Niagara On The Lake - Our First 'Harvest Host' Overnight Stay

The Niagara Peninsula

The area we are in is known as The Niagara Peninsula, the narrow neck of land located between Lake Erie to the south and Lake Ontario to the north, stretching to Hamilton in the west and the Niagara River (which borders the USA) in the east. 

Vineyards are everywhere throughout the region

The Niagara Peninsula is well known for its extensive vineyards and winemaking industry, being the largest and most concentrated winemaking region in Canada. The area has a unique microclimate, which creates ideal conditions for a variety of grape cultivators and the production of world-class wines and ice wine. 

Strewn Winery - our home for the night

We have heard of "Harvest Host", a program providing RVers with overnight stays at unique locations like farms, wineries and breweries, in exchange for them to patronize the host business. Strewn Wineries is on the list so we head over and buy a nice bottle of wine, which allows us to spend the night. We will definitely look more into this shared arrangement next year :)

Bottle of 2020 Cabernet Franc from Strewn Winery

Wayne Gretzky Winery 

With the rig safely parked, we head out on bikes through the vineyards on our way to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. We have been enjoying red wines from The Wayne Gretzky winery called Baco Noir. They happen to be on our route. 

Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York

We come to the mouth of the Niagara River and right across the water is the American fort called 'Old Fort Niagara' in Youngstown, New York.

Fort George 

Just down the bike path is Canada's Fort George National Historic Site. Unfortunately it is closed so we can just see the outside walls.

This trip has been such a great geography lesson and eye opener as to how strategic these forts were back in the day when the British and Americans were constantly warring over land. Yesterday we stood at Fort Erie where the Niagara River flows north out of Lake Erie, and today we stand at Fort George where the same Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario creating a natural boarder between Canada and the USA. So amazing.

Cool picture of the fort walls

Prince of Wales Hotel

After biking down the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, we head into the downtown of Niagara On The Lakes. We ask each other if we are in Canada? This town known for its well preserved 19th century architecture and Victorian charm clearly has strong historical ties to the British Empire. 

Flowers galore :)

19th Century buildings in Niagara On The Lakes

We pass Jackson Triggs winery on our way to the RV

The sun is setting earlier every night and we need to get back to our rig before it's dark as we are biking on the narrow vineyard roads. 

We get back to the RV just as it's getting dark and make a nice supper to enjoy our Strewn Winery bottle of wine with.