We entered Canada for the second time in the last few months. However, this visit was only a long weekend instead of the several days days we spent there during summer. Also, we drove across the border into Sarnia rather than flying into Toronto. So it was a much different experience, not nearly the same depth and a different time of year, although it felt good to be back in Ontario.
This was my first visit to Sarnia, a gateway to Canada directly across the St. Clair River from Port Huron, Michigan. The Canadian border agent seemed a little surprised when I confirmed our destination, literally finishing our drive at the first exit past the Blue Water Bridge. Most people seem to stay on Highway 402, the King’s Highway, when they enter Canada. Then they head towards London or more populated areas further east. However, we had limited time and we decided to use Sarnia as our base for a couple of day-trips. That would make it easier to return to the United States when we were ready.
I knew Sarnia existed solely because I was in Port Huron a few years ago. When I told friends, they kept calling it Narnia, like from the “Chronicles of Narnia” fantasy novels. They’d never heard of the town. It’s a nice enough place; probably better in the summer with its nearby beaches and Lake Huron access. Quaint downtown. The huge mass of chemical plants at the southern edge generally didn’t detract from the experience. So, indeed, fine for a couple of days. But I’d probably get bored if I stayed a week.
Freighters
However the main attraction, beyond convenience, was the waterfront. I like to start each day with a morning stroll and I could do that along the banks of the St. Clair River. As an added bonus, I got to watch massive Great Lakes freighters sail by. Notice the little tugboat snuggled up against the hull for a size comparison. These giant freighters always amaze me. The Great Lakes really feel more like an ocean than a lake.
I’ve toured a couple of the freighters preserved as floating museums before: the Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie and the William A. Irvin in Duluth. It still blows my mind that these ships can sail inland for 2,342 miles (3,770 kilometres) from the Atlantic Ocean. This one heading north still has the entirety of Lakes Huron and Superior to go if it sails the whole way.
Centennial Park
Exploring further, I wandered through Centennial Park along the same waterfront. The big grain silos here reminded me of Collingwood, Ontario, a city similarly situated for Great Lakes commerce. Then I noticed the park’s water feature, a rendition of those same lakes in miniature. I also saw a corner devoted for the scattering of cremains by loved ones should they desire. That seemed a bit unusual.
Later I wandered across the street and found a sign proclaiming Sarnia as the home of the Grey Cup winners, the champions of the Canadian Football League. That last happened in 1936 and the Sarnia Imperials folded in the 1950’s. Maybe that’s a metaphor. Regardless, that seemed like an interesting team name.
Apparently Sarnia became the Imperial City in 1914 after a royal visit by the Duke of Connaught, who was also the Governor General of Canada when Sarnia formally transitioned from a town into a city.
Point Edward
Sarnia continued to grow and enveloped a much smaller village called Point Edward on three sides (map). Point Edward was completely surrounded except for the St. Clair River on its western edge. Today about 75,000 people live in Sarnia and 2,000 people in the little Point Edward enclave. It has a casino, a few hotels, a small residential area, and of course the Blue Water Bridge that cuts right through the middle of it. There’s not a lot more to the village but I walked across the border anyway because that’s what I do. Wandering leads to interesting places.
Opposites
So it was all good, and if I felt homesick (which never happened) I could always look across the river into the United States. Even here at the Sarnia sign the US loomed in the background, where a thunderstorm poured down. Another metaphor?
The weirdest thing was realizing I did something almost identical not too long ago, but from the opposite bank during the depths of winter. Back then I looked from Port Huron into Canada and wondered what it must be like on the other side of the bridge. Now I knew.
Reptilia (in London)
We took a day trip to London, Ontario to see Reptilia. Remember, I mentioned last time that the older kid has an undergraduate degree in Zoology, so animals are always on the agenda. So we drove an hour east to Westmount Commons mall (map), because Reptilia is in a mall for some reason, I guess the rent is cheaper. No knock on Reptilia of course, we enjoyed all of the reptiles. I’m sure a half-empty mall appreciates filling a large space with something useful, too.
Breweries
Well, of course we visited breweries. I’m always trying to add to my list. As always, it’s about drinking responsibly in line with the usual disclaimers.
Imperial City Brew House
Remember the reference to Imperial City? Given that, it should come as no surprise that Sarnia has an Imperial City Brew House… and probably a lot of other Imperial City things. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and it looked like a popular place. Some people were watching football, some were just hanging out, and others were taking a baking class. Yes, they were mixing ingredients and kneading dough. I’m not sure what it had to do with beer but it got them in the door, and that’s all that really mattered.
Refined Fool Brewing Company
Refined Fool operates its flagship production brewery on the eastern side of Sarnia. We didn’t go there. Rather, we went to their smaller kitchen and bar on Davis Street, downtown. Usually I don’t count tap rooms on my list but I did notice brewing equipment off to the side so at least a little brewing seems to take place there. This one was within walking distance to our weekend home and that made it too convenient to pass up.
Point Brewing Company
So the little village of Point Edward also had a brewery. That’s the real reason we walked past the sign I talked about earlier. It’s very near the Blue Water Bridge crossing into the United States. We arrived in late afternoon, close enough to the bridge to see traffic lined-up at the border, thankful we weren’t sitting in it.
An American couple came up to the bar and I couldn’t help overhearing their conversation. They were on their way back home but got stuck in the backup, and decided to pull-over and grab a round. Sounds reasonable. They were also asking if anyone knew how to get to a different crossing, hopefully with a shorter queue. The consensus seemed they should probably just suck it up.
Toboggan Brewing Company
Toboggan Brewing was in London, and we stopped there after touring Reptilia. It was a cold, rainy, miserable afternoon; the only bad weather of our trip. I mean it was the kind of day made for sitting at home by a fire, reading a book. We actually had plans for other sites near London but gave up after Reptilia and the brewery, then returned to Sarnia. Toboggan was pretty quiet too. I don’t think anyone wanted to be out on such an awful day.
Articles in the Borderland Series
See Also: The Complete Photo Album on Flickr.
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