If you go Directions to Island Spirits are at islandspiritsricelake.ca. Rice Lake is part of TrentSevern Waterway National Historic Site of Canada, operated by Parks Canada. Its locks, dams and connected lakes extend from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. At northumberlandtourism.com there’s more about Northumberland County, home to outdoorsy destinations such as Presqu’ile Island and its circa 1930s Clarke Denson Cottage. It’s rustic at Island Spirits. Browse the website ando note the hot links at the bottom of the page. Even if you stay in a cabin like we did (it’s $225 a night for two people), you bring your own bed linens, towels, food, cutlery, Coleman or other cookstove and more. T.J.’s rustic retreat offers a wide range of shelter (including aboard a floating deck!), but essentially you’ll be camping. So it’s a wonderful spot to learn more about being in nature before you head out on a weekend or weeklong truly “out there” campground experience. If you have questions, contact T.J. She welcomes questions because she wants to ensure you have an absolutely grand time.
12 | OTTAWAOUTDOORS
Catch the eco-spirit of Grasshopper Island NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY’S ISLAND SPIRITS RETREAT INVITES GENTLE EXPLORATION OF NATURE by Katharine Fletcher (photos Eric Fletcher) “SO HOW’RE YOU DOIN’? Are you ready to relax, enjoy nature, and meet my composters?” asks Captain T.J. Chernuck as Eric and I climbed aboard Spirit of the Loon, her passenger ferry. While she transports us to her 25-acre eco-retreat, Island Spirits, we realize we’re in the capable hands of an entrepreneur possessing a quirky wit. We’re absolutely prepared to fully enjoy nature on Grasshopper Island, but composters …? “Oh,” she laughs, “I get everyone’s attention saying that. They’re pigs!” The composters, that is. Upon arrival, we soon meet them. The pigs are penned up in the shaded forest an easy stroll away from any cabin, platform tent, or teepee. Like everyone on-island, we offer them all our organic kitchen waste. And as each family’s vegetable trimmings are tossed to the pigs, the cacophony of squealing is astonishing – well matched by our laughter. Each piggy scurries about investigating which manna from heaven is the choicest – before squabbling over who’ll get the preferred item (yes, pigs have their own pecking order). Back at our cottage, we settle into cabin number 1, called Sunset. Here, T.J. explains what makes Spirit Island an eco-retreat. “We don’t allow any cars on-island, mowing is done by alpacas and a few sheep, our chickens manage some of the bugs, rain barrels collect water, and we have solar showers in the woods. Solar panels provide power in the cabins, too.” After settling in, we’re eager to explore, so we hiked walking trails, figuring out the lay of the land, how to get to the water, the best swimming spots,
and other island lodgings. In a clearing we were startled by movement. Was it a bear? But the big dark brown shape turned proved to be an alpaca. Although they chose not to approach us, they emerged into the sunshine, grazed about, then drifted away. They’re cute … as are the sheep, which similarly wander at will, unlike those four-legged composters. Perhaps you’ll meet a jogger, enjoying the island breezes as you roam about. For us, however, binoculars and looking for wildlife is more our thing.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
