The warm weather is here and we're trying to take every chance we can to get a ride in before our short riding season ends. Today's destination was Point Pelee National Park - home of the southern tip of Canada. And it would not be a short ride as it can take as long as three hours if using only the back roads. We chose to split the ride between back roads and the 401.
The ride started at 8am sharp. We zipped along the 401 for the first 70km of the 210km trip and then slowed the pace down by riding through the countryside. While on the 401, I noted to myself that I have little regard for gas consumption by keeping up with traffic at a healthy 108-112 km/h, but when driving to work I'm afraid to go faster than 105 km/h for fear of wasting too much gas.
A sunny Saturday morning in Woodstock.
Our first stop came in Wallacetown where we bought gas and enjoyed some refreshments. From there, we followed Highway 3 which, after Blenheim, was literally running a couple hundred feet away from Lake Erie. On a warm morning like today, a cool breeze from the lake was a pleasant complement to the heat.
Snack time in Wallacetown.
We arrived at the gate of Point Pelee National Park at 11am. After paying the $7.80 admission fee (each), we made our way to the Visitor Centre. Once there we changed into a more beach appropriate attire - shorts instead of pants and Crocs instead of motorcycle boots.
Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.
As no cars are allowed past the point of Visitor Centre, a shuttle takes tourists on a 2km, 7 minute ride to within 500 metres of the Tip. Not knowing there are at least two ways of getting to the Tip, we chose to go through a forest, all the while swatting mosquitoes.
Artist's rendition of the Tip.
The real McCoy.
The Tip is the most southern point of mainland Canada which narrows as it disappears under the waves of Lake Erie. We stayed there long enough to take in the sights and take a few photos. Returning from the Tip, we found a safer, wider path.
Standing at the tip of Canada.
By the time we returned to the Visitor Centre and were ready to leave, it was nearly 1pm. A few minutes after leaving the park we pulled into Paula's Fish Place for lunch. My cod burger was just excellent. We left the restaurant at 2pm and arrived home at 4:45pm.
Paula's Fish Place's patio.
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This was a nice account and photographs of your trip to Point Pelee.
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