Experiencing the Natural Wonders of Ontario Canada | National Geographic

I am setting off on an adventure through Ontario, Canada, collaborating with a new friend who will capture my experiences on canvas. Wow. It looks wonderful. Ontario is a vibrant Canadian province, home to an abundance of fresh water. That water sustains everything here, but I've come to see how it also inspires. I'm traveling to meet some creators and crafters for who water is the catalyst for their passion.

So nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you. I grew up on the shores of Lake Huron. It plays a huge role in like my connection to my identity and my culture. I come from the Anishinaabe people, and this is our traditional land. We've always considered ourselves to be caretakers. Water is life. It's what ties everybody together.

I'm sure as a visual storyteller, you must find it such an inspiring place to live.

So I'm an artist and my primary focus is painting with acrylics. I love how vibrant the colors are. Sometimes I'll be out in nature and I'll come across something. I'll see a beautiful sunset and the paintings come to life from there. It has a lot to do with my culture as well. I use a lot of Anishinaabe symbolism that is important to me, how we came from the stars and how special our relationship is with the land that we live on.

As I continue my journey through Ontario, Emily is going to capture the people and places I visit in her unique style. I can't wait to see what she creates.

Next up, I'm meeting Tori, an adventurer whose mission is to inspire people of all ages and abilities to enjoy and connect with more of Ontario's sparkling natural playground. I'm so excited to get out there.

So if you bring the paddle all the way back. Yeah.

Why the canoe?

The canoe takes you places that you otherwise wouldn't be able to get to. It opens up so much of Ontario to explore. Being in Ontario, there's like 250,000 lakes.

I didn't know that.

Yeah.

That's a fun fact.

Yeah, isn't that wild?

What do you enjoy about paddling and being on the water?

It feels quiet and peaceful. You can really take in the scenery and appreciate the beauty. I started Paddled Like a Girl to teach women and just kind of create a space where they can come and learn a new skill. And also, it's definitely good for mind, body, soul, everything. (both laughing)

Well, now that I'm an expert canoer, do you wanna have a race?

I do. I do.

Three, two, one, go. I can't believe we're ending the day on our own private island.

I know. (both laughing)

Today is going to be a totally different experience. I'm headed south to Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario's wine country to meet Arnie, a peach farmer who relies on its waters to craft something a little bit different. I would love to learn why Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great region for growing fruit.

Well, there's two very important factors that allow us to do what we're doing here. Along the lake, the soils are sandy and the cooling effect of the lake, it'll cool the temperature down in summer and raise the temperature in winter, and that allows the peaches to size up and mature. You know, I grew up farming. I'd see all this really good fruit, the sweetest, the ripeness produced so much waste that it was just common sense to reuse that, and we turned it into spirits.

Can you tell me a bit about these massive machines?

There are fermentation tanks and mash is pumped from outside.

Is there stuff inside right now?

Yep.

So don't open this.

Unless you got a broom. (host laughing) If we use all these plates together, we'll make vodka. If we wanna make gin, we put a whole bunch of juniper and botanicals in the pot still and run the vodka through there again.

I don't think I ever realized that gin is sort of vodka with botanicals added in. It's very beautiful. Finally, a taste.

This is from the peaches right outside the windows.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Woo. (Arnie laughing) After a great afternoon with Arnie, this morning I'm headed back to catch up with Emily. I'm so excited to see what she's created.

I really hope you like it.

Wow. Oh. (host chuckling) It looks wonderful. You can see the Toronto skyline, the peach tree, the canoe trip we took.

I really wanted to honor your journey as you made your way to many different places.

It really captures my trip and the essence of Ontario all in one. As my time in Ontario comes to an end, I'm reminded not only of the province's stunning waters, but also the vibrant personalities, rich cultures, and unique crafts they inspire, welcoming all who come to visit.