Day 1: Prince Edward County/Cobourg

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From: Mississauga, ON
To: Prince Edward County/Cobourg, ON
Total KMs: 402.6
Sim's Iced Cap Tally: 1

Day one of the most excellent East coast adventure.  Though our travels didn't take us far from Toronto it was a jam packed day of driving and fun.  We set out from East York at around 8:30.  Stopped to gas up and set my new toy, the awesomely fancy GoPro.  I've wanted one for a while but the timing never worked out.  It turned out the suction cup mounting frame was a total bust but we made a quick detour into Sports Chek and got a flat mount that worked out very nicely.  Very nicely indeed.

Not long on the road Sim and I decided to pull over and check out the infamous Big Apple.  Many a times both of us have driven past, but never have either of us stopped to check it out.  They actually have a nice big mini putt course, and a little train ride you can.  And of course (I say of course without actually having known this before) you can climb to the top of the big apple on the inside and get an awesome view of Canada's favourite highway, the 4-oh-1.  The oh stands for oh how I hate you.

Back on the road, and off we were.  Destination Wellington Ontario.  My mom went to the Drake Devonshire in Wellington two years ago when my Aunt and Uncle were in town visiting and I've been itching to go check it out ever since.  We got an a-ma-zing seat on the patio.  It literally backs onto Lake Ontario.  You walk down a set of steps (beside a set of bigger steps that include yoga mats for increased relaxation).  There are lawn chairs set up, and it's just....perfection.  The parking lot was full but I used my parking-fu and snagged us the ideal main street spot.  The place was literally ram-jammed and I got big time boss lucky.  The meal was so delicious I wanted to lick the plate (Eggs Benny for me, and a less than appealing Chicken & Waffles for Sim - the Waffles were a bust), the service was delightful, and it was just...perfect!  We hopped back in the car and were on our way to downtown Picton.

I warned Sim we would be passing the "infamous" traffic circle, which apparently caused quite the stir when it was installed, so says an old co-worker with a vacation home in PEC.  Traffic circles are actually fun when no one is coming and you don't have to yield (weeeeee).  The main reason to stop in Picton was to grab a snap in front of the Regent Theatre.  Doubly for me.  First I went there with my parents when we were on a family vacation and my brother and I were embarrassed to tears witnessing our first taste of Vaudeville.  We did NOT get it.  And secondly because of the Hip reference (All Canadian Surf Club - it's a staple).  And actually right next to the theatre was my other interest which was of a statue of Sir John A MacDonald.  If there was ever a posing contest Sim would be the absolute hands down winner.

From Picton we headed to the far corner of the island to check out the County Cider Company.  Sim sampled a full spread of ciders.  I chose my most favourite, Peach Cider, and stole a quick sampling of the Pear Cider as well.  They charge an arm and a leg, but they make dang good cider.  It was about this time that the Go Pro battery died.  And of course hilarity ensued following that moment.  We passed a massive farm machine, we drove behind a dog in a motorcycle passenger car, and a woman running across the road in front of us lost her hat and she freaked out for half a second before realizing it was tethered to her head.  But oh what a glorious half a second that was.

After the cider tasting we decided to take the long way around back towards Picton, and stopped in at the Lake on the Mountain for a look-around.  A fantastic lake, situated at the top of a mountain.  You look down and see a bay off of Lake Ontario, and you look across the street and there's a lake, on a mountain (the name is really quick self-explanatory).  But the mystery of how in the heck, is anything but.  The water was so clear and crisp.  There was a strong wind creating some waves, but it looked so swimmable.  We did wonder if at any point around the lake there was a beach.  That would have been niiiice.

Back in the car, and the most horrible horrendous earth shattering thing occurred.  My change engine oil light came on.  I pretty much had a meltdown/fit.  We decided to find a nearby dealership with a service centre.  We showed up 15 minutes before closing but they were.....closed, shocker.  At that point I tested the dip stick, but realized I had no idea at which point on the stick it should cover.  I did learn eventually that the tip with a cross-check pattern represents a full tank. The stick was much fancier than any of the previous ones I've had.  Schfancy. We googled the nearest Jiffy Lube and drove straight over.  They were closing in 30 minutes, and after 5pm in the country good luck finding anything that's open.  As we approached I said to Sim, "Should I explain that I'm only 2000km in or just ask for an oil change."  We decided just get the oil change.  Well I roll down the window and ask for a change and the guy says, "We might be out of filters."  "Well," I said, "in fact, I don't need a new filter, I just had it changed but my oil light is on."  He directed me into the bay, he checked my oil and said it was fine, and he searched on his computer the manual process to reset the change oil light (key in the ignition, on without starting, tap the gas three times).  Pristo Presto, the notice went away and we were safely back on the road.  I am eternally grateful to him for his kindness.

We arrived back at Cobourg just in time for my parents to serve us a delicious shish-kebab meal with rice and salad.  We sat and chatted a while and then hit the town while the sun was still out.  We walked down thru Victoria Park to Cobourg Beach and experienced the tail end of the Highlanders Festival (celtic music playing, men walking around in kilts, etc).  We carried on down the beach and across where the farmer's market is held and over to the old Cobourg Jail.  There was a bar/inn that had been operating there forever.  They would also give tours of the old cells if it wasn't too busy.  Sadly it was sold and shut down.  Slated for condo developments.  The front path was overgrown which was a pretty clear indication that it was a no-go.  We doubled back and went up to a little side street with a tiny little pub, with an awesomely sized enclosed patio (fenced in - private like the Green Room).  We sat down and unwound with a....cider!  (This day has been brought to you by the letter Cider and the number Awesome).  It was a quick walk home, where Sim fancied up some photos, and I started up this beaut.  Tomorrow we will be treated to a breakfast of champions care of my dad.  He is kind of the breakfast king.  And then we depart.  Destination New Brunswick.  With a few stops along the way.  But not too many.  We have a LONG way to go.  Good night!