Pelee Island

Winter’s grip is finally slipping, albeit slower than we might like - yet there is no denying the remnant snow cannot hold out much longer against the stronger spring sun.  Certainly the promise of warmer temperatures has you putting some thought toward summer holidays.

You might want to give some consideration to Pelee Island; the most southerly point of Canada located 40km offshore in Lake Erie. While the island could easily be described as calm and quiet, it does have a lot to offer regardless your age or how active you want to be on your vacation. If you are a birder you probably already know this place is a magnet during the spring and fall migration when the sky fills with winged friends coming in for a little rest before continuing on their route. The island is home to the PeleeIsland Bird Observatory, which you can visit – by appointment.

For hikers, there are miles of shoreline, most of which is public access. No, that’s not a typo – most of it IS accessible to the public. There are trails to be explored at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve and at Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve where a beautifully restored lighthouse, originally erected in 1833, offers some fabulous photo opportunities. The boardwalks and towering grasses along the nature reserve trails give an almost exotic feel as you skirt marshy areas on your way to the lake. Inland look for the Stone Road Alvar Conservation Area with even more hiking options and a chance to see some rare species as this habitat is in the Carolinian zone.  Cycling is a common past time on the island with 34 km of on-road trails. You can rent a bicycle near the ferry dock if you didn’t bring yours.

 

There are guided tours for those who want to find everything the island has to offer, fish charters for the sports enthusiast and in the fall, a week long Ringed-Neck Pheasant hunt for hunters which takes over the entire island. If you aren’t partaking in the hunt, this is not the time to visit the island.

Other things to do include the not-to-be-missed Pelee Island Winery where you can take the tour, or just visit, purchase some steak or burgers from their freezer and use their barbecues to have a picnic on site. Of course you can have some wine with that meal, too, if you like. There is the Kite Museum and the Heritage Centre which charge nominal fees. Both are very interesting places to spend some time. The Heritage Centre is near the ferry dock, and it is easy to leave it to last when you are preparing to leave the island and waiting for the ferry to arrive, but we found this didn’t give us enough time to enjoy the history of the island that is so well presented and bountiful here.

There are many accommodation options, from camping to bed and breakfast, cottage rental and resorts, all of which will provide you with an experience not to be found on the mainland.  After all, the romance of the island is no matter where you are, you’re never far from having the lake lapping at your feet.

Here are a few things you should know to optimize your visit. There is no grocery store on the island so stock up before you get on the ferry. There is a co-op but you will find it very expensive.  There has been a boil water advisory on the island for the past 10 years. Most resorts and cottages have their own water treatment systems, but it is best to check first and bring a case of water with you. The currents at the tip of the sand spit are very dangerous so swimming here is not ideal, but with all the other swimming areas which are much safer, this will not be a hardship. The ferry (select MV Jiiaman on the website) only carries 40 vehicles per trip, so reservations are a must and keep in mind that it sails out of Leamington until August when it switches to the Kingsville dock. This is due to the harvest of grapes and getting them to the second Pelee Island Winery facility located in Kingsville for quick processing.

One more thing. If you have a fear of the lake and going across on the boat, simply go up to the third level of the ferry. Apparently the lake is so shallow, if the boat sank the observation deck would be still above the water.

Creemore is Home to the Smallest Jail

When you come upon the historic Village of Creemore, located 40 minutes west of Barrie, Ontario, make your way down Mill Street and past the beautifully kept century homes and vibrant downtown area, words like “quaint” and “picturesque” might come to mind. The village is nestled in the arms of the Niagara Escarpment, fed by both the Noisy and Mad Rivers and surrounded by a blanket of farm fields pulled right up to its boundaries. This alone is enough to give you a sense of stepping into a time when village and natural surroundings work hand in hand in a harmonic relationship instead of struggling against each other in the name of progress. Park the car and take a walk; there is a lot to see.

In this idyllic place it may be hard for you to envision the need for a jail, but wander over to Library Street and there it is for all to see; a 15 X 20 foot building with barred windows made of pale limestone and split face field stone. History has it the three cell jail was built in 1892 at a cost of $425.20, and although the very first inhabitant was a loose cow, it was used principally to incarcerate those who over imbibed in the seduction of alcohol and needed to sleep it off. The jail was later abandoned in 1940 and remained vacant until the 1970’s when it was opened to visitors in the summer months.  The flower gardens in season and the new museum adjacent mean you can spend some pleasant time here quite easily before heading back to Mill Street and the heart of the village.

 

The people who live here are fully aware of what a gem they have and there is a strong sense of community. For a population of only 1300, Creemore is a magnet for creative souls, and several galleries are solid proof of a healthy arts community.  Several restaurants offer myriad dining experiences, from café style at the bakery, to roadhouse style and fine dining for those who want to linger. You won’t find any of the typical franchise coffee shops or restaurants here, which is part of the allure. Instead you will find specialty shops born of owners with a passion, such as The Creemore 100 Mile Store. An appetite  for home furnishings and interior décor ideas can also be satiated here and if you brought the children, not only is there a bookstore, but a children’s emporium called Cardboard Castles.

By now you will have made your way to the south end of Mill Street and what could be more refreshing after a few hours of darting in and out of the many shops than to find Creemore Springs Brewery, which is open to the public and offers tours. I warn you, though, be mindful of how many samples you try. Rumour has it the last inmate housed at the jail stole the keys!