Huntsville, Ontario: Dockfest 2013 {Travel}

Our weekend in Huntsville, Ontario was fantastic! Dockfest, bathtub races, great food, live music, gorgeous scenery, and a downtown area truly built to impress.

Huntsville is the largest city within the Muskoka Region of Ontario -- a huge tourist area, attracting thousands of people from around the world every year. The Muskokas were ranked one of National Geographic's 20 must-see destinations in 2012, and holds a spot as one of their 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life.

The main reason for our trip to cottage country was to cheer on a pal in the bathtub races -- which is exactly what it sounds like.

These races were insanely fun to watch! A few tips, a crash or two, but mostly lots of laughs and fun. Our boat didn't win in its Media category, but our "Captain", as we called him, said he couldn't wait to do it again!

The entire Dockfest event was super well organized, with dedicated volunteers running around all day long to make sure everything went off without a hitch. You can really feel the sense of community when you're visiting Huntsville.

Two places you've got to check out if you're in the Muskokas: The Mill On Main, and On The Docks Pub. Both featuring great atmosphere, food, and beverages -- including offerings from the Muskoka Brewery. We fell in love with On The Docks, which boasts a three story patio overlooking the water. They also make a killer burger.

We'll definitely be making a trip back to Huntsville again in the future!

If you're considering a visit to the area, check out Muskoka Tourism and Hunstville BIA for more great vacation ideas. 

Have you ever visited the Muskokas?

Heading To Huntsville, Ontario {Travel}

This weekend we're taking a trip to Hunstville, Ontario to visit some friends and to take part in Dockfest.

On Saturday, the downtown area will be filled with folks who have come out for The Rotary Club of Huntsville's very first annual Rotary Dockfest. The event main attraction of this event is -- and I'm not even joking -- the Bathtub Derby. Motorized bathtubs will navigate a series of obstacles, attempting to keep up speed and balance as they head down the river. I won't lie -- I'm really excited to see this race!

The Dockfest Schedule Of Events

8am Pancake Breakfast
10am to 1pm Children's craft area open (Provided by Huntsville Festival and Camp Tawingo)
11am to 3pm Huntsville Lions BBQ lunch
11am Bathtub Derby Parade (Begins at Centre Street)
12pm to 3pm Bathtub Derby
1pm to 4pm Children's game & ride area opens
1pm to 2.30pm Muskoka Concert Band plays in the River Mill Gazebo
3pm to 5pm  Laganza plays at the River Mill Park stage

If you're in the area and looking for a fun event to check out this weekend, maybe we'll see you in Huntsville!

Day 01: A Place I'd Like To Travel

Lately I've been dreaming about the UK. I'm dying to visit London, to tour the city, to see the countryside. I have never left North America and a visit across the pond has been on my mind for a while now.

I would love to meet birth professionals, midwives and doulas, to talk about birth culture in the UK. It's so much different than it is here. It would be wonderful to learn from them & hear their stories.

Plus, I would absolutely geek it out a notch & visit Harry Potter filming locations (like my girl Elly), because I'd just have to!

(Ok... now I might just have to pop in a Potter flick... I've honestly never tired of the films and rereading the books always delights me. I can't wait til Gretchen is old enough so I can begin reading them to her at bedtime. Swoon!)

Image source.

Day 29: Some Place I'd Like To Visit

New York City is a place I'd like to visit... and a place I will be visiting in the summertime. Looking forward to BlogHer'12, oh yes yes yes! I'll admit I'm a tiny bit nervous about the trip.. I'm a smallish town kinda gal, but I'm also pretty ballsy. I can't wait to discover the city with my bloggy kin.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Day 22: Some Place I’ve Traveled

As you all know, just a few months ago, I was in San Diego for BlogHer'11 -- and it was fantastic. I've already been daydreaming about '12 in NYC. (Fingers crossed that this gal joins me there!)