Tag: beer

Hello Toronto! At least that’s what I said upon arriving to the big city from Spain last week. Little did I know the reunions and beer tasting about to ensue, leading up to Blissom, a sweet ass blogging/writing conference happening at Blue Mountain Resort(my reason for being in Toronto) – were gonna be as fantastic as I imagined, if not a bit better. Knowing that this conference was something that I couldn’t miss, I just freaken went for it. I booked my tickets from Spain, a hotel room, and hit the bright blue skies. Jet setting across the Atlantic. It’s always a bit sad to leave Mallorca, but my love story of where I call home, belongs to both Canada and Mallorca. I was also darn excited to touch my true home soil. As per always.

After I arrived to the big city, I grabbed my car rental and headed straight to the hotel. Possibly straight was not the best description, as coming from driving on the island roads of Mallorca to the freeways of Toronto – was a bit of a shocker! Let me just say, I needed a day of it to get my barring’s and survive it all. Pinch me please! After which however, I did nothing less then rock that freeway driving.
Now guess who just happened to be waiting for me at the hotel?!

It was none other then my beautiful mother.

I can’t imagine a face I would be more happy to see at that moment. Seeing your mother’s face always give a sense of home. My mother and myself never get to travel together. Even though it is just Toronto, it was exotic to us, simply because we were there together, and it isn’t the NWT or Alberta. It’s new stomping grounds, that we never stomp on together, on the other side of our rather large country, with wine and laughter waiting to be tapped into.
Literally no jet leg could bring me down from the cloud nine of this awesome occasion, and the vino was flowing from the get go. In reality, we all know it’s not hard to twist my rubber wine loving arm.

Things were of off to a phenomenal beginning(who doesn’t love a happy beginning), and within a very short period of time, it was about to be taken up even higher. Approximately an hour after the festivities began, a long lost travel buddy of mine gracefully arrived. Tanya!

Her and I met and traveled in Panama 10 short ass years go. At least it feels short. It’s amazing how 10 years can feel so short. Isn’t it just?! We had the best times ever, some of the best of my life in fact.

This was another reunion of epic proportions. One of those beautiful friendships that feel as though no time has passed, as you just pick up exactly where you left off. I was super excited that her and my mother were getting to meet also.
So with the party so far being a massive success, and just when I was thinking ‘Wow, this night is rocking my world, I don’t think it could possibly get better.‘ Long behold, it got better.
A couple hours later, my fabulous aunt flew in from Arizona to join the party.
Three’s a crowd?? Well alright then. How about we make it 4 shall we? We laughed, we sang(maybe I exaggerate a tad), we drank wine, and then right in the middle of it all, my jet leg kicked in – and I passed the freak out pretty much mid laughter. As Tanya’s description was the next day, ‘One minute you were laughing, and the next minute I look over and you were sleeping’. Oops! But I am not surprised, and it’s a pretty entertaining story if you ask me.

Believe me, I gave it my best shot. An 8 hour time change(plus layovers) kicks an awesome women’s ass. No matter how awesome you are. I think I was entitled to be the first one to hit the hay. Beauty sleep is important, and I don’t wanna look my age if I don’t have too. Plus, there ain’t nothin’ quite like laughing yourself to sleep. Sounds pretty therapeutic if you ask me.
The next morning after a hearty ‘let’s soak up last nights wine party’ breakfast, it was time to hit the highway and get going on the next leg of my adventures. Which was, heading to Blue Mountain with my long lost travel buddy accompanying me on yet another travel experience. Although we did get a little side tracked along the way……          As any good travel buddies do.
Creemore, Ontario. A historically set quaint little village. Something like a little postcard. Alright, well I know postcards are pretty much the same size. So I suppose I mean – like your average size, picturesque postcard.

So dang cute. Seriously. I love anything historical.

 Being an avid cyclist, I was stoked to see this! Every town/city should get some of these bad boys.

Aaaand,

 Every restaurant should have there own garden. That’s the definition of fresh food right there.

I also have a real soft spot for Autumn. The colored leaves added the stunning rustic ambiance to the already antique feel.

I was loving life. As if that is any different than usual. I was particularly enjoying this experience though.

I was loving life even more when we stopped to take a tour of the local brewery. Creemore Springs.

They fire brew their beer in an authentic copper kettle, and also use water from the local springs. Talk about fresh brew! For a little town, and a little brewery, they pump out some crisp and tasty brewski!

   

The staff were absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable and welcoming. The staff that work there, really DO enjoy working there. That was apparent to me from beginning to end, and I am a huge fan of people doing things they love. When I see it, I know something right is being done, and it brings joy directly to the ticker in my chest. Life is too short to not love what your doing. Might I add, there are 80 employee’s at the brewery. That creates opportune employment in the community. Loving it. That’s my stamp of approval. Stamp, stamp, stamp. Stamps all over the show.

    

It’s a small brewery so the tour doesn’t take long. However, for a small place, they do have a broad little array of beers.

   

I was quite surprised at the volume of people that were coming and going during our time there. Which I am obviously not doing a good job of depicting in these photos. The establishment itself is fantastic. I must say. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

  

Let’s not forget to grab a souvenir.

That was a massively impressive pit stop, but I was happy to finally arrive to Blue Mountain and my hotel.

Ummm, hello big welcoming bed!!

Sprawling out on this was sure to be exactly what the travel doctor ordered.

Not before Tanya and I went for a good one on one dinner sesh, put on the ol’ laughing pants type catch up. 10 years later, and the only thing that changed is we are not as shiny and sweaty as we were in the hot humid weather. Oh, and maybe I don’t have that sun kissed glow at the moment either…. Darn. Time for a vacay I guess!

Everything so far on my trip was spectacularly awesome. Better then I expected. I am lucky, and when you love life, it loves you back. I was ready. Ready to attend the most incredible blogging/writing conference I have had the pleasure of attending yet.

Heck yes to being awesome and making the most of every awesome experience. I highly recommend it to everyone.