Taking a little time out to enjoy the summer, we’ve packed up the kids and headed for the Mr. Galavanting’s family cottage in the woods of Canada. I didn’t even know about Ontario Cottage Country until he introduced it to me, but it’s quite the thing up here. Little getaways dot the landscape surrounding lakes all throughout the region.

When we were up here last year a local paper reported that Kate Hudson was vacationing in a cottage at a nearby lake.

Canada is a great getaway for those wanting a Europeanesque international destination, without the language barrier (if you speak English or French). Things are a little more expensive up here, especially with the dollar in the crapper, but overall, there are plenty of things to do that aren’t overly expensive.

A group renting a cottage in Ontario and grilling meals would spend far less than on hotel rooms and restaurants. And camping is another option. Just beware the mosquitoes during dusk hours.

We’re after some family fun (this time), but there are also plenty of summertime partiers and students having a great time around the lake too. It can be just as quiet an experience, or as rowdy, as you want it to be.

While swimming and relaxing with the kiddos, we had quite a good show as we made our way back up to the deck. A snake had made its way onto a flower planter and assailed one of the resident toads. The kids were so intrigued and excited you would’ve thought we were at Disney World.

Aah, nature.

I have to say, it is morbidly fascinating, how a little snake can work a big frog all the way down its throat…

In honor of Independence Day back in the U.S., we set off some fireworks which delighted the kids. The packaging delighted me, as I’m a sucker for over-explanatory or silly-worded labels.

If you do make it up to Ontario Cottage Country, don’t forget to stop at one of the blueberry stands. Beyond fresh berries they also sell delicious homebaked pies that shouldn’t be missed. A local Ontario favorite is “bumbleberry” pie, a happy mix of blueberry and apple filling.

Ontario Cottage Country somehow reminds me of my first treat from an ice cream truck. Something you always wished existed, only to find out that it does. Utter bliss.

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Kim Mance is editor-in-chief of Galavanting. Some of her other writing can be found in places like MarieClaire.com, The Huffington Post, Babble, AlterNet and Women’s Voices for Change.

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