Out & About #463 | Breath of Barrie Day 2: The Narrows + Webers

The early bird gets the worm, which, in this case, is the benefit of additional time to invest in one's regular duties.

Commencing with a morning swim, then a leisurely lunch of leftovers from the previous evening, the day was off to a solid, unwasteful manner.
Following this was a drive to Orillia - very much a request on my part. The previous years of rowing had been of utmost enjoyment to me, so it was only fitting to relive the scene come warm weather season.

​As opposed to embarking from J.B. Tudhope Park, on the north side of Hwy 12, we sourced Narrows Canoe as an alternative to Kayak-ity-Yak. Located southeast of the family-friendly park, it allowed for direct entry into the waters without unneeded exposure to sandy silts. The business owners were exceptionally friendly, and even directed our attention to a map, noting the calm and turbulent areas. Considering that this was private property, there were, regrettably, no public bathrooms nor changerooms available.

​Opting for this route contributed a dose of uncertainty, further enhancing curiosity levels as well as an overall sense of adventurism. The two-hour trip was exhilarating: The Narrows were calm, but the channel (underneath Hwy 12) was expansive and busy. Small bays were filled with pristine waters, delicate blue dragonflies, and lush shrubbery - an awe-inducing sight indeed. The return trip was less tranquil, however, with opposing currents posing a tiring challenge to already fatigued muscles.
Regardless, the entire ordeal yielded an experience that was more than just satisfactory; the path less travelled was indeed enthralling. I honestly can't wait to so it again!

​The ideal post-rowing treat is a delicious double scoop from Sweet Dreams. Visiting on a weekday negated this possibility, as both the dessert parlour and adjacent savoury sustenance booth were shuttered. 
​With hunger catching up to me at a hanger-inducing rate, I aggressive proposed a trip to Webers for immediate fulfillment.

​With a twenty-minute drive ahead of us (and then a coiling lineup for the popular charcoal barbecued burgers), achieving sustenance wasn't instantaneous. That said, it remained a swifter process than travelling elsewhere for sluggish restaurant service.
Actually, the process was rather swift given the lineup. Several members of staff would manually take orders from customers in the lineup, mark requested items on an inventory list, then deliver it to the kitchen for processing. The bill would then be printed and cash flow would occur while in wait. Notably efficient was how staff members carried exact amounts of change in anticipation for patrons paying bills of $15.55 with a twenty-dollar bill.

​Options were straightforward: Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Garden "Veggie" Burgers, or Hot Dogs were the primary constituents of the menu. Fries, poutine, milkshakes, and soft drinks were other add-ons on offer.
We took to a Cheeseburger and Double Patty Hamburger with a side of not-so-salty potato crisps.

​While the fries were in dire need of a dusting of sea salt, they were crisp and fresh. The pieces were shorter than McD's - my preferred source of the starchy side - but nonetheless enjoyable.
The Cheeseburger didn't offer the melty cheese nor smoky aftertaste I was expecting, though this didn't bother me tremendously. A spongy burger bun, juicy ingredients, and appetite-curbing protein patty was more than sufficient in satisfying my hankering.​

​Might I also add that Webers' multi-stall bathroom is cleaner than anticipated, given the ridiculously high volume of traffic. Routine maintenance also ensures that toiletries are always available (even if garbage bins aren't regularly emptied of).

​I honestly could not bring myself to conclude a day of water sports without ice cream, and thankfully, Webers had a separate installment to tend for such needs. Regrettably, it wasn't as fast-moving as the burger side. Two young girls were having difficulty completing frozen yogurt and hard ice cream demands while simultaneously manning the cashier. With all this in play, it was amazing to observe them maintain composure and maintain pleasant smiles to each and every customer.

​Prices were ridiculously fair: a Single included three heaping scoops, while a Double totalled six or more scoops. Sugar cones and cups were free of charge, and waffle cones were an additional $1.25.

​Muskoka Mocha and Chocolate Peanut Butter from Kawartha Dairy were our picks.

​Next to Webers was a single-story establishment that had caught my attention at the moment of our arrival. The green and white mermaid logo was simply all too familiar for this caffeine fiend.

​Upon closer examination, though, a "Coming Soon" sign was observed. We weren't the only ones who turned away in disappointment.

Starbucks outposts are scarce throughout the area, so it is with great hope that this location opens its doors by our next visit.