canada, oh canada

Just over a week ago we were 1,000 miles away in Northern Ontario. One week since we arrived back home, and I am able to sit down for the first time and look at our pictures - what a busy (but good) week here on the ranch. Welcome home!

Just over two weeks ago we were in Southern Ontario for the much anticipated wedding of my dear friend, Allison. Friends from childhood, we used to live just down the road from each other in Laird Township and spent many hours singing Michael W. Smith, galloping imaginary horses around our yards and arguing about the proper pronunciation of "sorry".

It was lovely to see her joined in marriage to a wonderful young man. And on a beautiful day in August! The weather couldn't have been more perfect. (Word to the wise: when planning an outdoor wedding in August, Canada provides much more ambient temperatures than Missouri.)

The day we arrived in Canada, however, could have been a bit nicer. We were very fortunate to catch a lull in between rain showers for setting up camp at our Auburn campground. We managed to get all the tents up and everything tucked away cozily just in time for a torrential downpour at bedtime. And, miraculously, we managed to stay fairly dry all night as the downpour continued.

Thank goodness for Tim Horton's coffee and milk-in-a-bag for breakfast! Ah, it felt good to be back in the great white north.

What better way to start off our first day in Canada than with some after breakfast hockey? Here is Team Dodson, warming up for the game in their toques (pronounced: "tukes").

They're crazy. The Canadians better look out when these hosers get in the rink.

OH! The good ol' Hockey game, is the best game you can name.
And the best game you can name, is the good ol' Hockey game.

This one kept trying to take off her toque. Pretty cute, eh?

We were the only ones "tenting" at the campground. Except for some Russians who showed up for the weekend. Apparently everyone else is smart enough to know you need an RV for camping in Canada.

We had a grand time though, even hiking down and enjoying the local elk herd.

We were also fortunate enough to be close to the only washroom in Auburn. They keep things pretty rustic up north.

 

(...just kidding...)

 Then Friday arrived and the wedding festivities began. Rehearsals, skits, speeches, photos, setting tables, breakfast and preparations with the bridal party, meeting new friends, a lovely ceremony and fun reception. I was honored to be a part of the bridal party and included in the Dow family musical performance at the reception.

 

 

Somewhere in the midst of wedding preparations we also squeezed in a trip to eat fish & chips in Goderich, on the shores of Lake Huron. Good food, good setting.

 

Also while we were in Goderich I had my first experience with "The Beer Store". It felt like a scene straight out of Strange Brew and I almost asked for a 6 pack of Elsinore.

It was a bit overwhelming and after one look at me the guy behind the counter asked: "Where are you from, Miss?". Guess my Canadian roots aren't so strong after all. 

Here Amelia brings her baby to watch the ceremony, held in the Dow's beautiful backyard.

The reception was held at the nearby Huron Chapel, which had an extremely bucolic back field, perfect for romping in.

   

Allie & Mere, my dear friends. Love these girls.

(And we're all married, woohoo!)

The Dodson fam.

 

Susannah, such a beauty.

And this, folks, is what happens when the kids survive a full day (or two) of wedding ceremonies and parties.

 

At this point we encourage them to go rolling down the hill in their best clothes.

 

Finally, relaxing in style back at the campground. (Photo by, who else? miss Margaret)

What a wonderful time. So good to be back with old friends, and have a chance to meet some new ones! We were blessed to be a part of it all.

Stay tuned for the next stage in our adventures: traveling up north to the Soo.