A Weekend of Lakes, Loons, and Local Warmth in Sharbot Lake

I grew up in a small town where the traffic lights flashed after 10:00 p.m. because there wasn’t enough traffic to warrant functioning lights, where the stores were all closed on Sundays and it was almost a guarantee that on any given trip downtown, you would run into someone you knew. 

But somewhere along the line, things changed. 

I often find myself longing for that sense of simplicity again, which is what brought me to Sharbot Lake.

A Warm Welcome and a Warm Meal

I arrived at my accommodations at Lehlewa Lakeside Retreat in the afternoon and felt instantly at home in this small town of only 1500 people. Beneath the trees, I was welcomed by owner Chris and the resident dog and official welcome mascot, Poppy, with the kind of hospitality that flourishes in a small town. 

The Red Fox cabin was cozy and warm and served as my starting point and home base for all my explorations in the area. 

Situated in Loon Bay on Sharbot Lake, I was conveniently located just across the road from most amenities such as the Cardinal Café, where I treated myself to a late evening dinner. 

I took a spot on the patio and enjoyed a slow and gentle evening soaking in the warm breeze off the lake and indulging in tacos and complimentary churros with spicy chocolate dipping sauce, served by the owner Christine - a much appreciated and delicious offering.

Answering the Call of the Loons

With a full stomach, I made my way over to the beach and took in a beautiful sunset over the water. With no real itinerary and a sandy beach all to myself, I enjoyed an evening swim under the setting sun before heading back across the road to Lehlewa Retreat. 

Refreshed and relaxed, I sat under the stars on the dock and quickly understood how Loon Bay received its namesake – the beautifully haunting song of the Loons called well into the night, lulling me to sleep in my cozy cabin under the trees.

Tracing the Tracks of History

The next day began with a return trip to the café for a delicious iced maple latte before hitting the K&P trail for a scenic stroll through town. This 180km trail stretches from Kingston to Renfrew County and encourages a slower pace, winding through the beautiful scenery rather than racing towards a destination. 

Fellow passerby’s waved hello and residents were eager to tell me about their properties as I stopped to admire some of the houses on my route. 

The trail led me to the town’s Railway Park, where I was able to learn about the area’s history and strong connection to the Canadian Pacific Railway. The park provided information about the area with real artifacts to explore, telling stories about the people who built them and their connection to the area. 

A Taste of the Community

That afternoon I picked up some locally cured meats from Seed to Sausage, an ethical shop selling chef-worthy meats made from hormone-free pork, and some fresh ewe’s milk cheese from Back Forty Artisan Cheese where they specialize in the wholesome goodness of farm-raised food. 

I spent the afternoon lakeside back at Lehlewa Retreat where I enjoyed the crystal-clear waters of Sharbot Lake via kayak and enjoyed a fresh charcuterie lunch under the screened-in gazebo overlooking the water. 

Sunset Views and Small Town Serenity

As the sun slowly made its way to the west, I headed back to the Sharbot Lake Beach park where I admired the sun dancing on the waters and enjoyed the evening boaters out for a final ride. Locals waved to me from their passing boats and the echo of children playing at the park provided the soundtrack for another beautiful sunset in this charming small town. 

Sunrise Stretches to Local Brews

On my final morning, I enjoyed the warm glow of the sun through the geodesic yoga dome situated in the forest and lingered a little longer around the property with Poppy. I enjoyed an outdoor shower and sauna post yoga session and of course, feeling just like a local by this point, stopped at the café for one more iced latte. 

On the way out of town, I visited the local watering hole, Kick and Push Brewery for a warm plate of nachos for lunch before hitting the road. Here, the locals began wandering in, holding tables for one another and being greeted by the bartender with a smile and nod as she poured their regular drinks without needing to ask what they wanted. 

Finding My Way Back to Simplicity

As my time in Sharbot Lake came to an end, I realized that the most memorable part wasn’t any one place that I visited but rather the feeling that the town gave me. It reminded me of the kind of place I grew up in – where people waved as you passed by, where life wasn’t dictated by schedules and where slowing down was a part of the everyday. 

It was a gentle reminder that the simple, small-town life I had been missing still existed, quietly waiting to be experienced.