Fishing at Countryside Adventures

I love Father’s Day. Besides being so grateful for my son, David, it is also the one day of the year I can pick our activity. If I wanted to listen to bad hair metal from the 80’s, no problem. Binge watch pro wrestling: it’s your special day!!

Luckily, those are not activities we have ever done on Father’s Day. This year, I decided I wanted to go fishing as a family activity.

Rather than finding a river or lake where success was not guaranteed, I decided to up the odds and check out Countryside Adventures stocked fish pond.

We arrived on-site and made our way to the fishing pond. I was glad to see that Countryside Adventures rents out fishing rods and provided a net and bucket free of charge. My small fishing rod would have been no match for the large size rainbow trout found in the pond.

It was still early in the day so we had our pick of location on the pond shore. We chose to stay in the shade as the temperature was warm even at 9:30 am. I had the privilege of doing the first cast-offs. David was stationed with net in hand and my wife, Sandy, was on photo duty. After about ten minutes, I still did not have any success. I handed the fishing rod to Sandy, and, of course, she caught a huge fish on her first cast. She reeled it in like a pro and David scooped it up in the net.

It was my turn again, and this time I was able to catch a fair-sized trout. Truth be told, it probably wasn’t quite as big as Sandy’s but who was keeping score? Again, David caught the fish in the net and we took a photo of him holding the fish.

We decided to try for one more fish since we were having so much fun. It took a bit of time and a few tangled lines but we finally snagged our third fish. We thought three was perfect and went to go get them cleaned.

The fish were weighed and Sandy did officially beat me for largest fish by 0.2 kilograms. Countryside Adventures cleaned the fish and put them on ice for us. The price per pound is twelve dollars and no catch and release is allowed. It’s important to remember that you’ll be keeping the fish you catch.

I found the price to be fair considering the unique and fun experience we had. It was very close to the price paid in grocery stores, where you get the fish without any of the fun.

We paid for our fish and headed back to Ottawa. We had one of the most memorable Father’s Day suppers ever in that we had caught the food. There’s a good chance we’ll be eating fish for Father’s Day 2022!

Countryside Adventures is about forty-five minutes east of Ottawa. They will also have kayaks, pedal boats and paddle boards to rent for use on a larger pond. Fishing will also be offered on the big pond by boat.

For more information about Countryside Adventures, visit www.countrysideadventures.ca

Strawberry Season in Ottawa 2021

Every year my mother-in-law takes my daughter strawberry picking. It's a yearly tradition for them. My mother-in-law loves to pick multiple baskets of fresh, local strawberries and make jam, muffins and strawberry shortcakes with them. She even freezes them by the pound and uses them throughout the winter months for smoothies. Ottawa is lucky to have many nearby strawberry farms to both purchase and pick delicious local strawberries from.

Here is a list of some tried and true Ottawa strawberry farms with details as to whether or not they allow "pick your own" (of course this could change as the crop diminishes, so again, always best to check with the farm). 

Ottawa Strawberry Farms: 

Acorn Creek Garden Farm
928 Acorn Creek Road
Carp, Ontario
613-836-2613
http://www.acorncreek.com
Pick your own? No.

Avanmore Berry Farm
16365 4 Road,
Avomore
613-346-2336
http://www.avonmoreberryfarm.com
Pick your own? Yes!

Beckwith Berries
9961 Cavanagh Road
Carleton Place, Ontario
(613)  253-4171
http://www.beckwithberries.com/
Pick your own? Yes!

Duquette Strawberries
2236 Champlain
Clarence Creek
613-488-3284
http://www.duquettestrawberries.com
Pick your own? Yes!

Orleans Fruit Farm
1399 St. Joseph Blvd.
Orleans, Ontario
http://www.fermedorleans.com/wpferme/
Pick your own? Closed for 2021.

Miller’s Berry Farm
6158 Rideau Valley Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
613-692-2380
http://www.millersfarmandmarket.ca/
Can you pick your own? Yes, but contact them for details.

Proulx Berry Farm
1865 O'Toole Rd. 
Cumberland (Ottawa), ON K4C 1N2
613-833-2417
https://proulxfarm.com/berries-veggies/strawberries/
Can you pick your own: Yes

Purple Cow Strawberry Farm
1439 Sale Barn Road
Greely, Ontario
613-821-1345
Can you pick your own? Best to call to make sure.

Richmond Nursery Strawberry Farm
5740 Old Richmond Road
Richmond, ON
613-838-2282
http://www.richmondnursery.com/
Can you pick your own? Pre-picked only for 2021

Rideau Pines Farm
5714 Fourth Line Rd
North Gower ON
(613) 489-3601
http://www.rideaupinesfarm.com/
Can you pick your own? Best to call ahead.

Shouldice Berry Farm
Three locations in Bells Corners, Barrhaven and Nepean
http://www.shouldicefarm.com/pick-your-own-strawberries.html
Can you pick your own? Yes!

What you need to know about strawberry picking

·      COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Remember to social distance and bring masks!

·      It’s always best to call ahead to make sure they are still open for picking or if they are pick-up only.

·      Dress for the weather! There isn’t a lot of shade at most strawberry patches so don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water.

·       Local strawberries need to be cooled as soon as possible (so try not to leave them in a hot car all day or they may turn to mush) and plan on washing and consuming them within three to four days – maybe less if the weather is hot!

My favourite strawberry recipe

When I think of local strawberries I also think of rhubarb! Every June and July I bake this tried and true Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler Cake recipe from Dinner with Julie. It makes a large pan so it’s great for summer BBQs! I guarantee it will become a family favourite! Click here to get the recipe!

Did we miss a great Ottawa strawberry farm? Let us know in the comments below and we'll add it to the list!

Hidden Gem: Princess Louise Falls

Princess Louise waterfall with two kids sitting up on one of the higher ledges

There are waterfalls in Orleans and Princess Louise Falls are impressively beautiful and large to be found right on the edge or a residential neighbourhood!

It’s a great spot for a short outing and, depending on how adventurous your kids are and how comfortable you are with a spot of danger, your kids can have a blast climbing up the falls and exploring the surrounding woods and area.

How do you get there?

Princess Louise Falls are located just off of St Joseph Blvd. in Orleans and back onto the Fallingbrook area. You can access it by parking on one of the streets just off of St. Joseph (I have parked on 1st avenue by Cumberland Kanata Landscaping) or you can park up the hill and come towards the waterfall from the top. The St. Joseph route requires less climbing / hiking / balance.

Map of Princess Louise area with black line and arrow showing the walking path to reach the Falls if parking up the hill.

If you park up the hill you can get to the Falls from one of the paths from Princess Louise or from Brookridge Crescent. From the top there are extra paths and bridges that you and the kids can explore. To get to the Falls from above you can either climb down the very steep edges of the falls (something my kids have certainly done) or take the longer less steep route down (though you’ll still need good shoes and be aware that anyone who isn’t comfortable with steep hills and a bit of climbing might find this difficult)

The climbing

My kids especially love climbing up and down and exploring the area. I personally get a bit nervous watching them but they seem quite surefooted and certainly not the only kids exploring in the same way. Again, if you’re not quite comfortable with climbing it could be difficult for you to keep up with some of the less nervous kids. My kids were 11 and 13 when we first went making it easier for me to be OK with them climbing up - plus it made for some nice photos. :)

Climbing down to the Falls without taking the longer path

Creek area at the top of the Falls (easily accessible when coming from Princess Louise or Brookridge Cr.

From the bottom there are some great spots to take photos without much climbing at all :)

Have you ever been to the Princess Louise Falls? Any other tips to share?

Find Mystery and Adventure at the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some great summer books for kids aged 7+. This month’s post is by Andrea Gowing, Centennial Branch, Ottawa Public Library.

---

Mysteries and Adventure are this month’s theme.  Cows who talk, world travel, time travel, magical settings, hidden tunnels, and sound science abound in these books for readers aged 7+. 

The Mystery of the Golden Coin / Harper Paris   Series: Greetings from Somewhere - 10 in series.

Who wouldn’t want to travel the world, especially these days?  Join twins Ethan and Ella as they follow their parents around the world on travel assignments.  On every stop around the globe, Ethan and Ella dive into a mystery with the help of their grandfather’s emails.  Sure to become a favourite of Magic Treehouse fans.  Illustrations on each page may help reluctant readers. 

Lost in Bermooda / Mike Litwin 
Series: Welcome to Bermooda – 4 in series.

Lost at sea, Dakota is washed up on an island of cows!   How will his being a “hu’man” not be discovered and how will he fit in?  Along comes Chuck with a “cowmouflage” to save the day.  Lots of bovine puns, a buddy friendship, and even a mystery!  A great read for new readers of chapter books.  Parents love this series too!  Each chapter is short and peppered with illustrations to help keep readers interested. 

Winterhouse Mysteries /  Ben Guterson

When you live with an uncaring aunt and uncle, being shipped off for the Christmas Holidays, may seem very cruel.  Young Elizabeth is nervous; however, she soon realises that the Winterhouse Hotel has a wonderful kind owner, a new friend, and many secrets!  Winterhouse is magical world that is fun and includes a huge library!  What more could you want?  Well, a mystery, a couple of creepy villains, and finding out that you have family you never knew!  This is a terrific first book in a trilogy for middle grade readers but could also be a good read-a-loud for the whole family.

Agatha Oddly / Lena Jones

Are you passionate about mysteries?  Would you love to be named for the most famous of mystery writers?  If so – meet Agatha Oddly – Agatha has always loved mysteries and crime novels.  Agatha lives alone with her dad in Hyde Park in London, England, which is a wonderful setting for this series of books since she is close to the secret underground tunnels where her first mystery starts.  What is this little key that her mother gave her for, is it connected to the mystery?  Can Agatha save the City of London from a toxic algae?  Dive into the first of this series for all the answers.  Another fun read for middle grade readers.

Explorer Academy /  Trudi Strain Truiet

Cruz lives in Kauai, Hawaii.  Surfing every day, eating wonderful exotic treats and spending time with his best friend Leilani, who’d want to be anywhere else.  Both Cruz and Leilani do.  They both have applied to the exclusive Explorers Academy.  Cruz is accepted and off he goes to Washington D.C. to start.  New friends await and super exciting classes begin.  Cool gadgets and cutting-edge science blend in with a mystery surrounding Cruz’s mother’s death.  Traveling the world on a Science ship, Cruz and other students learn so much about geography, anthropology, astronomy and much, much more.  Readers will get swept up in the mystery and adventure of the National Geographic publication.  A wonderful beginning to an at least 5 book series for lovers of science and adventure. 

Tangled in Time / Katherine Lasky

I love greenhouses, and a greenhouse that is portal to the past?  Add to that a mystery about my family?  AND to go back and live in the court of Queen Elizabeth I?  Oh, that would be amazing!  Follow Rose to her grandmother’s house, into the green house, and into the past.  What family secrets are held in the found locket with mysterious pictures inside?  Book 1 of a series will grip mystery and historical fiction fans alike.  A great summer read!

Ottawa Tandem Bike Adventures

KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

---

Date night has not been the same since COVID started. The go-to dinner and a movie has not been an option for most of 2020 and 2021.   

My wife, Sandy and I decided to flip date night on it’s head and have a date day. We decided to rent bikes from Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals.   

Upon arrival at their Sparks Street location,  Sandy and I felt like we had stepped into bicycle heaven. A local artist was preparing a cycling mural on the interior wall. Final preparations were being done to their bicycle themed café.  Most importantly, the variety of bikes to rent was impressive.   

We had our choice of electric bikes, mountain bikes, city comfort bikes and everything else in-between. In keeping with date day,  Sandy and I chose to rent a tandem bike.  

Before heading off on our adventure,  I had a chance to chat with  Escape Bike Tours owner, Maria Rasouli regarding what motivated her to start up her business. 

“I grew up in Iran and loved riding a bike when I was a kid,” says Rasouli.  “In Iran, girls are not allowed to ride bicycles once they hit puberty. I did not ride a bike again until I moved to Ottawa in 2002. When I rode a bicycle again I was amazed by all the pathways and trails here in Ottawa. Some people say Ottawa is a boring city but I would say they have never explored the city by bike. When I started Escape, I wanted to combine my love of cycling and Ottawa in one business.”

After hearing Maria’s inspiring story, Sandy and I were excited to hop on our bike and start exploring the city. We tested out the tandem bike on Sparks Street. It took us a few tries to get the hang of it but soon enough, we were in sync.  

I wanted to take the tandem for a spin on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway which is closed to vehicles from 8 am - 8 pm until June 30th. It was early afternoon on a weekday. Sandy and I enjoyed ambling along a road that was totally free of cars and was mostly empty of people.  

I loved the tandem bike in that Sandy and I could easily carry on a conversation without fear of crashing bikes.  I teased Sandy that she wasn’t allowed to do any backseat driving.   

We continued along the Driveway and eventually merged on to the Rideau Canal pathway.  We took a brief pause to watch a turtle slowly swimming in the canal. Soon enough, it was time for us to head back to return our bike rental.  Sandy and I both agreed that our date day was a great success.   

After we returned the tandem bike,  I had the chance to try out an electric bike.  To start the electric assist, a person must start pedaling. You can pick various options from no assist to Turbo. I slowly made my way up to turbo. I could see how at the end of a long bike ride, the electric assist would be a very welcome feature.  The other thing I noticed was just how fun the electric bike was.  It would make a wonderful gift for Father’s Day (hint, hint).

Escape has bike rental options for every age including for young children.  Organized bike tours are also an option pending provincial COVID-19 restrictions.  

There is a reasonable chance the summer of 2021 will still emphasize staycations. I know Sandy and I are planning to spend much of our summer exploring Ottawa by bike.