wh-Discover-Paris-Main-April9

<em>About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to explore. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, ands show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”</em>

Paris is always a good idea. But you need not travel all the way to France. A day trip to Paris, Ont., will appeal to everyone from history buffs to adventure lovers. While it is not named after the City of Love, the Paris that’s a 90-minute drive from Toronto is named for its gypsum deposits, a key ingredient in plaster of Paris.

This community certainly holds its own when it comes to charm. Once dubbed the province’s prettiest town, Paris is located where the Nith River empties into the Grand River. Whatever your passion, the abundance of shopping, dining spots, historical buildings and outdoor fun will leave everyone happy during a day trip.

<strong>In the morning: </strong>From Toronto, head west on Highway 403 and make your first stop in Brantford at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1874. On your tour of the property, you’ll discover how the Bell family lived in Melville House, which was owned by Bell’s father, Alexander Melville Bell, and learn how the younger Bell first began working on the creation of the telephone and how his invention changed over the years.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wh-Discover-Paris-Bell-April9.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-167250" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wh-Discover-Paris-Bell-April9.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover: Paris" width="2000" height="1199" /></a>

Next, take King George Road to Elberta Farms Country Market in Paris to pick up some pantry staples and foodie delights. Offering seasonal fruit and vegetavles, it also carries products such as loafs of Beatrix Boulanger’s apple sourdough bread and homemade carrot cake jam from The Jelly Girls.

From there, you’re less than a 10-minute drive to the centre of Paris. Make you first stop the Paris Wincey Mills Co., a late-1800s building that now houses a market hall featuring local vendors and office spaces on its upper floors. Among the retailers are the award-winning The Udder Way Artisan Cheese Company, Bird &amp; Bee Vintage, a boutique full of unique finds, and The Paris Apothecary, a wellness store carrying naturally made products.

By now, you’re probably feeling hungry, so head to Arepa Love – also located in the building – for delectable sandwiches. Its meaty Pepito Rumbero features fresh arepas (a cornmeal cake) filled with seasoned sirloin, onions, peppers, feta, and microgreens with irresistible Iberian ham-flavoured potato chips served on the side.

<strong>In the afternoon:</strong> Paris is the cobblestone capital of Canada and following the walking tour available online from the Paris Museum will give you a good snapshot of the town. The tour includes historical treasures, from the beautiful Arlington Hotel, built circa 1888, to the striking masonry of the Norman Hamilton home.

While you’re on the tour, be sure to take a few minutes and pop through the doors of the different local retailers you pass along the way. Interior design lovers will want to check out Pursuit of Home for a fantastic selection of vintage and mid-century furniture mixed in with modern accessories. Also, be sure to stop at Paris Bakery, located on Grand River Street North. The shop has been around since 1927 and serves up classics such strudels and homemade Twix candy bar-like treats.

Drop your purchases in the trunk of your car and drive the short distance – you can also walk – to Penmans Dam Park to enjoy the view of the Grand River, which was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1994 thanks in part to its industrial heritage and its popularity for watersports. That heritage can still be seen, as the dam that crosses the river was built in 1918 to power the Penmans clothing company’s mill.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wh-Discover-Paris-River-April9.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-167248" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wh-Discover-Paris-River-April9.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover: Paris" width="2121" height="1414" /></a>

After enjoying a few photo opportunities by the water, drive back through Paris to Lion’s Park, located on the Nith River. Here you can explore the 270-metre Sensory Trail, an accessible, interactive walk that features a guided rope, braille signs, musical instruments and a sensory garden.

<strong>In the evening:</strong> For a small town, there’s plenty of dining options in Paris. Restaurants Capeesh Craft Kitchen &amp; Cellar and  Stillwaters Plate &amp; Pour both have varied menus where even the pickiest eaters will find something delicious to eat (although the Prince Edward Island crab cakes at Stllwaters, which is helmed by a “Top Chef Canada” alum William Thompson, may have a slight edge). Both restaurants also offer views of the Grand River.

For something more casual, the Cobblestone Public House – a sister restaurant to the Capeesh and Stillwaters – serves classic pub favourites you can enjoy will taking in the waterfront views from its patio. If you are celebrating a milestone or special event, consider the Juniper Dining Co., which features an impressive cocktail menu and elevated fare such as bone marrow and steak tartare and Muscovy duck breast with heirloom beets.

<strong>TIMELINE:</strong> <strong>Drive guide</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><strong> 8:45 a.m.</strong> Leave Toronto</li>
</ul>
Drive west on Highway 403.

Take Exit 41
<ul>
 	<li><strong> 10 a.m.</strong> Bell Homestead National Historic Site</li>
 	<li><strong> 11:30 a.m.</strong> Elberta Farms Country Market</li>
 	<li><strong> 12:30 p.m.</strong> Paris Wincey Mills Co.</li>
 	<li><strong> 2:30 p.m.</strong> Self-guided walking tour</li>
 	<li><strong> 4 p.m.</strong> Penmans Dam Park</li>
 	<li><strong> 5 p.m.</strong> Lion’s Park</li>
 	<li><strong> 6:30 p.m.</strong> Dinner</li>
</ul>
<em>Note: times are suggestions only</em>

<strong>COVID-19 need to know</strong>

Paris is following Ontario’s provincial COVID-19 guidelines. Contact individual businesses ahead of your trip to find out how they’re currently operating.

<strong>For the drive</strong>

Alexander Graham Bell made the first long distance phone call from a shop in Paris to the Bell Homestead in Brantford. Learn more about the inventor by listening to “Unsound: The Legacy of Alexander Graham Bell” episode of the CBC Radio podcast “Ideas.”

Ours to Discover: Paris

<em>About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only if COVID-19 conditions make it safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, ands show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”</em>

One of the sweetest Canadian adventures you can go on in late winter is to visit a sugar shack. Luckily, we have plenty of maple syrup producers waiting to be discovered a few hours’ drive outside of Toronto. While many have had to limit their experiences for visitors this upcoming season, there are still plenty of maple farms that will be open for tours, tastings and shopping. The season kicks off in early March, so bundle up – much, if not all, of your visit will be outdoors – and get ready to learn more about this iconic Canadian staple.
<h3><strong>Richardson’s Farm and Market</strong></h3>
Buy tickets in advance for the Family Experience at Richardson’s Farm and Market in Dunnville, a 90-minute drive southwest from Toronto and located next to Grand River near the north shore of Lake Erie. At Richardson’s you’ll get to tap a tree, learn how to boil sap in a hollow log and enjoy a decadent pancake brunch. In addition to the maple goods (think butter, sugar, toffee, salad dressing and tea), you can also stock up your pantry with the farm’s fruit and veggies. For a self-guided experience, tour the grounds on your own and learn about maple syrup through the informative storyboards that you’ll find along its trail. Before you leave, pick up a breakfast kit complete with pancake mix, sausages and maple syrup to take home.

[caption id="attachment_165484" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-RIchardson-Feb19-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-165484" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-RIchardson-Feb19-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1707" /></a> Tour guide Jim Douglas shares information about how maple syrup is collected and processed, as well as some of its health benefits, with guests on the Richardsons Farm and Market sugar bush tour.[/caption]
<h3><strong>Trillium Ridge Sugarworks</strong></h3>
Although its pancake breakfasts are on hiatus this year, Trillium Ridge Sugarworks, located a two-and-a-half-hour drive east of Toronto on Highway 401 – and then a short drive north from Exit 566 – is worth the trip. It features 100 acres with an impressive 10,000 taps, so you can experience a healthy, invigorating dose of forest bathing while wandering around the sugarbush. After you’ve racked up some steps on your Fitbit, and have seen the tapped trees firsthand, head back to the shack to purchase some syrup, which won second place in last year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Its’ delicious flavour is courtesy of the sugarbush’s limestone-rich soil, according to owner Terry Gervais.
<h3><strong>Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Syrup</strong></h3>
Enjoy a sleigh ride at Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Syrup in Uxbridge, just over an hour drive north from Toronto, and devour maple taffy after your tour of its pancake house (if it is open). Pefferlaw Creek has something for everyone: a demo for kids on how to tap a tree and hang a bucket to collect the sap. For mom and dad, the chance to learn all about the technical side of a certified organic maple syrup operation. Its sugar bush spreads out over four forests totalling 400 acres, with 40,000 taps. At the store, pick up a taster pack, which features the four different grades of syrup so you can taste test what you learned on your tour. There is also Pefferlaw’s must-not-miss syrup aged in bourbon barrels. You can drive to the farm by heading north on Highway 404 before heading east on Regional Road 31 and then north again on Concession Road 6.
<h3><strong>Mountsberg Sugarbush </strong></h3>
For a magical winter night, reserve a spot on an evening tour of the Mountsberg Sugarbush, located an hour’s drive west along Highway 401 from Toronto near Campbellville. Held Thursdays to Sundays, the excursion includes a guided tour of its trails, a wagon ride, and local musicians performing by the fire pit. Families with young kids will want to visit Mountsberg’s daytime Maple Town, which is jam-packed with activities – think maple samples, scavenger hunts, a natural playground built from repurposed trees, and sheep, donkeys and goats to meet in the animal barn.

[caption id="attachment_165483" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Mountsberg-Feb19-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-165483" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Mountsberg-Feb19-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1493" /></a> It's maple syrup season, the Mountsberg sugarbush has been producing for more than 150 years, tapping it's approximately 300 sugar maples each spring, transforming the clear sap into sweet maple syrup.[/caption]
<h3><strong>Wheelers Maple Products</strong></h3>
A three-and-a-half-hour drive east of Toronto in the Lanark Highlands, you will find Wheelers Maple Products. The site includes a sugar camp, pancake house and a museum that holds a Guinness World Record for having the largest collection of artifacts about maple syrup. After you learn about how Indigenous people discovered and used maple syrup, and the production techniques utilized by settlers, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for that sticky, sweet deliciousness you pour onto your flapjacks.

At its pancake house, be sure to also try the sausages, they’re homemade. Don’t be shy about chatting with the staff; they’re likely a Wheeler since the operation has been family-owned since the farm’s first trees were tapped in 1978. They will know the ins and outs of maple syrup production and the must-see sites on the farm.
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Get into a maple syrup frame of mind by listening to the “Making Maple Syrup!” episode of the podcast “Getting Dirty,” where guests Cynthia and Ritchie Duffy talk about the syrup-making process. They also cover how to tell good syrup from bad – so you’ll be an aficionado by the time you arrive at the sugar shack.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Ontario is follow provincial COVID-19 guidelines. Some attractions and businesses may be closed or operating at a reduced capacity. Consult the provincial website (ontario.ca) for the most up-to-date information and contact individual businesses ahead of your trip to confirm how they’re currently operating.

Ours to Discover: Sugar shacks, A sweet drive

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<em>About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only if COVID-19 conditions make it safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province, ands show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover.”</em>

&nbsp;

For many of us, road trips often wind down during the colder months, but there is still much to enjoy during this season. Add some camping and glamping adventures to your calendar to help you learn how to embrace winter and all it has to offer. If you’re a newbie to this type of experience, be honest with yourself. Depending on your comfort zone, you can make a reservation in a heated yurt or simply bring your tent and a sleeping bag designed for winter camping. While these five destinations range from just dipping your toe into winter glamping to a full-on winter warrior-level outing, all of them will find you surrounded by a majestic blanket of snow – and will make you love the season a little more.
<h3><strong>Lanark County Treehouse</strong></h3>
Built 20 years ago using recycled and donated materials, this eco-friendly, two-level treehouse in the Lanark Highlands is a four-hour drive from Toronto along Highway 7. Available on Airbnb, this unique lodging sleeps eight and is heated by a wood-pellet stove so you’ll be warm and cosy inside. It is also pet-friendly (past guests have brought everything from a pot-bellied pig to a goat). The treehouse is perched over the Mississippi River, so you can enjoy the icy view as you play boardgames, or, better yet, while relaxing in the hot tub. Explore Lanark County’s many distilleries, including Perth Brewery and Stalwart Brewing Company, if you’re looking for something to do other than snowshoeing.
<h3><strong>Glen Oro Farm</strong></h3>
Snatch up a cancellation for a stay in one of Glen Oro Farm’s Stargazer Domes if you’re keen on seeing the stars as you drift off to sleep (openings are posted on its Instagram stories) or book an equally spectacular stay in one of its Explorer’s Tents. Equipped with a wood-pellet stove, king-sized bed and chairs, you’ll hardly feel put out with these home comforts, and you can decompress with a visit to the wood-fired sauna, which has a stunning view of the forest. During your stay, learn basic horsemanship as you ride, groom and care for the farm’s horses during a boutique trail ride experience. Don’t feel like cooking during your glamping trip? Book Laforet Catering to cook your meal of locally sourced ingredients over an open fire. Glen Oro Farm is a one-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto, along Highway 400, and is located between Barrie and Orillia.
<h3><strong>Nature’s Harmony Eco-Lodge</strong></h3>
A four-hour drive from Toronto following highways 401 and 11 north, followed by 17 east, Mattawa is a small community near the Mattawa River and set against the backdrop of the Canadian Shield. It is also where you’ll find Nature’s Harmony Eco-Lodge. Book its authentic, handmade Mongolian yurt – where you’ll find traditional paintings decorating the interior poles and doors – along with a bed, Moroccan-style sofa, and a wood stove to keep you toasty. Nature’s Harmony is off the grid with no cell service, allowing you to truly disconnect. Fill your time untethered from your smartphone by tubing down the property’s seven-lane sledding hill or 20 kilometres of trails to explore by kick sled. The sled is equipped with runners that you stand on, kicking at the ground to propel yourself forward. There is a seat in front for a passenger and handles for the kicker to hold.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Kicksled-Feb5-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-165136" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Kicksled-Feb5-3.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="1411" height="2124" /></a>
<h3><strong>Voyageur Quest</strong></h3>
If you’ve camped in the summer and are keen to try it in the winter, get the know-how by booking the Winter Experience with Voyageur Quest. The quest takes place in Algonquin Park, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive north from Toronto. During the excursion you will learn basic winter camping skills, including how to haul toboggans loaded with all of your gear through the snow, and the proper way to set up a winter campsite. Be sure to take in the beauty of Algonquin Park during a snowshoe trek to Surprise Lake.
<h3><strong>Arrowhead Provincial Park</strong></h3>
Seasoned winter campers will want to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto along Highway 400, and then take Highway 11 to Arrowhead Provincial Park. Along with all of your winter camping gear, be sure to pack your cross-country skis, snowshoes and skates, or, if you want to pack lighter, rent them at the park. Arrowhead has top notch trails for both hiking and skiing, so plan on doing both. At night, check out its famous skating trail, a 1.3-kilometre icy path that winds through the forest. Make sure to pre-book your tickets as it is often sold out. If you’re not feeling up to setting up a camp, you can also reserve one of the park’s cabins.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Arrowhead-Feb5-1-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-165137" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/wh-Discover-Arrowhead-Feb5-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>
<h3>For the drive</h3>
The Group of Seven were known for painting Ontario’s Canadian Shield landscape, including its beauty in winter. They also influenced artists from various mediums over the years, including the Rheostatics, who released the album “Music Inspired by the Group of Seven” in 1995.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Ontario is follow provincial COVID-19 guidelines. Some attractions and businesses may be closed or operating at a reduced capacity. Consult the provincial website (<a href="http://www.ontario.ca"><em>ontario.ca</em></a>) for the most up-to-date information and contact individual businesses ahead of your trip to confirm how they’re currently operating.

Ours to Discover: Winter Camping

WH-Discover-Scandineve-Jan1

<em>About this series: Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province and across Canada, ands show you why this country is “Ours to Discover.”</em>

The ancient Greeks were onto something when they used bathing and spas as a form of therapy. Take a cue from them this winter and make a road trip to a spa. Having weathered the unprecedented times of the pandemic, escaping for a day of pampering is precisely the self-care we could all use right now. It’s also a great way to enjoy a fresh start to the year ahead. From getting those tight muscles expertly kneaded to giving your skin the TLC it’s crying out for, visiting any one of these five serene spas will allow you an opportunity to regroup and recharge.
<h3><strong>OSpa</strong></h3>
About an hour-and-a half-drive from Toronto, OSpa can be found at the Oban Inn, a boutique hotel in Niagara-On-The-Lake. The calming contemporary space — with a striking domed brick ceiling in the spa’s lounge — exudes an intimate ambiance. Visit a winery or two in the morning and then stop into OSpa for its Grape Seed and Algae Signature Body Wrap. Featuring local red grape seed extract, this antiaging and detoxifying 85-minute wrap begins with a dry exfoliation. Then, once the treatment is applied, you’re wrapped up in warm sheets like a burrito and the therapist treats your scalp, face and feet while the polyphenols, iodine and vitamins work on the rest of your body. After you shower it off, you’re slathered with a warm hydrating lotion infused with essential oils. You’ll leave feeling reborn.

<strong>Getting there:</strong> Take the Queen Elizabeth Way west out of Toronto toward the Niagara Region, followed by Regional Road 55 to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
<h3><strong>Elora</strong> <strong>Mill Hotel and Spa</strong></h3>
For nature lovers looking for some spa time, a 90-minute drive northwest from Toronto in the quaint town of Elora is the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa. The spa overlooks Elora’s star attraction, the stunning Elora Gorge. Take in the breathtaking cliffside view from the hot tub before you enjoy the bliss of your treatment, with the spa’s guest experience liaison looking after every detail of your visit. Try its Rose Quartz Restorative Body Treatment, a massage treatment that harnesses the healing and radiant energies of rose quartz crystals. Afterwards, feeling rejuvenated and your skin expertly tended to, you’ll glow inside and out and all of that pandemic stress will feel much more manageable.

<strong>Getting there:</strong> Drive west on Highway 401 toward Guelph and then head north on Highway 6, or by following the Queen Elizabeth Way to just before Hamilton and then heading north on Highway 6.
<h3><strong>Langdon Hall</strong></h3>
A Relais &amp; Château property, Cambridge’s Langdon Hall Country House and Spa (about an hour’s drive west from Toronto) is one of only 14 properties in Canada with this prestigious designation, which recognizes its superior dining, accommodations and architecture. Driving up to stately Langdon Hall, which was built around 1898 and is surrounded by a Carolinian forest, will make you feel like a member of Canada’s historical high society. But, once in the spa and wrapped up in your bathrobe, the spa’s Valmont facials will transport you to present-day bliss.

<strong>Getting there:</strong> Take Highway 401 west to Cambridge.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WH-Discover-Langdon-Jan1-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164443" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WH-Discover-Langdon-Jan1-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="1707" height="2560" /></a>
<h3><strong>Ste. Anne’s Spa</strong></h3>
About a 90-minute drive east of Toronto in Grafton, you’ll find the 1800s fieldstone castle that houses Ste. Anne’s Spa. Outside is an expansive hydrotherapy are — including a lazy river and warming room — while inside are 30 treatment rooms where you can let go of the stresses you’ve been holding onto. Put yourself in the capable hands of one of the spa’s therapists and try its Rose Petal and Honey Body Wrap. Using rose petals from the property’s gardens and honey from its bees, your tired soles get a rose tea foot bath, followed by a massage using a rose and honey mask. Once wrapped up in warm sheets, your scalp gets some attention with an aromatic massage. Shower off the mask, slip back into your fluffy robe and head straight to lunch. Don’t worry, nearly all of the spa’s guests will be in their robes, too.

<strong>Getting there:</strong> Drive on Highway 401 east to Grafton, which is just past Cobourg.
<h3><a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WH-Discover-StAnne-Jan1-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164444" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WH-Discover-StAnne-Jan1-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1707" /></a> <strong>Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain</strong></h3>
Enjoy an invigorating water circuit experience just a two-hour drive north from Toronto at the sprawling 25-acre property of Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain in Grey County. Never been to a hydrotherapy spa? You start in a hot bath to warm up for 10 minutes (there’s a thermal waterfall, steam room or sauna, too). Then, to release toxins from your body, you plunge into cold water (about seven to 13 C) for 10 or 15 seconds to get your heart rate and endorphins going. Return to a resting heart rate by spending 15 minutes in the solarium or by one of the spa’s outdoor fireplaces, then repeat the whole circuit another few times. Once done and bundled up you stroll through the property’s forest bathing trail, which features eight spots where you are invited to stop, reflect and take in the moment.

<strong>Getting there:</strong> Drive on Highway 400 north toward Barrie, taking Highway 26 west to Collingwood.
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Get into a relaxed frame of mind for the drive by listening to BBC 3’s “Slow Radio” podcast, which features ambient sounds from places around the world, such as an episode that takes you from London to the Suffolk coast by bike. Listening will allow you to let yourself slow down mentally, setting the tone for a day of rest and relaxation
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Check provincial guidelines (<em>ontario.ca</em>) and contact the businesses before you head out on your spa excursion.

Ours to Discover: Five sensational spas for some rest and relaxation

Volvo (1)

“They saved lives. I can’t put it more plainly than that,” said Sulemaan Ahmed.

Ahmed, who is one of the founders of Conquer COVID-19, is referring to Volvo Cars Canada. The automaker gave the grassroots volunteer initiative a fleet of Volvo vehicles in March 2020. Volunteers have since used the vehicles to deliver PPE to hospitals, seniors’ residences and shelters in need. Within two days of initially approaching Ahmed, a fleet of vehicles (including passes for Highway 407) were ready at the Volvo Canada headquarters in Richmond Hill. Over the next six months, volunteers used the cars to make deliveries across the province and into Quebec, with gas and insurance covered by Volvo.

Ahmed himself made several deliveries, often with his teenage daughter, in a Volvo packed to the roof with boxes of masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

By the time Conquer Covid-19 returned the 18 loaner cars to Volvo Cars Canada, they’d delivered three million pieces of PPE, made 464 deliveries (265 of those in the Volvos), and racked up more than 47,000 kilometres in the loaners.

[caption id="attachment_164383" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Volvo-3-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-164383" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Volvo-3-scaled.jpg" alt="Volvo" width="2560" height="1707" /></a> Processed with VSCO with a7 preset[/caption]

Natalie Kusendova, MPP of Mississauga Centre, also received two vehicles from Volvo Canada for her team at the constituency office to use during the height of the pandemic. However,  Kusendova had returned to her position as a registered nurse at Etobicoke General Hospital.

“There was a shortage of nurses and with so many people getting sick, my time was better utilized at hospital than sitting at office” she said.

With a new focus, Kusendova turned her office into a hub for distributing supplies.

“The two vehicles enabled my team — young professionals who don’t have cars — to deliver groceries and provide services to seniors in our riding, including filling prescriptions,” said Kusendova.

Volvo Canada isn’t the only automaker who pivoted to join the fight against COVID-19. By May 2020, General Motors Canada built a clean-room environment in their Oshawa facility. They then installed the equipment that enabled them to produce the 10 million face masks the Government of Canada contracted them to produce, which they fulfilled this April.  Over at Ford Canada’s Windsor operations, they went into production of face shields in April 2020. By repurposing their facilities, the automaker was able to produce more than 2.75 million face shields that were distributed to medical personnel and other essential frontline workers.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GM-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164386" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GM-2.jpg" alt="GM" width="1280" height="853" /></a> <a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gm-4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164385" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gm-4.jpg" alt="GM" width="1280" height="853" /></a>

Hyundai Canada, in the meanwhile, dedicated their COVID-19 efforts to continuing their support of youth across Canada. First, they made a $100,000 donation to BGC Canada (formerly the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) emergency relief fund.

“In this very scary time that was very isolating, Hyundai wanted to make a difference,” said Rachael MacKenzie-Neill, vice-president of marketing and development at Hyundai Canada.

In addition to the donation, Hyundai furthered their commitment to BGC Canada with the lease of five Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles to help communities across Canada. One of these SUVs went to the BGC Toronto Kiwanis Club.

“For us, it was a real changemaker,” said Greg Gary, the club’s executive director. “The van we had was rusty and not safe. We didn’t have the resources to replace the van, and that’s when Hyundai stepped in and donated the Santa Fe,” he said.

With the Santa Fe, the club was able to deliver the materials kids needed for their virtual programs, including laptops. The Kiwanis Club was also able to transport masks and gift cards for groceries and meals to more than 100 families living in Moss Park, Regent Park, Cabbagetown and St. Jamestown.

“Over the summer, we were delivering up to 60 to 100 meals. These are kids who would be here after school — except we couldn’t have kids in the space — kids who otherwise wouldn’t eat that night,” said Marnie Smith, the club’s director of programs and services.

Besides getting kids meals and kits for their online programs, having the Hyundai Santa Fe has been a morale booster and has helped to elevate the image of the club, said Gary.

“It’s a beautiful vehicle, wrapped in our logo. It gives a positive message to the youth and speaks to our core values,” he said. “Our contract is until the spring, but we hope it’s extended.”

Automakers have stepped up in the fight against COVID-19

wh-Discover-Activities-Ice-Dec18 (1)

<em>About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions having eased over the last few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore — but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and longer drives highlight great experiences you can have in the province and across Canada, ands show you why this country is “Ours to Discover.”</em>

Looking for something to do during the holiday break and the weeks ahead? Winter keeps many of us indoors. This year, instead of hiding inside from the elements, rethink how you do winter. There are trails, lakes, hills and fields blanketed with snow and ice that are perfect spots for trying out a slew of activities that will make you love getting out of hibernation. Grab your car keys and set your GPS to any one of these winter wonderland adventures.
<h3><strong>SKIJORING </strong></h3>
Santa’s got his reindeer, but you can turn your dog into your own little engine while cross-country skiing​​. The sport is known as skijoring. Don’t have your own dog? No problem, Yours Outdoors can hook you up with one during a beginner lesson with skijor expert Karen Kohler.

“I love the agility of the sport, and the connection you have with your dog moving together and building that trust is pretty awesome,” she said.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Activities-Skijoring-Dec18-2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164175" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Activities-Skijoring-Dec18-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Book a two-hour lesson (this includes a harness for your dog) for $90 per person at Yours Outdoors in Haliburton. If you need cross-country skis, you can rent a set at Algonquin Outfitters in nearby Huntsville (it also ships some smaller items).

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Take Highway 404 north, followed by Highway 48 and Highway 35 north. Then, drive along Highway 118 east to Haliburton.
<h3><strong>FAT BIKING</strong></h3>
Fat biking will have you cycling through snowy conditions on two wheels that are about five inches wide, perfect for riding over rougher surfaces. Not only do you get an adrenalin rush fat biking, if you wipe out, it’s a little less painful thanks to the cushioning of snow.

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Rent a fat bike for one, two or four hours(or for a full day) from Liv Outside in Bracebridge and hit the nearby trails.

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Take Highway 400 north and merge onto Highway 11. Take exit 182 and follow Highway 118 west into Bracebridge. The business is located on Ecclestone Drive.
<h3><strong>SNOWSHOEING</strong></h3>
Now lighter than ever thanks to aluminum frames, today’s snowshoes can help you virtually float over fluffy snow.

“A lot of people just go on hiking trails, but you don’t need snowshoes when the snow is packed down. Where you want to go is the swampy, forested areas that are unattainable nine months of the year,” said Angelo Morgante, owner of Adventure Attic Travel and Outdoor Lifestyle in Dundas.

Morgante said it is in those areas that you will get to see some incredible wildlife, including muskrats, deer and foxes.

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Rent snowshoes for $10 per day (with a $100 deposit) from Adventure Attic Travel and Outdoor Lifestyle, and head to the nearby Dundas Conservation Area.

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Head west via Queen Elizabeth Way to Highway 403 and drive west. Take Exit 74 and follow York Road to Highway 6 north and turn right onto Highway 8.
<h3><strong>ICE FISHING</strong></h3>
Discover what lies beneath the layer of ice covering Picton Bay during an ice fishing adventure in Prince Edward County. New this year at Merland Park Cottages are cameras that have been installed in the water so you can see the pike, trout and bass swimming underneath you. You will stay warm and cosy in your ice fishing hut, while the kids will be entertained watching the cameras to see if any fish approach. The idea, said Kevin Lavers, owner of Merland Park, is that even if you are unlucky enough to not catch any fish, you will still know they are there.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Activities-Fishing-Dec18-3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164173" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wh-Discover-Activities-Fishing-Dec18-3.jpg" alt="Fish" width="720" height="960" /></a>

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Book an ice fishing hut (this includes heat, transportation, bait and fishing rods) for $75 per person at Merland Park Cottages in Picton.

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Drive east along Highway 401 and take exit 522 to County Road 40. Then take County Road 33 and Prince Edward County Road 1.
<h3><strong>SNOW TUBING</strong></h3>
The glee of swooping down a hill on a bouncy tube will make you fall in love with winter again. Best of all, the whole family can participate in it.

“If you can sit, you can snow tube,” said Ryan Leblanc, tube park manager at Snow Valley Ski Resort.

It has earned a reputation as one of the best tubing locations in Ontario thanks to its 14 chutes that are 10 storeys high. Tubers have been known to hit speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour at Snow Valley, so you might want to bring ski goggles to protect your eyes. There are also three lifts to take you to the top, so you won’t get tired climbing back to the start of the chutes.

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Book two hours of tubing starting at $20 per adult at Snow Valley Ski Resort, just outside Barrie in Minesing.

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Take Highway 400 north and then Exit 96B to Dunlop Street West in Barrie. From there, drive along Ferndale Drive north, followed by Wilson Drive and Snow Valley Road to Vespra Valley Road in Minesing.
<h3><strong>ICE CLIMBING</strong></h3>
Gear yourself up with axes, crampons, boots, harnesses and a helmet. Then climb up the side of a gorge via a 60-foot wall of ice. While ice climbing might seem similar to rock climbing, it’s even more thrilling because you can choose your route up the ice, said Christa Niravong of One Axe Pursuits.

“It is very empowering to hack your way to the top,” she said.

She said that nothing beats facing your fears and watching yourself succeed one step at a time.

<strong>Where to try it:</strong> Book a six-hour lesson (this includes safety equipment) for $350 per person with One Axe Pursuits in Elora.

<strong>How to get there:</strong> Drive along Highway 401 west and take Exit 312 to Guelph Line in Milton. Continue toward Wellington County roads 29 and 7 to Henderson Street in Elora.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Check provincial and local guidelines before you head out on your road trip (<em>ontario.ca</em>).
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Get into the sporty spirit by listening to a few episodes of ESPN’s award-winning “30 for 30” podcasts during your drive. Episodes highlight how sports and adventure effect all aspects of our lives, and include everything from polar exploration to the stories of Olympians. You can download episodes from <em>30for30podcasts.com</em>.

Ours to Discover: Winter Activities, Six great day-trip ideas to keep you active

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The automotive supply chain is currently in shambles. Although supply chain issues are impacting virtually every type of product, supply and raw material around the world, the global auto industry supply chain is one of the hardest hit.

As they continue to scrounge for materials and parts such as semiconductor chips, many auto assembly lines have gone through a series of shutdowns through the past year. Production is now forecasted to drop to its lowest level since 1982. Globally, automakers will lose upwards of $210 billion in revenue this year due to these supply chain problems, according to a forecast from consulting firm Alixpartners.

Few automakers are immune to the shortages; in a survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, approximately 51.7 percent of respondents from the auto industry said the disruptions to supply chains were very significant. Consider, though, that while this pandemic is indeed an unprecedented time, the fragility of the auto supply chain is nothing new. Just a decade ago, when the Great Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 devastated the northeast coast of Japan, it crippled that country’s auto supply chain. Since that disaster, some auto suppliers changed how they source and make cars, shifting from “just in time” production to storing more inventory to safeguard against shortages. Many others, however, have opted not to store inventory due to the high cost of maintaining extra supplies.

Through this pandemic, auto manufacturers have been forced to make adjustments, including producing cars without certain modules, slowing or halting the production of new vehicles, and prioritizing supplies for vehicles with higher margins. Now, with the economy slowly starting to recover and the auto industry crawling out of this hole, taking measures to safeguard the industry’s supply chain going forward is paramount.

Currently, semiconductor chips, the majority of which are sourced from Asia, are particularly scarce. With the margins lower for car semiconductor chips compared to those for smartphones and consumer electronics — making car companies a less attractive customer — what’s to stop auto manufacturers from going into the production of these relatively inexpensive chips to resolve their supply chain woes?

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-163476" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GM-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Supply Chain" width="2560" height="1707" />

“It’s difficult because the capital requirement to build supply is incredible,” said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association. To put it into perspective, the U.S. federal government has announced a $52 billion investment into doubling their supply. “But the U.S. represents only 12 per cent of the world’s supply—the quantums (amounts) are too big for an automotive manufacturer to consider as an adjunct to their own business.”

Volpe pointed to foreign monopolies of specific supplies as a significant factor in the auto supply chain’s vulnerability. “Twenty-four per cent of semiconductor chips are made by a Taiwanese company,” he said. “And as we grow the market share of electric vehicles from two per cent to what we think will be a mandated 100 per cent in 2030, the vulnerability of the semiconductor supply will be one of, if not the top, issue.”

Reducing the impacts of supply shocks on the auto supply chain calls for better supply chain collaboration, said Patrick Maroney, principal on SAP’s high-tech industry executive advisory.

“Auto manufacturers are used to being the big man on campus; when they said jump, the supply chains said how high. When they made a design change, everyone was expected to be in lockstep, but the relationship between risks and costs have gone out of balance as demand exceeds supply capacity and therefore needs restructuring. The interdependencies between supply chain tiers is extensive. Collaboration, risk sharing, and flexibility will improve the resiliency of the supply chain to better absorb disruptions: supply, pandemic, or political."

Maroney pointed to successful tech companies like Apple and Samsung who have partnered with their vendors and developed flexible contracts in which both parties commit to forecasts within a certain range. Look at what happened when COVID-19 hit: tech companies didn’t cancel their semiconductor contracts; automakers did.

Working as a partner with suppliers can further cultivate a more robust supply chain by also designing in collaboration. “So when one industry takes a dip, the other gains,” said Maroney.

He proposes, for example, designing chips that can not only be used in cars, but also in cameras.” Although this will drive up the cost of a chip, it mitigates the risk to the supply chain. However, Maroney notes that since semiconductor companies are now spending billions to build additional capacity to meet the world’s excess demand, “they could be left holding the bag in a few years.”

For market-driven automakers that are publicly traded, it comes down to a balancing act, according to Volpe. Hoarding supply has to be balanced with being in an industry that rewards for operating a lean enterprise, for one. Localizing production of supply has to be balanced with making cars that sell at a profit.

“There is no silver bullet for what auto companies should do, but there is a guarantee that if you’re sleeping, you won’t be around to answer that question 10 years from now.”

How Can the Automotive Supply Chain Overcome Its Issues

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With the goal of putting Canada at the forefront of design-forward electric vehicle charging stations, news platform Electric Autonomy Canada is setting out to explore the potential of future EV charging stations in its recently launched competition. In partnership with fuel and petroleum supplier Parkland, the “Electric Fuelling Station of the Future” competition is focused on the roadside havens we could all be pulling up to soon for refuelling.

Considering Canada’s new electric-vehicle sales goal targets (10 percent share by 2025, 40 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040), the way in which we fuel our cars is set to change dramatically. “On a highway journey, gassing up is often viewed as a detriment to driving. But with an EV, drivers say they use that stopping point as a positive in their journey,” said Nino Di Cara, founder of Electric Autonomy Canada.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chargepoint-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162364" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chargepoint-2.jpg" alt="Charging Stations" width="2048" height="1365" /></a> <a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chargepoint.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162366" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chargepoint.jpg" alt="Charging Stations" width="2048" height="1365" /></a>

“They plan to make the most of that 10- to 40-minute stop to take a washroom break and check their emails,” he said.

These future roadside oases could be not only a place where you can stretch your legs and grab a meal, but also provide a spot for kids to play, and also where you can get a massage, adds Di Cara.

There’s a lifestyle that’ll develop down the line around how we fuel our EV cars and the stations will reflect that, much like the state of the art Nathan Phillips Square Bicycle Station—the sleekly designed $2.5-million award-winning project designed for the urban bike commuter’s lifestyle. This membership-based space features Toronto-inspired art on the walls, 170 bike parking spots, industrial-chic washrooms and even showers complete with towel service so members can freshen up from their commute before heading into the office.
<h3><strong>The design of EV charging stations</strong></h3>
Futuristic EV charging stations might conjure up visions of Jetsons-esque updates of current canopied gas stations, but Di Cara says there’s no reason EV charging stations can’t be enclosed. “The vehicles will all be electric—no gas pumps—so there’s no fumes or toxic fuels, so you could potentially charge your car indoors,” he said.

Di Cara points to some station designs in Europe and Asia as what prompted Electric Autonomy Canada to launch this competition.

“Canada can be a leader in this transition to EV charging stations,” he said.

The design entries will be judged by a panel of leading architects on innovation, design, sustainability and feasibility, and the best concept could be developed down the line.
<h3><strong>Today’s EV charging stations</strong></h3>
Today’s EV charging stations, like those from Petro-Canada’s Electric Highway—the first coast-to-coast EV fast charge network—feature standalone posts with the typical amenities nearby (restaurants and windshield washing stations and the like), a couple are equipped with dog parks. ONroute, the operator of 23 plazas along the 400 and 401 in Ontario, has yet to enter the EV charging market; the company is looking to have a plan in place for 2022.

For many suppliers, the current focus is pinpointing the best urban locations rather than developing amenities to cultivate the future lifestyle of how we fuel. “At FLO, our users tell us that in urban areas, EV charging is very convenient because it can be a passive or enabling activity: you park your car, plug in, and move on to whatever activity is on your agenda. Level 2 charging takes place while you shop, eat, watch your kids play sports, work, etc.,” said Vincent Lévesque, senior director of design and experience at FLO. Similarly, ChargePoint compares charging your car to plugging in your smartphone—you charge it wherever you are, when you’re not using it, close to existing amenities.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Photo-credit-GRIDSERVE-by-Bowman-Riley.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162371" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Photo-credit-GRIDSERVE-by-Bowman-Riley.jpg" alt="Charging Stations" width="1024" height="683" /></a> <a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ultra-fast-charging-station-Knudshoved_credit-Rasmus-Hjortshoj-COAST-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162370" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ultra-fast-charging-station-Knudshoved_credit-Rasmus-Hjortshoj-COAST-scaled.jpg" alt="Charging Stations" width="2560" height="1737" /></a> <a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ultra-fast-charging-stationcredit-Cobe-and-Rasmus-Hjortshoj-COAST1-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162369" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ultra-fast-charging-stationcredit-Cobe-and-Rasmus-Hjortshoj-COAST1-scaled.jpg" alt="Charging Stations" width="2560" height="1440" /></a>
<h3><strong>Retail partnership opportunities</strong></h3>
The area brands like ChargePoint and FLO are developing and seeing growth is in the form of synergistic partnerships. At ChargePoint, their ChargePoint Connections program has evolved from its beginnings as a free or discounted charging benefit to employees, to a program that enables businesses hosting a ChargePoint spot to connect with the public. In the case of retail store parking lot locations, Chargepoint Connections can now offer personalized discounts to drivers who plug in to charge.

“We’re working with retailers to bring this next level of experience to customers,” said Suzanne Goldberg, Canadian public policy director at ChargePoint. This year, they launched EcoCharge with IGA and Earth Day Canada, a network of 100 fast-charging stations at IGA locations throughout Quebec and New Brunswick. Besides providing an added service to a retailer’s customer base, hosting stations benefits the bottom line: research shows that the average time an EV driver spends in that retail store is 50 minutes longer than the average customer, and with increased shopping time, comes increased revenue.

“Stores are offering free charging at their FLO stations to members of their loyalty programs (such as at two locations of La Maison Simons), or even integrating charging stations with solar parking lots, to help get more renewables included,” said Lévesque.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Flo-station-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162367" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Flo-station-1.jpg" alt="Flo" width="747" height="1328" /></a> <a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Flo-Station-2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162368" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Flo-Station-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Flo" width="1920" height="2560" /></a>

The past few years of innovation have birthed strategic brand partnerships and design-forward innovations. Sweden will lead the way for another innovation: the world’s first electrified road that actively charges cars as they drive along it is scheduled to open in 2025.

“As the number of EV drivers grows, this is definitely an area where we can expect even more initiatives and creativity,” he said.
<h3><strong>Design Competition: The Electric Fuelling Station of the Future</strong></h3>
This design competition, hosted by Electric Autonomy Canada in partnership with Parkland, is looking to architects, engineers, landscape architects, designers and cross-disciplinary practitioners to reimagine today’s gas station as a highway oasis for electric-vehicle charging. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 15, 2021. A panel of industry experts will select the top three winners of the competition, who will receive $25,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

More than just a place to recharge

&lt;&gt;

Port Hope has such an abundance of rural charm and well-preserved architecture that it is surprising this town, once a bustling hub for trade and transportation, is a mere 80-minute drive from downtown Toronto. If you are yearning for a back-to-basics daytrip, then Port Hope is where you need to go. This one-day itinerary focuses on enjoying the simple things that Mother Nature offers, but there is also something for animal lovers and history buffs.

<strong>In the morning: </strong>Leave Toronto by 8:30 a.m. and drive east on Hwy. 401. You’ll arrive at your first stop, Port Hope’s Haute Goat, a little before 10 a.m. to enjoy its morning Goat Schmurgle. Named after the sound your heart makes when you snuggle a baby goat, this experience will have you helping to herd the farm’s Nigerian dwarf goats into a fenced-in spot where you can enjoy a cuddle —these social animals love getting the attention. Although it’s wrapped up for this season, make note to return next year for its Milk a Goat, Make Goat Cheese experience to truly feel like you’re living in the pioneer era. After schmurgling — the entire experience is about an hour — you can explore the farm on your own, admiring its Icelandic horses, alpacas and chickens.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Goats-Oct.2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-162185" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Goats-Oct.2.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover Port Hope" width="1170" height="1170" /></a>

<strong>Around noon:</strong> Road trips to rural towns never feel complete without making a pit stop at a chip truck. Piggies Fresh Cut Fries is a 15-minute drive east from Haute Goat on Northumberland County Road 74. It serves top-notch food truck staples (think burgers and hot dogs) but be sure to save room for some of its popular – and satisfyingly chewy – deep-fried cheese curds.

After, head south on County Road 28 to Stapleton’s Farm Market to pick up seasonal produce, butter tarts and its signature pickled veggies. If you head there now, you’ll also discover a quaint, seasonal pumpkin patch complete with corn stalks and straw bales.

<strong>In the afternoon: </strong>With your hunger sated by your chip stand meal and local treats, it’s time to get moving again. For those who prefer to be in the forest and drinking in the autumn colours, drive five minutes from the market to the Sylvan Glen Conservation Area. The park is just shy of five acres and features quiet trails that are easy to hike, and, with the Ganaraska River running through it, there are plenty of pretty spots to grab a seat to soak in the views.

[caption id="attachment_162183" align="alignnone" width="2048"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Beamish-Oct.2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162183" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Beamish-Oct.2.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover Port Hope" width="2048" height="1536" /></a> <span style="font-size: 16px;">If you are an architecture buff, you might want to visit downtown instead. You’ll find stunning 19th-century country homes on residential streets, while the downtown core is dotted with heritage buildings (along with friendly locals happy to share facts and tidbits about landmarks). A self-guided tour, available online from Visit Port Hope, provides the history of about 19 locales, such as the Smith Block, a building devastated by fire in 1980. The building’s façade was saved thanks to the efforts of Anita Blackwood and A.K. Sculthorpe, who rallied for its restoration. These two women are, in fact, credited with being at the core of preserving the town’s historical charm and appeal.</span>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_162184" align="alignnone" width="1600"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Capital-Oct.2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162184" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Capital-Oct.2.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover Port Hope" width="1600" height="1200" /></a> <span style="font-size: 16px;">If you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, pop into Happenstance Coffee Pub for a coffee or tea (and snatch up a loaf of its artisanal bread to bring home while you’re there). Need a snack? Cross the street and walk a block east to Dreamer’s Cafe to try its famous chocolate-pecan-caramel Crazy Cookie.</span>[/caption]

Next, hop back into your car and make your way to the Port Hope Fish Ladder. Until early October, upwards of 10,000 salmon make their way upstream to spawn (after which, most perish), followed by some 18,000 trout who make the migration from October through to mid-December. Expect to find yourself in awe of the circle of life as you cheer on their impressive efforts as they fling themselves up the Ganaraska River.

[caption id="attachment_162187" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Salmon-Oct.2-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-162187" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WH-Discover-PortHope-Salmon-Oct.2-scaled.jpg" alt="Ours to Discover Port Hope" width="2560" height="1493" /></a> <span style="font-size: 16px;">Next, drive the countryside roads to check out some of Port Hope’s barn quilts. The painted quilts, installed on barns, create a fun, scavenger hunt-inspired way to explore the town’s agricultural history. Use the trail map from Port Hope Tourism to guide you to these hand-painted gems.</span>[/caption]

<strong>In the evening:</strong> Your best bet is to make dinner reservations in advance. Try the Social Bar + Table for gastropub staples such as scotch eggs, fish tacos, fried chicken sandwiches and craft beer. Or try Beamish House Pub, where everyone besides your designated driver can enjoy one of the many beers on tap. Alternatively, before it closes for the season (usually mid to late October), head to the Port Hope Drive-in, which has been operating since 1947. Grab pogos and prings (their signature poutine made with onion rings) at its retro concession stand that looks straight out the movie “The Outsiders.” If the drive-in is closed, you can instead catch a flick after dinner at the Capitol Theatre, Port Hope’s historic venue built in 1930, which is one of the last atmospheric theatres – theatres decorated to evoke the feel of a specific era – still operating in North America.
<h3>For the drive</h3>
History lovers can get the lowdown on Port Hope and the surrounding area with the podcast “Discovering Yesterday,” a partnership between Port Hope Archives and Northumberland 89.7 FM. The 10-minute episodes feature guests such as the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority and delve into topics like the Port Hope floods that devastated the town in the 1930s. Alternatively, download the audiobook “Never Cry Wolf” by Canadian writer and environmentalist Farley Mowat, who spent many of his final years in Port Hope.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
Most restaurants, stores and attractions are open with reduced capacity. Note that the government-mandated proof of vaccination rule is in effect. Get more details from the Haliburton, Kawarthas, Pine Ridge District Health Unit at <em>hkpr.on.ca</em>.

&nbsp;

<strong>TIMELINE: Drive guide</strong>

<strong>8:30 a.m.</strong> Leave Toronto

Drive east on Hwy. 401

<strong>10 a.m.</strong> Haute Goat

<strong>12 p.m.</strong> Piggies Fresh Cut Fries

<strong>1 p.m.</strong> Stapleton’s Farm Market

<strong>2:00 p.m.</strong> Sylvan Glen Conservation Area or Historical Self-Guided Walking Tour Downtown

<strong>4:00 p.m.</strong> Port Hope Fish Ladder

<strong>4:30 p.m.</strong> Barn Quilt Tour

<strong>6 p.m.</strong> Beamish House Pub or The Social Bar + Table

<strong>7:45 p.m.</strong> Port Hope Drive-in

<strong>10 p.m.</strong> Drive back to Toronto

<em>NOTE: Times are suggestions only</em>.

Ours to Discover: Port Hope.. A daytrip to help you feel grounded

Ecoforest1

<em>About this series: With COVID-19 restrictions expected to ease over the next few months, Wheels wants to inspire you to get ready to explore – but only when it is safe to do so. This series of daytrips and weekend drives highlights great experiences you can have in the province once conditions allow and show you why Ontario is “Ours to Discover” this summer and beyond.</em>

Dubbed Ontario’s Garden, Norfolk County is where, thanks to the area’s fertile, sandy loam soil, you’ll find a cornucopia of the incredible fruit and vegetables the province is able to grow. The region was once part of the tobacco belt, but many of the county’s farms have since transitioned to produce such as soybeans, ginseng, grapes and corn. Composed of communities including Simcoe and Port Dover, Norfolk County also boasts Long Point, a 40-kilometre stretch of land that is a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve. Go for a two-day road trip to this region, and you may be so charmed by its rolling hills and natural beauty that you’ll want to call it home too.
<h3><strong>DAY ONE</strong></h3>
<strong>In the morning:</strong> Get in the car and head west via Hwy. 403. It’s only about a two-hour drive if you head directly to Norfolk, but you can make two worthwhile pit stops. First, detour to Wilsonville to visit Whistling Gardens. Walking the blissfully lush grounds of this botanical garden, bursting with blooms and greenery, will leave you feeling like you have switched into vacation mode.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/130118-floral-03.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-160909" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/130118-floral-03.jpg" alt="Norfolk County" width="1027" height="680" /></a>

The garden, home to North America’s largest public peony collection, features four kilometres of walking trails and covers 22-acres. Be sure to take one last cleansing breath before you get back behind the wheel for your next stop, one to address your grumbling tummy.

Head south to Simcoe for lunch at Lily’s Tacos. The restaurant’s generous portions of authentic Mexican tacos — carnitas, barbacoa, al pastor, lengua (beef tongue) and more — and its friendly owners will make you wish this a local gem was in your own neighbourhood.

<strong>In the afternoon:</strong> Your last stint behind the wheel brings you to your final destination of the day: Long Point Eco Adventures in Turkey Point Provincial Park, where you can be adventurous while surrounded by comfort. Book one of the cute pods for a cosy hideaway or go full out with glamping luxury in a Wilderness Suite. Spend the afternoon enjoying the property. You can go for a hike, take a honeybee-apiary tour, try some axe-throwing (reserve the tour and throwing in advance) or just take a breather and enjoy a nap or refresh under the outdoor shower. Check-in is at 4 p.m.

<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/glamppod.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-160911" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/glamppod.jpg" alt="Norfolk County" width="1200" height="800" /></a>

<strong>In the evening: </strong>Walk from Eco Adventures to nearby Burning Kiln Winery for dinner at Canned Heat. This 10-year-old winery stands on the site of a former tobacco farm’s repurposed tobacco kilns. Burning Kiln is renowned for creating an <em>appassimento</em> style of wine, where grapes are dehydrated for weeks or months to concentrate the sugars and create a stronger flavour, aroma and colour. When there’s great reds to be sipped, our go-to dinner is steak frites, but you can’t go wrong with the restaurant’s stellar burgers and pizzas either. Stroll back to your pod after dinner and relax by the fire pit.

[caption id="attachment_160912" align="alignnone" width="2560"]<a href="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Burning-Kiln-winery112-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-160912" src="http://d3odfdcwc42kff.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Burning-Kiln-winery112-scaled.jpg" alt="Norfolk County" width="2560" height="1703" /></a> St. Williams, Ontario - Wednesday Aug 21, 2013 A decorative cask at Burning Kiln winery in St. Williams, Wednesday. Mathew McCarthy, Record staff - see story by Valerie Hill. Request # ¥ Local News<br />3:54:24 PM ¥ 13-08-21 ¥ St. Williams[/caption]
<h3><strong>DAY TWO</strong></h3>
<strong>In the morning:</strong> After breakfast, pack up the car and head about a half-hour southwest to Sand Hill Park. Located in Port Burwell, the province’s largest sand pile strikingly towers 350 feet above the north shore of Lake Erie. Climb to the top to take in the views, then kick back on the beach at this family-friendly park.

<strong>In the afternoon: </strong>Circle back east to Port Dover for lunch. You’d be remiss to not enjoy any Lake Erie perch while out here, so hit up Knechtels on the Beach for a perch snack box. To wash it down, try a Port Dover signature drink: The Orange Glow is a sweet orange soda from The Arbor, a fast-food joint that’s been around since 1919. After lunch, explore the pier and the Port Dover Lighthouse, and take a walk along the beach. The real palm trees by the Beach House Restaurant will make it feel like you are in the Caribbean.

Before you get back on Hwy. 403 for your drive to Toronto, make sure to stop just off of Hwy. 6 in Jarvis to pick up some craft beer to bring home from Concession Road Brewing Co. Founders Jeff and Shannon Bunton launched their brewery, the first and only one in Haldimand County, three years ago in the town’s old fire hall and have brewed more than 100 types of beer in that time.
<h3>For the drive</h3>
Press play on the Curated Past, a podcast produced by Norfolk County museums and available on Spotify, to learn about the area’s heritage and culture, such as an infamous 1950 bank robbery. If you prefer music, try some Mumford and Sons. The band chose Norfolk County as a stop on their Gentleman of the Road Tour in 2013, as they were drawn to the town’s roots in folk music.
<h3>COVID-19 need to know</h3>
The region is currently in Step 3 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. Visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit for more information (<em>hnhu.org</em>).
<h3><strong>TIMELINE: </strong>Drive guide</h3>
<strong>Day One</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><strong> 8:30 a.m.</strong> Leave Toronto</li>
</ul>
Drive Hwy. 403 West

Turn south of Hwy. 18 before Brantford

Take Cockshutt Rd to Concession 3 Townsend
<ul>
 	<li><strong> 10 a.m.</strong> Whistling Gardens</li>
 	<li><strong> 12:30 p.m.</strong> Lily’s Tacos</li>
 	<li><strong> 2 p.m.</strong> Long Point Eco-Adventures</li>
 	<li><strong> 6 p.m.</strong> Burning Kiln Winery and Canned Heat</li>
 	<li><strong> 8:30 p.m.</strong> Sit by the fire pit</li>
</ul>
<strong> Day two</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><strong> 9 a.m.</strong> Sand Hills Park</li>
 	<li><strong> 12:30 p.m.</strong> Port Dover</li>
 	<li><strong> 3 p.m.</strong> Concession Road Brewing Co.</li>
 	<li><strong> 3:30 p.m.</strong> Drive back to Toronto</li>
</ul>
<em>NOTE: Times are suggestions only</em>

Karen Kwan

Articles by Karen Kwan

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