Walk the trailWe built the 1-km trail to the treehouse as a way to avoid the fields.
Why avoid the fields? Often they are planted in something (winter wheat or soybeans) you cannot walk on without doing damage. Also, the field is often muddy. You will lose your boots in it. No fun. Finally, the trail is nice. We followed the existing deer path, widened it, put down woodchips, built steps, and we keep it trimmed. It is a mass of wild apple and cherry blossoms in spring, flanked in daisies in summer, cloaked in reds and yellows in fall, and crunchy with snow in winter. |
Walk or bike the roadsThen there are the roads.
The roads are gravel, and very, very quiet. The "block" is a 5-kilometre walk that takes you past woods and fields and wetlands, and through the pretty village of Florence, population 200. See our Maps page for suggested biking/walking routes. We are certified bike-friendly by Ontario By Bike. Bring your bicycle! In winter, bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis. |
Canoe or kayak the riverBring your canoe or kayak to paddle the pretty Sydenham. It is navigable nearly all year round.
Talk to us when you book about where to put in upstream and where to take out downstream. We have put together a map with all the launch locations identified. Find it on our Maps page. Don't have a canoe or kayak? You can rent one from the wonderful people at The Crappie Store in the nearby town of Dresden! |
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
Restaurants
3Ds Eats & Treats, Florence
|
Armor's Ale House, Alvinston
|
Parks Blueberries and Country Store, Bothwell
|
Other things depend on your interests. There is an Oil Museum at Oil Springs, Fairfield Museum near Moraviantown, Uncle Tom's Cabin near Dresden, Munro apiary/meadery at Alvinston, and book, antique, yarn and plant shops in Chatham and Sarnia. There is a fledgling winery near Chatham, and brew pubs in Chatham, Sarnia and Erieau. The closest provincial parks are Rondeau and the Pinery. There are libraries at Florence and Shetland.
|
Need more ideas? Have some questions? Take a look at our Tips page.
Please keep in mind that some of the businesses and points of interest listed here may not be open yet. You will need to check each to get updated hours and policies. |