The onset of the covid-19 pandemic brought many angst and uncertainty to all of us, and as we all continue to strive for some normalcy in our lives, and international travel not possible, we were forced to discover our own backyard this summer. We’ve found our silver lining during this pandemic, and biking as a family has not only allowed us to stay active, but we also have been able to spend more quality time together.

Biking had always been my favourite past time as a child and I was ecstatic that my girls also developed the same interest over time. With more time spent working from home, it also allowed us to have more time to explore the unfamiliar neighbourhoods within in the Greater Toronto Area.  From biking in our local parks and trails, we were determined to explore as many family-friendly bike trails possible, while taking every precaution and avoiding crowds as much as possible.

We spent a total of 2 nights in Goderich. The quaint town of Goderich is located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron at the mouth of the Maitland River, Goderich faces the lake to the west and is most notable for its sunsets. Queen Elizabeth II once commented that Goderich was “the prettiest town in Canada”. Some of our fun highlights include, spending a fun day at one of their 3 local beaches, an overnight stay with amazing food and room service at their historic boutique hotel, and a day trip biking through their iconic wooden bridges. We ended our trip with an unforgettable moment watching the sunset dip down in the horizon. Here are some of the best moments captured during our trip.

Menesetung Bridge

Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail

St Christopher’s Beach

Hotel Samuels: A historic boutique hotel in Goderich

Amazing food and room service provided by Hotel Samuels.

The best donuts in town from the Culbert Bakery.

Lighthouse Lookout Point

Our first getaway during the covid era, provided us with the much needed relief that we needed during such challenging times. While we may still be far from international travel, there are many unexpected gems to be explored locally in your own neighbourhood. We are hopeful that as information and research continues to evolve of the virus, we encourage only to travel only if it is safe and responsible to do so in your situation. Stay safe and keep healthy to you all, whether you choose to travel or stay at home.