After enjoying an amazing dinner the night before, the whole family slept late the next morning. We woke up refreshed and ready to meet the day head on. After a delicious breakfast prepared by our host complete with fresh brewed espresso and an egg casserole with croissants and ham we struck off into the woods to explore.

  
The boys were especially enthusiastic, climbing on every rock they could find and running ahead whenever possible, setting a brisk pace. We had been told that our host had built a sugar shack to cook maple syrup somewhere deep in the woods. I had never been to a real sugar shack and was eager to find it.

  
We hiked for some time, enjoying being out in nature and watching the kids find wonder among the plants and rocks and trees. I had my first taste of wild wintergreen which was refreshing and full of minty flavor.

  
When we finally reached the sugar shack, it was an unassuming, unpretentious building with little more than a wood burning stove and a few chairs. It did, however, boast a spectacular view and we enjoyed it while sipping on raspberry beer, happy to be out of the mosquitoes for a while.

  
We all hiked back to camp for lunch, taking a different path so we could enjoy as much of the forest as possible. After we had all eaten, the kids headed straight back out for a little fun in the sandbox.

  
This was turning out to be a very relaxing afternoon. I enjoyed watching the kids build roads and towers and walls only to immediately smash them and squeal with delight. While they played I thought about our trip to Montreal in the morning. I had never been before and I was very excited to go check it out.