In Wawa, ON

How do we choose where we end up? When to stop? For some it is a personal choice. Others have it chosen through circumstance, work or other obligations causing us to be in one place or another. Still others leave it to chance. When Evelyn (of Evelyn's Place in New Orleans) decided she didn't want to be in New York City any more, she flipped a coin and the seventeen-year-old Evelyn headed to New Orleans. When we have the opportunity to choose--and really, we always do--how do we decide what place is for us and how do we define where we want to spend the rest of our lives?

When Eugenia and Rafal Stepien left Poland all they knew is that they were going to America. Where in America they were going to was still undecided, all they knew was somewhere on this continent they would settle down. They rented a car and drove across Canada and then back across the United States. They knew they wanted to buy a motel. A small place they could fix up and host people. They discovered in more populated areas, motels were not as profitable. People wanted to stay in hotels with bells and whistles. Country hotels were slower with fewer demands on the hosts. This suited them fine, they didn't want to live so much in the hustle and bustle of things. They chose Wawa, Ontario. For them it seemed like heaven. A small town surrounded by nature. The weather suits them fine, the summers are mild and they love the winter activities open to them. Wawa is unique for the area. There will be snow in Wawa when all of the areas around are without . Rafal loves the snow. He loves the rest of the year too, but all of the activities that are available only when there is snow is like pure play for him. Rafal is aware that just because it is below freezing doesn't mean it is cold. If the sun is out it can be the most comfortable weather you can experience.

So Rafal and Eugenia chose Wawa as their paradise. All summer long they can pick blueberries. In the Winter there is Ice Fishing. (Some of the locals will only eat fish that is caught when it is cold. Apparently the cold changes the metabolism of the fish so much that the texture and flavor are vastly improved.) Three years ago, the Stepiens purchased the Parkway Motel, www.parkwaymotel.com, and have done a lovely job refurbishing it. The rooms are nicely appointed, and the beds are very comfortable. I know that when I pass through Wawa again I will not miss the opportunity to stay at their Motel. Not only is it a nice place to stay, the Stepiens are lovely hosts, excited with the new place they live and are eager to share all they know and tell of their favorite spots in the area. They are located just a few miles East of Wawa on highway 17.

There is another family in Wawa, Ontario that helps make it that much more of a paradise. When you travel a lot in outlying areas you have to accept the kind of food that will be available. There are a lot of good restaurants with good food. You can pretty much always count on breakfast. What you don't find is many fine restaurants with a good wine list and excellent food. Ah, but in Wawa, Ontario the Ayoung family shatters mediocrity and serves up incredible food at the Kinniwabi Pines Restaurant (no web site yet, but when they get one I will list it here) The menu is pure delight, offering Canadian, Chinese, Carribean and European delicacies. One night I had escargot and duck. The following night there were lamb chops covered with a walnut mint sauce. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled delightful. And the soups! Ah! They are subtle and well balanced. The menu was put together by the brother who is the chef. They used to run specials. Every night there was a different one. The current menu is all of the specials they used to run. So everything is special. The Kinniwabi Pines Restaurant is about 3 miles East of Wawa. Just a little further away than the Parkway Motel. (Another good reason to stay at the Parkway!) Another lovely feature of the Kinnawabi Pines Restaurant, is their deck. Yes, you can eat the most delicious food "al fresco" under a blue sky or the summer stars and make the meal that much more enchanting. This restaurant helps make Wawa even more perfect.

How did the menu from the Kinniwabi Pines Restaurant become so eclectic? The Ayoung family is from Trinidad. The elder sister of the family was of the understanding that if she found a business she wanted to go into her father would help her out. Why she was in Canada in the first place I am not sure, but she was driving through Wawa and her reaction was "This is like Trinidad!" It was love at first sight. She bought the Kinniwabi Pines Motel almost impulsively and then contacted her family and told them. The family had a meeting and they all agreed to come up and help her run the motel. Thirteen years ago, the restaurant next door went up for sale. Their father conferred with one of the brothers about whether he wanted to run a restaurant. The father knew this son would fit well in a restaurant. Back in Trinidad, the Father would cook big meals for all of the holidays. At an early age he brought the brothers into the kitchen teaching them the craft. Bit by bit they learned and excelled. This was clever of the father for soon enough the brothers were cooking the feasts for the holidays on their own.

When the restaurant became available, the one brother decided yes, he would do it and so it began. This was thirteen years ago. Two brothers, the sister and one nephew are now running the restaurant. It is the best food you will have between Toronto and Vancouver. When you come to discover paradise in Wawa, make it more complete by having a meal (or two or three) at the Kinnawabi Restaurant.

And what else did I do on this layover day? I drove into the "badlands" of Ontario. I went about thirty miles into the bush, took some pictures and tried to make a few recordings... tough on a windy day like that one. I discovered it was bear hunting season in that area and after seeing a few fellows with all of the bright orange safety gear on I realized I had better not wander into the woods too much until I get something bright orange of mine own to wear. It is good to seen as something other than a bear during bear hunting season.