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The following article by Tom Van Dusen appeared in the July 18, 2004 edition of The Ottawa Sunday Sun, Sunday Life section, Weekender column, page 42. by Tom Van Dusen
There may also be those who took some of the same trips and didn't enjoy them — but they're not complaining to us and we certainly appreciate their consideration. A more unusual e-mail came to us lately from John Reeder, who, with wife Margaret, recently latched on to a Rideau Lakes getaway deal he thought should be shared with other Weekenders. Value for money was one of the key factors that helped turn an overnight stay in a Portland B&B into the Reeders' excellent summer mini adventure. In order to give other readers the full impact, John accompanied his account with photos (one is shown at top right) and a copy of the ad which intrigued him. The ad, spotted in a Valley newspaper, offered a "Rideau Discovery Cruise Getaway Package" — one day and one night basking on the Rideau Waterway. Along with a stay at Portland Bay B&B, the ad promised dinner at the Galley Restaurant, which overlooks Big Rideau Lake; a “sumptuous” breakfast; lunch at the Opinicon Resort at nearby Chaffey's Lock; and a three-hour tour down to Jones Falls with Chuckles — not a clown, but a 1940s New England lobster boat. While it sounded almost too good to be true, the Reeders decided to book the getaway and see if it lived up to its advance billing. It turned out to be the real deal. "It was a very good deal indeed," John says. "Everything about it was completely satisfying." As it turned out, the Reeders' hosts and promoters of the package were Portland Bay operator Mercedes Jervis-Read and her husband Lance Jervis-Read, a shipwright who picked up the dilapidated Chuckles for $1,500 in 1986, became its captain and restored it. Gift, antique shops Portland is one of the main stopping places in the Rideau system for boaters and other summer vacationers. It boasts a few gift and antique shops, stores offering the necessary provisions and an LCBO outlet. It's the hub of an area which includes — only minutes away — museums, restaurants, inns, resorts and trendy shops in Westport, Perth, Smiths Falls and Delta, along with a classic cheese factory at Forfar. Coming up this Thursday through Sunday is the 174th Delta Fair with the usual livestock and homecraft displays and competitions, midway, parade, barbecue and all kinds of entertainment. With a spectacular, year-round view of the lake, the Portland Bay B&B — located in the Jervis-Reads' restored century home — offers three rooms with ensuite baths. While the Reeders opted for a lighter continental breakfast, John says Mercedes is more than willing to provide the full bacon-and-egg special. An institution in the Rideau Lakes, the Galley is a casual, often boisterous gathering place for summer lovers. People partaking of the package get a coupon which they can redeem for anything on the menu. Alcoholic beverages are extra. Dating back a century, the yellow-painted, broad verandaed Opinicon is an original family fishing lodge renowned for bruiser meals — breakfast, lunch or dinner — that make it difficult to hoist one-self off the dining-room chair after the last crumb of home-baked dessert has been fully savoured. A definite highlight, John says, was a journey of discovery on board the aptly-named Chuckles, what with all the good vibes the Reeders got along the way, thanks to guide Capt. Lance, who proved to be “gracious, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very friendly.” The captain likes to dress up in full naval regalia, including traditional mutton-chop sideburns. He provides a running historical and current account of points of interest, with coffee or tea and cookies offered along the way. A package with big payback! You gotta love it! |
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