It was a short visit, but with many feel, good, memorable moments. And lots of driving (when in Ontario)…

Day 1

Our Flair airlines flight arrived at Pearson airport around midnight on Sunday. With excited kids running on Pacific Standard Time, we hauled our carryons through Terminal 3, “quickly” picked up our luggage (surprisingly) and navigated our way to Terminal 1 to pick up our car rental. We luckily managed to squish everything and everyone into a Hyundai Kona and made our way to our AirBnb in Clarkson Village.

The town house we rented was really nice – spacious, updated, and within a great neighbourhood I have never really explored before. It was a home base and close enough to family and things we wanted to do while in town.

The Turgano sibling reunion shortly happened in the afternoon at our place. In my mind, it’s how our Ontario vacation gets started – with big hugs to Troy (heart) and Jess and then seeing the kids re-acquainting themselves. It’s always been a trip to see each other’s kids after a long hiatus….reminding ourselves how fast they are growing up and how old we are getting as well. We did a burger/fries dinner at Burger Factory and Pita Nutso in Streetsville along with the traditional romp to Murphy’s ice cream dessert (thanks for reminding us Colby). With the extra evening sugar rush, the kids ended day at a playground down by the Rivergrove Community Centre.

Day 2

The last time I saw my parents was last year in July when I was home for 2 long weeks. I was helping out my dad while mom was in the hospital. When I first saw him coming into the kitchen, I never thought he could possibly look more older, shorter, slower, and with a lot less weight. It was surreal and I had to pause for moment to take it all in. He was so happy to see us all, especially Matilda since he hasn’t seen her in over 2 years. We sat in the kitchen and chatted about anything and everything.

For those interested (Tlell is not one of them), did you know that the last Swiss Chalet in B.C., at the Burnaby location, closed in August 2022? I guarantee this will be a Canadian trivia question one day. Anyhow, I know there are much more better options out there these days BUT growing up in Ontario, it was definitely an iconic institution, a staple in my diet and a fine dining experience when I was a kid. I lobbied the family without too much resistance to go there for dinner that night, knowing this could/would be my last time eating a rotisserie chicken with the special sauce. The childhood memories can rushing back after my first bite (I even took a swig of sauce from the bowl). I was even delighted to see the familiar warm lemon water that they bring at the end of the meal to clean your fingers. The whole family was there and it was great to get mom and dad out as well. With the nostalgia rush finally wearing off, I am happy to say, this will most likely be, the last time I will eat at a Swiss Chalet.

Maybe.

After dinner, Troy and I dropped dad home home and drove back with mom to watch Colby’s baseball game at Lorne Park. I grew up playing baseball and it was nice to see and hear the familiar sounds of the game again. Colby was batting a 1000. The other kids played in the neighbouring playground and forest. It was a nice way to end the day.

Day 3

First thing in the AM, we prepped for our day to visit Tlell’s sister and fam who were camping at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. It was about a 2 hour drive from Mississauga and I was excited about the day as it’s been about 4 years since we have seen them (not since the Ossoyos Elviss family reunion).

After getting passed the typical hwy 401/427/400 gridlock and gawking at the ever growing monstrous roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, we made our through Barrie and then had a pitstop at an ONRoute rest area. They weren’t called that when I was growing up (they were simply “Rest Areas/Stops”, but I have vague, happy memories about going there when I was kid. It’s probably because my siblings and I knew we could get whatever fast food treats we wanted after sitting in the car for hours.

Continuing past Barrie, we drove past Hockley Valley and Mount St. Louis Moonstone ski resorts (I actually remember the Moonstone tv commercials). I think that is where I learned to ski.

If you need to make a pitstop, definitely stop at the Country Store and Mark’s Parlour area (located in Waubaushene on Pine just off Hwy12 at Hwy400). Not only does Mark’s have ice cream and a huge candy store for the kids, but there is a gas station, a Subway, a fries and burger joint (Rise to Fries), and a farmer’s market road stand (Hewitt’s Farm Market). I think it’s going to be a popular rest stop as they are building a Tim’s Horton and LCBO across the street.

Shortly after our pitstop, we arrived at Six Mile Provincial Park and met up with Blaine and Maddie at their camp site. The first thing we did taking the kids on a boat/float ride! After that, Emmie joined us after her work day was over and it was pretty much catch-up time after that. Oh, and Blaine’s home made Canada Goose pepperoni sticks were divine!

Day 4

We thought we would take it easy and have a relaxing day today and so we decided to head to Canada’s Wonderland!

It’s been about over 15 years since I was last hear and aside from the newer rides, the place is pretty much as how I remembered it. The kids were stoked.

Unfortunately, the place was BUSY (it was the August long weekend), not too packed but busy enough where you would spend 35-45 minutes in line waiting for a ride or for food. The boys (Arlo, Forrest, and Colby), uncle Troy and I managed to squeeze in only 5 rides: Clockwerks, Thunder Run, Wildebeast, Ghoster Coaster, and that Pirate ship ride in that order. I made a mistake of taking the boys to the Wildebeast as it was the most uncomfortable, rickety, hand banging experience of our lives. It pretty much ended the boys rollercoaster day as everyone just wanted to eat and play the arcade games after that. Tlell, Matilda, Jess, and Conor spent most of their time in Kidzville and Planet Snoopy which I think was pretty well done for that age group. Matilda had a blast on the Merry-go-around and the various Snoopy rides. Aj, Jada, and her brother Rj also met up with us later which was great. It’s been a few years since I have seen them both and meeting Rj was cool. We ended the afternoon watching the trampoline pirate show.

Day 5

Today was another day of scheduled relaxful activities (not really), but it started off right with a very good siblings brunch at Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House.

We then went to visit lola and a few family relatives at the cemetery. I think this was the first time Matilda visited lola’s grave.

After the visit, we burned some mid-morning time at Air Riderz before ending the day with a cousins gathering at Jack Darling Memorial Park in Port Credit. Side note: I was completely amazed with Port Credit and the surrounding area. After, living in Mississauga north for more than a decade, I had no idea that this part of Mississauga was actually…nice. Port credit is situated right on the shores of Lake Ontario and has a vibrant community feel with beaches, parks, boardwalk, restaurants, and condos being built left and right (an indicator that this place is happening). I was floored that I was discovering this for the first time.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening at the park. The kids pretty much played at the beach the entire time. We also celebrated Matilda’s “Ontario” birthday party here with lots of food and presents from the cousins. This was definitely the highlight of the visit.