With summer just around the corner, it's a chance to leave the mainland and shift gears to an easier-paced Pelee Island way of life in Canada's most-southerly community.
The event, from May 8 to May 10, is organized by Anne Marie Fortner who launched the eco-tourism company Explore Pelee last year. The company offers a variety of tours that give "a sneak peak into island life from a local's perspective."
Tour participants explore at a casual pace and find hidden gems they might not otherwise see or know the history behind, Fortner explains.
"People love seeing the historical lighthouse, old 1800s log cabin, cemetery, old Vin Villa ruins of the first estate winery in Ontario, secret beaches, the winery, nature reserves, birds, turtles, snakes, glacial grooves and much more."
Better yet, touring Pelee by bicycle "allows you to soak up the island vibe at an island pace and be a part of island traditions."
These include the "Pelee Wave" -- a tradition to greet every person you pass on the road with a wave.
Birds, Bikes and Books is held in conjunction with the Pelee Island Heritage Centre's "Spring Song: A Celebration of Birds and Birding" and the "Eighth Annual Botham Cup Bird Race."
Spring Song was started to showcase the island and the birds stopping over during the migratory season. It has grown into a nationally recognized annual event, which has hosted guest authors including Farley Mowat, Jane Urquhart, Alistair MacLeod, Alice Munro, David Suzuki and Vincent Lam.
The "Three B" weekend also includes an adventure tourism bird race by bicycle, observation of rare migratory birds with expert birders, and a wine and cheese event with authors Atwood and Gibson.
Participants will also attend the Spring Song gourmet banquet hosted by Atwood at the Pelee Island Winery Pavilion, where Giller Prize winner Boyden will speak and read from his most recent book.
Money raised aids the Pelee Island Bird Observatory with migration monitoring research and enhances environmental education programming for students while the banquet helps support the Pelee Island Heritage Centre.
Explore Pelee's other outdoor experiences include:
- Lighthouse Bike Tour, about 25 km, taking 3.5 to four hours. This ride includes the Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve with a walk up to the lighthouse along a nature trail and beach, Vin Villa ruins, historical cemetery and Conorlee's Bakery.
- South Shore Bike Tour, 15 km, 2.5 to three hours. The tour takes in the Pelee Island Heritage Museum, Fish Point Nature Reserve, a nature trail/beach, glaciation talk at Limestone Beach and the Pelee Island Art Works.
- Biking and Wine Tour with a choice of biking tours and a 1.5-hour visit to Pelee Island Winery and five wine tastings.
- Motor Tours, "our vehicle or yours" with an itinerary from the bike tours or a customized one.
Being on the crossroads of two major migration routes, Pelee Island is renowned for bird watching. Some 320 species of birds have been recorded.
IF YOU GO
The Birds, Bikes and Books weekend with accommodations, meals, gratuities, etc. is $675 per single participant or $630 without bicycle rental; and $575 per person for a couple, $530 without rental bike. The Lighthouse Bike Tour is $35; South Shore Bike Tour, $25; and the Island Driving Tour, $20; $15, children and seniors. Contact explorepelee.com, 519-325-TOUR (8687) or info@explorepelee.com.
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