'Twas a Good Weekend

Friday night, Orange sent me a packing list via text message with directions to have myself ready for 11:00 Saturday morning. I needed "an outfit I would feel comfortable eating nachos in, clothes for lounging around, and $40 in cash (a $20 bill, and the rest in small bills and change)". Being of an organized sort, I did what I was told dropping my spare keys at ma's house so Bert could meet his daily cuddle quota while we were away.

At 11:00 a.m., we set out for eggs and coffee and promptly hit the highway. I had no idea where we were going, and no amount of prying was going to get that information from him.

Around 2:00 we're motoring along the 400 North when we decide to pull into the Highway Market--a massively random flea market we've both always wondered about.

And I'm pleased to say it was exactly what one would expect, right down to the variety of smoked meats, leather goods, and a wide selection of Nascar jackets! Orange, as you can see, is modeling 'Team Pillsbury Dough Boy'. It was a collective decision to leave the jacket behind, however ill-fitting and priceless it may have been.

We did, however, choose to purchase fries from Friendly Chip's Chip Truck. Well worth the caloric intake. My mouth is actually watering thinking about them.

Next stop was the Highway Recyclers, substantially less commercial than the first stop. This place is literally spilling out onto the highway, and has always been a source of awe for me. It's been there since the dawn of time, and while from the road it looks like a junk heap, there are always oodles of cars parked outside. So we pulled over, and fished out our wallets. This, I'm told, is why I needed my small change, because Mr. Antique Market doesn't have a lot of cash on hand.

Dudes. This place is awesome. Between the selection of windows, and more windows, and then the additional piles of windows out back, it was hard to choose. Then there were the boxes of LPs to sort through. I was tempted to bring home a couple, but of course realized I'd first most likely need a record player in order to play said records. I eventually went with a glass door stopper, and decided to sit on the purchase of an old wooden rocking chair (excuse the pun).


The money I saved not buying doors and windows, I spent on sweets at the Candy Shoppe. Hot Dogs and sour grape blasters, Pop Rocks and dark chocolate KitKat.

Back on the road, and in another 45 minutes we pull into Gravenhurst so I assume we're heading to Orange's cottage (which would have been beyond lovely and gorgeous and yum). Turns out Orange has other plans. We turn into a driveway and we end up at what used to be called The Muskoka Sands, or what is now referred to as Taboo.

Spoiled. The place is amazing and beautiful. The weather is warm and sunny, and the view from the room is gorgeous. We head out for nachos for dinner, as promised (extra cheese, no onions...) and then back to the resort for movies and a sky full of stars.

In the morning we drive into town for breakfast at the Gravenhurst diner. Orange picked up a sick new outfit at Stedman's V&S (two t-shirts with a giant bass fish and some deer on the front of 'em), and I try on a pair of 'convertible overalls' just for a laugh (don't ask...). We finish the tour with giant ice cream cups at Kawartha Dairy, and truck on home to reality and Southern Ontario traffic.

'Tis disappointing to be home, regardless of cuddles with Little B (Bertimus Maximus). The Sunday night run, my Yaris, and the apartment I've always loved feel sort of... Empty. And seriously lacking in Orange.