One July Saturday, we drove 2 hours away to Montreal filled with eager expectations. I could mentally visualize the number of beautiful shots we will be capturing with rows and rows of purple fields on the background.
Sadly, La Maison Lavande closed early at 2pm that day. We arrived at 3pm. Understandable! After all, it's for everyone's protection from the COVID-19 virus.
Visitors came in by the droves that weekend since the lavender field is due to be harvested the week after. No wonder the house was full.
For a short while, we lingered near the lavender farm's entrance, at a fruit stand, allowing time to process our cut off anticipation. We got a small box of organic strawberries and started our way back to Ottawa. Sigh!
"Let's move our visit for next year then. Anyway, those lavenders won't fail to bloom so long as they are sown. Once again, captivating their lover's attention."
The husband asked if there's any other place we could go to.
"Of course!" The girl scout in me raised my imaginary hand in suggestion. "Let's do the drive-by wildlife experience at Parc Omega." And without delay, we headed in that direction.
Parc Omega
The park is located an hour and a half away from Montreal and an hour from Ottawa, a quick getaway out of both the cities to meet the Canadian wildlife.
The entrance fee per adult costs CAD 33.05. Children from 2-5 years old cost CAD 13.91. Yes, it's steep (if not for you, it is for me). All in all, we paid around CAD 90++ for the day visit, including taxes. Low season cost a little lower, but still on the higher side (again, for me).
You can check the prices on their website here.
You can also purchase a bag of carrots at the entrance to feed the deers; we decided to pass. The other guests will supply it to them anyway. I'm sure they'll have more than enough and to spare!
The car trail inside the park is 12-km long. You are not allowed to go out of the car to meet the animals. You can't but oh they will draw near, mostly the deers. They will peer inside through the car window, over the rolled down glass barrier. They'll sniff here and there, searching for the sweet scent of spring, for carrots.
Just like in the photos above and below. "Hello there!"
Don't worry if your car smells like muck, they won't judge you. ;) Since we have none to offer (as mentioned previously), the deer simply moved on without running amuck (lol). No reason for that when another car is waiting to give a hand out of their most valuable orange feast (of course, I'm talking about the carrots).
In the summertime, these majestic creatures are plagued by flies, with more of these pesky little insects congregating on the heard of bison.
We visited at the height of summer. If you're looking for refreshments, there are designated areas to get them. One cone of ice cream, please!
Visiting in the wintertime will give a different atmosphere, almost ethereal, magical. But don't expect to see the bears, they will be hibernating inside their caves.
Other than the deers, we also saw boars, wolves, bears, bison, Canadian geese, chipmunks (oh wait, these little cuties are everywhere), and a beaver. As seen in the photos above.
The drive-by wildlife experience takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Here are Other Areas of Interest
- The Old Farm
- Picnic Areas
- Hiking trails
- Overnight Stay with a pack of wolves. More info here.
- And more. Check here.
I wish I could say we did everything listed above. But it has been a long day especially for night owls like us. (lol) It's time to head home.
Our day may have turned sour over the failed road trip itinerary, however, it ended satisfactory great. We're grateful to have met the Canadian Wildlife at Parc Omega that weekend, most especially our little love.
Have a Sauvage time then! ;)
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