It’s girls weekend time again, an annual event that has happened for probably the past ten years, so my Sherpa duties continue once again.
Arrived at the park on Thursday, where Jackie & Ted were already well set up. They have an Alto as well, and as we drop off the girls at their cottage on Friday, it becomes a somewhat smaller scaled guys weekend. Fired up the griddle and cooked up some chicken fajitas for dinner, with a tasty side of Parmesan orzo that Jackie had made. She also brought over a super tasty crumble for dessert. We then sat around the fire and chatted a bunch, then called it a day.
Lounged around Friday until we took Dale and Jackie over to the cottage, where we found Nancy chilling on the dock. Unloaded all the kayaks and their gear, then we all enjoyed a quick beer on the sun drenched dock. Back at the park, Ted grilled some steak and veggie kabobs for dinner, then we had a nice warming fire. The nights have been getting cooler, so very noticeable once that sun drops.
Went for a nice hike around the park the next day, scoped out the sites on the river loop, then walked the trail up to the rustic cottages.
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| leaves are just starting to turn |
Without a doubt though, the highlight of the day was dinner at the Wilno Tavern. Wilno is the first and oldest Polish settlement in Canada. The area was chosen because it reminded the settlers of their original homesteads. When the railway went through, a hotel soon sprang up in 1894, and eventually evolved into the tavern restaurant in operation today. It is famous throughout the Ottawa Valley for its hearty meals of kielbasa, perogies and cabbage rolls.
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| head to the tavern in your 4x4... |
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| or in your convertable Cutlass 442 |
We arrived around 4:30 and were a bit surprised when we were asked if we had reservations. Not anticipating this, we did not. The gentleman said there was room at the bar, and that is where we sat. Ordered a local craft beer and scoured the menu. We both went with the Hearty Plate, a sampler of the popular menu items. Took in the sights and sounds at the bar, and it was lively. Our bartender was a real firecracker...quick with the wit and never missed a beat. Our plates arrived loaded with a mountain of food, and it was very tasty. Sort of the meal where you know you should just stop eating because you are stuffed, but you just keep nibbling away at it. The entertainment was young woman solo guitarist, with a harmonica and suitcase drum kit. She was quite talented, and her set list fit the tavern perfect. A damn fine dinner overall.
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| classic tavern bar |
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| so very tasty...and filling |
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| quite the motto... |
Real cold overnight, and the very shady sites did not help the situation during the day. Wandered over to the beach in the afternoon to grab some warmth, and the heat was certainly welcome. Fired up the griddle and made some patty melts with bacon jam. They were tasty experiment, as I am still exploring recipes on the griddle. A nice fire finished up the last of the wood.
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| always loved this beach |
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| yum... |
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| Barley knows how to relax |
Picked up the girls from their cottage the next morning, back to the park to hitch up, and that was the weekend. Lots of fun for us and the girls...but we got to experience the Wilno Tavern!
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