This is the scenic southernmost point in Canada along the north shore of Lake Erie from Port Dover to Harrow.
It inspires thoughts of far-away places. Port Dover is Canada's version of Cape Cod while Pelee is great for island hopping and sampling wines from a climate similar to that of Northern California, Spain and Italy.
There are seaside communities with some of the finest white sand beaches, country inns, antique and specialty shops and numerous golf courses. You can sail and go boating, fishing, bird-watching, diving to explore dozens of shipwrecks from centuries ago, or catch a view of a sunset from a towering lighthouse.
Fine dining includes fresh-caught Lake Erie fish and locally grown produce from soil so rich the area is known as Canada's vegetable garden.
Port Dover is renowned for its beach and boardwalk, sunshine and sandals, famous hot dogs and fresh perch, fancy yachts and picturesque fishing tugs, professional summer theatre and waterfront pubs.
It's one of the major ports for fresh water commercial fisheries.
Fish feasts at the Erie Beach Hotel since 1946 put the port on the culinary map, with its famous perch dinners and celery bread. The Arbor from 1919 is the home of Golden Glow (fruit drinks) and foot-long Ritz Red-Hots.
Visitors stroll along Harbour St. to the pier and lighthouse to watch the sunset and sailboats and enjoy the lake breezes.
Dover has gained some notoriety as the gathering spot for tens of thousands of bikers every Friday the 13th. It's a tradition that packs the town with motorcycles and riding enthusiasts along with the curious.
The next date in August will draw bikers from around the world and could exceed a previous count of 12,000 motorcycles and 100,000 people, said Cindy Vanderstar of Norfolk County Tourism.
Norfolk has joined with Haldimand and Elgin counties to develop a Cruise the Coast map, showing preferred routes for motorcyclists, accommodations, events and restaurants.
New is zip-lining through the Carolinian Forest overlooking Long Point Bay from Long Point Eco-Adventures where there's also a sun-and star-gazing telescope.
Nomada Charters Inc. offers sightseeing, dinner and sunset cruises into Long Point Bay to the tip of the point while Grand Experience Canoe and Kayak Outfitters runs trips on various rivers and onto the bay.
Dotting the landscape is the Erie Shores Wind Farm, west of Port Rowan, with about 100 wind turbines twirling by the lake.
On to Turkey Point with its provincial park where wild gobblers can be seen and Port Rowan, a farming and resort town with good fishing, swimming and boating.
Next stop is Long Point Provincial Park, a prime bird-watching area and a World Biosphere Reserve. The 50-kilometre-long sand spit has a bird banding station and offers fishing, swimming, waterskiing, scuba diving, boating and camping.
Port Stanley is a popular summer resort with a beach, excellent marina facilities, numerous craft and specialty stores, and where hawks can be seen migrating.
Erieau is one of the top walleye and steelhead fisheries on the Great Lakes with a full-service marina and sandy beaches.
At Canada's southernmost point is Point Pelee National Park, a tiny green oasis with trails leading to dunes, cattails, prickly pear cactus and jungle-thick woods.
It's the warbler capital of the world and is where thousands of monarch butterflies stop each summer on their migration to Mexico.
Just off the coast is Pelee Island, the largest isle in Lake Erie, on two bird migration routes. It is also known for winery tours, fishing and a fall pheasant hunt.
Along with the Pelee Island Winery offering tours and tastings are Colio Estate Wines and LeBlanc Estate Winery, both in Harrow.
Kingsville connects with Pelee Island by ferry and is known for its fishing industry with Victorian-style stores featuring antiques and crafts.
Jack Miner, known as "Wild Goose Jack," established his bird sanctuary there 106 years ago and is where thousands of geese and ducks stop by while migrating.
A great way to explore the region is on two scenic drives: the Lake Erie North Shore Route stretching from Windsor to Fort Erie, and the South Coast Wine Route, following heritage highways 18 and 3 as they hug the coast.
Jim Fox is a freelance writer based in Kitchener. He can be reached at onetanktrips@netscape.net
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