Venture Adventures

10/11/2023

FA LA LA...wow, there has been an amazing amount of Christmas markets in our area already, and still so many more to come!

Today our road trip holds a special place in our hearts though, we are headed to the Season's Christmas Show. In our past life this always marked the first charter of the Christmas festivities, first taking in the show, and then dining at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

Although today's trip is slightly different for us, substituting The Old Spaghetti Factory for installation of new winter tires, we will still think of you all as we stroll through and shop at Seasons!

And, if you're up for the drive to the International Centre in Mississauga, it's on all weekend, and definitely a good one!

05/11/2023

Yep, and so it begins 😏

03/11/2023

😏

23/10/2023

A little sunshine and kindness sent your way from Vigie Beach, St Lucia.

If you ever want to see the island, the true island, stay off resorts, rent a car or hire a local driver, rent airbnbs or smaller hotels along the costal highway, speak and spend time with the locals, fall in love. ❤️

17/10/2023

I know we have been a little MIA lately, truth be told we have been very busy with the other business - Log Home Creations - and the trailer rentals.

But shortly we will be off on a little Venture. I can't believe we'll be arriving in St Lucia in just 3 shorts days. It's been a trip idea that we've tossed around since adopting our Piper from Bruno Project, in St Lucia, 3 years ago. In fact, the founder of Bruno Project is both Canadian and retired military, and Doris and her husband also run an airbnb. So it all fit together nicely; we found a cheap flight, booked a few airbnbs, including Doris's, and rented a car, off on another journey we go.

I remember when we adopted Piper, just before COVID, we had a couple of comments about dogs here needing adoption. After we lost our Clara we looked and enquired at more than a few dogs here, and there were always too many applications for each dog, and at times, not even a response. Our daughter sent us a link to Piper's advertisement, and the ball was rolling, before we knew it we were picking her up at the airport.

Now, I won't lie, it'll be hard to not bring home a dog or two next week, but for now I think we have enough...lol. Check out the adoption links for yourself, look at some of those faces looking for new homes, maybe we can bring one home for you...lol

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2197554800487380

https://www.facebook.com/groups/219316798618774

19/08/2023

Corgi on rental trailer duty today, assisting with the pick-ups, cleanings and deliveries! This one runs a tight ship. 🤣

19/08/2023

We love that the Ex is just so much more than the rides and games, from shopping, agriculture, concerts, buskers, dog show, and skating show.(with Elvis Stojko). Just so much included in admission!

19/08/2023

Our first year, in many, without having a full load along for this Venture!

It looked and felt a little different, to be on our own timeline, to park at the GO station and get dropped right at the Exhibition Grounds, but...it was still about the food, about the buildings, the rides and games, and the clouds, and the slightly cooler air, meant less crowds, and it was a fantastic time!

Let's GO To The Ex!

16/08/2023

For our Kingston and Napanee followers, very near and dear to our hearts, please consider a McDonalds coffee over Timmies on September 21st. ❤️

02/08/2023

And a little Berlin.

02/08/2023

And a little more, because you know, Facebook loves Individual posts...lol.

02/08/2023

Just a little Howard Jones from last night's Budweiser Stage Venture.

02/08/2023

A fabulous weekday Toronto Venture!

From Berlin, to Howard Jones, to Culture Club, the Budweiser Stage didn't disappoint, and for $56 for two lawn tickets, we couldn't have asked for a better night.

01/08/2023

Tonight's Venture - back to the 80's - I'm so excited!

Drive to the Exhibition Grounds and park, or drive to Whitby, park and catch the GO right to the Exhibition Grounds. $56 for two lawn tickets through Ticketmaster.ca - just do it!

28/07/2023

Back from our getaway to find our favourite wine shipment had arrived!

When we travel to Newfoundland to visit family we always stock up on our Auk Island favorites, but inbetween trips we shop online, and they have great shipping deals!

https://aukislandwinery.com/

28/07/2023

A Venture to Mississauga equals a great one night/two day getaway! And why not pop over to Niagara on day two, start with breakfast at the Flying Saucer restaurant of course, a visit to the Power Plant and walk the tunnel to the Falls, and so much more!

With a handful of great hotels within two minutes of Illumi Mississauga it makes an excellent Venture. Illumi itself sits on an area equal to 10 football fields, is set to resemble 13 universes, and is lit by 44000 spheres. On average it takes approximately 60 minutes to walk to path, stopping for as many pictures as you'd like with the displays!

Full information and tickets can be found on the Illumi website:

https://toronto.illumi.com

20/07/2023

These last 3 days found both rental trailers at home, which is a much appreciated rarity during camping season!

This gave us a chance to go on a much needed Venture. At the beginning of this season we toyed with the idea of a seasonal spot for the larger of the two trailers, but didn't want to end up being "stuck" in one spot, at a park doing the same old same old. Sure, if we found a park that allowed us to continue renting it out, or purchased a piece of land to do the same, it might mean less deliveries, but it would also mean much less travel, adventure, and exploration, something we enjoy far too much.

Tuesday we choose our little guy, because we LOVE the ease of hooking this little trailer up, getting into just about any spot, large or small, waterfront, waterside, off grid, it's just too easy to explore, and there is no extra gas expense with this little beauty! The bigger trailer is always our choice if we need a little more room and are taking the dogs, but not this trip.

Starting at Cowbell Brewery in Blythe, we set up at Point Farms Provincial Park, (just outside of Goderich), visited friends in Lucknow, had a beach hopping day (Goderich, Point Farms, Amberley & Point Clarke), enjoyed amazing sunsets from the park lookout, bonfires, drinks, smores and cards, and today even meant a trip to St Jacobs Farmers Market on the way home.

Sadly, all good things come to an end as both trailers go on their own adventures with renters tomorrow. If you are thinking of a camping Venture, just do it! We have absolutely amazing parks in our province, and there are always cancelations to be found on the online reservation system if you check often. And, if you need a trailer, reach out, we can send you the booking links to check availability for both units!

14/07/2023

I didn't forget this, I promise, it needed it's own post!

If you have never been to a concert at Base31 in Prince Edward County just go, we have been to a few in the last year and love it! The atmosphere is laid back, you can actually comfortably move around, and even pop outdoors on their patio area for food or a beverage from one of the many food trucks. They even have a shuttle bus set up from various locations in and around Picton!

Click on the Base 31 link, or visit their website ( https://base31.ca) to check out their many events this season, from Friday night drone shows, to concerts, to classes, we are very impressed with the progress they have made and really look forward to the upcoming seasons!

This Saturday night is the Arkells Campfire Nights tour, it promises to be an excellent time, and there are still a few tickets left!

14/07/2023

It's Friday!!! Tell us about your weekend plans (no, really tell us), what is new and interesting in our area that others might just be interested in?

For those in the Belleville area, this is the 2nd weekend for the Belleville Waterfront Multicultural Festival, complete with midway, that's exciting! And, for those who find themselves to the east, it's Fantasy In The Forest Art Show, perfect for those of us that are crafty and enjoy good art! I've never been to the second (the kids love the first) but I'm thinking if the rain holds off it might just be a good thing to check out!

For Napanee-ers (Napanee-ite's..hmm..you get the idea), there's a bunch of good garage sales advertised this weekend, plus Theatre Napanee - Bouler House Cinema has Teenage Kraken and Mission: Impossible playing! It's also Napanee Country Jamboree weekend at the fairgrounds AND Santorini Napanee Mediterranean Grill has specials to celebrate! You could also visit The Waterfront River Pub and Terrace and hop aboard the Normal Paul River Boat Tour (weekend tickets still available online). Just so much happening this weekend, remember to pack your patience-pants when you go out, it should be a good one!

And, last but not least, did you know that Mystical Distributing is hosting a huge fireworks display tonight (Friday), that can easily be seen at Centennial Park in Trenton? I think you really need to check this out; partnering with North Star Entertainment Inc, it combines fireworks with a story in the sky with a drone show!

I'm sure this isn't all, but it's a very good start. Grab a pen, make a list (or, I know, use your phone), and make a plan. Whatever you Venture to this weekend, be safe, be happy, and just be kind!

10/07/2023

And that's a wrap on the weekend, the bright side, hardly any rain, the not-so-bright side, these weekends are just too short!

Happy Monday everyone!

07/07/2023

From Belleville to Kingston - what a fun weekend!

First up, you have the Belleville Waterfront and Multicultural Festival. Thursday kicked off the first of two weekends for this festival this year! Enjoy a variety of foods and music this weekend, and then add the midway next weekend!

And, in Kingston, Thursday also kicked off the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous 2023! This has always been one of my all time favourite festivals of the summer!

Whatever you do this weekend, I wish you rainy cool nights, sunny summer days, a Venture near or far, and a whole lot of kindness.

30/06/2023

Just one more...I promise!!

Too many to choose from this Canada Day long weekend! 🍁

29/06/2023

It is almost here! We love the Canada Day long weekend, the pride, the red and white, the celebrations.

This year there is just far too much to chose from!

I know I have already mentioned our love of the Bath festivities (schedule in previous post), but there is also Tamworth, Tyendinaga, Belleville, Quinte West and our all time never miss favourite, the Cobourg Waterfront Festival, complete with fireworks on the beach!

Whatever you do, wherever you Venture this long weekend, be safe, be gentle, be happy and BE KIND ❤️

25/06/2023

Happy Sunday!

Talk about a flash to the not so distant past - yesterday we had the pleasure of playing driver to our future daughter-in-law (I prefer the term bonus daughter) and her bridal party (including our daughter) to the PEC wineries. And, yes, they are holding groom masks...lol.

In the short time that we've been retired from the business, we've seen some additions and changes to the wine industry in PEC, but business certainly isn't slowing down. Just one additional to mention, if you are on a wine tour and would like a stop at something a little different, give Old Salt Cocktal Drink Cart a try. Such a cute little landscaped spot, complete with lots of picnic tables and yard games, so much fun! This wasn't even a scheduled stop, but once we drove by we just had to!

What a day, so many memories of so many PEC wine tours over the past years, but this one is definitely the one nearest and dearest to our hearts! ❤️

23/06/2023

It's the first official weekend of summer and there's so much to do!

Starting tonight, who else is going to Downtown at Dusk in Belleville? We're on the way!

DOWNTOWN AT DUSK 2023🌅

You comin’?🤔

Last year and the year before were both AWESOME. Hands down this is one of our favorite events to pop-up at🙌and we think the artisans feel the same😎

Shop with 20+ local artisans in this FRIDAY,JUNE 23RD🛍️☀️🛍️
👉4-10 PM
👉Front Street, Belleville
ALSO✨FOOD TRUCKS✨LIVE ENTERTAINMENT✨STREET PERFORMERS✨COMMUNITY LOVE

See you there👋

23/06/2023

After 3 years with RVezy - this our 4th - we've decided to try a different platform for renting this little guy. Full information available on both platform booking links - along with the availability calendar!

https://ca.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental/napanee_on_ca/2019_forest-river_rockwood-geo-pro_369077-listing

OR

www.rvezy.com/rv-rental/ontario_greater-napanee_traveltrailer_traveltrailer_forest-river_rockwood-geo-pro_bfa231

This was the little guy we took on our trial roadtrip to Virginia Beach, and LOVED it! This little one is perfect for a road trip, can be pulled effortlessly, and you won't even notice a difference in your gas mileage! We can even supply you with an additional pop-up shelter, camping toilet and camp toilet pop-up shelter, for a road trip outside of a park!

And, if you're looking for something a little larger, our 23' is available for rent again this year. This one has booked solid the past 3 years, but still has some availability here and there this summer, and fall camping is great, or you could always book early for next year.

www.rvezy.com/rv-rental/ontario_napanee_traveltrailer_traveltrailer_kv_sportsmen

Both trailers are also available for delivery to a site that you book. The delivery fee includes the delivery, set-up, pick-up and septic dumping for the 23'.

AND, ask us about discounts for extended long-haul trips!

Now, let's go camping and build some memories!

See 8 photos of this 2019 Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro Travel trailer in Napanee, ON for rent now at $65.00/night

19/06/2023

Happy Monday! We hope you had a fabulous weekend!

We rarely share GOFUNDME pleas, but if you love our little movie theatre Napanee, then I'd suggest you take note of this one and share, or donate if you can.

As with so many little businesses, times are tough, and once they are gone we will really have no one to blame but ourselves. Please don't let this become just another business that we miss in the near future.

Our little community theatre just can’t catch up after the pandemic. Our bills… Mishelle Freitas needs your support for Help Save Bouler House Cinema Napanee

10/06/2023

This and some good downloaded podcasts, 2 must haves!

07/06/2023

Let's talk about drive-in movie theatres! Do you go, do you love them as much as we do? The drive-in has always signaled the beginning of summer for us; we grab the bug spray, pre-cut screens and magnets for the windows, put on our comfies, and off we go!

My go-to drive-in was always the Mustang in Picton, from the time the kids were small, I'd bundle them up in jammies and head out, waiting for Paul & gang to come across the radio and tell you to blow your horns to make sure you could hear them, the kids giggling with excitement. But, times have changed, there is no horn-blowing, the end to that lifelong tradition that ended with Paul & Nancy's retirement, and now the Mustang doesn't open until the end of June.

And so, this year, a new tradition begins. The Port Hope Drive-In, in our much loved Cobourg, has been open on weekends since April 14th. This makes for a super trip to Cobourg, to the beach, to Crockadoodle, to the Ice Cream parlour, and then the drive-in!

Or, heading in the other direction, the newer 1000 Islands Drive-In in Gananoque, which has also been open on weekends since the end of May. This drive-in opened up a year or two ago (I've lost count) with the assistance of the Mustang's Paul & Nancy, at Paul's son's theatre! We also love Gananoque, the waterfront, the little pubs and restaurants, this would also make a great family or date night!

So throw on your drive-in best, grab some bug spray, cut some screens (with magnets to attach them) so the bugs don't eat you alive, and Venture out this weekend (hopefully our air quality will be better)!

Oh, and don't forget to visit the canteen and get your popcorn and goodies too!! After all, what is a movie without popcorn??

07/06/2023

Can you believe it is already the 7th of June, where is the time going? Before we know it the kiddos will be out of school, and then it will be Canada Day! We have always loved Canada Day, the celebrations, the red & white colours, the flying flags and patriotism.

This morning I saw the posting from the town of Bath regarding their Canada Day celebrations. We had the pleasure of attending Bath's festivities for the first time 2 years ago and were very surprised. That little town really knows how to celebrate, and honestly, I was both a little envious of their celebrations, and glad that they are only a short drive away.

While I am very proud of our little town, something is definitely lacking in the festivity department. I know we are striving to keep this a positive page, but I am going to vent just a little this morning. For such a lovely town, we certainly do face challenges when it comes to festivals and activities to draw in tourists don't we? First the plan to move our Christmas lights, which people have talked about for miles away, to a park where there will be parking challenges and, no doubt, vandalism. I publicly stayed very quiet about that announcement, because let's face it, once a decision is made in this town, there really is no changing it. And now, once again, our Canada Day celebrations are planned for a parking lot at the arena, again making it difficult for people who don't drive or have mobility issues. Remember the days when we had street sales and festivals, when we closed off the downtown core, had live bands, vendor booths, vintage vehicles, and actually supported the downtown businesses? Remember when we took advantage of the lovely downtown streets, and waterfront parks? Perhaps someone should ask some of the other neighbouring towns, smaller ones at that, how to do it, how to run a Canada Day parade through the downtown core, how to have bands playing downtown, how to support the area restaurants and shops at the same time, and how to draw in tourists from other areas. I can only shake my head at what seems to be an “it doesn't affect me, I'm not interested in it, so it's not going to happen“ attitude from the decision makers. I am positive that if asked, the downtown and area businesses would be over the moon happy to assist in making a street festival happen, whether it be a Canada Day Festival or perhaps a special Christmas Weekend Festival, complete with strolling carollers, horse drawn rides, Christmas lights and late night shopping. But, I have yet to see one call for volunteers for a festivals committee, so this likely will not happen, and everything will stay just as is, or even less.

I think I'm done this morning, vent over, back to my sunny positive disposition...lol. I'll leave the poster for the Bath festivities right here, complete with QR code (imagine that, quite progressive), in case you should decide you'd like to attend a festival with that “small town feel“ before visiting our parking lot “party“.

Have a great Wednesday Napanee, and try to remain kind!