Leeds County, ON
How does a 3 storey lakehouse with wraparound veranda, private dock and modern fittings sound? That’s exactly what we experienced during our stay at Grippen Lakehouse…so special, it even has its own custom sign and mugs! Accommodating up to 10 people, there was ample room for the 3 of us (4 including Rita). Our hostess Julia was super attentive, offering early check-in, recommending dinner spots and lending assistance when required. The kitchen and main living area is on the middle level, offering the best views of Grippen Lake. I had my own bedroom, en-suite and blog-writing desk overlooking this part of the house. Located on a private lane, I also felt comfortable walking Rita off-leash. It was a 30/40 minute drive to the nearest large town or city, but this is what to expect when you have the enjoyment of such a scenic, secluded paradise with your own private lake access! I would love to visit again, for a longer stay!
The perfect tourist attraction for a rainy day, Brockville Railway Tunnel, the oldest railway tunnel in Canada, is reminiscent of a 21st century nightclub. We parked at Armagh Sifton Price Park, and entered from the South entrance, spending an hour dandering up to the North end, underneath the streets of Brockville City Centre, and back again. The site runs on donations only, which was surprising given its extravagance. The lights and music were the icing on the cake of the experience, and brought to life the stories of 1800-1900s, when the tunnel was excavated and the Brockville & Ottawa Railway Company and later Canadian Pacific Railway used it for both passenger trains and for transporting lumber and coal. It was fascinating to walk through and was also pretty cool to see the stalactites actively being formed.
The town of Elgin wasn’t too far from our AirBnB, so we travelled to Jones Falls Locks 39-42 along the Rideau Canal. Completed in 1831, they are still used today, and during our visit there was construction to upgrade the tourist experience. There is a small seasonal visitor centre at the locks too. Information boards pointed out the guardhouse, which was constructed in response to the Upper Canada Rebellion.
A 15 minute drive from our lakehouse was Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Rita and I were feeling courageous and took on the 10km difficult-rated Tallow Rock Bay Trail. This took us along the shores of Charleston Lake, the highlight being the floating Slim Bay Bridge. Rita was a little tentative about crossing this plastic floating causeway, which felt spongy underfoot, like a bouncy castle. The rest of the trail was mostly through forest and over rock ridges, with periodic glimpses of Beaver Pond and Tallow Rock Bay. I recommend a substantial level of fitness with plenty of drinking water and essentials in tow before embarking on this trail. You’ll be pleased with the views!
