What to get dads for Father's Day is a question asked every year as though it's the first time ever asked. What do dads want more than anything? As a dad, I can tell you: we want an experience; one that feels bonding and memorable; out-of-the-box and fun.
Look no further than Oxford County, home of Ontario's Cheese Trail, a host of U-Pick Farms and charming rural towns scattered across rolling countryside.
Here are some fantastic ideas for experiences with Dad that can also double as fun and romantic getaways!
Gopher Dunes is just across the County line. It is a haven for motocross, and it's the only one of its kind in Ontario, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide. For us, this is one of the most unique and exciting experiences of the summer. All the training and rentals are provided. Families, couples, friends and even little kids are whizzing around on their bikes through the clean air of the woods, over berms, around trees and splashing through puddles. It's so easy and totally invigorating.
Kicking it into gear, we suit up and rev up to race each other along a 1.2km undulating dirt track, zip along the straightaway and follow a 10km trail through the woods (suitable for bikes, ATV's, and UTV's.) This is so much fun–and anyone can do this! I don't know what's more fun: feeling the power and exhilaration of being on this Honda bike, or looking over at my son to see the excitement on his face as he tries to pass me!
The main feature is a world-renowned 2km sand track that features a 40-rider starting gate and obstacles to raise the challenge. We're content to just watch these speed demons sail through the air. There's also a beach with lawn chairs, swimming, barbecues, a beach volley ball court, fishing for bass and sunfish, and family relay races. We could spend a whole day of activities here.
Let's dispense with stereotypes for a moment. We all love flowers. Guys too. And for the guys who don't, their partners do. Makkink's Flower Farm has 2.5 acres of flowers to pick for yourself or your home or your date. There are fifty varieties of seasonal flowers. A spectacular proliferation of peonies, dahlias and sunflowers for us to pick and take home.
Cyclists stream in from off the Trans Canada Trail, park their bikes, and chill in the café with local beer, wine and a wholesome lunch. The aromatics of lilacs and lemon cake perfume the air, while we enjoy local cheese and coffee. Our workshop includes creating a keepsake of dried flowers set in a glass cloche. It is such a meditative activity and a pleasure for my son and I to enjoy together. Flowers can touch everyone and encourage us to live life in full bloom!
* A perfect date would be to bike here along the Trans Canada Trail, pump water from an old-fashioned water pump, cut some flowers, and unwind by the fireplace with local cheese and wine.
There is no substitute for the three-tone xylophone sounds of a silver ball bouncing off the bumpers and ramps of a vintage pinball machine. Once I slingshot that ball into the playing field, my trigger-happy fingers on the flipper buttons are on hyper-alert to fire that ball back up through gates and switches to hit targets and gain points.
Skill Shot Pinball parlour in Tillsonburg is home to an amazing collection of classic pinball machines from the 1930's to the 1990's. We play them in chronological order. The earliest machines are pre-flipper. Seven balls cost only one cent! The parlour is wide and wheel chair accessible, and there is even a remote flipper button for those with limited physical abilities—proof that pinball is for everyone!
This generation typically only knows pinball online, but once my son drops in his quarter, his instinct takes over. Did he just beat my high score? "I thought I was the body table king, but I just handed my pinball crown to him."
I'm most comfortable in the '70s, so I choose to play Hang Glider from 1976. As they say, "If you're not tilting, you're not trying." I'm racking up points; tension's rising; the electricity of the ball bouncing off kickers is insane; Aerosmith is belting out Mama Kin from the speakers; the score dial is whirling upwards; my eyes are darting right to left to follow the speed of the ball; lights and sounds reach a crescendo, and I'm in my happy place.
Sometimes yoga is not about being bendy or being able to hold a stretch, (which is good, because that hasn't been an option for me in years.) It's about boosting mental health through the triggering of "feel-good" hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. The relaxation of goat yoga (for ages 16 +) comes from the joy of the experience.
While in plank pose, a miniature goat steps up onto my back. With no desire to dismount from his new-found platform, he attracts the attention of his curious friends who now congregate around me to check out the scene over here. It is impossible not to laugh. I am swarmed by the most discordant chorus of goats baaing at me to my face. They're also nipping at my shoelaces; untying them with their teeth. I don't know what to do, but in the meantime, I'm holding my plank pose for longer than I otherwise could have done on my own. This has now become a team sport. Perhaps their incessant baaing is meant to cheer me on.
As I alternate between cat pose and cow pose, I have become both bridge and tunnel for these playful creatures. This is the most hilarious jolt out of my norm that I can imagine. My son, next to me, seems to have disappeared within his own tribe of surrounding goats who are enjoying discovering him. I can hear him calling out to me, but there is nothing I can do now, but hold my own pose. From betwixt the noise and the cuddles is our laughter.
Following this hour of cuteness-overload, we refresh with lush scoops of award-winning, Udderly Ridiculous goat's milk ice cream. (Goat milk is rich in vitamins and nutrients and has fewer naturally occurring sugars.) The Lemon Cream is the optimal balance of sweetness and tartness enveloped in a lush creamy texture. Vanilla Bean Lavender is disarmingly addictive: a potpourri of real vanilla and local lavender is just heavenly. But I have to go back for more. I cannot resist the Wine and Dark Chocolate, made with Dutch cocoa, 74% bittersweet chocolate, infused with local VQA Merlot from Legends Estates Winery. Decadent without the guilt: it is, as my son says, "Yum-sational!"
Tonight, we glamp! And why not! A luxurious air-conditioned RV awaits us. It's located right across from the farm animals. Inside, a living room with leather interior is situated around a large screen TV equipped with a library of movies. The full kitchen allows us to cook and grill, but wait! There is already a charcuterie board and selection of cheese from the Oxford County Cheese Trail, a French baguette, devourable chocolate chunk cookies and apple chips for us to get snackin'! The en-suite bedroom is furnished with a cozy king-sized bed, and there are two separate bathrooms. It's perfect. I want to stay here all week.
Outside, we enjoy our charcuterie, watch the setting sun, and light up a campfire to roast marshmallows with the S'mores kit provided for us. There are still goats, alpacas, chickens and Highland cows lazily milling about. In the morning we'll feed them as we walk about the farm.
What a totally fantastic way to disconnect and recharge. It's a time-out that I didn't realize I needed. Surrounded by nature, animals and family, everything is lovingly set up for our urban-detox and farm-fresh relaxation.
Father's Day is every day, and there is no reason why we can't follow this fantastic itinerary any day.
For more information on Oxford County visit: www.tourismoxford.ca