Strike it from the List!

It was a social outing with work colleagues, but this week I went on a Whirlpool JetBoat Ride down the Niagara River! It was excellent! It was also on my bucket list! Woo hoo!

One of my co-workers has worked for the Niagara-on-the-Lake company for several years, and he treated us to a great adventure on the river. Although it's perhaps not as well known for rapids as Ottawa, the Niagara River has some of the greatest rapids in North America, ranging all the way from a Class One in size (think of water flowing over a rock) to a Class Six (illegal for rafting). We experienced everyone on the Jetboat, including some amazing Class Five rapids. This trip is not for land-lubber. You will get wet, head to toe, soaking wet. We were warned before departing, it would be like jumping in a pool. There was no exaggeration to this statement.

I was a little anxious after a friend told me the Jetboat made her nauseous. Anticipation prevailed however; I have wanted to ride the Jetboat since I moved to this area. The boat is powered by 1500 hp and travels up the river about 60 mph, so the combination of speed, spray in your face and the exhilaration of the rapids removed any chance of feeling sick. I'm so glad I went and now, I can stroke that off my list!

How is your list coming? Are you going to get through everything you hoped this summer?

Stock Up on Wine & Entertaining Ideas

Looking for something to do this weekend? Head to Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries to enjoy "Taste of the Season".

You will be bound to get wonderful entertaining ideas that you will want to try this season, such as Smoked Salmon Tarama with Stonechurch Vineyards 2007 Riesling- Gewürztraminer or the 2007 Cabernet from Coyote's Run Estate Winery with Smoked Duck Breast with Cabernet Jelly on Brioche.

2007 is shaping up to be one of the best wine years the Niagara Region has ever seen. The best wines will go quick, and with many just hitting the wineries shelves, the timing couldn't be better!

Interested in a winery tour? Plan your day so you end up at Pillitteri Estates in Virgil at 2pm for their free, daily tour.

Held every weekend in November, this is your last chance to experience the best wine & food pairings of the season. Passports to visit 18 wineries are available for only $46.00, and the event runs from 11am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Visit Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake for more information.