This week, we should have been enjoying a cottage in the Kawartha Lakes. But, due to covid-19, we opted to cancel our annual fishing trip in our family’s best interest. For our 2020 summer vacay – we’re rocking our staycation!

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Related Post: Scotsman Point Resort (where we were supposed to vacation)

stay·ca·tion

Noun. A vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

Was it disappointing to cancel our annual cottage trip? Absolutely! But was our decision the best for our family? Again, absolutely! We have the mindset that there is always next year. So we will make the best of our week off – together, as a family!

For our family summer staycation, we planned a couple of day trips close to home and filled the remainder of our days with a few favourite pastimes.

day trip

Noun. A journey or excursion completed in one day.

Let’s start the week off with a bang!

Monday – Boler Mountains Treetop Adventure Park

To begin our week’s holiday at home, we wanted to do something we’ve never done before! After perusing the overwhelming options online – we opted for family zip-lining!

Our timed tickets for the family course were purchased in advance and we were totally psyched for our little adventure.

The treetop course includes zip lines, rope courses, swinging bridges, tarzan swings, and pirate nets! To be honest, I was a little apprehensive while driving there!

After gearing up and learning how to use the equipment and navigate the course – we were off!

Climbing the hill to actually get to the course proved to be almost as challenging as the course itself! “Mom, I need to take a break. It’s too far!”, my daughter complained!

Overall this excursion was a huge success and a lot of fun! I’d highly recommend this activity to any family or group of friends! A girls trip is already in the works for the fall!

Tuesday – Family Fishing

Fishing is one of my family’s favourite activities (if not the favourite)! Since the weather was nice on this day, we decided to try fishing in a spot our daughter has never been – Lake Wawanosh Conservation Area.

My husband and I have fished this man-made reservoir many times before, but this was our first visit as a family. Anyone who has fished with kids would know that patience can run out pretty quickly. So, after about an hour and only one fish being caught, we called it a day at this spot.

After a bite for lunch we visited another honey hole and our daughter landed almost a dozen pan fish! Not exactly every anglers perfect day, but whatever keeps an eight year-old entertained – right??!!

Wednesday – Rest Day

Being in a vehicle for a couple of days, we needed a day to chill a bit. Rain dampened the morning and, hey, housework, laundry, and grocery shopping needs to be done.

Keeping it Local! Staying in our own community was important to us. Still rocking our staycation!

Thursday – Trail Walk & Visit to Bayfield

Another of our beloved outdoor activities is a nice trail walk. For today’s adventure, we wanted to visit a trail that we’ve never done before. Since we didn’t want to drive too far today, we searched for a trail that was fairly close to home.

The Mavis Trail is part of the Varna Nature Trails and travels along the Bayfield River.

Since we were only a few kilometres from Bayfield, we figured we’d visit the main drag for a tour of the cute shops (masks were worn!!) and to enjoy an over-priced ice cream treat!

Since my daughter and I got a treat my hubby wanted a treat as well! His little treat came from Bayfield Brewing Company – a few tall boys of delicious Ontario craft beer!

Travelling south on Highway 21 we stopped at Cornerfield Winery. Since we had the time and they were open – we figured why not?! My husband and I both drink wine and after a tasting flight we decided on three varieties to bring home to enjoy!

Continuing our journey home, a stop at Bad Apple Brewing Company was absolutely necessary!

This establishment’s craft beer has been gracing our fridge since almost the opening of the company! Can’t recommend this beer enough!

Friday – Another Chill Day

Sean took advantage of the free morning to take his kayak out for a solo fish. As much as we wanted to spend our staycation together as a family, it was also imperative that Sean and I had some quality ME time, alone, as well.

Our afternoon consisted of a trail bike ride for Sean and Terra and a brow wax/tint for Mama! As quick as my alone time was, I thoroughly enjoyed my quick stop at the spa!

All good things must come to an end!

Well, that was our week! Our weekend was just a regular weekend. Cleaned house, more laundry, prepping for the week ahead, and getting back into our regular routine. Labor Day was a regular work day for me. Getting caught up on work while the office was empty – total bliss!

Overall, it was a successful week. No fights or meltdowns. No one was bored and we didn’t struggle to keep ourselves entertained. We made some memories together as a family and had a treetop adventure while totally rocking our staycation!