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Tour #1: Norfolk County From Waterford, head down the old 24 highway, through Bloomsburg,
and turn
left at the New Hwy. 24. Proceed south until you enter the historic town of
Simcoe. If
you continue to head south on the New Highway 24, which turns into Simcoe's
Norfolk Street, you will drive by the historic Lynnwood Park. At the edge of
the park, on the corner of Norfolk St. and Wilson Ave., the structure of
carefully crafted brick and mortar is better known to local residents as the
Carillon Tower. The tower was built in 1925, in honour of those that served
during WWI, and it is one of only four carillon towers in North America.
Simcoe is also home to the Alligator Tug (Argyle St. Bridge) and the Eva Donly
Brook Museum (109 Norfolk St. S.). If
you wish to explore a bit of nature head south on the New 24 Hwy (Norfolk St.)
to find the Simcoe access point for the Lynn Valley Trail. You will drive past
the Eva Donly Brook Museum (left), Blue Elephant (right), Victoria Street, and
the White horse Plaza (right). Continue
heading south until Decou Rd. - turn left. The access point is on Decou Rd and
it will be on the right hand side. You
can make your journey from Simcoe to Port Dover one to remember by choosing to
hike down the Lynn Valley trail. There is an access point at the edge of
Simcoe and the walk from Simcoe to Port Dover (Starting at the Lynn Valley
access point) is approximately 8 km. The
trail is composed of four trestle bridges, historic trails that were once
trekked by eager pioneers, and endless rows of rich Carolinian flora and
fauna. Once you reach Port Dover check out the Harbour Front Museum (44
Harbour St.) or simply enjoy a walk out onto the picturesque pier. From the
pier, if you look to your right, on a clear day you should be able to see a
panoramic view of the very shoreline that you will soon be discovering on your
journey down Front Rd and the Talbot Trail. Take
Hwy 6 out of Port Dover until you reach the New 24 Hwy. Turn left and head
south on the New 24 Hwy. When you
reach County Rd. 10- turn left (You want to head toward Turkey Point).
Once you are on County Rd. 10, watch the right hand side for a sign
that says St. Williams. Turn right onto Front Rd. and continue to head west
along Norfolk County's beautiful lakeshore. Talbot
Trail is a scenic route to hike, cycle, or drive. This route, elegantly
garnished with lush vegetation, will carry your eager eyes through St.
Williams, Port Royal, and leave you to enjoy the quaint beach surroundings of
Port Rowan. If you are feeling a
bit adventurous you might want to turn right at County Rd 52. At the end of
this road you can enjoy a day or even camp for the night at the historic
Backus Mill. Backus Mill is home to one of the largest sites of Carolinian
Forest in Southern Ontario. Continue
heading west on Front Rd. (County Rd. 10) until you meet County Highway 59.
Turn left at this intersection and proceed south into Norfolk's ecological
haven- Long Point. Long Point is home to the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Here you will discover the power of Mother Nature as you place your eyes upon Long Point's diverse topography; Long Point provides the unique opportunity to view beaches, sand dunes, grassy ridges, woodlands, marshes, and ponds. Enjoy an afternoon at the Long Point Bird Observatory Field Station where you can either watch the busy bird banders or relax in one of the many picnic and camping areas. Tour #2: Elgin County: To
get to Hawk’s Cliff, follow #4 Highway (Sunset Road) from London to the edge
of Port Stanley, where you'll turn onto #24 Highway or Dexter Line until you
reach Hawk Cliff Road. From
Hawk's Cliff, you will continue east on Dexter Line until you reach #36 and
turn north. #36 becomes Quaker Road and will take you into the historic
Village of Sparta. After
visiting Sparta, you can travel north on Quaker Road until you reach Fruit
Ridge Line and turn left. Here you will be able to visit a Rhea bird farm, the
Quai du vin Winery or pick your own apples from any one of the local orchards.
Continuing to travel west on Fruit Ridge Line
will connect you back with #4 Highway (Sunset Road.) This
route provides you with a pleasant and relaxing way to enjoy the display of
seasonal colours.
Tour
#3: Length:
2 hours with no stops - approximately 100 km round trip If
unspoiled Georgian Bay vistas dressed in autumn colours are your pet
photograph project then this is
the Fall Tour for you. Begin your drive at the Marine Rail Museum /Owen Sound
Visitor Centre at 1155 1st Avenue West in the City of Owen Sound. Easy
to find, the Museum shares space in the historic CN Rail Station with the Owen
Sound Visitor's Centre located on the west Harbour wall. Check out the Kennedy
Foundry exhibit and pick up a map that will guide you along this route. Turn
right onto 1st Ave West and follow the left curve onto 14th Street West. At
the lights turn right onto the Eddie Sargent Parkway (3rd Ave. West). This
road becomes Grey Road #1 - the North Grey Scenic Route. Watch for the blue
and white scenic route signs, as you go. On your left will be the Owen Sound
Golf and Country Club and on your right is the Sarawak Picnic Area.. Continue
until you arrive at Indian Falls Conservation Area, on your left. Park in the
lot and take a scenic 1 km hike to the Falls through the trees. To view the
Falls turn left onto Grey #1 as you exit Indian Falls CA and follow along for
approximately 10 km until you reach Grey County #26. Turn right and enjoy that
beautiful view! Continue
along # 26 (which turns into
Island View Drive) for another 10 km and you will come to Centennial Park. A
steep asphalt drive will take you down to the water's edge where there are
picnic tables, washrooms and a playground. 1/2 km further on is the Keppel
Croft Farm and Gardens a must see, less than a km further is Big Bay - home to
the famous General Store with their homemade ice cream and the large
government dock, from where you can view White Cloud, Griffith and Hay
Islands, huge outcroppings of the Escarpment .Travel another 6 km and you will
come to the Skinner's Bluff Lookout . This affords a spectacular view of
Colpoys Bay and the fall colours along the escarpment ridge behind you and
Colpoy's ridge across the Bay. Here you can read about the shipwreck of the
Jane Miller. The next 6 km bring you to Bruce's Caves Conservation Area. Take
the left fork to the picnic area. Here 240 acres of hardwood forest provide a
blaze of colour unsurpassed anywhere, with the caves amongst them, carved out
by wave action of prehistoric Lake Algonquin. Another 1.5 km brings you to the
hamlet of Oxenden, originally an Ojibway settlement around 1852. A left turn
here will bring you to Gleasonbrook Pottery and just up the road the
delightful old Oxenden Schoolhouse -cum-Tea Room and Antique shop. Retrace
your steps onto Island View Drive (Grey 26) and continue past the
Wiarton-Keppel country airport - visitors are welcome. Island View Drive ends
as you enter Wiarton on Frank Street. At the junction of Berford Street, turn
left and follow Hwy. 6 through to Springmount . As you approach Springmount,
the Visitor Centre and the Jones Falls Conservation area is on your left. Park
in the lot and take the short trail down to the Falls as they roar over a
cliff in the Escarpment. Turn left out of the Visitor Centre parking lot. Back
onto Hwy # 6,continue through the lights onto the bypass road, follow through
to Inglis Falls road. Turn left and proceed a short distance to the park
entrance on your right. Here you can enjoy another spectacular cataract and
views of the Escarpment dressed in fall finery. There are trails, picnic
shelter, washrooms and a gift shop here. Retrace your steps to the bypass
road, turn left and come to Hwy # 6 at Rockford where turning left will return
you to Owen Sound. This
route will take you past a few artisan studios', detailed maps are available locally. Tour
#4: Length:
3-4 hours approximately 160 kms round trip Begin your tour in the quaint village of Flesherton at the junction of Hwy 10 and County Rd. 4. At the stoplights (only one set) turn east onto Country Rd #4 and proceed along to County Rd. 13, turn left (north) and proceed to the village of Eugenia, home to Eugenia Falls Conservation area, where the Beaver River plunges 80 feet to the valley floor below. There are trails and an observation walkway here where you can enjoy the colours and the escarpment vista. Back
to County #13, turn left and proceed a short distance north to the Beaver
Valley Lookout on your left. There is a parking area here where you can look
to the west and north and see the valley for miles with the Escarpment wall
towering above. This is definitely a Kodak moment in the Fall of the year.
Turn left out of the parking lot and follow # 13 through the village of
Kimberley with the majestic Old Baldy escarpment ridge looming on your right.
Here the road takes you along the valley floor following the meandering Beaver
River, through Heathcote and into Clarksburg and then Thornbury . At the
junction of Hwy #26 at the lights in Thornbury , turn right and over the
bridge and turn into the dam parking over the bridge. You may see fish
attempting to go up the ladder to spawn. Turn left out of the dam lot onto
Hwy. 26 and follow along to the town of Meaford. From Kimberley through to
Meaford you are in Grey County Apple Country where 25% of Ontario's apples are
produced annually. Fall is harvest time and the area is busy with scenes of
harvest, roadside stands, festivals and Thanksgiving church suppers. Depending
on the time of your tour, you may experience the Annual Scarecrow Invasion or the Apple Harvest Craft Show and Quilt Auction in the Town of Meaford.
Scarecrows are everywhere: on mailboxes, front porches, balconies, and
storefronts. Go into Meaford and take a few minutes to visit their harbour and
the gardens along the harbour walk. Retrace your route back to the main street
turn left (east) and proceed back to the stoplights at the eastern edge of
Town. Turn right onto County Road 7 and follow along this historic route past
Frog's Hollow until you reach the Epping Lookout. Pull in here and read about John Muir, the famous conservationist and look out over the spectacular Beaver Valley eastwards towards Blue Mountain, with it's patchwork of fields. Leaving the lookout turn left and continue along County Road 7 until you reach Talisman Resort, perched on the western Escarpment wall. Turn around here and retrace your route back to the road immediately north of the Epping Lookout, turn left and go to the next road (then 7th line) turn right and follow the 7th line through to County Rd 40. Turn left (west) onto # 40 and proceed to the village of Walter's Falls. Here there is a beautiful waterfall, well worth a visit. Before you cross the bridge by the old Mill you can locate the Falls by taking the first street to the right and parking at the end by the Mill. Look for the red bridge. You will be standing on top of the waterfall. Follow
County Rd 29 out of the village until you come to County Rd. 18, turn right
onto # 18, you are now deep in the Queen's Valley, an area of rolling
farmlands, dotted with stands of trees and home to the Bognor Marsh, a major
wetland area. Follow # 18 back to Hwy 26 at Woodford, turn left (west) onto
Hwy. 26 and drive along until you come to the Annan road., Grey County # 20.
Turn right onto # 20 and follow to the village of Annan, turn left again and
proceed a short distance to the historical village of Leith on the shores of
Paynter's Bay. Leith is the boyhood home of Canada's famous painter Tom
Thomson. Tom's last resting place is in the pioneer cemetery next to historic
Leith United Church. Come back to the sideroad from the Church, turn left into
the village, turn left again at the General Store onto County Rd. 15. . Follow
along a few kms and pass by the Hibou Conservation Area. Here is a wonderful
little beach day-use area where you could rest and relax a few minutes and
enjoy the view of the bay. Turn
right as you exit Hibou and that road (County 15) will bring you into the
outskirts of Owen Sound at 28th Avenue East which will bring you back to Hwy.#
26. Turn right, follow the Highway through Owen Sound
and pick up Hwy. 6 & 10 at the southern outskirts and follow until
Chatsworth, take Hwy. 10 back to Flesherton and then home. Tour
#5: Time:
2-3 hours. Start
your fall colour journey in the village of Markdale on Hwy. #10. Known as the
centre of Grey County, this is a thriving village well stocked with very good
examples of turn-of-the-century architecture, as a little side tour around
town will show. Markdale also
hosts famous Chapman's Ice Cream and the popular Ice Cream Festival in early
August. At
the stoplights in Markdale (only one set in town) the junction of Hwy # 10 and
County Road 12, turn west onto Grey County Road #12. You are now in the new
municipality of West Grey, the largest township in the county. Proceed along
County Rd. 12 until you come to Traverston Road. Turn left and follow along a
short distance until you round a bend and descend into a gorge cut out by the
rocky Saugeen River. Pass over an old iron suspension bridge and rising
up to your right is a
beautifully restored old wooden three-storey mill. Some very old original
buildings are nearby, silent reminders of an earlier, simpler time. This is
another of those Kodak moments. Continue
through to the T intersection, turn left and then a sharp right onto Baptist
Church Road. As
you travel along through this area you are in the valley of the mighty Saugeen
River and its four branches. Rolling farmland is interspersed with stands of
cedar forest, dotted with small inland lakes and many wetlands. Many of Grey
County's rare ferns and orchids are found within this region. Fly-fishing
knows no equal to these cold water streams that yield up many a tasty treat.
Proceeding along Baptist Church Road, you will come to the Grey County
Archives. Drop in for a bit of local history and browse their bookshop, an
interesting stop on your tour. Continue and come to Grey County Rd. # 4. Turn
right and enjoy the colours as you travel along into the town of Durham. Park
your car and take a short walk around the main street to see several murals
and the scenic river parks that characterize this river town. Once home to
seven mills within its borders, only one remains, presiding over the
conservation park swimming area and heritage bridge. Drive north on Hwy. # 6
for approximately 5 kms and you will come to the Rocky Saugeen. Just on the
left is a beautiful stone mill set in a backdrop of trees this is a
breathtaking view at any time of year, especially beautiful in the fall. A
little wayside park is on the right side of the road if you wish to take any
photos. Back on Highway # 6 head north over the bridge, turn left. At
the first road, and follow this road through rolling farms to Grey County Road
# 3. Turn left at this intersection and follow #3 south, over County #4 to the
junction of County Road 16. Turn right here and enjoy the prosperous farms and
stone houses. Proceed along, enjoying the wildflowers and trees and you will
come to the historic village of Neustadt. Here a brief stop is required to
take in the Old World ambiance of the village. Named by Harrowsmith Magazine
as one of Canada's prettiest villages in 2001, the quaint buildings house
shops with all kinds of unusual finds. A visit to the Neustadt Springs Brewery
built in 1859 by 40 stonemasons and designated as an Ontario heritage building
in 1975 is a must and if you call ahead a tour of their famous caverns can be
arranged. Neustadt is the birthplace of the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker,
Canada's 15th Prime Minister. The Diefenbaker House located on Barbara Street
has also been designated a heritage building and currently houses the Royal
Historical Society Museum. Complete this tour by following County Road 10
north out of the Village and watch for the Conservation Area sign. Turn right
at the sign and go a short distance to the Saugeen Conservation Headquarters.
Here is a wonderland of ponds, treed trails and wildlife that will delight
you. There is a picnic area here as well. Turn left out of the HQ parking lot
and go to the first crossroads, turn left and follow through until you reach
Grey County #4. Turn right and follow # 4 through Durham, Priceville and
Ceylon until you come to Flesherton on Hwy. 10. You can turn left and continue
back to the starting point in Markdale or find your way home from Flesherton.
Tour #6: Elmira and St. Jacobs Length
of tour - 42 km
Time - 50 minutes Your
tour begins in the village of St. Jacobs located on the banks of the Conestogo
River, a tributary of the Grand River. Proceed
north on King Street to Sawmill Road and turn right. Continue to the village
of Conestogo and at Northfield Drive, turn left. Follow Northfield for
approximately 4 km and turn right at Jiggs Hollow Road. As
you follow along Jiggs Hollow, you will pass a little red one-room schoolhouse
used by the Old Order Mennonite children living on nearby farms. A
bit further along this road, after you have gone down one hill and up another,
look to your right and you will have a breathtaking view of the "Kissing
Bridge," the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. The bridge is a
198-foot span across the Grand River, built in 1881. If it is a clear sunny
day, you will be able to see the bridge reflected in the waters of the Grand,
and this along with the red and gold of the sugar maples, is a great photo
opportunity. Turn right onto Hill Street, this will take you into the tranquil
village of West Montrose. At
the bottom of the hill turn right on to Covered Bridge Drive. You can drive
over the bridge, or park your car and walk across. When you drive over the
bridge, you will follow the road around to the left; this is Rivers Edge
Drive. At the next stop sign, turn left onto Katherine Street North, and then
almost immediately turn left, onto Line 86. Look to the left as you are
crossing the bridge and you will see the other side of the "Kissing
Bridge." Along
Line 86, as you are driving to Elmira, the sugar maple bushes you see as a
backdrop to the farmland provide the golden maple syrup served at the Elmira
Maple Syrup Festival held each spring. You may want to stop for a stroll
through the town of Elmira. The parking lot off Church Street (Line 86 turns
into Church Street in Elmira) provides parking for horses and buggies, as well
as for other vehicles. You will leave Elmira on Church Street West, which will
again become Line 86. In
the hamlet of Wallenstein, turn left at the Wallenstein General Store onto
Herrgott Road. The fields in this area are worked using horses and old-fashioned
farm machinery. Turn
left at Broadway Street into Hawkesville; continue through the village and
beyond. At Hemlock Hill Drive (Woolwich Road 23) turn right, the Conestogo
River will be on your right. At
Three Bridges Road turn right, and cross over Hawkesville Road, on your right
you will see an Old Order Mennonite Meetinghouse. The trees along the river
provide a colourful backdrop for the white clapboard church, which is
surrounded by a parking lot for horses and buggies. A
little further along you will drive over a seven-span concrete low-level Old
Order Mennonite Buggy Bridge, located next to the St. Jacobs Dam. The surface
of the one-lane bridge is only about two feet above the normal river level,
and there are no railings because the river floods at this point each spring.
The first dam on this site was built in the 1840s to provide power for a
sawmill. After
crossing the bridge, turn left at Henry Street and you are back in St. Jacobs.
Turn left onto King Street North and you will be back at the starting point of
the tour.
Tour #7: Stratford & Perth T.J.
Dolan Natural Area, located on John Street, South: This natural area, formerly
the Old Grove, began the story of the parks system in Stratford.
From chipper yellow daffodils in the spring to the brilliant fall
foliage, young and old enjoy the natural area.
The natural area offers well-marked trails that meander beside the Avon
River under a canopy of pine and maple trees.
The area consists of North and South River trail loops, with several
side trails. Free parking is
available. Travel
north on John Street, until you reach Huron Street. Head west on Huron Street.
Huron Street becomes Hwy 8 (approximately 6km.)
Head southwest on Hwy 130 (before Sebringville).
Continue on Hwy 130 through Avonton (approximately 6km). Continue
on Hwy 130 to St. Marys (approximately 12km).
Hwy 130 becomes James Street North.
James Street snakes around Kin Park and Trout Creek.
Head south on Church Street North.
At Queen Street, head east to McCully's Hill Farm.
From fall colours in the sugarbush to a sea of orange in the pumpkin
fields, there's lots to see and do from late September to Halloween.
Continue
East on Perth Line 9. At the
intersection of Perth Line 9 and Hwy 7/19, continue straight through the
intersection to enter Wildwood Conservation Area. Return
to the intersection of Perth Line 9 and Hwy 7/19. Head north on Hwy 7/19 (approximately 16km.)
Upon entering Stratford, Hwy 7/19 becomes Erie Street.
Stratford
boasts numerous fine-dining establishments, which range from relaxed pubs and
cafés, to elegant and innovative haut cuisine.
For those who prefer to dine under the willows around the picturesque
Avon River, many of Stratford's restaurants take picnic orders.
Stratford's restaurants are certain to please any palate.
Before venturing off into the countryside for the afternoon, visit the
fabulous exhibits at the Stratford-Perth Museum (270 Water Street) or Gallery
Stratford (54 Romeo Street). Following
lunch, head northeast on Mornington Street, which becomes Hwy 19
(approximately 5km).
Head east on Hwy 43 through Amulree (approximately 8km). Amulree is
situated in Perth East and was named after a church in Perthshire, Scotland.
The majority of the settlers immigrated from Perthshire.
The post office opened in January of 1864.
Initially, 50 people resided in Amulree, but by 1888, the population
had increased to 210 residents. The
population dropped prior to World War I, yet Amulree remained a centre for the
lumber business for many years. Continue
East on Hwy 43 through Ratzburg. Situated in Perth East, this rural community
was named after settler George Ratzburg, who owned the property for several
years. This small hamlet is one
of the few German settlements in a township which is predominantly Scottish. Continue
on Hwy 43 to Phillipsburg (approximately 10km). Head northwest on Hwy 5.
Continue through to Wellesley (approximately 6km), a picturesque
village situated in the Upper Nith River Valley, a tributary of the Grand
River. The railways bypassed the
area; therefore, while other areas prospered, most of Wellesley Township
remained rural. To this day,
productive farms cover the vast majority of the township.
The Wellesley Apple Butter &
Cheese Festival takes place on the last Saturday in September.
In Wellesley, the festivities begin with a pancake breakfast at the
crack of dawn (7am), and continue with a smorgasbord at noon, not to mention
the apple butter and apple cider available all day long.
Enjoy the food, while walking around the village and taking in the
sights: markets, quilt auction, stage coach tours, boat regatta, horseshoe
tournament and apple butter. Continue
on Hwy 5 to Crosshill (approximately 10km).
Head west on Hwy 11 to Millbank (approximately 10km). Mennonites and
Amish trace their roots to the Anabaptist wing of the reformation in the
sixteenth century. The township
of Perth east is home to many different groups of Mennonites who in turn
practice various traditions (e.g. horse & buggy, no electricity.)
Visit the quaint shops and take in the peaceful atmosphere. Head south on Hwy 7 to Poole (approximately 6km). Government surveyors, prior to settlers being present, created plans for the town of Poole. Settlement did not take place in the way it was planned. The town boasted a hotel, store, mechanics' shops, post office and several homes. It is believed that the community was named after Poole in Dorchestershire, England; however, in addition, a family with the name Poole inhabited the area. Continue on Hwy 7. Travel south on Hwy 119 and follow this highway into Stratford. Upon entering Stratford, Hwy 119 becomes Mornington Street (approximately 20km). Travel east on Lakeside Drive. Watch the graceful swans on the Avon River, while observing the gorgeous fall colours encircling the river. Meander into Meadow Rue Corner, a unique, public garden, which focuses on native plants and non-chemical techniques. Meadow Rue is located at the eastern end of the Avon River (Lower Queen's Park.) The design of Meadow Rue Corner provides for a sunny wildflower meadow, shady woodland habitat, and wet riparian planting, which blends with the natural features of tite. Specifically focus on the bright yellow cup plant, witch hazel shrub, golden rods, purple asters, serviceberry, maple trees and viburnum. The Stratford Festival of Canada, one of the world's leading repertory theatres, offers thought-provoking dramas, spirited comedies and spectacular musicals.
Tour
#8: When
it comes to driving up the Peninsula, there is more to it than Highway
6. By taking one of the scenic routes, you can escape the hurried highway and
surround yourself with our remarkable natural diversity. So
together, why don't we explore two of the best scenic routes for fall colour:
The East Route along Georgian Bay and the West Route closer to Lake Huron. I
think we've picked the best time make our excursion since it's the first
weekend of October. The leaves are usually looking their best from late in
September until just after Thanksgiving. Let's
begin our travels up the Lake Huron shoreline at Sauble Beach, one of the most
popular vacation spots in Ontario. It's famous for its 7 miles of public sandy
beach and bustling commercial sector. But watch as we approach Northern Sauble
Beach, following the Sauble Falls Parkway, and drive through pine forests to
Sauble Falls Provincial Park. This
is a wonderful place to picnic, camp, or enjoy the rapids. Sauble Falls is a
fish sanctuary, which means fishing, is prohibited. Watching the fish jump in
the falls is an interesting natural feature of the park for this time of year. As
we continue up the Sauble Falls Parkway, we can see the many coniferous trees,
as well as a few birch and ash. Watch for the unique sand dunes and
wildflowers at the roadsides. We're
now approaching the Oliphant intersection, but are continuing to head straight
north on what's called the Huron Road. If we were to turn left, we'd end up at
Lake Huron beach where cottages are plentiful, or if we turned right we would
soon reach Wiarton. As
we continue north of Oliphant, we pass many more coniferous trees, mixed in
with a few hardwoods. Passing through a wetland area be sure not to miss the
bird and plant life common to this type of ecosystem. Now,
at the 'Y' junction in the road we take the right curve around thebend. If we
took the left, we would come to the Red Bay Beach, a good place for a picnic,
swim, or boat ride. Before we hit the Howdenvale intersection, keep an eye out
for more colours in this group of deciduous trees. At
the intersection, we are turning right onto the Howdenvale Road where the
colourful beauty continues. Not too far down the road we reach another fork
and then take the left turn onto the Daddy Weir Road. Keep your eyes peeled
for more wildlife, wildflowers, and beautiful leaves of maples, birch, ash,
and others. The bush here is dense and the road is winding. In some places,
the trees arch to form a canopy over the road. We
pass the small Pike Bay Community Centre (an old school house) and Pike Bay
United Church. Each of these buildings have been around for over one hundred
years and are very important to the heritage of the community. The church
still holds services every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. As
we approach the next corner, we a right-hand turn onto the Pike Bay Road, then
left again onto the Bury Road. Watch on your right-hand side for white picket
fences and horses grazing in the field. This farm is owned by Bill Graham, a
former halfback on in the CFL team, the Hamilton Tiger Cats. The
breed of horses raised here is quite special, especially to Canada. These
Canadian Horses are the official horse of the country. With the help of people
like Bill Graham and his wife Pat, the little known and almost extinct breed
is gradually restoring itself to its former fame and prominence in the equine
world. Continuing
our drive we pass a few other farms and pasture land. Agriculture is one of
the most important industries for Bruce County and the peninsula. As you can
see, beef cattle are the main type of livestock. Next
let's turn left onto the Spry Road, passing several more farms as we head west
towards Spry. Spry is another one of the several small hamlets or communities
that give the Bruce Peninsula such character and close ties between its
people. At
the Spry corner, we turn right onto the West Road which winds and curves
through the forest until we hit the next intersection and we continue straight
north onto the Stokes Bay road. This
drive takes us through the village of Stokes Bay and along the Stokes river.
It's a perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of a heron or Canadian Geese in
the wetland. Our
drive concludes as we exit Stokes Bay and after a few kilometres further
north, we find ourselves at Colonel Clark's Tavern. We can stop here for a
bite to eat or by turning right onto Lindsay Road 5, head out to Highway 6. Tour
#9: For
our second scenic drive, the 'East Route', we begin at the Spirit Rock
Conservation area, just north of Wiarton on Highway 6. This
is the site of The Corran, a former mansion and barn that was built by
Alexander McNeill in the late 1800's. It is an interesting spot to explore and
many trails surround One trail takes us down a spiral staircase over the rocky
escarpment to the shore of Colpoy's Bay. The leaves and wildflowers here are
spectacular in themselves, and if we're lucky we may see some wildlife. Climb
in and we'll start our drive. Turning onto Bruce County Road 9 at the first
curve in the road takes us through the village of Colpoy's Bay. See the
gorgeous view of the blue waters of the bay. Driving
up the road a little further we take our next turn-off (right) onto Bruce
County Road 18. This is an excellent place to view more amazing autumn leaves
through many hardwood trees. Next,
we turn left on the Purple Valley Road. See the Purple Valley Riding Stables
on your right, a great place for any horse lover to have a guided or
self-guided trail ride. We
take a right-hand turn on Coveney's Road, and make our way into the Cape
Croker Indian Reserve where some of the most beautiful fall colours of the
entire peninsula can be seen. When the road ends at the 'T', we take a left
back out of the reservation and onto McIver's Road, then right again on the
Purple Valley Road. Making
another left onto Waugh's Road takes us onto a tree-canopied sideroad. The
road ends and we turn right back onto Bruce County Road 9, heading north
again. Watch on both sides of the road as we pass by the Adair Quarry. Its
limestone is used all over the world, and was even shipped to the city of
Washington to be used in the Canadian Embassy building. Coming
up on our right hand side at the top of a hill is a great view of Hope Bay.
The different coloured leaves create a palette of yellows, oranges, reds and
browns before our very eyes. Just down the road is the Hope Bay nature
reserve, where one can find several species of plants and wildlife such as
deer, bears, and smaller critters. Our
road becomes surrounded by colour as we drive through a dense forested area
with much hardwood, especially maple and birch trees. We pass through the
village of Barrow Bay, and eventually approach Lion's Head. If we headed to
the shore and the marina, we could see a historic lighthouse. An
excellent place for hiking and viewing more nature is the Lion's Head
Provincial Nature Reserve. To get there, we could turn right onto Moore St.,
at the bottom of the hill of Lion's Head, but we'll keep on our path. Going
through Lion's Head, we catch a breathtaking view of Isthmus Bay on the
Isthmus Bay Road. Then, at the second intersection we go left and soon right
again onto the Forty Hills Road. This
road is historic and interesting in itself. Its many hills and corners is
where the Forty Hills Road gets its claim to fame, but it has been around as
long as the upper peninsula was inhabited, providing a route to Lion's Head. We
drive through the community of Cape Chin, and on our left see St. Margaret's
Chapel. It is a very important church to the community built in the 1930s and
fashioned after a similar church in Zaire. The quaint little Anglican chapel
is always open for visitors to enjoy, and still holds services in the summer
months, Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Let's
keep heading north on this road through more twists and turns, wetlands with
many cattails and a variety of trees. We end our route at the Dyer's Bay Road
where we can turn left and go to Highway 6. But
if we were feeling particularly adventurous, we could take the right hand turn
onto the Dyer's Bay Road, then right again at the 'T' junction and left into
the hamlet of Dyer's Bay along the shoreline road to Cabot Head. It's one of
the most popular places to hike the Bruce Trail, enjoy nature, and experience
a real lighthouse, which is over 100 years old. So that competes our tour. I feel so fortunate to have grown up on the Bruce Peninsula and I'm glad I had the opportunity to share some of it with you during this amazing fall season. Tour #10: Bruce County - Scenic Escarpment Route One
of the best times to visit Bruce County is in the late fall after the
magnificent array of colour has passed. The
calm warm waters of summer begin their transformation to winter.
Beautiful fall days are often intermixed with some of Mother Nature's
most wicked weather. Winds quickly shift to the northwest, waves crash into the
shoreline and seagulls ride the wind with ease. An awesome sight. The
sheer power, and energy that you can experience will take your breath away.
Become one with nature, get out and enjoy this spectacular time of
year. Several locations provide a
front row seat: Bruce Peninsula National Park, Gun Point, Lion's Head and all
Lake Huron beaches. The fall and winter are the perfect times to immerse yourself in the power of storm watching. Book into a quaint accommodation; take an astronomy lesson or photography course. The sky's the limit! Take
"The 40 Hills Road" (Bruce County Road 9) from Highway #6 (north of
Wiarton), through Albemarle and Eastnor Township to the Village of Lion's
Head. Then, north through Lion's Head to the Isthmus Bay Road, and left at
second intersection, then right at the first intersection to the "40
Hills Road" at the Eastnor/Lindsay Townline to the 5th Sideroad of
Lindsay and then the "East Road" to the 35th Sideroad of Lindsay
(The Dyer's Bay Road). Turn west to return to Highway #6 or east to the Cabot
Head Lighthouse Route.
Tour #11: Goderich The
Menesetung Walking Bridge spans the Maitland River and Valley and the colours
are breathtaking. Take Hwy #21 North to the north end of Goderich and turn
left on North Harbour Road. The Menesetung Bridge is just past the Maitland
Valley Golf Course on your right. If
you haven't had enough of the beach this summer, autumn is an ideal time to
stroll our uncrowded boardwalk and dip your toes into the refreshing waters of
Lake Huron. Fall colours leap out at you from the bluffs on which the Town of
Goderich sits. From Courthouse Square in the beautiful tree lined centre of
Goderich, take West Street, down the hill to the waterfront. Autumn is one of the most spectacular times for natural beauty in Goderich, "Canada's Prettiest Town." Please visit us mid September to mid October for some of the best colours in Southern Ontario. Tour #12: Beautiful Benmiller From
Goderich, take Highway #21 north out of Town and turn right at County Road
#31, just after the River Bridge. Turn right into Saltford and follow County
Road #31 to Benmiller. In Benmiller, you can stroll by the mill pond and visit
the historic Inn. Fall colors will surround you in the valley of Sharp's
Creek. After your visit to Benmiller, you can travel east on County Road #15
and experience gorgeous rural countryside vistas.
Tour #13: Trails of Kitchener-Waterloo For
the magnificence of fall in the city, visit Kitchener-Waterloo. You can begin
with the Steckle Woods Trail. From Wabanaki Drive, turn right on Manitou
Drive, then left on Bleams Road. The driveway for the parking lot is at
Steckle Park on the left side across from the Beckers and Coffee Time. This
trail has a wonderful display of wildflowers, like dark trilliums, yellow
trout lilies, pockets of bloodroot and May - apples. This 72-acre woodlot is
marked with white "T" blazes and there are a variety of side trails,
which take you deeper in to the forest. John Steckle placed a sign in these
woods when he used to own the property that said: "Enjoy the trilliums
while you're here, but leave them growing for next year." This trail is 1
KM in length and is suitable for walkers, only. Continue for more colours of the season onto the Iron Horse Trail. From the Steckle Woods Trail, turn right on Bleams Road then turn left onto Homer Watson Boulevard and travel along to Ottawa Street, turn right on Ottawa Street and then left onto Courtland Avenue. Then take a right on Borden Avenue and park along the side streets near Dundas Avenue and Nyberg Street. This recreational trail was formerly a railway, and it was call the Grand River Railway in 1914. Now called Iron horse Trail, it runs between Ottawa Street in Kitchener and Allen Street in Waterloo. The route passes through industrial and residential areas and through Victoria Park, which is ideal for picnics, walking and for viewing the fall colours. Don't miss Joseph Schneider Haus Museum along the way. This trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists and is wheelchair friendly.
Enjoy
a ride through a different world. Tired of sitting around you house being lazy
all summer? Pack up the car with
some snack, your bikes and take a tour around Oakville. Gairloch
Gallery located at 1306 Lakeshore Rd on the shore of lake Ontario combines art
and nature in a unique and interesting fashion. Take a guided walking tour of the garden to alert your senses
throughout the fall months, or hear a lecture by many famous artists including
three different artists touching on Penny Arcadia's; Suitcase Demonstrations;
touching on the lives of Bushmen, Carnies and Avon Ladies. Continue
along Lakeshore Rd. to Downtown Oakville.
Join the Downtown community on September 15th for the Autumn Festival.
Lakeshore Rd through Downtown is closed from 9am to 5pm to host the
different events that take place. Start
your day off with a pancake breakfast, take a hay ride, taste some wine,
delight your eyes with the art exhibits, shop at the sidewalk sale and at the
end of the day enjoy the corn roast. An
event enjoyed by young and old. More
interested in shopping; visit over 350 unique shopping establishments. Just
off of the main street, Lakeshore Rd. lies Oakville's Founding Home.
Erchless Estate, located at 8 Navy St, over looks the harbour and Lake
Ontario and consists of several buildings.
Step into the past with the Chisholm family home, which has been
furnished with rooms in 1920's style. Take
a leisurely stroll along the winding carriage path that weaves through the
beautiful gardens and old trees on the Estate.
The museum hosts a variety of special events, workshops, programs and
tours throughout the year. Continue your route and enjoy a peaceful drive
along the lakeshore and take a picnic in Oakville's Coronation Park.
The waterfront trail, which connects through Coronation Park, offers a
serene bike, walk or blade right along the lake.
Escape the humidity of the city and exercise in the breeze of Lake
Ontario. Bronte Village and the Sovereign House located just 2km west of
Coronation Park along Lakeshore Rd. are more perfect stops along the lakeshore
route. Bronte Village offers
quaint shops in another Downtown like setting.
Take a walk along the outer and inner harbour or the waterfront trail.
Simply cross over Bronte Creek turn left on West River St to indulge
yourself in history and art. A
short walk along a dirt path leads you to 7 West River St. and the Historic
Sovereign House. Built between 1825 and 1846, the Sovereign House was home to
one of Bronte's founding pioneers Charles Sovereign.
In 1910 it became home to famous Canadian novelist Mazo de la Roche,
who later wrote the Jalna series.
Come
to the Caledonia, Ontario area (just 15 minutes south of Hamilton on Hwy #6)
to see fall colours at their best along the Canadian Heritage Grand River.
While
you're taking in the Caledonia Fair, be sure to grab your camera and take a
walk on the towpath from Caledonia's landmark nine span bridge to the
Caledonia Dam through a park setting of trees of every variety. At the same
time view the Grand's large island of colourful trees. Or cross the nine span
bridge and take a walk on the new Ramsay Walkway on Forfar St. W. from the
Bridge to the Old Mill. This is truly a photographer's delight. The
new Riverwalk, running east from the Ramsay Walkway, should be ready by then
too. A walkway under the bridge will take you onto the new eastside Riverwalk
too. You may want to drive in both these directions, which is possible too.
The smells and sounds of the fairground activity are just across the river at
this viewpoint. An
old Caledonia street, Caithness St. East, is a pretty drive of fall colours
too. On the way to the Fairgrounds, don't miss these colourful trees, a part
of historic Caledonia since its development during the Grand River Navigation
Company days of the 1830 - 1860's era. Take this pretty Caithness St. E. on
past the Fairgrounds to Seneca Park, park your car and walk the Rotary
Riverside Trail, indeed beautiful and scenic during the fall season. Don't
stop looking for other fall colour views within Caledonia. They abound in this
beautiful little town of old stately homes, many brand new developments and
landmark buildings such as the old Town Hall, now known as Edinbrugh Square
Heritage and Cultural Centre and the 1908 Grand Trunk Train Station. Caledonia's
downtown area of boutique gift, antique, craft shoppes and restaurants are
ready always for browsing, shopping or stopping for something to drink or eat.
More
about Burlington
and Halton Conservation Halton offers a number of interpretive centres for the very best of fall colour in their area, including Mount Nemo, Rattlesnake Point, and Kelso/Glen Eden. Spectacular lookouts dotting the edge of towering cliffs on the Escarpment offer some of the best viewing of the spectacle of the fall season available, anywhere. Witness the rich backdrop of green ferns blanketing limestone boulders scattered among old growth forests, crevice caves and ancient cedars, some dated at a thousand years old. Complete your day with historical points of interest offered by the City of Burlington. Take an inside tour of St. Luke's Church built in 1834, with it's noteworthy stained glass windows. The brick Gothic style of St. Philippe's French Roman Catholic Church built in 1875 with unique detailed brick work and neo-classic bulls eye windows in it's tower. Or "The Gingerbread House," a coach house of board and batten construction, built by A.B.Coleman in 1893 featuring distinctive stained glass window shapes.
More
about St.
Catharines & Niagara Take
a scenic drive along the Niagara River Parkway or Welland Canal. Cycle or walk
one of our off road trails and enjoy the beauty of nature's palette. Niagara's
fall foliage begins late September through to mid-October. Tour
one of our award winning Niagara wineries filled with activity as the grape
harvest is brought in. Along the wine routes of St. Catharines, you will view
red maples, green and white ash trees, Norway maples and evergreens. St.
Catharines plays host to many festivals, and to start the fall season off
right, we begin with the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival in September. There are over 100
events including winery tours and tasting, concerts, Niagara cuisine, artisan
shows, family entertainment and one of Canada's largest parades. Ball's
Falls Thanksgiving Festival features over 150 juried artisans, handmade
one-of-a-kind gifts, live entertainment, children's activities & heritage
demonstrations, located in the Ball's Falls Conservation Area.
Fergus
Fall Fair (mid September) at the Fergus & District Community
Centre: Come out the
Fergus Fall Fair and enjoy a wide variety of activities and fun. There are all
kinds of exhibits to be seen, tractor pulls to watch and midway rides to
enjoy. This is all going on around you while you are immersed in the fall
colours of the Centre Wellington Countryside. Elora/
Fergus Studio Tour (early fall): The
artists of the Elora-Fergus Studio Tour are excited to invite you out for an
art-filled weekend. Follow the map that can be picked up at the Elora or
Fergus Information Centres upon your arrival. Watch for the signs on your self
guided creative adventure while you enjoy the beautiful fall colours along the
way. You will see the actual working studio of each artist you visit. A studio
can be a kitchen table, a cozy corner carved out of a home, a dedicated studio
building, or a collaborative workspace. Come
to Fergus/Elora to enjoy a wee bit of natural.
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