OpenRoad Driver Volume 14 Issue 1 | Page 41

Volume 14 Issue 1 » 41
But the road is calling . There are bubbling creeks to cross , a swimming hole at the Puntledge River that demands we wriggle sweaty toes in the water , and a chocolate seller with a plate of samples that simply cannot be missed . A few kilometres later we park our bikes outside the fruit winery Blue Moon Farm , Winery & Ciderworx , where we taste cider and berry wines paired with rich , dark chocolate . Behind the tasting room the blueberry plants are heavy with fruit .
We take a quick break at Puntledge Park , a favourite local swimming hole and a launching point for swimmers armed with inflatable tubes and a yen to ride the small rifts of white water downstream . A few brave souls venture waist deep into the water , which is still too chilly to tempt us .
A few kilometres later we are in the retail hub of downtown Courtenay , a three-block radius of eclectic boutiques , home décor stores , clothiers selling the apparel of littleknown designers , and a shoe shop that dates back to 1929 . It ’ s a charmingly fun centre to explore , one devoid of chains and big box stores and filled instead with the unique tastes of independent shop owners .
Our bike tour ends on a sweet note at Hot Chocolate , clearly a favourite destination for locals if the crowds inside are anything to go by . Combining homemade chocolate with ice cream , gelato , coffee and a gourmet selection of bread , Hot Chocolate is an irrepressibly happy place . Here , diets disappear out the window and folks of all ages and sizes succumb to the sweet decadence of truffles , the irresistible richness of brownies infested with walnuts , and the mesmerizing loveliness of gelato in flavours like mango coconut , carrot cake and pink grapefruit .
A couple hours before sunset we are back on the road , this time behind the wheel of the car and on our way to Comox , a few kilometres away . Here , Danny Clair , owner of Comox Harbour Charters , is gunning his vessel ’ s engines as he prepares to head out on a sunset crabbing expedition . Hopping aboard we bask in the late