Ophélie and Stéphane’s bubble: road trip to Disraeli!

Inspired by an Argentinian couple and Ferris Bueller, Stéphane suggests that Ophélie go on a road trip. Their common goal: a round of mini-golf in Disraeli. So it’s not so much the destination, but the journey that counts.

Wednesday afternoon: An idea springs to life!

Stéphane: Ophélie! I’m reading ‘Attrape ton rêve’, it’s so good! It’s about an Argentinian couple who decided to take their Graham-Page 1928 on a road trip to Alaska. Their road trip lasted 22 years instead of 6 months! I was thinking, tomorrow, the weather’s nice, my priority files are in order, what would you say to a road trip in a ’91 Miata? Are you up for it?

Ophélie: Such a good idea, Stéphane! I’m up to date with my files too. We could stop off at the new Griendel microbrewery in Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds. They’ve just opened. A little beer on the terrace sounds like a great way to end the day! But it sure takes a start, though. What do you have in mind to start the day off right?

Stéphane: I love it! I think tomorrow’s going to be a great day for mini-golf in Disraeli. Did you see their Facebook post today? I’m almost tempted to call them and ask them to mention your name in tomorrow’s post so you can play for free! What do you think?

Ophélie: It’s a deal! Personally, I always lose at mini-golf, so are you ready to win?

Stéphane: Put some on, because I’m a sore loser just at mini-golf. See you at the office tomorrow morning then!

Life moves fast! If you don’t stop once in a while, it can slip through your fingers.

– Ferris Bueller, in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.

Thursday morning: It's a start!

Stéphane: Route 269 is such a beautiful road to get there. Do you think so?

Ophélie: It’s perfect for admiring the fields of Saint-Gilles and the mountain scenery of Kinnear’s Mills with the wind in your hair!

Stéphane: Haha, the wind in your hair, speak for yourself! Did you say you always lose at mini-golf? We can stop off in the charming village of Kinnear’s Mills if you want to stack the odds in your favor. There are four churches of different religions on the same street corner in this village…. You never know!

Ophélie: Maybe my prayers will be answered, haha! Have you seen this beautiful building? It’s called Les Fermes Rudbeckie! Can we stop by, browse their products and do a little shopping for a weekend barbecue?

Stéphane: Good idea, I thought of it this morning too and brought along a cooler. I remembered the last time Richard and Louis were here and they regretted not having one. We’ll buy it on the way back, but as you say, let’s have a look around and get our mouths watering…

Ophélie: Incredible the variety of products! I’ve heard nothing but good things about the croque-monsieur sausage, so I’ll be bringing it back tonight. And look, we can even have a maple slush. It’ll refresh us as we finish the road and enjoy the mining landscapes between here and Disraeli!

Stéphane: I think I’ll be tempted by the ribs, the bacon (have you seen the slices, toé?), and why not the croque-monsieur sausage too.

Unexpected surprise in the queue!

Stéphane: Ophélie, you won’t make it, save it! Did you call Mini-Golf Disraeli to play a trick on me, or is this really my lucky day?

Ophélie: Impossible! For real… Is that your name in the barrel of people who’ll get a free round today? Make good use of it there. It may look like a beach outing with swings and a waterfall, but there’s a real obstacle here! Game on!

The game at Mini-Golf Disraeli

Stéphane: It’s been a long time since I’ve played mini-golf. Good luck Ophélie! I think we’ll need it. But have you seen the place, it’s beautiful here! Everyone par after the first hole. PPPfff, easy!

Ophélie: Ooh, par after the first hole! Well… not so easy! The score may not follow, but we’re having a lot of fun! Let’s just say we’ve warmed up with the first half of the course. We’re going to get better!

Stéphane: Warmed up, that’s the word, +15 for you and +16 for me after 9 holes. In the end, we’re of the same calibre. It’s going to be tight right to the end, but we’re certainly not going to break the record for the place. I’m not trying to make excuses, but as there are just two of us and 4 of the second group ahead of us, we’ll have to wait and see, and I think that’s a factor in my performance, don’t you? haha!

Ophélie: I think it’s the ball, haha! No matter how much I talk to it, it just does what it wants. And I think hole 13 gave you a hard time…

Stéphane: Maybe it’s the color of the ball you chose, Ophélie! It wasn’t my best tee shot, but it looks like you did too, if I look at your score. But it was a great outing nonetheless, wasn’t it? Are you ready for lunch and a drink overlooking Lake Aylmer?

Aylmer Lake and Stater Pond

Ophélie: Absolutely! Look how beautiful and calm this lake is! The panini club by the water is perfect for today, and it really feels like a vacation… What do we have planned for the return trip?

Stéphane: My pita was just perfect, and the view of the lake, toé! On the way back, I thought I’d take a different route and show you Étang Stater (a secret Stéphanie helped me discover). Afterwards, a stop at the Craig Observatory for the superb view, followed by a stop at Rudbeckie Farms to refuel, and to finish off, a little frette at Griendel’s in St-Jacques-de-Leeds. How’s that for a return trip?

Ophélie: We’re off!

Thursday evening : Everyone back home! (via text message)

Stéphane: And have you tried the bacon surprises? Miam, miam!

Ophélie: Let’s save it for tomorrow’s aperitif with my boyfriend. I’ll be in touch!

Stéphane: I’m telling you, bacon surprises are too dirty. Take it easy! It was such a fun outing today, are we going to do it again next year at La Mine d’Or mini-golf course in Beauceville?

Ophélie: You bet! A difference of 2 strokes calls for a rematch!

Stéphane: Would you like me to book St-Paul-de-Cumberland Church for you right away, so that you’re in with a shout for next year, Ophélie? Oh yes, just to make sure we’re in sync, what are you going to put on your timesheet for today? Telecommuting or office?

Ophélie: We don’t say it often enough, but it’s true that we have sad, flat jobs!

Photos: Ophélie Gonthier and Stéphane Bourque

Wednesday afternoon: An idea springs to life!

Life moves fast! If you don’t stop once in a while, it can slip through your fingers.

Thursday morning: It's a start!

Unexpected surprise in the queue!

The game at Mini-Golf Disraeli

Aylmer Lake and Stater Pond

Thursday evening : Everyone back home! (via text message)

Mini-Golf Disraeli

Marina de Disraeli

Griendel Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds

Fermes Rudbeckie Farms