KIMbits & KATtales

I love to wander.

In my daydreams. On foot. On Ruby.

Over wooded paths, down mossy trails, on pavement and gravel roads.

When it comes to exploring, I tend to be the complete opposite of who I am in my ‘real life’. I make a living at conceptualizing, planning, and execution. My time at work is measured in seconds and in minutes, with a vision of where (my clients) need to be in one week, one month, one year.

When I’m out with Ruby, I’m simply in the moment. It’s such a sensual experience; the sights, the sounds the smells. Yeah, maybe I’m a bit of a dork, but there are often times when I find myself tearing up with the pure and raw emotions that being in the wind bring to my life. From another biker extending his (or her) hand in greeting as we pass each other going opposite directions to the welcoming embraces of fellow riders when we happen to meet at a Timmy’s or at a rest stop on our way to adventure, this community is as vast and as different as the countryside we explore.

A cat may have nine lives, but this KAT just has two: The person I was before I climbed on the back of a bike, and every moment since then. I’m an enigma of sorts, constantly finding myself battling between fear and courage, cocooning and wanderlust. It’s in the ‘somewhere’ between throwing my leg over Ruby and asking her where we’re headed and pulling out maps & notepads & googling everyplace where I – and many of my fellow riders – find myself stuck at times. 

Caught between a need to plan and the desire to just head out with no particular destination in mind, I often end up travelling the same local roads over and over again. Oh, it’s never a ‘wasted trip’ when you’re twisting a throttle, but it can pull you out of the moment and remove the joy from the most ordinary of adventures.

‘Planned spontaneity’…it’s what I’ve developed as a way for me to blend the two very different aspects of my personality and life together. I’ve watched many of you post pictures from your travels, listened to your tall tales, and visited places you’ve been just by sitting in front of my computer. You are creative and interesting at times, moderately crazy and colouring-outside-the-lines at others. And, based on some of your sharing, I’ve learned about some rather interesting things to add to my ‘BikeIt List’.

The five ideas below are a combination of the kind of planning and spontaneity that I crave when it comes to daytripping. They have very definite objectives in mind (or sights to see) but they also allow for a sense of unplanned adventure to creep into the mix, as well as a glorious excuse to explore the backroads and secondary highways of the province. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to approach these endeavors, and that’s the beauty of what makes them a ‘trail mix’ of a different kind….

The Labyrinth Trail

The Central Park Labyrinth in Burlington, Ontario. I love the idea of labyrinths and what they represent, so much so that I have one tattooed on the back of my left shoulder. 

For those of you who don’t know what a labyrinth is, according to a recent press release by the Labyrinth Society: “Existing for more than 4,000 years, labyrinths are mythological designs used for fertility rituals, symbolic pilgrimages, and spiritual practice. In a hyperactive world of constant connectivity, labyrinths are in resurgence as more people seek out sacred spaces that promote insight and inner wisdom. Labyrinths are also found in diverse environments, from schools, parks and prisons to corporate campuses in Silicon Valley. Churches are also building labyrinths as an alternative way to engage their community and facilitate spiritual practice.”

World Labyrinth Day is always held on the first Saturday in May; this year, the date is Saturday, May 7th (which also happens to be International Female Ride Day). 

For anyone who is looking for an interesting ‘theme’ or multiple destinations for a day or weekend trip, The Ontario Labyrinth Trail showcases labyrinths of all shapes and sizes throughout Ontario, and is a unique blend of old & new, practical & spiritual, fun & serious. No matter where your starting point, there are many different types of labyrinths to seek out and countless ways (and roads) to travel to find them.

The Butter Tart Trail

For those of you with a sweet tooth, the sweet truth of the matter is that there are multiple places in Ontario that are a part of what some might call a butter tart bonanza.

‘Butter Tart Trail’, the trail is a series of 18 bakeries, stores and markets along a 30 km stretch of highway in the Wellington North part of the province. Three hours north of Toronto, there was another celebration of all things ‘butter-tarted’, the Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour. In 2013, after a series of legal wrangling and much ‘our tarts are better than your tarts’ bake-offs, the two events’ relationship somewhat sweetened, and butter tart lovers everywhere rejoiced.

Add an event touted as Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival (the largest butter tart celebration in Ontario taking place in Midland on June 11th) into the mix, and you’ve got the makings – or is that ‘bakings’—for one heck of a sweet series of daytrips. Check out the facebook pages / websites for all of the above events and plan (or don’t plan) accordingly. 

The Purple Road

According to the pamphlet I picked up at Weir’s Lane Lavender Farm and Apiary during the Farm Crawl I covered for What A Ride in June of last year, “The Purple Road" is the public face of the Ontario Lavender Association and not only highlights a wide variety of lavender businesses, it is also the vehicle through which people can learn about the versatility of the amazing herb we know as lavender. From farm facilities to processors to artisans and retailers, lavender is displayed beautifully either through the plant itself or finished products. 

The Purple Road is your ‘guide’ to lavender festivals, agri-tourism, special events, products and services throughout Ontario. The program is run co-operatively by a number of lavender businesses that make up the Ontario Lavender Association.  No matter how you plan to experience lavender in Ontario, the farms and businesses along The Purple Road are here to welcome you.” 

When it comes to lavender, the province is divided into 5 main areas: 

Southwestern Ontario

Esperanza Lavender Farm, From The Meadow, Lavender Hill Hippie, Hoity Toity Cellars Inc., Serenity Lavender, and Steed & Company Lavender

South Central Ontario

Apple Hill Lavender, Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery, Freeman Herbs, Frisia Flora Greenhouses, Kent Creek Orchard, Lavenders of Norfolk, SweetScents Lavender, The Lavender Farm

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Echo Lane Lavender & Fibre Arts, Lavanda Citta, MiKel’s Lavender Oasis, NVI Lavender, Perennial Petals, Stoney Hollow Lavender, Terre Bleu, Torry Lane Farms “Mille de Fleurs”,Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary 

Eastern Ontario 

Christel Lake Lavender, Laberge Lavender Lane, Louida Group Inc., Prince Edward County Lavender, Secret Field Lavender, Summersong Farm

Northeastern Ontario 

Kimtreelane Soap Co. and Everything Lavender,Pegasus Healing & Wellness

It’s my goal, albeit an ambitious one, to visit at least one lavender farm or business in each tourism area during my travels in Ontario this summer. The growing and harvesting season for lavender varies in the province, but plan on visiting any of the places listed throughout May, June and July for the best possible experience. Call ahead and check to see the status of each farm’s crop (which will vary depending on the region).

The Craft Brewery Trail

For more information about the Ontario Craft Brewers, visit www.ontariocraftbrewers.com, follow them on Twitter @OntCraftBrewers or Facebook @ www.facebook.com/OntarioCraftBrewers

From Niagara to the Ottawa Valley, from Lake of the Woods to Toronto, each member of the Ontario Craft Brewers is as unique as the beer they brew. The province is divided into 14 distinct and separate regions when it comes to OCB breweries: 

Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe 

Barnstormer Brewing Co, Collingwood Brewery, Falcon Brewing Company, Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, Kilannan Brewing Company, Maclean's Ales Inc., Neustadt Springs Brewery, Northwinds Brewery Ltd., Redline Brewhouse, Side Launch Brewing Company

The Greater Toronto Area

Amsterdam Brewing Company, Black Oak Brewing Company, Granite Brewery, Great Lakes Brewery, High Park Brewery Ltd., Left Field Brewery, Old Credit Brewing Co. Ltd., Steam Whistle Brewing 

The Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Perth Brewery, Skeena Brewing Company, Whitewater Brewing Company

Hamilton, Halton and Brant 

Cameron's Brewing Company, Collective Arts Brewing, Ltd., Nickel Brook Brewing Co., Trafalgar Ales & Meads

Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington 

Block Three Brewing Company, Grand River Brewing, Royal City Brewing Co., StoneHammer Brewing, Wellington Brewery

The Kawarthas & Northumberland 

Smithworks Brewing Company

Muskoka, Parry Sound & Algonquin Park

Boshkung Brewing Co., Highlander Brew Company, Lake Of Bays Brewing Company, Muskoka Brewery, Sawdust City Brewing Company 

Niagara 

Brimstone Brewing Company, Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara College Teaching Brewery, Niagara Oast House Brewers, Silversmith Brewing Company 

Northeastern Ontario 

Stack Brewing

Northwest Ontario

Lake Of The Woods Brewing Company, Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.

Ottawa & Countryside

Beau's All Natural Brewing Co., Big Rig Brewery, Cassel Brewery, Clocktower Brewpubs, Kichesippi Beer Co

South Eastern Ontario

Barley Days Brewery, Gananoque Brewing Company Ltd.

Southwest Ontario

Double Trouble, Railway City Brewing, Ramblin' Road Brewery Farm, Refined Fool Brewing Company, Walkerville Brewery

York, Durham & Hills of Headwater

5 Paddles Brewing Company, All Or Nothing Brewhouse, County Durham Brewing Company, Manantler Craft Brewing Company, Old Flame Brewing Company, Thornbury Beverage Company

Want to plan your daytrip or roadtrip to coincide with a special event like a micro-brew or a craft beer festival? According to their website, June seems to have the most events planned (at this point in time). Check it out here. 

Haunted Places Trail

Last, but certainly not least, I came upon a great piece on Toronto.com by Craig Clark and Jeff Cottrill about different places around Ontario that are ‘reportedly haunted, and even if you don’t see a ghost, these sites are seriously creepy.’

They divided the province into 4 different areas to travel:

Eastern Ontario

Cornwall Jail, Fort Henry in Kingston, and the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa

Western Ontario

Donnelly Farm in Biddulph Township, Galt Collegiate Institute in Cambridge, and the Regional Mental Health Centre building in St. Thomas 

Northern/Central Ontario

The Bala Bay Inn in Bala and White Otter Castle in Turtle River

Niagara Horseshoe/Toronto

The Hermitage Ruins in Dundas Valley and The Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame

The word ‘trail’ doesn’t have to mean a specific route or systematic series of roads; a trail can be created out of places or events that have a common denominator like labyrinths, butter tarts, lavender, breweries or haunted places. It can be a route that you take to give you maximum exposure to geographic features like rivers, rock formations or waterfalls. Or it can be something deeper, more personal that means something only to you.

Take the road less travelled, more travelled, or never travelled at all, as long as it brings you joy and fills you everything it means to be a child of the wind. Consider those kinds of ‘trail mix’ a special kind of ‘food for the soul’….

KAT (aka KimberleeAnna Taplay) is a member of the ‘What A Ride!’ correspondent team, and is looking forward to sharing the next edition of KIMbits and KATtales with you in March. To reach KAT, send your questions and/or comments to kattales@rogers.com. 

12-Pack of Canadian

This week: Doug Hunt

Special Links:

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Stilt walkers topple Guinness Record

'Doug the Great'

Motorcycle Coffee Run

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