This past weekend, the boyfriend and I decided to go on a spur-of-the-moment roadtrip through some of the small towns near Kitchener. With a full tank of gas and full bellies, we headed onto the open road seeking autumn and adventure.
We drove out to Erin, Ontario and through Alton and Orangeville area passing many farms and open pastures and saw many glimpses of rural life in the fall. We saw cows and sheep farms, old Victorian homes and churches, quaint inns and even a few mansions. One of my favourite things to see though were the barns.
After spending the past few years living in Toronto (originally a small town girl), I've developed a small obsession with barn photography and driving past farmsteads. I suppose they bring back some pleasant childhood memories visiting the farms of relatives - collecting eggs in the barn, family gatherings in the summer and the occasional horseback riding.
To me a barn represents a simpler life. It represents a re-connection with core values such as family, hard work, sustainable living and nature. A barn conjures up images of home cooked meals, days spent working in the garden, or quiet evenings on the porch. A barn represents home.
We had picked the perfect day for a road trip. The sun was shining, there were clouds in the sky and the trees were at their colourful, autumn peak. It was chilly but warm inside the car, and cozy inside our sweaters. The only thing missing was a cup of hot apple cider!
One of the highlights of the trip was when we met this adorable cat. She stopped beside the road and struck some poses for us. Isn't she photogenic?
We also stumbled across this gorgeous old property for sale. I'm not sure if the building is even habitable because it looks like it needs a lot of work - but it was so charming, and so old! It had a sunroom, an antique water pump, and woodstove inside - it looked very cozy.
I spent a few moments imagining myself living there and thinking about who may have lived there over the many years of its existence. I pictured myself sitting in the sunroom surrounded by plants, sipping on tea or knitting (#grandmavibes) or maybe chopping up wood for the stove to warm the little house for winter.
I wondered what the house might look like inside, and if it had the original wallpaper, and when it was first built. I also thought about contacting the realtor but...I'll wait until I win the lottery for this fixer upper.
I'm so grateful to have been able to experience autumn this way. Shoutout to my boyfriend for the drive, and to nature for being so damn gorgeous!
We have a few weeks of fall left, so if you're able to go out for a scenic walk/drive, I highly recommend it. Take some pictures, but don't forget to be in the moment too.
Feel the chilly air on your skin.
Smell the crisp, fresh scent in the air.
See the countless shades of yellows, greens, reds and oranges.
Listen to sounds around you - whether it's rustling leaves, bird songs or busy city sounds.
Let yourself come alive in the moment and create a memory that will last forever.
Brittany
@simplylynne
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