from August to Autumn

I had planned to post photos of the post-wedding holiday we spent at a rustic Northern Ontario camp in August immediately upon returning home to newly married life. I had planned to share our adventures, all the goodness that happened in our lives, all the new and wonderful things I had learned and discovered. But then life happened and we became so incredibly busy as summer winded down and autumn slowly crept in.

But I still want to share those photos and the moments and moods they capture. And I think today, the last day of summer, is the perfect day to do so. I suppose in a fitting way, this is my farewell to that favourite season as we welcome a new one: to long summer days and lazy afternoons; to sultry heat and sweaty, sunkissed skin; to casual evenings relaxing on the balcony and drinking beer; to driving down country roads with the windows down; to biking to pick up our fresh CSA baskets; to the month that contained all the love in the world as it saw our family and friends gather to witness Andrew and I share our vows; to the camp I love and know so intimately, having spent my childhood summers there, and that I am lucky enough to return to every year with my dad.

And yet, the week of our vacation up North was not at all characterisitc of summer. It was cold and rainy, with the strongest winds and biggest waves I have ever witnessed at this time of year, making for a particular kind of gloominess. But it was perfect. It was exactly what we needed to relax and recover from all the work and energy we put into making the wedding happen. We wrapped ourselves up in layers of clothing to bear the weather outside and nestled inside by the fire, warming our spirits with endless glasses of wine and long conversations. Andrew passed long hours fishing at the edge of the dock and I curled up reading and slipping in and out of afternoon naps.

All around us, something about the soft, grey light contrasted against the dark greens of the Boreal Forest and golden reds of the pine and cedar was perfectly seemless.

It was as if the seasons were already turning.  

30 - ruggedly beautiful Northern Ontario

i seem to have a habit of disappearing, unannounced, into the Canadian wilderness or to small town Ontario to visit andrew. i've done it again, this time to a Northern Ontario camp where i spent my childhood and we now visit yearly for a week or so-long vacation with my dad (by camp, i mean rustic log cabin in the woods, or what some might more commonly call a cottage. we Northern Ontarians, however, call them camps, not to be confused with youth summer camps or "camping"). my days were filled with fishing, lazing on the dock reading, swimming, taking saunas, stargazing, and relaxing in the fresh air, with no one else around or the buzz of city life to disturb us (although there were plenty, or should i say swarms, of mosquitoes!). the stars at night were simply incredible, and we were lucky enough to catch sight of the Northern Lights one night, which i haven't seen in years! the rugged wilderness up there and the lake's pristine beauty gets me every time. i'm pretty sure it's my favourite place on earth. coming back to the city after such a peaceful and relaxing getaway is always a shock, so please excuse my absence as i have been readjusting to city life and catching up on work.

a few of my favourite shots from the past few years. although this summer was the first time ever that we saw baby loons. so sweet!