DAY TRIPS

Since retiring, Maxine and I have become avid day trippers throughout Eastern Ontario. Our trips usually focus on a light lunch at one of the many small tea rooms to be found in the many towns, villages and hamlets to be found in the area.  We also explore local historical sites, craft shops, antique stores or other interesting sites on the way to or from our lunch spot. 

            Needless to say, we frequent the back roads, often lose our way, meet lots of friendly and helpful people and generally enjoy ourselves.  In a way it reminds us of our attempts to get to know the various countries we have been posted to during our career in the Foreign Service, only this time we are learning more about our own home territory.

            You will also find the odd bakery, vineyard, restaurant or other unusual destination tucked in with the tearooms.  In sharing these tours we hope others will add their own discoveries so that when visitors arrive, or someone suggest a drive in country on a fine sunny day, you will have an answer to the question “where will we go?” Stay tuned, we will be adding more!

            TOUR ONE

            For starters, you might wish to begin with a short drive to the village of Manotick to visit Watsons Mill and The Miller’s Oven. While not, technically, a Tea Room the Millers Oven is a great little place for lunch or a snack, and run by seniors for the benefit of seniors.   

            To get to Manotick, take River Road (Regional Road 19) south to the traffic light at the junction of regional Road #8 (also called Mitch Owens Drive). Turn right toward the town of Manotick, cross the first bridge, and watch for Dickenson Street at the foot of the second bridge. Turn left on Dickenson Street and you will see the Mill on your left.

Watson’s Millwww.watsonsmill.com is a stone grist and flour mill, typical of the mills that provided prosperity to many of the villages in eastern Ontario in the mid-to-late late 1800’s.  The mill is open daily from early May until late October. There are guided tours and flour and bread made in the mill are occasionally available for purchase, as are handicrafts and souvenirs. Check the website for exact times and for special events that are held throughout the season.

            As you leave the Mill, it is a short walk to the left to The Millers Oven at 1137 Mill Street (613-692-4304). The Tea Room  is run by senior volunteers ,with the assistance of local students and grandkids with all proceeds going to support charitable programs, including those for seniors in the area .It is open from 9 to 4 seven days a week. Scones, muffins and home-made pies are always available-there is a lemon meringue pie with the highest meringue topping we have ever seen- , and lunch usually consists of soups, quiches and sandwiches. Prices are moderate, with soup, sandwich, tea and dessert usually coming in at under $15.00. It is a first-come, first served operation, so get there early for lunch if you want to get a piece of the lemon meringue pie.  It goes quickly.

            While in the vicinity you might want to check out Sun Tech Greenhouses at 5541 Dalmeny Road, which runs into Regional Road 19 just before you make the turn to Osgoode. Just head back over the bridges to River Road (regional road #19) and turn right (south).  Sun Tech is a hydroponic growing facility providing fresh, local tomatoes (and other vegetables) year round. Check out the web site at www.suntech.ca Telephone (613) 692-3388.

On your way to Sun Tech, there is a great little outdoor terrace restaurant right on the east bank of the Rideau River/Canal.  The name of the restaurant is “KELLY’S LANDING”. It is on Regional Road 19, just south of Manotick at 1980 River Road.  It is easy to miss, because the front is a gas bar/convenience store, but don’t let that stop you.  There is an entrance at the right front corner of the building which will lead down a few stairs to the dining area.  The terrace is also accessible by a flight of stairs on left side of the building.  This is a great spot to have lunch or an evening drink and watch the boats go by.  Best in fair weather, although there is a smaller enclosed dining area.   

TOUR TWO

Continuing our close to home tours, this one will take you to the village of Meltcalfe, which is in now incorporated into the City of Ottawa, and the Metcalfe Farmers Market.

You can reach Metcalfe by heading south on Bank Street (Hwy 31)      to Regional Road 6.  Turn left and head into the village.  At the 4 way stop (8^th Line Road), turn right and you will find the market on your left, in front of Osgoode High School 

            The market has been operating for 13 years and insists that all products offered for sale by the vendors must be made, grown or created by them.  There are both outdoor and indoor vendors; one of which is the small “Sunflower Café” where you can rest your feet while enjoying a hot or cold drink along with the home-made pastry or cake that you just bought. The market is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon from May to October.  Check out the website www.metcalfefm.com.

            If you are a gardener, you can stop in at Continental Mushroom and pick up some mushroom compost before you leave Metcalfe.  Continental Mushroom is located at 2545 9^th Line Road, Metcalfe. Detailed directions on the web at www.continentalmushroom.ca or telephone (613) 821-4769

TOUR THREE

This tour will take you south and west to the village of Balderson, between Perth and Lanark, and the Crossroads Tea Room. Check the website for the current menu at www.villageofbalderson.com/crossroads/menu.html. The Village of Balderson is a day destination itself with an antique store attached to the Tea Room, the historic Balderson Cheese outlet as well as a chocolate store, ice cream stand, children’s clothing, ladies wear, Amish furniture, a bakery and a country store.

            To get to Balderson, take 417 west and exit on Hwy 7 to Carleton Place and Perth.  In Perth, turn left onto County Road 511 until you reach Balderson.  The Tea Room is a left turn at the intersection, with plenty of free parking on the side. Telephone (613) 267-2151 for reservations, particularly on sunny Sundays!

            If you feel adventurous, you can head for home through the Lanark Highlands by following County Road 511 as far as Calabogie, then turn right on County Road 508 to the junction with HWY 17. Turn right and head for Ottawa.

TOUR FOUR

            This tour will take you even further west and into some recent Canadian Cold War history as you head for FOYMOUNT and the WHIP-POOR-WILL TEA ROOM and gift store.  The Tea Room is open 10a.m. to 4p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, except for Monday long weekends. The tea room seats about 50 and has a good variety of teas, some decadent desserts and light lunches. . It is located at 156 Sebastopol Drive in Foymount.  Don’t worry about finding it; Foymount is not very big! Telephone (613) 754-2768.

Foymount, on the other hand, may be a bit more difficult to find, but the roads are good and if you follow the signs, you should have no problem.  Start by taking HWY 417/17 west to Renfrew.  At Renfrew, take HWY 60 to EGANVILLE.  In Eganville, turn left on HWY 41 heading south toward DACRE. A kilometer or two from Eganville, turn right off HWY 41 onto County Road 512 toward Cormac and Foymount.

The village of Foymount dates back to the mid-1850s, but its more recent claim to fame was as a Radar Station in the Pine Tree Line from 1950 to 1974. For full details check out www.pinecone.on.ca/MAGAZINE/stories/foymount.html. You can stroll around the abandoned base to work off one of the “decadent desserts”.

Not to forget the happy shoppers, Foymount hosts a manufacturing facility of Black Water Designs, which produces outdoor clothing and accessories from the Sierra Brand.  There is, of course, a factory outlet store for you to browse in either before or after tea. Check out www.sierradesigns.com for a product list.  The retail store in Foymount is open 9-5 Monday to Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday year round. 

TOUR FIVE

This time we head back east to a very pleasant destination that is not a tea room, but is an authentic, rural, organic farm  restaurant which offers a great opportunity for a family Sunday experience. The place is Mariposa Farms, about an hour’s drive east of Ottawa near Plantagenet. Take HWY 417 east and ext onto HWY 174, just past the St Laurent Blvd. exit ,which turns into Hwy 17 east. As you approach Plantagenet, you will cross a large, overhead steel bridge over the Nation River.  The farm is 2 ½ kms past the bridge.  The entrance is on the left, so watch carefully; it is easy to miss.

Mariposa farms offers a limited menu of three appetizers, three main courses and three desserts.  The menu varies with the season, but always includes duck, which is the farm specialty, usually a pork dish, and seasonal vegetables and fruits. All the dishes are cooked in a big open, wood-fired fireplace in the dining room, which itself is in an old barn. Tea or coffee are include in the fixed price of $30.00 per person.  A major attraction is the fact you can bring your own wine, and the waiter will provide you with the necessary glasses, free of charge!

There is store that offers mousses, pates, homemade preserves, jams, jellies and frozen meat. Guests are free to wander the trails throughout the farm, skate on the creek in the winter, and just enjoy the tranquil country setting.

            Unfortunately, all this is only available on Sundays throughout the year.  Telephone (613) 673-5881 for reservations, which are highly recommended!  This place can get busy.  Check out the websitewww.mariposa-duck.on.ca.

TOUR SIX

Burnstown and Waba Cottage Museum

This tour has us heading west on Highway 417and 17 toward Arnprior.  About 18 kms past Arnprior, take a left turn on HWY 508 toward Calabogie.  The first village you come to is Burnstown, at the junction of HWYs 508 and 502 (also signed as 52).  Turn left at the stop sign and drive approximately 7 kms until you come to the WABA COTTAGE MUSEUM on the right hand side.  It is set back off the road a hundred meters or so on the shores of White Lake. There is a large sign on the road indicating the museum.

            The museum is centered on the reconstructed home of Laird Archibald McNab, a Scottish nobleman from whom McNab Township takes its name.  The museum consists of a two- story house restored to represent the original house when it was built around the 1820’s. A log school and a log church have been moved on to the museum site in recent years. The buildings sit on an eight acre site and are surrounded by well-tended grounds and a number of different theme gardens prepared and maintained by various volunteer groups, as is the museum itself. For those who prefer a picnic, there are several shaded picnic tables spread around the site.

            The volunteer museum staff is very knowledgeable about Laird McNab and his shenanigans in the colonies.  Staff are also pleased to provide a guided tour of the other buildings, which are furnished to represent a typical school and church of the late 1800’s.  An interesting side-light is that Frank Ryan, the founder of CFRA in Ottawa, actually attended the school.

 Admission is $2.00 per adult or $5.00 for a family.  Check the following website for opening times, special events, etc. www.mcnabbraeside.com/heritageandculture/museum.asp.

On leaving the Museum, turn left on Hwy 502(52) back toward Burnstown, named after Robbie Burns, another famous Scot.  Immediately after you cross HWY 508, on your right is the Black Bird Café, located in the old General Store. The décor in the café is eclectic with various goods, tins, and samples of items sold in the store lining the original shelves around the room.

 There is a varied menu serving soups, salads, sandwich platters and wraps.  The food is all home-made on the premises, and selections range in price from $3.00 for a soup to $16.00 for a seafood salad.  Most wraps and sandwich plates range from $11.00 to $13.00. 

Be warned, the servings are substantial, with sandwich or wraps coming with both a soup AND a salad.  For the faint of appetite, the owner, Christine Chevalier, will bring an extra soup and salad for those who wish to share one main entrée for an additional $5.00 per order. With an iced tea each to quench the thirst, Maxine and I opted to share one meal and ordered the beef and barley soup, a tossed salad and a chicken, brie, avocado and bacon wrap.  Maxine got the salad and half the wrap while I took the soup and the other half of the wrap.  It was more than adequate for both of us.  Topping the feast off with an excellent raspberry flan (more of a custard pie than what we would consider a flan) and chased with a pot of tea, the bill came to just over $30.00 with tip. For more on Burnstown check out www.burnstown.ca/village/index.html

To walk off the meal before heading back to Ottawa, you can stroll around the village shops which range from antiques, crafts, art galleries, woodworking, clothing and gifts. The run back home should take about an hour.

TOUR EIGHT

            Today’s trip is to the village of Vankleek Hill, about an hour east of Ottawa. If you have the time and perseverance, you could include it as part of Tour # 7 to Pointe Fortune. The quickest way to get to Vankleek Hill is to take HWY # 417 east toward Montreal. Take exit 27 and head north on Hwy # 34 toward Hawkesbury. Vankleek Hill is about 6 kms. As you enter the village, you will come to a traffic light. Turn right on Main Street and begin the tour.  From our house in Blackburn Hamlet it was exactly one hour to the village.

Vankleek Hill bills itself as “The Gingerbread Capital of Ontario”, referring to the architectural decorations on the older homes, not the sweet confections! The Gingerbread style of architecture is a type of lattice or fretwork decoration with many interesting variations on the houses.  This and the murals make a very interesting walking tour and some good photo opportunities, so be sure to take your camera.

Most of the shops along Main Street have copies of a brochure detailing the sites to visit, including several large murals located on the outside walls of the buildings.  Most of the murals depict an earlier time in the town.  We recommend you pick up a brochure, which includes a map, to make sure you don’t miss anything. There are several arts and crafts studios on Main Street, clothing boutiques, and a large gift shop, the Cottage Gift Shop, with 12 small rooms of assorted gifts.   There is a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the local high school on Hwy 34, at the south end of town.    

If you continue east on Main street, just past the built up area, you come to a flashing light at Terry Fox Drive.  Turn left and on your right in the local industrial park is “Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company”.  Beau’s is a small company run by the Beauchesne family that prides itself on brewing certified organic beers with local spring water. The brewery is open 7 days a week and visitors are welcome.  Beau’s provides an excellent tour from a very knowledgeable guide, and a free sample of the product called “Tractor Lug Beer”!!  If you are interested in craft beer, this is a place to visit; if beer is not your preference, Beau’s is still worth a visit to find out how beer is made.

Another interesting site is “Higginson’s Tower”, just off Hwy # 34 just south of the Main Street traffic light.  The tower was originally built in the 1830’s as the base for a wind powered grist mill.  Lacking sufficient wind to efficiently power the mill, it was converted to be used as a look-out during the Fenian raids, and was eventually enlarged to become an Observatory.  Guided tours with archaeological artifacts on display provide an interesting sidelight to our history.  Seventy steps up to the top of the tower will reward you with a great view of the surrounding countryside.

If the climb up the tower gets you thinking about food, there are a number of options.  We ate at “Mary’s Country Kitchen” at 22 Main Street, which offers light lunches from local ingredients. It is a cozy, small place that only has seating for 12, and does accept reservations (613-678-3984).  Options are limited, but there is always a home-made soup, a selection of deli-type sandwiches, and a variety of meat pies.  Lunch for two was $25.00 with service. There is also The Trillium Tea Room at 111Main Street with the usual sandwiches, desserts, scones and muffins, as well as Blueberry Hill Bistro and Nikko’s Resto-Bar at 16 and 17 High Street respectively, if you feel the need for something more substantial.

For a change of scenery on the way home,  continue North on Hwy # 34 toward Hawkesbury and connect with Hwy. # 17 West which will bring you back to Ottawa through Alfred, Rockland and Cumberland to connect with HWY. # 174 in Orleans.  This drive is quite scenic along the Ottawa River. 

TOUR NINE

This trip will take in some sports history, some Canadian history and one-or more- options for tea and a light lunch.

We begin by heading West on Highway 417 towards Arnprior. Approximately 50 kms from downtown Ottawa you will exit at the Kinburn side road ( exit 169 ) and turn south toward the village of Pakenham. About 6 kms. along, just as you are descending the hill into the village, you will see a five arched stone bridge crossing the Mississippi River. The bridge is advertised as the only five arch stone bridge in North America. There is a small parking lot that you can enter on your right just before you reach the ramp up to the bridge, which is a good place for photos. If the parking lot is full-or if you are not interested in photos- cross over the bridge, keep left into the village, and park on the street. For shoppers, there are a number of arts and craft stores, a general store and bakery, curiosities etc. to keep you busy for an hour or so.

If you are in the mood for a snack or a light lunch, you may want to try a family restaurant and gift shop named “Watt's Cooking”, 2496 County Road 29 (Main Street) Pakenham ON K0A 2X0 Tel. (613) 624-5442, which is on your left as you come over the bridge. Open from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Local ingredients are used whenever possible and the butter tarts are worth falling off your diet!

Back on the road again, we head east on County Road 29 toward Almonte. Watch for Clayton Road, approximately 12 kms. from Pakenham. Turn right on Clayton Road and drive for about 1.5 kms. to Ramsay Road. Turn right on Ramsay road and after approximately 1.7 kms. you will arrive at the Mill of Kintail Conservation area.

The museum is usually open from May 01 until Thanksgiving weekend. Check the website "Mill of Kintail" for details. The Mill of Kintail Museum is located in what was an 1830's Grist Mill on the Indian River that was converted to the country home of Dr. R.Tait McKenzie, a medical doctor, sculptor and philosopher. The Mill also contains the Naismith Museum, which is dedicated to Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball. Both Museums are operated under the authority of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. During the summer, Tea is served in the gardens on Wednesdays and Sundays. For further details check the website. There are also picnic facilities on the grounds around the museum if you wish to enjoy the country setting.

To return to Ottawa, retrace your route back to Country road 29, turn right toward Almonte, and follow 29 to the junction of County Road 49. Follow County Road 49 north (March Road) to the junction with Hwy. 417. Take 417 east to Ottawa.

TOUR TEN

As the first item of historical significance, Almonte was named after a Mexican General, Juan Almonte. For full details check out the town's website.

Many of the early settlements were developed around a mill. In this case, the town we now know as Almonte was an important centre for the textile industry in the 1800's. There is an informative and interesting museum, The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, located in the annex to the old Rosamond Woolen Company at 3 Rosamond St. East. Admission for adults is $5.00, while children under 12 are free. It has been officially designated a National Historic Site. Details at . In addition to exhibits related to the manufacture of wool, there are interactive exhibits for the children, a Photo Gallery, and Gift Shop.

Once you have completed your tour of the museum, there are two options for tea. Located at 8 Houston Drive, Almonte, the Waterford Tea Room is located in a contemporary style bungalow and is open 7 days a week. Sunday and Monday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Menu items include home made soups, sandwiches, quiches and a good variety of teas, including herbal tea. Vegetarian options are always on the menu and special diets can be managed with advance notice. Tel. 613-256-3294.

Robin’s Nest Tea Room, located in an historic stone building at 98 Mill St. is a smaller, Victorian style establishment. A good menu of desserts, light lunches,including vegetarian choices to accompany the excellent variety of teas is offered. There is a small gift shop. It is usually open Monday to Friday from 8 to 5; 9 to 4 on Saturdays. Closed Sunday. Call 613-256-4830 to confirm hours and availability.

To return to Ottawa, retrace the trip out, unless you still have remaining energy; in which case the Mill of Kintail is a short drive away. See tour #10 for details.

TOUR ELEVEN

            Today we will take you to the town of Morrisburg and the Upper Canada Playhouse.

To get to Morrisburg, head out south on Bank Street (which becomes Hwy 31) and keep on driving until you arrive at Morrisburg. It is about a one hour drive from Ottawa and is at the junction of Hwy. #31 and Hwy #2. As you arrive at the traffic lights in Morrisburg, turn right on Hwy.#2 and about 100 meters on your left you will see Upper Canada Theater. There are six plays for the 2011 season beginning in April and running through to mid October, with a special Christmas Holiday family show in December. Check the website for details and ticket availability and prices. Tel. 613-543-3713; or toll-free 877-550-3650. We usually book a matinee performance; drive down for an early lunch, take in the show and arrive back in Ottawa in time for dinner.

There are a number of good restaurants in town, but one of our favourites is called “The Basket Case”, located in a small Mall called the Morrisburg Plaza on Hwy #2 just east of the theater (tel.613-543-0002). The menu includes a wide variety of freshly made options, including a good variety of teas. There is also a gift shop selling paintings, photography, quilted and knit items, wood work, jewelry, and-of course-baskets!

Other dining options include The Macintosh Inn and Conference Centre ; The Nest Dining Lounge in Morrisburg Plaza tel. 613-543-3722; and Nick's Pub and Family Restaurant ; also in the Plaza at 73 Main Street tel 613-543-1012.

In the event that Summer Theatre is not your cup of tea, there are other things to do in and around Morrisburg. For starters, you could head east on Hwy. #2 for about 11 kms. until you come to Upper Canada Village, which is a well-presented replica of village life in Canada around the 1860’s. For more information check out the website "Upper Canada Village" . There is a fee to enter, and the place is BIG. . It is an ideal place for children, and you should plan on spending most of the day on site.

If Upper Canada Village is more than you had in mind for a leisurely afternoon, then check out "Crysler's Farm Battlefield" www.cryslersfarm.com It is adjacent to Upper Canada Village, about 12 km. east of Morrisburg on Hwy. #2. This is the site where US troops were defeated in their attempt to invade Canada during the war of 1812-14 on November 11 1813. There is a granite memorial on a mound flanked by two 24 pound cannons, a Battlefield Memorial Building, a mural of the battle and an audio-visual presentation and artifacts of the battle.

Having traveled this far, you may as well continue on east for a visit to the "Lost Villages Museum"Lost Villages Museum www.lostvillages.ca which is just off Hwy #2 and is 26 Kms. east of Morrisburg . Approximately 3 km. east of the village of Long Sault, watch for Fran La Flamme Drive on the right. Open only from June to September, the Museum is located in Ault Park, and is a memorial to the towns, farms and homesteads that were flooded and 6,500 people relocated as a consequence of a government decision to construct the St. Lawrence Seaway and the International Hydro Electric Project in the early 1950’s. There are 10 small heritage buildings, including an operating general store, a foot bridge and two fireplace barbeques made from brick and stone salvaged from the homes before they were inundated.

The locations listed on this tour are not far from Ottawa, but they are extensive. We would not expect anyone to cover them all in one day. We suggest you consider breaking it into two or three manageable sections that could be completed in two or more separate trips.