By David Gilbert – Contributor
Today, on our travels, I would like to head a bit farther south. Pick any road you like — Blue Line, Cockshutt, 59, Forestry Farm Road, or Turkey Point Road. The farther south you head, the breeze might start to get a smidge cooler, and on a clear day, your eyes might trick you into believing the sky is even a bit bluer than usual. For some of the roads mentioned above, Lakeshore Road is the last major intersection before we get to our destination.
If we head west, our destination might be a ways away if we take our time admiring the beauty and charm of the many small towns dotted along the path that some have called “Ontario’s South Coast.” Many of these towns are historic fishing villages, and some were industrial ports centered around commerce, trade, and resources readily available in the surrounding areas to the first generations of pioneers.
Port Ryerse, Fishers Glen, Normandale, Turkey Point, St. Williams, and Port Rowan all have their own special charms and quirks. Especially of note is the Century Inn in Normandale, as well as Long Point Eco-Adventures and Burning Kiln Winery — both a stone’s throw west from Turkey Point Road.
Every twist and turn has a new sight to see, and it seems like on the other side of every hill or gully there’s a little farm stand selling something different from the next. We cross Highway 59 at the start of Causeway Road and pass through the charming town of Port Royal. The last town we encounter is named Jacksonburg (which, to the best of my knowledge, doesn’t have a sign indicating it), but it’s hard to miss the sign for Sand Hills Park announcing our arrival.
From the road, it seems a normal lakeshore RV park one might find in any part of Ontario. But after you are checked in and pass the front gate, it becomes readily apparent that this is not your run-of-the-mill “park your trailer and head into town” RV park. Sure, you will see the pavilions, playgrounds, and various sports areas scattered through the grounds — standard facilities for any park worth its salt.
The real attraction at first seems like a wall of green leaves and vines, with the occasional sand trail popping out and spilling its sugar-like grains onto the grass. For the kids who have boundless energy and time on their hands, it would take a week to properly explore every hollow or nook or cliff. For those of us who don’t trust our lungs to keep up, there is a cut with a more manageable gradient kept open for the season.
If you’re not careful on the way down, trust me — you will end up in the lake. Or, if you’re more adventurous and don’t have time to walk, just bring your boogie board. Of course, we are following all safety precautions recommended by the owners (whose family has owned the property since 1854). But the majesty of 350 feet of sand hills and cliffs jutting seemingly out of the depths of the lake is the main attraction. The views from the top are incredible; the views from the bottom are equally majestic. However, please don’t hurt your neck as you strain to see the little dots of the people you were standing next to 10 minutes ago.
If you don’t mind craning your neck a little further, or fancy yourself as a bit of an astronomer, I hope you are able to catch a very rare glimpse of the northern lights at this latitude. There is no substitute for a viewing spot, as the elevation combined with the lack of light pollution — due to the more than 25,000 square kilometres of freshwater that you now find yourself mere steps from — makes for an unmatched celestial experience. Any celestial event would be worth booking in advance. (Gentlemen — husbands, boyfriends, fellas — your significant other will probably appreciate it.)
If, like myself, you are prone to odd check-in hours and showing up to places well past dark, and you just so happen to make your trek to the top on a foggy morning, you might be puzzled to hear an ever-so-slight whooshing noise. You’ll keep hearing it, rhythmically, and as you look around in confusion and scratch your head in bewilderment trying to work out what it could possibly be, you will see it. Whoosh. Whoosh whoosh. And it will become clear that you are standing underneath a windmill — the end of the blades barely revealing themselves until they peek back behind their misty curtains. It will seem like you can almost reach out from your perch and give it a push to help it along.
The wind farm stretches along much of Ontario’s south coast and is one of the many things that make Norfolk and Lake Erie one of the best destinations to spend your time camping, RV’ing, fishing (ice fishing if we’re lucky), cycling, horseback riding, ATV’ing, or even just Sunday driving. You can even charter a sightseeing flight from Tillsonburg Airport while you admire the fall colours. Make sure you bring a parachute so you can “drop in” and patronize one of the many fine establishments that call this place home, and say hello to the people enjoying all that Norfolk has to offer.
P.S. — if you happen to see any elk, make sure you say bye before you leave the park.
