My Turquoise Bag

I am usually the planner in the relationship, but my husband deserves full credit for this glorious eclipse getaway we just returned from.

I knew this event mattered to him because he told me about it last November. He excitedly informed me that a total solar eclipse would be visible on April 8th, 2024 in the Niagara area, and he suggested we book a getaway in the region to increase our chances of seeing the totality.

As the hype of the eclipse began to buzz a few months ago, I was glad we had logistics secured and something exciting to look forward to.

I did not expect that witnessing something like this would leave me so speechless and in deep reflection of how we exist in this world.

Experiencing the total eclipse for the first time in my life was a unique phenomenon. Being there in that very moment, seeing the edge of the moon beginning to overlap the afternoon sun made me feel so small in comparison to the grandeur of our planet and universe.

I got emotional with the humbling realization that there is something bigger than us happening, and that I was experiencing something transient.

The darkness of the totality made the birds quiet down and the crickets chirp at 3:18pm that afternoon.

The air got colder, and everything around us got eerily quiet.

It was the most exhilarating 3 minute pause I’ve ever had to soak in.

Our eclipse viewing was a success, and we celebrated in childlike excitement.

What made this getaway even more memorable was spending four days in quaint wine country to unplug from technology and enjoy the slow life at the cusp of early Spring.

Below are my most treasured highlights of this getaway, each enamoured with traces of astronomical magic dust.

Our cabin

Located only an hour away from Toronto, we booked 3 nights at the adorable Ironwood Cabin in Lincoln, Ontario. It had everything a person could need for a comfortable escape of quietness and charm in the countryside. It immediately felt like home.

Rustic charm

Welcomed warmly by our smiling host, she spoiled us with farm fresh eggs and homemade raisin bread. Everything had its place in this tiny home: a vintage radio, string lights above the fireplace, a bouquet of strawflowers placed on the entranceway shelf, a wooden crate repurposed as a coffee table, a collection of books sitting beneath a swaying curtain. We were surrounded by trees, a symphony of birds, chickens and curious neighbourly cats who dropped by multiple times to say hello.

Slow mornings

The mornings at the cabin were my favourite. The 7am sun rose in front of the kitchen window and spilled inside when the quilted curtain was drawn. The air was crisp, water boiled on the gas stove, and pages of a novel were flipped slowly. I was truly invested in the characters’ stories this time, not being distracted by pings or to-do lists. We made breakfast sandwiches using our gifted eggs, and enjoyed our breakfast unhurried with the radio playing inside and birdsong echoing outside.

Skylight showers

The skylight in the shower added an unexpected touch of luxury in such a rustic setting. Every morning, with frost on the ground, I’d run over to the outhouse and warm up immediately under warm soapy water while looking above at the blue sky. Clean towels, soap and shampoo were conveniently available. Dressed up and refreshed, I would step outside and brush my teeth with the outhouse door open, welcoming reflections of the sun glare on the vanity mirror and birdsong behind me.

Exploring nearby trails

We couldn’t be in the Niagara escarpment region without hiking amongst its surroundings. We followed the Bruce Trail at the Cave Springs Conservation Area, and enjoyed walking along an elevated trail overlooking the vineyards and the bluest Lake Ontario I’ve seen. The sky was so clear that day that you could capture a faraway outline of the Toronto skyline across the lake.

Visiting wineries & breweries

Although our intention was to have a rustic cabin experience, we couldn’t pass up on an elegant dinner at Vinelands Estate Winery on our first evening there. The following days, we had a tasting at Vieni Winery and Bench Brewing, and sampled some delicious wine and beer that we brought back to enjoy at our cabin, and back at home.

Screen-free evenings

Our cabin did not have TV or Wifi, which set us up successfully for a screen-free existence. It felt foreign at first, but then somehow the passing of time without devices in the evening felt natural and back-to-our roots familiar, the way camping always did. It was really refreshing to not depend on an electronic device to keep us entertained. Instead, music from the radio, a fireplace, red wine, a book and quiet conversations fulfilled us, and eventually restful enough for early bed time.

Some final thoughts about our sun

Every evening, before it got dark and the stars appeared above us, we caught glimpses of the sun setting behind our cabin on the horizon.

This photo below was taken the evening of the eclipse day. The sky had been cleared of clouds, the hype of the eclipse faded, and people went about their usual day.

I looked at this sunset thinking how just 5 hours ago, this golden orb was the (literal) star of the show. It made headlines, merchandise was created in her honour, and millions of people around the world eagerly awaited this unique performance, myself included.

Yet, in that moment, she was sinking quietly and ordinarily behind the shadowy horizon, just as she alway did. I wondered if people were watching her now the way they had earlier that day.

It got me thinking: why don’t we seek out excitement for the ordinary sun more often? The way the morning sun outlines the vapour from a warm cup of coffee, the way golden hour makes patterns on the walls, the way water glitters beneath the sun rays, or the way the sun spotlights the eye colour of the person you love?

Why don’t we stretch out those brief, magical, sunshine moments a little longer? Happy moments never seem to last long enough. Maybe that’s why we photograph them, write about them, draw them, dream about them and pray for them.

Here’s a prompt for you, dear reader: romanticize the ordinary. Create your own moments of eclipse bliss. Whatever that may be for you.

xo 🌞✨