Well this has certainly been a different kind of summer than we're used to. As you know, this is the first time we have been without a boat for over 25 years. And, yes, we have to admit that we desperately miss the water and summer boating. But, we also have had an unexpectedly enjoyable summer exploring with our new camper.

We've managed to revisit places that were part of our lives before we got into boating and did things that we had long put on hold because they cut into our short cruising season in Ontario.

We've had wonderful weekends travelling in our new land cruiser through the Ottawa Valley, south-western Ontario, Pelee Island, Ohio and New York; rediscovered delightful camping areas right on our doorstep; joined in on long-neglected summer family get-togethers; took our grand-daughters on their first camping adventures; and, generally, enjoyed our summer together.

They say that a change is as good as a rest. Well, it certainly has been a different summer.... and, a delightful summer, a restful summer.

However, this summer has one characteristic in common with all the others - it went too quickly. It's fast approaching Labour Day and that harbinger of fall - the CNE - is in full swing on Toronto's waterfront and our thoughts are slowly starting to think about the approaching fall (and, ugh...winter).

Over the past couple of days, we've been glued to all the various news channels watching the progress of Hurricane Irene's march towards Florida. The boat is stored in Indiantown, Florida and we've never left her in a hurricane zone before but the storm missed that area and now we can't wait to head south, get her in the water, and get back to boating. See ya on the water.