Beginning the day at 7, with the drivers meeting at 7:15, and departure at 7:30, made for a very, very early morning start, especially for those driving quite a distance to join the last tour of the year. We had 12 cars and 20 members leaving Manotick in the fog. A great tour that Mike had planned but unfortunately was unable to lead due to medical issues. So, with Barry Rowsome leading and Ron Buck sweeping we were off for a great day of fall driving.
The dense fog meant all of the beautiful tree colours were hard to see. However, the roads were great! As with all tours a hiccup happens. This time it was a turkey flying up and smashing a member’s windshield. Ron only saw feathers as the sweep. We had a chilly bio-break in Perth with everyone checking out the windshield while Roger topped up Heather’s brake fluid.
We were back on the road by 9:30 for the twisties to come. We headed off to the Narrows Lock Road, then to North Road, to Grady Road. For a little relief we headed down Hwy 42. We turned onto Hutchings Road and before you know it, we were on our fun favourite Opinicon Road. I was proud of myself for keeping the speed down so we could enjoy the twists, turns, and timely leaf colours. Next, we took a turn onto Cross Road, which was new for most of us, and onto Davis Lock Road ending up on the twistie Bush Road onto Sand Lake Road, and before you know it, more twisties on our way to Jones Falls Road to Battersea. With more turns and twists we ended up on the Sydenham Road heading to Bur Brook Road to Jackson Mills Road and on to the McIvor Road to Hwy 38—- whew!
Amazing that we had not lost anyone yet even with my non-CB whip –(thanks Ron). My CB was not putting out a good signal, it is definitely going to need a tuning (thanks Merv). Roger took on the role of mid-sweep. We arrived at the Smoke and Barrel for a very yummy lunch. After lunch some of us went to the Riverhead Brewing. (Their Oktoberfest Lager is very tasty).
Soon we got on our way for the next two legs of our tour taking a few more interesting routes — including the Kingston Mills Road, Middle Road, Station Road and then onto Hiscocks Road — all with super views and great fall colours. Then before we knew it we were in Mallorytown to visit the Arbru Brewery – my favourite Brewery. Thanks to Mike for adding this stop. Now after we all got refreshed and beer in-hand we are off to our third and final leg or our tour.
Wow it did not disappoint since Temperance Lake Road was truly spectacular. From there we drove to County Road 6 to Country Road 8 turning onto the Branch Road heading to Oxford Station onto Guy Road and soon ending up in Kemptville at the Hardstones Grill for the end of the last tour of 2024. A few of us extended the day a little longer having dinner together at the restaurant.
This tour was planned by Mike Bernier and he did a superior job. (Sorry he could not join us.) All the roads were great! It was a perfect last tour with awesome members. I must thank Ron for sweeping and Roger for being mid-sweep thus solving my issue with my aerial. Boy did we have an amazing year.
Barry Rowsome