Tag Archives: Canada

A memorable time in Canada

This summer, we had the absolute joy of traveling to Canada to visit family and friends. It turned out to be one of the most heartwarming and refreshing trips we’ve had in a long time. 

A Beautiful Cottage on the Ottawa River

We stayed at a charming cottage nestled along the Ottawa River. It was nothing short of perfect. The screened-in porch quickly became our favourite spot.

It was the ideal place for morning coffee, afternoon chats, and peaceful evenings listening to the gentle sounds of the river. Nature was all around and the calm of the water added a special kind of magic to our stay.


One of the memorable parts of our trip was kayaking along the river and exploring the nearby bay area. Gliding across the smooth water, we discovered hidden coves, peaceful inlets, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Jonathan and Ray getting ready to go out Canoeing

It was a perfect way to connect with nature and enjoy the serenity of the river up close.

The main reason for our trip was to celebrate Tyreese’s graduation. Seeing him walk across that stage filled us with pride and gratitude.

Tyreese accepting his diploma
Keenan, Ray, Tyreese, Jen, Chataya and Shelley on Graduation Day

It’s hard to believe how fast the years have flown by. From the little boy with the big smile to the young man stepping into his future.

Tyreese and Ray

We couldn’t be more proud of him.

But above all, the most meaningful and memorable part of this trip was simply spending time with family and friends.

Ray and Jonathan
Shelley and Bev

We feel so incredibly blessed to have shared these days together — laughing, reminiscing, catching up, and just enjoying each other’s company.  We shared delicious meals, told stories, and laughed a lot, especially when doing magic tricks for the little ones. Watching their faces light up in amazement (and confusion!) as they searched high and low for the “missing coin” was a joy all its own. The giggles, gasps, and wide eyes were absolutely priceless.

Whether we were enjoying a sunset by the river, swapping jokes on the porch, exploring the bay in a kayak, or celebrating a proud milestone, the trip was full of moments that filled our hearts.

It was a beautiful reminder that no matter where life takes us, home is always where the people you love are.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”

A few weeks of Winter Wonderland

I (Ray) went back to Canada for a few weeks in the cold of January.  I was there to help a family relative with some medical issues. While I was there I was able to enjoy some outdoor activities with some friends.

Ray enjoying some time with friends and playing in the snow.

Dan and I went snowmobiling along some  beautiful pristine trails.

Dan on his snowmobile on the trail

There was a fair amount of snow so it made the trails very fun to ride on.  We even had a great cabin to stop and warm up if we got to cold. 

Dan and Ray on the snowmobiles in front of the cabin

It was a long time since I was on a snowmobile and it was quite enjoyable. At first, it took me a while to get accustomed to the  snow and riding on the trails. At one point I even ended up getting stuck and Dan had to help me get out of the snow. 

We stopped and took a nice break at the cabin and enjoyed the fresh cold crisp fresh air.

Afterwards we continued enjoying some snowmobiling and we separated along the trails in order to explore more of the area. 

We left the cabin and  explored the trails I stoped along the way to admire the sheer beauty of nature and peace of being in the bush.

It was so quiet and peaceful. It was quite cold and you could here the snow cruch when you walked.  

It was truly so much fun and relaxing at the same time.  Along the way Dan even managed to get a video of me on the snowmobile.

Normally we are not in Canada during the winter months for obvious reasons, however this was a fun time and reminds me of the fun winter brings in Canada.

¨The simple things in life can be the most enjoyable, like playing in the snow.¨

A trip to Canada

We took a two-week trip to Canada to visit family and friends. We arrived at the Ottawa airport on the new 737-800 Next Generation without any issues. We were met by our friend Jim, who picked us up at the airport. On the way to Pembroke we stopped at Costco to pick up a few things. Shelley is a big fan of the store and enjoyed the opportunity to “visit” Costco.

Shelley in front of the Costco Store in Ottawa

After visiting Costco, we headed to Pembroke and arrived without any issues. Visiting family and friends is always enjoyable and warms the heart. We spent our two weeks trying to see everyone possible and to spent valuable time with each of them.

Ray and his dad on a walking trail

We even went to an iconic restaurant “Wilno Tavern. ” We enjoyed a great polish meal and spent time with some of our friends.

Shelley, Anne, Jim and Ray infront of the Wilno Tavern

The two weeks went very fast and before we knew it we were heading back to Alicante. The trip takes almost 24 hours and is very tiring. Arriving back home we were able to rest a bit before our next adventure.

“Have a good day eh!”