Mon, Dec 31 2007, Tue, Jan 1 2008 - TOC New Year's Eve Party under the stars (View Original Event Details)
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...cont'd from December 28th Winter Car Camping trip
...so, Justin and Kate checked into a Best Western in Belleville. Justin (a very tall man) looked imposing in his black security jacket, complete with British and Canadian flags on the shoulders, AND carrying a bomb-proof attache case...but more on that later...
On the way to Belleville, though, well...they got hungry again!...and decided to stop at a charming little, out-of-the-way spot. We'll call it "Darkhome Restaurant" for legal purposes and because it's slightly more fitting than the actual name. Their host, the owner (we'll call him Gregor - no reason, really) was a man of about 55. He had been watching a soccer game, when they ruined his day - uh, decided to patronize his restaurant - and had to give up the table for twelve he'd been occupying that Justin and Kate just...naturally...gravitated toward (in the completely empty restaurant). You see, this table had the remote control for the large screen TV. Ahh! He quickly wisked that away though, muttering to himself (a common occurrence) in his native language. After a great many (slightly snarling), "I dun't care"(s), they were made to feel right at home. Milkshakes (for $4..50) are quite literally advertised - made with milk and a just a smidgeon of ice cream. Curious about how he came to open this restaurant, Gregor was peppered with more personal questions than he'd ever been asked - one - and it sent him reeling! The muttering became louder from the kitchen as pots and pans were clanked about. More questions were asked - two more customers came in - more personal questions from Justin and Kate's table - yet another couple entered...whew!....this proved too much for Gregor and his self-talk became louder and angrier. When Justin and Kate left, the last couple to enter - who only wanted take out - left right behind them, hurriedly and without any food. They didn't PEEL out of the parking lot...but you could tell they wanted to. It's still not known what led him to want to open a "service industry" business but they left with the knowledge that Gregor is NOT an ex-sailor and in fact, believed the nearby lake to be an ocean, so...? Based on the above, this restaurant is not recommended for food, warm family gatherings -- or directions.
...smelling and looking like they'd spent a couple of nights outdoors, Justin coolly handed over his military I.D. to the hotel and secured them a hefty discount! They made sure there was a pool and stowed their gear...particularly the attache...which contained......Justin's laptop! It had and would prove invaluable on this trip, so it must be protected from any damage or potential insurgencies! The evening was spent swimming, Swiss Chalet-ing, and movie watching. After the continental breakfast the next morning, they decided to watch another movie until the maid knocked and informed them that check-out had been a half hour earlier......ohhh...
They...headed to Shannonville!
Jason had graciously offered his fishing trailer to Justin, for a unique way to ring in the new year. And unique it was. The warmth and generosity of this lovely community was quickly apparent. Within five minutes of Justin and Kate's arrival, Terry (owner of the trailer park) and his wife Tara, unbelievably had offered them their 3 bedroom cabin (with wood stove and propane cook stove). They showed them around it, introduced them to neighbour Harold (who would sell Justin a truckload - literally - of firewood for $30), gave them the keys and drove off, back to Toronto! When Tara showed them the cook stove, she simply turned the handle and with a sudden whoosh, a two foot high flame appeared and seemed to lap at the underside of the kitchen cabinets! Justin and Kate, standing 10 feet away, jumped back a little, caught off guard. Well timed, all Terry asked was that the cabin NOT be burned to the ground and that they leave some of their firewood for their return. Nobody mentioned Justin's penchant for burning things, but sidelong glances were exchanged. Once the tent was up, Harold's firewood secured, and a bigger breakfast at Denny's eaten, they made themselves at home. There was one thing left to do before people started to arrive...they watched the end of their movie that had been so rudely interrupted by silly hotel rules...
Steph and Dom arrived first, bringing Rocky and Trixie. Justin had a good bonfire going at that point, right next to the lake.
Then Andrew arrived, bringing Chetan, Jenna and Vanessa with him. Sadly, Susan had to work late and by the time she went to pick up Jessie, it was decided they wouldn't make it in time for midnight and stayed in Toronto. They were sorely missed - and not just because of Jessie's chocolate cake either...
Around the ever-expanding fire, there was talk and marshmellows and a special treat - some of Dom's tasty, homemade eggnog - with nutmeg brought from Trinidad, no less! The dogs romped and Rocky found a dead fish to smear himself in. Hey, it's his holiday too. At midnight, there were fireworks and sparklers but nobody knew the words to Auld Lang Syne - what is the world coming to?! (Sigh and head shake) They all apologise to Robbie Burns and will each give a moment of silence on January 25th.
Dom and Steph went to their tent first. Then Jenna and Vanessa stoked the stove and each secured a couch next to it. Chetan, Justin, Andrew and Kate went to their tent around 1:30-2am. It snowed and snowed some more. It was cold that night, but all slept well.
The first day of 2008 was magical. The tents all covered in snow, waking up surrounded by good people in a wonderful community, next to a frozen lake - and in a snowstorm! Making coffee with the "flame thrower" in the cabin, proved to be easy and convenient - and could that thing boil water fast!. It was so beautiful, down by the lake, sitting on snow covered logs for awhile, talking, looking out at the misty, snowy lake. A makeshift breakfast was prepared with the remaining food. Soon after, Chetan, Andrew, Jenna, Kate and Justin (on snowshoes) headed out onto the solid lake and played and wrestled and dove about in the foot thick snow. This lasted 1 hour and 1/2 until adult responsibilities beckoned - packing and tidying up. Steph and Dom - Trixie and freshly, fishy Rocky in tow - headed out for home first and good-byes were made. Their truck had no problem getting out of the snow. Justin and Andrew needed a push - there was a lot of snow! - and the remaining 6 went to Denny's again for MORE breakfast. To top it all off, Andrew had made a blueberry pie - from scratch - and gave each a piece in the parking lot, still in a snowstorm. That was superb pie! (Even fewer people know the words to the pie song, though) It was time to head in the direction of home then, but, from winter car camping to tailgate pie -- what a fantastic trip this was!!!
"Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?"
Nope. Or new ones either.
Many thanks again to Jason, Terry and Tara and Harold - and heck, even Gregor - for making this a memorable New Year's celebration...
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.