Glengarry, Glen-Ora

A few weeks ago, I made use of my passport and got my first stamp traveling to Canada for Thanksgiving.  I will forever have TWO Thanksgivings to look forward to.  One in October and one almost two months later in November.  That's good news because I love me my turnips and squash.

There is not much difference between the two holidays except for the origins.  Canadian Thanksgiving is more closely connected to the traditions of Europe than of the United States. Long before Europeans settled in North America, festivals of thanks and celebrations of harvest took place in Europe in the month of October. The very first Thanksgiving celebration in North America took place in Canada when Martin Frobisher, an explorer from England, arrived in Newfoundland in 1578. He wanted to give thanks for his safe arrival to the New World. That means the first Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated 43 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts!

My Grandma and Granddad's house is in beautiful Prince Edward County (no, not where the mussels come from -- learn your Canadian geography please) and has been in his family for many generations.  It is right on Lake Ontario and the crashing sound of the waves are really relaxing and really beautiful (my cousin Kate and Uncle Duncan even went IN THE WATER). I had a great time enjoying the crisp, clean air, listening to the waves and meeting new family (high five to Sally Jo and Jeff).

The trip is a long, eight hour drive, but well worth it.  Here's a snapshot of me in front of the Glenora Ferry at the Bay of Quinte.  I can't wait to go back.  Canada's cool, eh?