DISCOVERED
THERE WAS A TIME NOT SO long ago when Canada and the USA were at war. That might seem like an impossible situation these days given the differences in military capability and population between the two countries, but it was very real in 1812. Back then, wooden ships armed with cannons plied the waters between what was known as Upper Canada and the United States. The British ruled much of the known world and the Americans were once again in search of independence, having first achieved it in 1776. But the Brits didn’t want to abandon their rule without a second fight. In the end, complete freedom from Britian was secured and today we simply refer to this area as Southern Ontario and Western New York. Thankfully, it remains peaceful and a region high on the list of any traveller looking to see some of the best scenery Canada has to offer. The drive into living antiquity from either Toronto to the north; Buffalo or Niagara Falls to the south, is filled with glimpses of vineyards and multi-million- dollar homes. Together with roadside plaques celebrating the history of this area, it provides an intoxicating blend of the old and new. The 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 is the perfect companion for a weekend drive like this. A fully electric four-door sport sedan, it presents the perfect balance between driving efficiency and performance. But for the lack of any serious engine noise; there are different engineered sounds based on your drive mode selection, it delivers a driving experience similar to any 4 Series BMW. Steering is progressive, the interior is supremely comfortable and the ride quality handles most road surfaces with complete confidence. A must-see route to follow is the Niagara Parkway stretching all the way from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls before finally reaching the shores of Lake
Ontario. It is recorded that Sir Winston Churchill once stated the Parkway is “the prettiest Sunday drive in the world.” Vineyards stretch away from the road, row after row are laden with white and red wine grapes nearly ready to be harvested as we leave the historic town of Queenston behind. Rising high up on the escarpment behind us, a walkable tower dedicated to the memory of Sir Issac Brock appears to gaze down in our direction. I do my best to maintain a steady pace on the Parkway and keep to the speed limit of 60 km/h. It is a challenge as the two-lane road is perfectly paved and traffic is light on this day. But with scenery this beautiful, it should be savoured, so speed is not my friend at the moment. To my right is the mighty Niagara River and just beyond that America. It feels so close you can almost touch it, but in reality, the two countries are separated by a wide, fast-moving waterway. Of course, Niagara Falls in all of its splendour, a mere 16 kilometres to the south, may have something to do with creating the current. Power boats and yachts ply the shared boundary these days in a scene unlike any other in the world. Thirty minutes later we arrive at our destination. The Pillar and Post is a mainstay in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, or NOTL as
“A must-see route to follow is the Niagara Parkway stretching all the way from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls before finally reaching the shores of Lake Ontario. ”
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