Length of stay: 2 days
Visited: August 2025
We haven’t gone anywhere since returning from New Zealand in May. We’ve been staying close to home, spending time with friends and family, gardening and doing stuff around the house. But summer was ending and we wanted to make the most of our time with M before she started daycare in September. We planned a short one week road trip to Quebec and decided to spend the weekend at the cabin since it was somewhat along the drive.
Day 1: Into Nature
We took Friday off work in an effort to beat the traffic and initially planned to drive to the cabin Thursday evening. Except we forgot how much prep work and packing is involved when travelling, especially when visiting the cabin. So we left Friday morning instead. We weren’t sure if M would nap in the car anymore, but she did. Only for an hour though, but it’s better than nothing. Along the way we stopped at the Maple Dale Cheese Factory and picked up a few blocks of cheese and some fresh garlic cheese sticks. The rosemary and garlic cheese was the fan favourite.
We arrived at the top of the road leading into the cabin around 2pm and walked in with all (or rather half) of our stuff. M even managed to walk most of the way in. It’s been a hot, humid and dry summer. Thankfully August has been more pleasant. The nights have started to cool down and it looked like fall was getting started as some of the leaves were already changing colour, likely from the heat and dryness.
The cabin hasn’t had many visitors this year and it showed. The path was a bit overgrown in places and it looked quite wild by the shoreline. The water level in the lake was quite low which meant a canoe ride was out of the question. The lake was calm though, casting a beautiful reflection of fluffy clouds in the water.
We took turns making another trip to the car to haul in the rest of the stuff. After eating a snack and taking a break, we went for another walk. We didn’t go far and we didn’t go fast. This gave us an opportunity to take a closer look at our surroundings.
Dinner consisted of whatever leftovers we brought from home that needed to be eaten – corn on the cob, roasted potatoes and a salad with veggies from the garden. M was ready for bed at 7pm which meant I had to get ready for bed too. It was a good excuse to catch up on some reading though.
Day 2: Bon Echo
It cooled down overnight to 15°C, which was quite comfortable for sleeping. After getting up, I made a cup of tea and we popped outside so we could enjoy the scenery and quietness. The last time we were here was in November. It’s crazy to think how much M has grown and changed since then. I guess a lot in general has changed since then.
We planned to spend the day at Bon Echo Provincial Park so we got right to it. While K made breakfast I made a trip to the car to drop off our sleeping bags and pillows. After eating, we cleaned up and packed up the rest of our stuff. From the cabin it’s about a 10 minute drive to get to the park.
Our game plan was to go for a hike followed by a swim. We settled on the Shield Trail (4.8km loop, rated moderate). Even though the park was busy (it was the weekend after all), there were only two other cars at the trailhead parking lot. It was already hot even though it was only 10:30am, but thankfully most of the trail is in the forest, providing some relief from the sun.
After following a connector path for the first hundred meters we found the turnoff for the Shield Trail. The path narrows and continues to weave under the canopy of the forest. It’s signed with an assortment of different colored markers and ten numbered posts. One of the highlights is that the trail passes by a marshy area. Thankfully there were minimal bugs this time of the year.
There were a number of trees that had recently fallen down by the shoreline, likely from the same wind storm that passed through the cabin a few years ago. The path was also rugged in places with more than a few ups and downs. We were clearly out of shape. We haven’t been hiking since returning from New Zealand either. And it didn’t help that M is also bigger and heavier.
We had worked up quite the sweat and were looking forward to cooling off in the lake. We opted to go to the Second Beach Area as opposed to the Main Beach. It was much smaller and there’s not much of a beach, but there was hardly anyone here, so it was perfect. The swimming area was shallow and buoyed off at 0.6 metres, which was perfect for M’s height.
After playing in the warm water for an hour, we got changed and hit the road. From Bon Echo, it’s a three hour drive to Gatineau where we planned to spend the night.
L
Daycare in September! Wow! They sure do grow up fast! 😃
Oh I know! And now September seems like such a long time ago! It’s crazy how quickly time flies.
M has gotten so big. Not going to be a lot of naps in her future.
It’s crazy how much she’s grown. She’s gotten even bigger since August! She’s down to one nap now and I’m not looking forward to when nap times are completely done. Heck, I wish I could still take naps!
What a cutie M is. She’s getting so tall too. Interesting you said August was a little cooler. Here, August is the hottest month.
She’s getting heavy too, which makes hiking with the backpack carrier way more challenging! But I guess it’s still better than not hiking at all. We had an extremely hot and dry July, but August was much more comfortable. It was a nice transition to the fall.
Hi,
It was wonderfull to read your adventures in New Zeeland, and the magnificent photo’s but now back in Canada also nice. I used to live in Canada in the ‘70 s and then my daughter was the same age and we also camped at Bon Echo and visited Gatineau often . We lived in Ottawa from ‘70 to ‘74 and in Stouffville and area untill ‘78 and moved back to Holland then. i am now 75 years old.
Reading on New Zeeland I said to my husband we should go there! I just had an operation this summer with my oesophagus removed and repaired with my stomach and am recovering well, the health care is sooo good here in Holland, and always enjoyed reading everything about New Zeeland this summer!
It is wonderfull to read about your young family! I wish you all the best of happiness and health.
Greetings with love from
Marianne and Hans
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. We had such an amazing time visiting New Zealand. You’re right, it’s similar to Canada in that there’s a lot of beautiful natural scenery and untamed wilderness. Glad to hear you’ve been to Bon Echo as well. It’s one of my favourite parks in Ontario. We’ve only ever passed through Gatineau, but should really spend a bit more time there. I’ve heard Gatineau Park is beautiful, especially in the fall.
I actually have relatives in Holland in Groningen. We’re thinking of maybe visiting sometime this year, but haven’t quite worked out the timing or details yet. Perhaps in the spring to enjoy the tulips.
That would be exciting if you and your husband went to New Zealand. I highly recommend it!! It’s such an amazing country, the people are so friendly and the scenery is stunning. There’s also no dangerous animals or insects there. Glad to hear that you’re recovering well.
All the best,
Linda
M is so cute! I love all your pics!
Thanks! Our little M sure is a charmer!
I can tell. ☺️😃
🥰
Lovely place and the photo with the clouds reflected on the surface of the lake is very nice. (Suzanne)
Thanks! It was warm and sunny during the day and cool overnight, perfect conditions for visiting the cabin.
Beautiful woods. Beautiful lake. This is a wonderful place!
Beautiful all around. It’s always nice to unplug and just spend time in nature. I find it so peaceful, which is a nice change of pace from all the busyness at home.
What a great photo of the three of you! It sounds like you were off to a good start on your mini-holiday. You’re right, Linda; it’s so important to spend time with M as they grow so quickly.
Thanks Lynette! It was a bit of a hassle to visit the cabin and it meant we had to lug more stuff with us, like our sleeping bags and pillows, that we didn’t need for the rest of our road trip. But I’m so glad we did it. It’s always nice to spend time at the cabin, even if it’s just for one night. Time is funny and has a way of moving so much faster as I get older. I’m just trying to enjoy all the moments and remember to slow down every so often.
OMG! Miss M is adorable. I love the family photo. You all look so happy. I enjoyed following along with your New Zealand adventure but it was nice to see some photos from Canada again. I’m sure you were happy to be back at the cabin. xo
Thanks Darlene! Our little M was in her element. She loves being outdoors and exploring her surroundings. This was our first visit to the cabin that year. We were only there for one night, but it’s better than nothing.
Beautiful shots of the cabin, hikes and of M. You are making so many good memories with her. This is the time of life to treasure. A great family photo Linda. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Allan
For sure. They grow up way too quickly. I’m sure you’ve noticed the same with toddler F.
So nice that you shared a family photo. Gosh M looks tall for her age and so delighted to be hiking in on her own! Love the beach but man you were lucky not to ne eaten alive in that swamp area!
M is definitely tall for her age! It’s crazy how quickly she outgrows everything. I must say, I am happy she’s able to do some hiking on her own now, even if it takes us waaaay longer to get somewhere, as it means we don’t have to carry her on our backs as much. Surprisingly, last summer wasn’t too buggy. Maybe the heat and dryness killed them all off or something.
They don’t like dry for sure. Ah yes toddler walks! I know those well.
That would explain it then! I’m kinda hoping for another dry summer but then it means more work to water my garden.
It’s a catch 22 for sure.
Oh my goodness, baby M is growing up so fast! I just love her happy smile. Starting preschool is such a bittersweet moment on a mama’s heart. So glad you got a chance to visit a favorite beautiful place 🙂
I know! She’s growing up way too quickly! But it’s pretty amazing to watch her grow and change. The transition to daycare wasn’t too bad, but it took a few weeks for her to adjust. And now she loves it!
Baby M is no longer a baby, she’s an adorable little girl! Maggie
That she is! And I’m pretty sure she knows she’s adorable!
😅
It is a delight to see your post journals of travels and adventures with your young child, M, her growing up as you go. You are an inspiration to young parents and others, I’m sure. I hope you are taking screenshots of these posts as well as hardcopy pics for her to enjoy in coming years. It is treasure. 😍
Thanks for your lovely comment. The way we travel has changed quite a bit, but I’m happy we’re still able to go on a few adventures and to share the experience with our little M. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now that you mention it, I’m long overdue to back up my site!
Sometimes, the best adventures are close to home. Look at Baby M.She’s so precious. <3
Very true! The cabin has become a second home to us and it’s always nice to visit, even if it’s just for a night.
That’s amazing. I’m glad you’re able to go there and just relax.
Me too. It’s a lot of work to get there since we have to hike in with all our food, water, sleeping bags and other stuff. But it’s so worth it to enjoy the peacefulness and being surrounded by nature.
How beautiful!!! I love the family photos !! How wonderful to get to cool of in the lake! Michelle
Thanks Michelle! The nice thing about hiking in the summer is the promise of being able to go for a swim in the lake afterwards to cool down!
What a beautiful place and M seems to enjoy the outdoors.
She might even enjoy the outdoors more than us! It’s really cute to watch her explore.
Good for her! 😉
Your little girl is growing up so fast and looks so gorgeous. It must have been so nice to return to the cabin after so long, take the trail the following wing day and enjoy a cooling swim. We call daycare nursery here but I expect it’s mostly the same. I hope baby M settled in well and you soon adapted to not having her with you all the time but I’m sure you both got used to it when you knew she was settling in.
Thanks for your lovely comment. She’s a charmer! I’m so happy we managed to squeeze in a visit to the cabin at the start of our road trip. We had to pack way more stuff with us, like our sleeping bags and pillows, that we didn’t need for the rest of our trip, but it was worth it.
It took a few weeks for our little M to get settled into a new rhythm and routine with daycare, but she seems to be enjoying it now. And she loves being around other kids now.
Wonderful family time!
Absolutely! Family time is my favourite time!
I don’t blame you for staying put after being gone so long. The cabin looks like the perfect place to spend quality time together. M is growing up so fast!! She is just adorable! Wish we could keep them this sweet and little longer.
I know! I wish I could just hit the pause button every so often. Time seems to fly way too quickly and it’s crazy how quickly they grow, especially at this age. I’m sure you’re noticing the same with your little one.
Where has the time gone? It feels only yesterday when M was still a baby. But now she’s already a toddler! It’s always nice to go back to a familiar place, isn’t it? And despite the overgrown path, the cabin still sounds like a great place to escape to.
Sigh. Time has flown by way too quickly. Hard to believe how much she’s changed in the last year. I must say, it is nice that she’s able to walk and talk now. And agreed, it’s always nice to return to a familiar place. We have such fond memories of the cabin and it’s nice to now share that experience with our little one.
The first time I smile reading this post is about M going to daycare and I never expected there’s some pictures of her showing her publicly. And then I’m smiling throughout the post.🤩😍 M is so pretty. That cabin time sounds so peaceful and refreshing as well as the beach. Enjoy the stunning nature there, Linda. Oh, lovely family photo, too.
Thanks Hazel! Our little M is very sweet. It’s crazy to see how much she’s changed even since August when we visited the cabin. It was nice to get away and spend the last few days of summer together as a family. We’re hoping to take a few more beach days this summer. Take care, Linda.
Looking forward to hearing about the beach days. My pleasure, Linda.
And I’m looking forward to the warmer weather!
Baby M is growing up oh so fast. What a beautiful toddler and family you have. And as a fellow croc wearer, I love her tiny crocs! I’m sorry to hear her naps are getting shorter. As naps disappear, you’re gonna experience exhaustion like you’ve never known. 😂 But also a lot of joy! 🥰
M is so cute! I hope she has adjusted to daycare and has made some friends. Your time at the cabin sounds lovely.
The adjustment wasn’t too bad. It took a few weeks for her to settle and get into a good routine. But now she loves it!
Your little one is so adorable, and I very much love your family photo, dear Linda. My little one dropped her last nap this summer, and while I sometimes miss those quiet moments I had to myself when she was asleep, I am very much enjoying newfound freedom from rigid nap schedules. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in the cabin. What can be better than an opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet in such picturesque surroundings? Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks Aiva! I know what you mean, on one hand nap time gave me time to myself and to get stuff done around the house. But it can challenging to plan around nap times sometimes, especially when travelling. How old was your daughter when she dropped her last nap?
Looking back, I’m glad we had this time together as a family to enjoy the final days of summer. We’re hoping to do another family trip this August, but for a bit longer. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend. Linda
Wonderful family pics. Treasure them!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It’s crazy how quickly time flies. I’m trying to enjoy all the moments.
M is adorable and I love that she is now able to hike at least some of the way. How was the transition to preschool? Our grandson started in November and has been sick almost nonstop since then…
It probably takes us three times as long to hike a short trail now, but she has a lot of fun exploring and looking around.
The transition to daycare wasn’t too bad. Dropping her off was always tough as she’d cry, but once she got settled in her classroom, she was fine. I was honestly shocked to hear that she’s one of the best nappers in the class. If only she went down that easy for a nap at home! We can totally relate to being continuously sick! This winter especially has been brutal. One cold after the next. Hope your grandson had a smooth transition to daycare. And hopefully all these sickness just strengthen our immunity and resiliency!
Fingers crossed 🙂
What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger 🙂
Your daughter seems very comfortable in nature with all the experience you have given her. Ready to be a wanderer in her own right.
She loves being outside and exploring her surroundings. Here’s hoping that her curiosity and love of nature continues to grow.
Wow, M has gotten so big! That’s a lovely photo of you all 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment. She’s grown a whole heck of a lot more since when we visited the cabin in August!
All so beautiful, especially the three of you. 🥰 Nature and rosemary and garlic cheese sound a winning combination and great start! 😊 Thank you for sharing highlights from your trip. Happy weekending!
Thanks Michele! We often stop by the cheese factory on the way too and from the cabin. It’s been fun (and delicious) to try to sample all the various flavours and types of cheese. And the fresh cheese sticks are always a huge hit. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as well.
That is a delicious tradition! 😊
Our cheese supply is actually running pretty low, which means a return trip to the cabin is in order!
Nice that you managed to spend a couple of days in the cabin. Great to see M walking. They grow so fast.
I’m glad we managed to squeeze in a short visit to the cabin on our way to Quebec City. I sometimes don’t realize how much noise there is in the city until I’m out in nature where it’s much more peaceful and quiet.
I have the same issue but in reverse. Every time I go to a city now I wonder how people can live with that constant level of noise 🤣.
WoW … What a beautiful getaway… The scenery looks absolutely breathtaking, and I can just imagine how peaceful and refreshing it must have been in person. Baby M is growing so fast, what a joy to watch her explore and enjoy the outdoors.
God Bless you and your family and these special moments together; memories like these are such a gift…
Thanks for your kind words, Willie. It’s always nice to escape the city and spend time in nature. It’s a great way to just slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Our little M is so curious and seems to enjoy being outside just as much (if not more) than us! Here’s hoping for more family memories and adventures this summer.
Rosemary and garlic cheese – hmm, that sounds delicious! It’s funny, I remember how you had to carry little M as a baby all the way to the cabin (or was she in a stroller?) and now she walks there on her own! I love the things we see in nature when we take it a bit slower – your beautiful photos are proof of this. And what’s better than cooling off in the water after a warm hike – it sounds like your timing was perfect when it comes to the lack of people.
Oh those photos of M beaming and smiley – how absolutely adorable 🙂 I’ve no doubt she will treasure these special memories, growing up in nature and with adventures.
She loves being outside. It was really cute to watch her pick up a bunch of sticks and pine cones. But my gosh, walking anywhere with her takes three times as long! But my back is happy to not carry her as much now!
Oh my, M has gotten so big already!! She is so absolutely adorable. Love her smiling face. She is so blessed to have such amazing parents! 💞💞💞 Thanks for taking us to the cabin, it’s been a while. 😊 The lake reflection in front of the cabin is so peaceful to look at.
Aww thanks for your kind words Rose. You’re right, it has been awhile since we last visited the cabin. This was actually our first trip up there in 2025. It’s too bad we were only there for one night, but it’s better than nothing. Hopefully we’re able to visit more this year. Our little M just loves being outside! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Linda
I think you know how much I love your cabin posts! it looks so peaceful around the cabin. M is adorable, such a beaming smile. She’s grown so much since the New Zealand photos. Nothing better than a fresh dip after a hike.
This was our first visit to the cabin of 2025 and it was long overdue. It would have been nice to have stayed a bit longer, but it’s better than nothing. It’s crazy to see how much our little M has grown since August (or even when we were in NZ in the spring). Where does the time go!?! All this talk about summer and going for a swim makes me wish all this snow would hurry up and melt already!
You guys are a sweet family, and that is awesome that you are getting M out in nature!