This Is What Smart Looks Like

A few years back, Charlene and I had just been bitten by the travel bug, and we wanted to share our new joy of discovery with my daughter, Caitlyn.

I made up a nice day trip that we would follow. The first stop of the day was Tyendinaga Caves. This was the first cave all three of us had been to, a brand new experience.

I had us arrive early. Traffic can be miserable driving through Toronto, and I did not want to miss out on a timed event. Being early, we would wander around the property when we approached this water pump.

Not potable.

Do not drink this.

“This Is What Smart Looks Like” is plastered all over Caitlyn’s shirt. What does this smart girl do?

Yeah.

Absolutely not smart.

She is my kid; nothing will ever change that fact. I am stuck with her.

We would enter the cave with one other family – a mom and her son. This family had some understanding of English but was from Quebec. Our guide turned out to be bilingual.

This is a skill I so desperately want in my life that I was a bit jealous when the guide explained the cave’s features in English and then smoothly switched to French.

Caitlyn was enthralled by this.

Did Cait care that we were in our first-ever cave? Did she care to learn about all the interesting features found in this cave? Did she have any interest in exploring the cave?

NO!

All Cait was interested in was that our guide spoke two languages. She was mesmerized by this skill. On the other hand, I was trying to be mesmerized by the cave but was constantly distracted by Caitlyn’s enthusiasm to listen to another language she did not understand.

Tyendinaga Caves was small compared to other caves we have been to since. Despite its size, it is an example of many things in different caves. This location is a great introduction to caves and their history.

We would continue touring this region of Ontario, sections of which I grew up in during the first few years of my life. But being a child at the time of my childhood, I had no idea just how close I was during this trip to my childhood home. Now, it is completely demolished, and no evidence of it exists. The grounds have been absorbed into a farmer’s field. I would have included this stop to show Cait where I spent the first seven years of my life.

We would enter Campbellford and visit the World’s Finest Chocolate. There, we would pick up some reasonably priced chocolate goods (a place we have visited repeatedly every time we have been in the area since). A short distance out of town is Empire Cheese. Now, when we are in this area, it is hard to decide whether to have chocolate, curd, or both.

Following our chocolate indulgence, we visited the Ferris Provincial Park suspension bridge traversing Ranney Gorge. Heights are not my thing, but this bridge is secure enough that even the least brave can cross it easily. On this visit, the falls had plenty of water to show their magnificence. At other times, the water can be low, allowing explorers to walk on it and even swim at its base.

The Toonie Monument is located in Cambellford. The person who designed this coin was originally from here, and there is an unmissable large two-dollar coin along the side of the road. It can be found along the Trent-Severn Waterway, where we saw a boat using the lock system.

There is a dam with a popular waterfall and swimming area. Healey Falls is where my aunts and uncles, including my Dad, would come as a child to swim. I had no idea of this connection to this waterfall until after. We would include this as a stop and walk along and in parts of the waterfalls.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park was stunning. We would explore this area, which has rock carvings. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed, but it is well worth visiting. It is in a pleasant forest setting, with trails to walk if you choose, but the petroglyphs are the main attraction. These are now protected from the elements in an enclosure. Many are hard to see, but there are photos as guides and people to explain what and why this place is significant.

Our final destination was the Peterborough – Riverview Park and Zoo. This free-access zoo is family-oriented and funded by a small add-on to everyone’s water bill. Although Caitlyn was well beyond the age for playgrounds, there was plenty to view for us adults who love animals.

Oddly, she showed her appreciation for our trip by throwing me into a fountain.

Bad kid!

We would return home, seeing a few lighthouses along the way, all weary of what Caitlyn might do next!

This day trip was a few years ago and happened to be our first real travel experience together, where we explored different areas. We have done a few more together, the most recent being Birthdaymas. Who knows what future trips we will have and the memories we will make? I am looking forward to spending time with my daughter when we both discover just how much this world has to offer.