Another seasonal milestone is done.The Cranberries are picked. They've been harvested and made into wine, sauce, bread and muffins. I'm not yet tired of cranberries, and peanut butter & cranberry sauce on my toast is a great way to embrace the harvest in the morning.
The artisans packed up their unsold wares from CranFest, and all things were shutting down in town last w/e. (Until snowmobile season beings!)
This, the last kick of the can. Things will be quiet as seasonal tourists go back to their city ways.Tour buses load up. Tourists will put away cameras and take that ride back to the city.
Cottages are closed; power turned off, plumbing drained, boats dry docked.
The Inn rocked on Saturday night. Poor staff were worked off their feet till 4 a.m., I heard. I thought I would stop into the Bala Bay Inn (see my YouTube vid) on the way home
Weary business owners will have some quiet times.
No more patio dinners in town, like this place in NOTL, or dining in paradise, at Bala Falls restaurant.
Or trips to Shaw or Stratford.
As things shut down in town, the people went home in their cars, or their motorbikes.There I was, as they packed up the glasses, having one last draft.
The tourists were trying to get into the line of traffic headed south, back to the city, jobs, and obligations.
I sat for some quiet reflection as weary bar staff shut her down.
It is a difficult job: serving, keeping customers happy; fed and watered. I try to be a good customer and smile, say thank you and try not to be too arrogant. There is a sense of entitlement some bring with their tourist dollars.
I cannot help but be grateful for those who serve me a meal I did not have to make, or bring me a drink I did not pour. It is a privilege to sit and wait, as those wait on me! Not all can afford the luxury of eating out. I know I am blessed to live in the region. One that my parents earned, and which I take advantage of as we live in their lovely home.
Many have inherited properties as we have. From a working class family, who saved to buy land in 1960, we are happy to support the local economy.
But, for now, the
The snow and the ice will be as strong and as hard as the locks on this frige. Wish I could put such locks on my metal bird seed containers (AKA garbage cans)! But we love our 'coons!
No more spilling the beans with Karla. The markets are done for the season.
Farewell to our seasonal visitors for now.
11 comments:
Jenn: What a nice look at your town as it shuts down for the Winter. I'm sure your photos through the changing weather will be so nice. Did they ever get that dock situation fixed?
So you are saying your goodbyes for this year. Quite a summer you had up there. Hope you have a comfy, productive winter. Spring and opening up the cottage will be here again before you know it.
My mouth is watering from the idea of cranberry sauce on toast. Never occurred to me to try that, but now I will!
The town really does, fishing guy, except for the other pub! And the grocery store. And the LCBO. (Hooray!)
And not, Bonnie, we live here year round. See my winter posts! We do cat walkies on the ice and have a grand time. I guess it's more of a spiritual ceremony as I bow to departing business owners.
Jenn: You are so sweet - saying goodbye to the tourist business owners. I totally misunderstood and thought you were all leaving. For some reason I thought you had a residence in Ottawa too.
I know a lot of people live in Muskoka year round - how lucky you are. We almost took up permanent residence in Haliburton region when I was in my early teens - but it didn't work out.
Now I'm trying to picture 'cat walkies on the ice' - yeow!
Fall is the most beautiful time of year up north. However, as we close everything up, it is also the most depressing.
The excitement of visitors and festivals is always fun but I'll bet you're looking forward to a silent season. Sure hope the entire town doesn't close up for winter so you can still go out to eat and relish being served by others. Now I'm thinking of a cranberry sauce and cream cheese sandwich.
Now, Gaelyn,that sounds like a good idea!
Susan, you are right, it is depressing when you close everything up. Since we live in a house beside 'the cottage' - we feel grief over the restaurant closures (we have 3 with sous chefs!) and much joy in that things are more quiet!
Call me strange, but I look forward to quiet times to spend with nature and some really good books! I bet the area is extremely beautiful in winter!
You're not strange, Stine! Several readers have made the same comments and have the same feelings. It is beautiful in winter!
You have a great eye for photos and you are a great writer also.
Re: the wind blown raft: they came up for CranFest and retrieved it! Boats are put away, too. I hope it will be quiet for a piece.
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