Sound by about 4:30 pm. Not as early as we would have liked but better than yesterday’s 6 pm. You drive about 5 miles off the highway to get to the Resort. It’s actually a number of country-type buildings with rooms, several small cottages, a building with a pool, and the main office with a nice restaurant.  

The Resort is surrounded with bush and opens onto a beach.  The kayaks, canoes, and non-motorized watercraft are all free to be used . (You must agree to use the needed safety equipment). Honestly, if we could stay more than one night, I would love it.  Guess we saved the best hotel until last. 

So after going for a quick swim (and a bit of a rest for Karl, he is older than me after all…) we headed off to their restaurant for supper.  It had the look of a really fancy lodge with windows looking out on the lake.  And oh my, the food was fabulous. I had maple crusted salmon with roasted baby potatoes & vegetables, and Karl had Jaegerschnitzel with the same potatoe/veg,  - and wine of course. It was likely the priciest restaurant supper we’ve had this trip but also the best food. 

After supper, we wandered the grounds of the resort a bit, and down to the water until the sun was almost down.  There were still kids in the lake swimming and paddling kayaks, and a few more with their parents sitting around a bonfire on the beach. 

We’re back in our room now, it is actually a suite with a full living room, gas fireplace, and a balcony looking out toward the lake.  

Hmmm, maybe we could stay a few more days.  I’d love to go for a swim in that lake.  It’s totally dark now and I still hear children playing outside.  Sigh, it seems no one wants this day to end.