When
we need to get away, we visit our little hideaway in
Sauble Beach, Ontario.
A
neighbor noticed us loading up the RV and commented,
“I see you’re getting ready to go on another
one of your adventures.”
“No adventures this time,” I replied. “We’re
just going on holidays.”
“Going on holidays?” he gasped. “You’re
always on holidays.”
I had to think about that.
 Every
so often Karen and I will load up the motorhome and
go away on our own. Last March, after all the RV shows,
we went to Florida and enjoyed some down time at the
Fort Summit KOA, just outside of Orlando. It was a time
to sit back and enjoy the sunshine, palm trees, Plant
City strawberries and really do nothing at all. It’s
a long way to go for a little R&R, but well worth
it. There was no snow or cold, and that suits us just
fine.
We do have a hideaway much closer to home, however.
In fact, it’s only 100 miles north of Brampton.
It’s a place called Sauble Beach, and we like
to go there in the summer to escape the city and the
smog. In May 2002, Toronto Star readers voted Sauble
Beach the number one beach in Ontario. The water is
clean and clear, and you can wade out quite a distance
before you’re completely wet.
We stay at Carson’s Camp, located beside seven
miles of golden sandy beach and home to the most spectacular
sunsets in the world. We walk the natural sand beach
alongside the clean, blue waters of Lake Huron. We have
our favorite campsite in the quiet area of the campground.
Carson’s Camp is an RV resort that’s been
run by the Reaburn family for more than 36 years. They
have 675 RV sites with full hookups, cable TV, fire
rings, picnic tables, cement decks and spacious poolside
sites. Poolside has an indoor heated pool, fitness centre,
hot tub and sauna.
Sauble Beach has lots to offer. Each Saturday from May
through September, you can go to Sauble Speedway for
an exciting evening of stock car racing. We always make
a point to have a least one Saturday booked during our
vacation so we can go to the races.
We’re just a 10-minute walk to the town of Sauble
Beach, where you can find everything from a grocery
store, several restaurants, a local bakery with Sticky
Buns to die for, mini-putt, shops and a Dairy Queen.
Every weekend, they seem to have events planned, ranging
from sandcastle building, sand sculpturing, rubber duck
races, Canada Day celebrations, the Sandpipers craft
show, Saugeen First Nation Pow Wow and much more.
Tuesday mornings we set off to the town of Keady, about
30 minutes south-east of Sauble. You’ll find something
for every member of the family at their excellent Farmer’s
Market, complete with fleas. Local crafters display
their talents in the arena. We never miss it.
About 30 minutes north on Highway 6, you’ll find
the home of Wiarton Willie, the famous albino groundhog,
in the community of Wiarton, Ontario. It’s a nice
easy drive to a community of friendly people and some
good shopping. If you have the time, stop for lunch
at the Coal Shed Willi, situated just across from the
Willie Emerging sculpture. (Page Top)
Continuing north you’ll come to Tobermory, home
of the Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which carries passengers
and vehicles to and from Manitoulin Island. One of Tobermory’s
most popular highlights is the islands of Fathom Five
National Marine Park. You can view shipwrecks from a
glass-bottom boat, see the lighthouse at Cove Island
or disembark onto Flowerpot Island to explore. There
are many fine restaurants, shops, galleries and even
a dive shop so you can explore those shipwrecks first-hand.
If you head south of Sauble beach, you only drive about
30 minutes when you come to the town of Southampton,
which offers more shops and restaurants, including Duff’s
Fish & Chips, one of our favorites. After lunch,
we always find something special at the jewelry store
that is right next door. Next stop is the ice cream
store for a treat.
Port Elgin, just a few miles farther south, is the home
of our favorite pumpkin festival. The town of just over
7,000 residents has earned the honorary title of Pumpkinfest
Village, putting on quite the event that includes the
exhibition of large and oddly shaped pumpkins, as well
as seed spiting contests.
 Whether
it’s at the vibrant southern portion of Sauble
Beach or the more peaceful and spacious northern area,
anyone will feel at ease thanks to either the lull of
the waves or the warmth of the sun. Here families have
the opportunity to escape from the stress of urban life,
kick back and relax and get away from it all.
If you and your friends don’t have an RV, no worry,
Carson’s rents stationary trailers and mobile
homes by the week. After a day at the pool or beach,
take an evening walk to see the sunset and then head
back to your campsite and enjoy a great campfire with
pie irons and smores! When the smoke clears lean back
and star gaze and see how many satellites you can spot.
We would suggest that you book your campsite early and
plan on staying for at least a week.
See you at the beach! (Page Top)
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