Frankenmuth, Michigan’s “Little Bavaria”…home to Bonner’s, the world’s largest Christmas store! Who wouldn’t want to go there, so close to Christmas? Well, the US election happened and as you know, Trump won. After some mulling over, our little band of three, decided that departing Canada the day after the election, didn’t seem like the best of plans.
So, now what? Our days were already booked off from work and we didn’t want to waste them by staying home. Simple solution…Canada road trip!!! Hey, how about trying to make it to Ottawa for the Remembrance Day ceremonies? All in favour, say I!
First stop…a little antique place, looking for old windows, then Docville Wild West, an authentic old western town located in Newcastle, the heart of Durham Region. The town, a replica of old Dodge City, is complete with Saloons, General Store, Trappers Cabin, OK Corral, Saw Mill, Livery Stable, the Docville Hotel and of course the Sheriff’s office.
Next…the quaint little Victorian town of Port Perry, Lake Scugog…a little shopping exploration at the Wee Tartan Shop, “When Only The Best Of The British Isles Will Do”, www.weetartanshop.ca for blackcurrent jam and traditional Christmas pudding. Sounded like a great start to the upcoming season…a Christmas gift for my mom.
Mmmmm…lunch at the charming Marwan’s Global Bistro, www.marwansglobalbistro.com for their award winning ‘Old Flame and Cheddar Soup’…you really need to try this soup, absolutely magnificent…the place is a real charm.
The heritage community of Port Hope certainly captured the flavour of a small town in Ontario, circa 1800s. Situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario, it offers waterfront trails, a beautiful sandy beach, historic buildings and the Ganaraska River, which runs right through town.
At the pier in Port Cobourg and on the long white stretch of sand at Victoria beach…the orange light of sunset, tried its very best to warm the crashing waves of Lake Ontario, but to no avail.
The brisk November air continued the next morning in Trenton, on the Bay of Quinte. It did not deter the participants, nor the audience, at the heartfelt Remembrance Day ceremonies, held by the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 110. I don’t think I have ever been to a live Remembrance Day service before…it was very moving. Wow, in attendance, many of our uniformed men and women, as Trenton is home to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s, transport and search & rescue operations…impressive.
On to Prince Edward County, technically an island, and one of Ontario’s newest designated viticultural areas…home to Sandbanks Provincial Park, with its beautiful beach, and WINE!
First stop, Hillier Creek Estates, wine tasting of course, with an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, student of sommelier…very informative. Upon her recommendation, our next stop, a small craft winery specializing in small batch wines. Domaine Darius, where owner Dave Gillingham, offered up a little of their history and a wine tasting of a fabulous 2015 Chardonnay. Of course, I had to purchase a bottle from here too…good day for sure!
To get off the island, we took the Glenora Ferry, across the Bay of Quinte to Adolphustown. It’s kinda neat that you can drive your car onto a boat, cross water and arrive on the other side, all in a cool 15 minutes. More astonishing, especially in our winter, it runs year round carrying cars and their passengers every 30 minutes.
Driving past the Milhaven Institute, with its looming 30 foot fence, armed observation towers and outer perimeter motion sensors, you could not help feeling a little uneasy, even creeped out, at the notion it’s a maximum security prison.
Awww Kingston…originally the capital of the new Province of Canada in the 1840s. Definitely a beautiful little city, with it’s heritage limestone buildings, including City Hall and the former maximum security prison Kingston Penitentiary, among many others. Home to Kingston 1000 Islands and Fort Henry, an elevated strategic point near the mouth of the Cataraqui River where it flows into the St. Lawrence River, and Queen’s University, designated a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Canada’s top universities. More exploration time would have been great for the history buff, shopper and foodie in our merry band.
The capital city of our fabulous country…Ottawa! Yep, another stunner. Sitting on the Ottawa River and flanked by the Rideau River it offers an abundance of things to do and see. This is a city steeped in history and culture, with a wealth of historic landmarks, from the Parliament Buildings and national world-class museums and galleries, to the famous Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Too bad the canal wasn’t frozen so we could experience the worlds largest skating rink! Again, we needed more explore time…hey, it gives us a reason to go back! Love Ottawa…gorgeous!!!
Well, the last leg of our little road trip…Algonquin Park, via Hwy 60, the 56km southern corridor which runs through almost 8000 square kilometers of lakes, streams, rivers, bogs and forests in the rugged Canadian Shield. Canoeing, Kayaking, Portage, Hiking, Camping (remote & corridor), Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing, Skiing, ohhh myyy! Home to all kinds of wildlife, the most famous include moose, wolves and black bears and smaller ones like river otters, foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons and a wide variety of waterfowl including osprey, herons, and loons.
Our eyes were peeled to both sides of the road in anticipation of seeing moose. Unfortunately, the only moose we saw were the statuesque ones at the Visitor Centre.
What a fabulous ending to this amazing trip…until next time!!!