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travel / adventure zone
| The Adventure Zone |
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| Courtesy of Parks Canada |
Canada's 'Deep South'
Winter is around the corner, but there is still time to explore Point Pelee
on two wheels
By Christopher Mason
Many Canadians share a grudging acceptance of winter temperatures. Come the middle of January, with the thermometer at its lowest, outdoor enthusiasts bundle up against the cold and go about their recreational activities with a steely resolve.
But October is not the time for a reluctant surrender to snow and ice; October is the time for no-holds-barred denial that dropping temperatures signal the need to unfurl wool scarves and mitts. In that spirit, October is the month to head for Canada's "deep south" in search of the last vestiges of warmth that have fled so much of the rest of the country.
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Courtesy
of Parks Canada |
Point Pelee National Park, located on a sandy spit jutting into Lake Erie is Canada's southernmost tip and home to biking in what park workers call a gentle roller coaster ride through the forest. Each year thousands upon thousands of visitors hop on their bikes at the marsh boardwalk and wind their way through a four kilometer trail to the visitors centre. From there, they bike two kilometers along Tip Road to the most southern tip of Canada and spectacular views of Lake Erie. Because two-thirds of the park's 15 square kilometers are marshlands the
entire park can be seen on bike in a few hours, according to park spokeswoman Erika Taves.
There are plenty of places to stay nearby the park, but adding a ferry ride to Pelee Island can add a new dimension to the trip. Besides more bike routes, the island is home to quaint bed and breakfasts, museums and beautiful scenery. Its location puts the island further south than half of the U.S. states, making it a truly unique spot within Canada to visit. The famous Pelee Island Winery winds up its season in October, so visitors can tour the winery until October 8th. But restaurants on the island serve the delicious wines year-round.
So save those winter blah's for another month and take a trip as far south as you can go without leaving the country to enjoy summer's lingering warmth from your perch on two wheels.
Links:
http://www.pelee.com: This site will lead you to all the information you need for a trip to both Point Pelee National Park and Pelee Island, including accommodations, ferry information, events' listings and other attractions you may be interested in seeing during your visit.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/tarifs-fees/tarif-fee_E.asp?Park=9: This site details all the fees and services in Point Pelee National Park.
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