14 real and virtual road trips: Vineyard picnics, kayak rentals and wolves

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Slowly but surely, our opportunities for “real world” local road trips are expanding. In addition, you can still choose from a huge range of virtual concerts, talks and tours. Here are just a few suggestions for things you can do this week to shake off your cabin fever.

As always: If you’re heading out on a road trip, please don’t drive too far from where you live, do bring your mask and sanitizer, and definitely follow all the social distancing rules, signs and requests! In particular, please note that non-essential trips between Ontario and Quebec are still discouraged. And if you are in a high-risk group for COVID-19 or showing signs of illness, please stay home.

Enjoy a picnic in a vineyard in Mountain

Last week, I told you about picnics and campfires at Saunders Farm. This week, Smokie Ridge Vineyard in Mountain (not far from Kemptville) announced that it was opening its fields and vineyards to visitors on weekends and holidays. You can bring your own picnic (there are 10 picnic tables) and your dog (on a leash). It’s a pretty spot, and you can also buy wines and hot sauces to take home.

Catch a virtual show by Megan Jerome

Irene’s Pub in the Glebe is kicking off its virtual Sunday Sessions series with a show by Ottawa singer-songwriter (and pianist) Megan Jerome on Sunday, June 7, starting at 8pm. (Disclosure: Irene’s is one of my husband’s pub trivia clients.)

Cook a fabulous meal with help from the Urban Element

Here’s a clever idea: The Urban Element, a cooking school on Parkdale Avenue, has created online cooking classes with a twist. You can register for just the live class OR you can also order a package of all the ingredients you need to make the featured dish! On Wednesday, June 10, for instance, you can learn to make an all-vegetarian menu including dukkah-crusted halloumi with heirloom tomato and panzanella salad.

Sleep with the wolves in Montebello

You can’t do the drive-through route at Parc Oméga in Montebello, Quebec, but as of June 1, you can stay overnight at the animal park’s wolf cabins, wolf chalets and wolf lodges. The maximum group size is four people, and everyone in the group must live at the same address (proof of address will be requested at check-in.

Take a food-lover’s trip to Montreal on Netflix

Phil Rosenthal, the creator of the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, is the star of the Netflix food show Somebody Feed Phil. In each episode, he goes to a different city and delves deeply into the local cuisine. In the latest season of the show, which debuted on Netflix last Friday, he visits Montreal and discovers St. Viateur bagels, noshes on Portuguese chicken, drops into Schwartz’s deli and more.

Get a massage in Chelsea

As of June 1, Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec, has reopened for massages only. Five types of massages are available, including relaxation massages, mom-to-be massages and “nature massages” in a chalet. The spa’s website has lots of details on the health and safety precautions being taken.

Virtually visit a small-town museum

The Ontario’s Highlands tourism organization has posted a great list of ways you can virtually visit the Petawawa Heritage Village, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario in Smiths Falls, the Arnprior and District Museum, and the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River.

Enjoy a staycation in Kanata

In case you’re looking for a change of scene from your own four walls, the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata has reopened for guests. On its website, the Brookstreet outlines its safety protocols, and explains what’s open and closed at the property (for instance, as of June 4, the golf club is open, the pool and spa are closed, and some takeout food services are available). You can also learn more in this CTV interview with the hotel’s general manager, Nyle Kelly.

Rent a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or pedal boat

Itching to go paddling, but you don’t have the gear? I have good news for you: You can now rent a kayak, canoe, pedal boat and/or stand-up paddleboard at a number of recently reopened spots. In Ottawa, they include the Dows Lake Pavilion (canoes, kayaks, SUPs and pedal boats) and Ottawa SUP (SUPs and kayaks; just north of Billings Bridge, in the C.A. Paradis cookware store parking lot). If you’re on the Quebec side, you can rent a SUP at Paddlefit in Chelsea. In Kingston, Ahoy Rentals (kayaks, canoes, SUPs and bikes) is due to reopen on Saturday, June 6. And in Gananoque, 1000 Islands Kayaking is offering rentals and guided tours.

Take a virtual art class with the Tett in Kingston

The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning in Kingston has taken its art classes online. For instance, on Wednesday, June 10, you can join a virtual air-dry clay workshop via Zoom, from 10am to noon. Registration is $20 and the sooner the better, so you have time to buy the materials.

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