Cathy and I take a day trip from Stoney Lake to Ormsby and the Old Hastings Mercantile and Gallery. Ormsby is near Coe Hill and with a population of 20, it is one of the ‘ghost towns’ along the Old Hastings Road between Bancroft and Madoc. In its heyday, it was a center of lumbering.
Our destination is the Old Hastings Mercantile and Gallery . Its a lot of fun wandering through the various themed rooms, and the amazing mix of merchandize that emphasizes local artisans and makers. We are intrigued to learn about the owners – a musician who plays lead french horn with the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet, and a artist / singer with several CD’s available. Here is your challenge when you visit – see if you can find the picture of the owners with Jonny Harris, the Canadian comedian famous for Still Standing and Murdoch Mysteries.
We lunch on ‘all day breakfast’ at the Monarch Cafe in Coe Hill. Neighboring tables are filled with riders from the Gananaska Vintage Motorcycle Club, and you know that is a very positive recommendation for this cafe.
Just a footnote that our route takes us past beaches at Chandos Lake and Wollastan Lake. We stopped for the view at each. If you are looking for a swim and some beach time, Chandos Beach is the place to go, especially with kids, as the beach is wide and shallow and there are good change rooms and bathrooms.
Route: Approximately 150 kilometres and 2 hours driving time. Northeys Bay Road to Hwy 28, right on Hwy 28 to Apsley, left on Hwy 620 to Coe Hill and Ormsby, return on Hwy 620 to Hwy 504, left on Hwy 504 to Hwy 46, left on Hwy 46, right on Hwy 47, right on Hwy 44, right on Hwy 6, left on Northeys Bay Road and home.