A Thanksgiving cavalcade
Take a drive and enjoy the fall colours in all their splendour
It’s yours to discover, indeed.
With Thanksgiving upon us, let’s give thanks for the reasonably priced gasoline that enables us to get out of the city and among the harvest-laden fields and the brilliant, 4K-resolution foliage that nature has gifted us
For one day, let us leave behind the choked streets and too-close neighbours to poke around the rolling hills and leafy valleys that make Ontario such a treat to explore.
Here are five weekend drives within easy distance of the Big Smoke, along with five suggested escape vehicles — new and used — you can take to get there.
The drive: Prince Edward County
Take Hwy. 401eastbound to Brighton and follow County Rd. 64 east out of town and over the old swing bridge at Murray Canal to Hwy. 33. This two-lane route meanders past rich farmland, picturesque wineries and aromatic cheese factories. Cheese! “The County” is the perfect locale to sample this year’s harvest by visiting the cideries, wineries and chocolatiers. The town of Picton, the area’s economic hub, is worth a lengthy stroll.
A thriving artisan community lives here, and the local studio tour is one of the best, period. Drive your car onto the Glenora ferry, a free15-minute ride that links the 33 to points east, including Kingston.
The car: 2015 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
What better way to celebrate nature’s bounty than by driving a lowimpact, gas-electric hybrid over hill and dale? The swoopy Lincoln MKZ Hybrid marries a 2.0L, four cylinder with an electric motor that, working together, produce 188 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission to return a very realistic 45 mpg (6.3 litres/100 km) in the city or the country. The cabin is a little confining, given the car’s sleek greenhouse and profile, and the battery pack does limit trunk space. While not overtly powerful, the MKZ is one smooth operator and is rewarding to drive, with an electric steering system that’s responsive and agile.
The drive: The Grand River
Take Hwy. 403 west past Hamilton and turn off in Brantford, then head north on Hwy. 24, which traces Ontario’s Grand River. North of Guelph, the roads and the river will lead you to the caves, cliffs and waterfalls of the Rockwood and Elora Gorge conservation areas. Discover the fattening treats of Wellington County, affectionately known as the Butter Tart Trail. Explore the quaint shops of St. Jacobs, Elora and Fergus, and meet some of the friendly folk of Ontario’s Mennonite community, who offer the region’s very best foodstuffs and handicrafts for sale. Join the 401 south of Kitchener to head home.
The car: 2011Toyota Sienna
At a time when shoebox-sized condominiums command almost a million dollars, it’s gratifying to see a car manufacturer offer big family room for a reasonable amount of dough. The Toyota Sienna can accommodate seven or eight passengers in a shapely conveyance that won’t embarrass anyone. The windows are expansive for good visibility, and the middle-row seats offer a metre of travel fore and aft. Buyers can choose between two refined engines: a 266horsepower, 3.5L V6 and a surprisingly capable 2.7L in-line four-cylinder that can go the distance. Grand excursions call for a big, comfy couch with enough space for everybody. The Sienna delivers.
The drive: Niagara River Parkway
Everyone’s taken their out-of-town guests to Niagara Falls, but how many have traced the roiling Niagara River from the tip of the peninsula? It’s worth abandoning the QEW at Grimsby and following Regional Rd. 81 through the lush vineyards, stopping at Ball’s Falls in Jordan, crossing the Welland Canal and arriving at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Once you’ve had your fill of antique shopping, fine dining and historic landmarks, join the Niagara Parkway and cruise south towards the Falls, stopping frequently. Bring some bicycles and make part of the adventure self-powered. Check out Brock’s Monument in Queenston and finish under the lights of Clifton Hill.
The car: 2015 Subaru Outback
There’s a reason athletic types who own the complete Thule rack system insist on a Subaru Outback to go with it. This wagon scores highest among the outdoor set, who cite the Outback’s cargo room, low profile, reliability and all-wheel-drive capability as pluses. The Subie’s lower roof height is a big benefit: it lets you lash your sports equipment onto the roof without resorting to using a stepladder (unlike most any SUV). Its horizontally opposed “boxer” engine architecture permits equal-length driveshafts, a mainstay of Subaru’s balanced, all-wheel-drive system. Redesigned for 2015, the Outback gains additional refinement and equipment to make it an even better buy.
The drive: Georgian Bay and Blue Mountain
After Labour Day, the crowds leave Georgian Bay alone — but it’s worth a return engagement to see the fall colours in all their splendour. Take Hwy. 400 north to Barrie, then Hwy. 26/27 north to Elmvale, and turn west toward Wasaga Beach. Hwy. 26 follows the Georgian Bay shoreline to Blue Mountain, where the local road can take you to the top for a panoramic view of the area. Don’t miss the Scenic Caves on the way down and the suspension bridge that gives walkers another great view. Nearby Thornbury is apple central, so be sure to pick some up. The region is filled with bicycle trails, such as the Clearview Train Trail, that connects Collingwood to Stayner to the south.
The car: 2015 Kia Rondo
Kia’s Rondo is a modern-day station wagon with a reasonably small foot- print that makes it easy to live with. It has the distinction of being available with third-row seating for up to seven, but without it (or keep the small rear bench folded down), the Rondo provides cavernous cargo space. Interior finishes have been upgraded as part of the 2014 redesign, making the Rondo a pleasant space to spend time. Its direct-injected, 2.0L, four cylinder, good for 164 horsepower, is reasonably adept at moving the Rondo smartly and efficiently. It’s engineered to be hushed, even if the family it ferries around is not.
The drive: Lake of Bays
Feeling ambitious? Take the 400 and then Hwy. 11 north to Bracebridge and turn onto Hwy. 117 to Bayville. The town marks the beginning of a 80-kilometre loop around the Lake of Bays, with stops in the villages of Dwight and Dorset, the latter known for its decommissioned fire tower that’s open to climbers who want to drink in the spectacular views of the surrounding forests ablaze with colour.
There’s also the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, sinful bakeries and wares from the Lake of Bays Brewing Company to sample (carefully!). The roads around the Lake of Bays form a driver’s playground full of twists and turns.
The car: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Twisty northern roads deserve a precise driving instrument like Mazda’s MX-5 Miata. The hot new generation may be trickling into showrooms, but there’s nothing wrong with the previous-generation Miata, which was made especially rigid to let the suspension work its magic. Power is supplied by an aluminum 2.0L, DOHC four cylinder making 167 horsepower hooked up to a silky sixspeed manual gearbox; it makes 158 hp with the automatic transmission. The snug cockpit for two features an easy-to-use manual soft-top or, optionally, a power-retractable steel hardtop that doesn’t bite into trunk capacity.
The Miata rewards its pilot with race-car shifting, telepathic steering and gee-whiz cornering talent.