Hikes and Food Escapades

[LukyJess]

Just over three weeks ago, Kerry Beal and I set out on an European food adventure (http://forums.egullet.org/topic/151070-chocdoc-goes-to-france/page-1). Kerry recommended that I continue posting my food-related experiences here on eGullet, so here goes!

 

My friend, Taylor, and I have decided a few weeks ago that we would start taking weekly hikes for two reasons, as an healthy initiative and also to discover beautiful Ontario landscapes.

Taylor and I started our hiking project with Webster's Fall near Hamilton, ON (http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/webster.shtml).

As our 6 hour hike ended, we were starved and decided to stop in Hamilton for a snack before heading home. This turned into dinner at the Bread Bar (http://breadbar.ca/home).

At the time, we did not take any photos of our dinner, but we were very pleased with the wonderful pizza dinner we shared: the daily special Loaded Fries (poutine concept, but served with roasted chicken breast with ranch sauce and asiago and scallions that particular evening... yummmmm!!!) as appetizer, followed by the unconventional yet very delicious Bee Sting Pizza.

 

This past weekend, we set out to find the Cheltenham Badlands (http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/cheltenham-hills).

 

During our hike, we stumbled out of the woods, onto Creditview Rd and found the Spirit Tree Cidery (http://www.spirittreecider.com/), which also hides a cute little pub and bakery with wood oven.

 

Long flight of ciders for tasting!

 

Spinach-leek-goat cheese perogies with yogurt.

 

Deepfried apple slices with honey yogurt.

[Anna N]

Wow, Jess.

Only minutes ago I was discussing the renewed interest in cider with my son-in-law. Who knew how close we are to an opportunity to explore it further. I'm ashamed to say that living so close I have never heard of the Badlands or of the bakery/cider store. I am betting that once Kerry returns from the eG Chocolate workshop in Washington we will be following in your footsteps at least to the store though probably not on the hike!

[Kerry Beal]

I suspect you are correct!  Looks like a Ladies Who Lunch opportunity.  

 

Nice find Jess!

[LukyJess]

If you do go, find the gentleman featured in the striped shirt in my photos.

His name is Judge (I am not sure how to spell it, but it sounds like this).

He is the owner of Spirit Tree, which is now run by his daughter and son-in-law.

He is a wonderful man, with lots of history to count, from descriptions of the buildings' unique architecture to the family's decision to undertake the craft of cider making.

We learned a ton from him, as he sat to enjoy some cider while we were trying ours and snacking on the daily specials.