You Don’t Need A Passport To Travel
By: Edie Tuck
Tags: Canada, Ontario, Exploring, Travel, Adventures

I’ve decided that it starts now, with these ten beautiful places — but definitely doesn’t end here. I may be saving up for that tropical vacation (Seychelles, anyone?) — but while my savings account slowly gets a little fatter, I’m going exploring, and I’m taking you along for the ride!

A couple of the places on this list, I’ve already been to. But for the sake of this project, I’ll go again! These will be explored in no particular order, but I’m going to list them in the order I’d like to visit.

One of the actual 7 natural wonders of the world, this one is less than two hours’ drive from my home. Incidentally, I’ve also got a trip scheduled there in a few weeks, so it will be the first stop on my list — look for the article at the end of October! No, it won’t be my first time, but there’s always something new to see and do, besides the obvious. Stay tuned for restaurant reviews and maybe some drunken karaoke photos. Maybe.

This is another one I’ve been to a couple of times and is also very close to home — less than an hour’s drive away. Although it’s been quite a few years (probably about 12) since I’ve been there, I think I’ll make that my second stop, because, why not? Living so near a place can make it feel a little less special, but sometimes, you have to look at something with the eyes of an outsider to be able to really see its true beauty.

Definitely doable as a weekend trip, at less than four hour’s drive. I just like the name. When I was young, my mother told me the man who was supposed to have been my godfather (but died before I was born), had told her that no matter what she chose to name me, he would just call me Echo. That story has always stuck with me.

Another weekend trip, at less than three hours from home. I’ve passed through there once or twice, but never stopped to smell the roses. This might be the perfect occasion to dust off my hiking boots and go explore the beautiful caves featured in Canadian Geographic! Ooh! Maybe I’ll even stay in a yurt!

Two hours away, so likely another weekender — I’m noticing a trend here — this beautiful beach on the shores of Lake Erie has been called the “prettiest beach in Ontario,” and I’m told, home of the prettiest sunset on Earth. Now I kind of want to push this up to the top of the list!

These are going together, and will probably end up being a week-long trip. Over 14 hours drive from home, and just about an hour apart from each other. Ouimet Canion is on the shores of Black Bay, which is a small finger off of Lake Superior — and where I can already see I’ll need to face my fear of heights if I’m to take some pretty epic pictures from the crazy long suspension bridge. And if I’m already blown away by pictures of Kakabeka Falls, I can only imagine how it will be in person!

I might actually have to add a few extra days to 6 & 7 and throw this one in the mix, as it’s in the same district. I’m going to want a bit of time to explore here — not only can you find beautiful agates right on the beach (as stated in the name), but it’s also home of the Pusaskwa Pits, which are old digging sites by my ancestor’s ancestors (Ojibwa). How cool is that?

Approximately 4.5 hours from home, this one is definitely going to be at least an over-nighter. Named “Ontario’s Natural Underground Wonder,” well, the name says it all, doesn’t it? Click on the link, you’ll see what I mean.

Last but not least. Algonquin — so close, yet so far. The first provincial park in Ontario. This is definitely going to be a week-long camping and portaging affair. Growing up in Northern Ontario, it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go explore, but just ‘never got around to it.’ Well, it’s time to stop wishing and start doing. Better stock up on bear spray and mosquito repellant!