East Ottawa Star
Published: Friday, July 3, 2009 The perfect retreat So summer is here (finally) and the living is easy, as the saying goes. It’s time to put the serious topics of local politics, economic development and the like on the back burner and focus on enjoying our all-too-brief summer. This week I’m on the hunt for your best suggestions on what to do locally for a few hours or days in classic ‘stay-cation’ mode. Times are tough and pinching pennies seems to be the norm. What are your best suggestions for local activities or just chillin’ with family and friends? For me, our community and its environs has much to offer. For a good workout, a run along the river or several of the trails that cut between our neighbourhoods – especially the older areas in Chatelaine Village or Convent Glen – fits the bill for a good sweat and time outside. Then of course there is a bike ride or run along the Ottawa River Parkway and one word comes to mind: magical. On Friday nights, just hangin’ with my neighbours in the driveway or on the back deck is perfect. Catching up on everyone’s week, how the kids are doing and keeping a collective eye on our neighbourhood is ideal. Since I’m handyman-challenged, coaxing – the nice word for friendly bribery – one of my street buds with a beer or two to help me fix a vent or plumbing issue is my Friday modus operandi. On a hot Sunday afternoon or evening, nothing beats a trip to DQ for a chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard. And the only reason I can treat myself and the family to these is the running thing (see two paragraphs above). Other folks tell me an afternoon out at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is a good way to get the kids off the Wii, suck in some fresh air and learn a thing or two at the same time. Then there are the endless nights sitting in the folding synthetic canvas chairs watching soccer, baseball or football practices and games. Not to mention the weekend tournaments for those of us who have kids in the competitive levels of various sports. And to cool things off, we are fortunate that we can mix things up with a dip in a local pool or – when ice time is available – a skate. Only we Canadians would escape the 30-degree humid heat with a couple of turns about the ice. So what local gems am I missing? Please share with your fellow readers your best Orléans (and area) getaways, whether they are for an hour or a day. The best way to appreciate our communities from Blackburn Hamlet to Cumberland and south to Navan is to explore them. Your suggestions will be published in a forthcoming column. Between your next lemonade/beer or application of SPF 30, drop this scribe a line. Meanwhile, enjoy the heat. = = = = = Comments can be sent to Walter Robinson at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca. |