Denaliguide Summit

Some days are just great days — and this was one of them.

Brilliant sunshine. A deep blue sky with wisps of white clouds hanging in the middle like a painting. The kind of day where even lunch with friends feels a little more special, a little more alive.

After we said our goodbyes, it wasn’t even a question — we headed due south for the lake. Lake Erie. It seemed like everyone else had the same idea, too — the first really nice weekend of spring had traffic buzzing at full speed. But once we veered off onto the secondary roads, the pace relaxed a little. The countryside rolled out around us, peaceful and green. We even passed a few Mennonite buggies making their way home from Sunday services, a reminder that spring’s return isn’t just about nature waking up — it’s about traditions carrying on too. One of the best parts about getting out of town is shaking off the constant hum of the electronic world. Out here, no pings, no notifications. Just the land, the sky, and the simple beauty of it all. Nature was putting on a quiet show: a hawk perched tall in the trees, likely preparing to raise their young. 

By the time we reached Long Point — a tiny town stretched out over a 5-mile spit into the lake — it felt like we’d truly arrived. The place was alive with birds, returning to nest and raise families of their own. Swans drifted lazily through the marshes, and we were lucky enough to spot a nesting bald eagle close enough for a good photo. The lake itself churned a bit over the shallow clay beds, but farther out, the water deepened into stunning, vibrant blues, shining in the afternoon sun.

 

It was a good plan: a destination, a meal, and an overwhelming sense of natural beauty. Perfect for a Sunday. Perfect, really, for any day you want to slip the bonds of routine and breathe a little deeper.

Sure, it’s easier to wax poetic about a day trip when the weather is good. But even in shoulder seasons, even when you’re waiting out the threat of tornadoes or bad storms, getting out — even just an hour away — can do wonders for the spirit. Back when we lived up in the Addington Highlands, a trip to the orchid plantation was about as far as we could go. Some seasons we’d go looking for bunny shows. Now, we keep an eye out for sheep farms and spring shearings. You just never know what you’ll stumble across (not roadkill, thankfully) when you take a simple ramble through the countryside.

There’s a world of places waiting, even if they weren’t part of your stomping grounds growing up. New traditions can start any day. New rituals, new friendships — they’re all out there.

As we arrived home we were reminded that our resident carport sparrows are back, faithful little things, starting their fourth brood. There’s a comfort in their return, a sense of home that doesn’t need anything flashy.

We’re making it our intention to plan new destinations, to keep bolting from the routines of urban life when we can. And honestly? We hope you’re out there too, enjoying the world in all its wide-open beauty.