Exploring Close to Home

We needed a weekend away but not too far away. The lawn and basement digs by the plumbers (whose final chapters are still to be written) and other chores have been nagging at us so I poked around online for something to do.

Chatham’s annual Retrofest came up so that’s what we attended along with thousands and thousands of old car enthusiasts and others just looking for stuff to see on a gorgeous sunny day. It’s no wonder the city’s nickname is Classic Car Capital of Canada. In all of the car shows I’ve attended, I’ve never seen a VW Thing. Apparently they were only built in 1973-74 and they never caught on.

Derek beside a bright yellow Thing - a squared off, industrial looking Jeep-like vehicle.

I’ve never heard anyone say anything to the effect that Chatham is special.  It has historical significance to the War of 1812 and to the Underground Railroad. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is located in nearby Dresden and symbolizes the area’s history as a refuge for fleeing slaves from the US.  But to fresh eyes, it’s got a lot going for it today.  Located smack between London and Detroit, like London, the Thames River runs through it. Unlike London, the city uses the river to its advantage, creating walkways and integrating it into the city landscape.  Chatham-Kent, as the municipality is called, enjoys the shorelines of both Lake St Clair and Lake Erie. A short drive along the small waterfront town called Eirieau was all it took for me to say, “I’d love to retire here!”  The best part of that statement: cottage and home prices are still within reach for people like us!

For Retrofest, they close off blocks and blocks of downtown and turn it into a classic car showcase. Several hundred classic car owners proudly park their rides. I’m a classic car buff by association, but I still get a kick out of some of the big old restored rides from earlier times.  I hope you can see the “windscreen” in this early 1900s ride!

ornate old car has a round windscreen that looks like a mirror, propped up in front of the driver

After your feet threaten to spawn blisters, you can take a short ride to RM Auctions, a world-renowned classic car auction house. Its headquarters in Chatham features a museum of classic vehicles too special and expensive to risk taking downtown. And to mix it up, they’ve thrown in a couple of kooky reproductions.

Derek pretending to drive a reproduced Flintstones car

We spent the day exploring inside the city and out, had a lovely dinner at a legendary grill house and then a delightful breakfast with some radio friends and their children.  And in 50 minutes or so, we were back home. It was forced downtime, meant to prevent us from spending another consecutive weekend packing bins, moving stuff and clicking-together floor tiles. And I’d say it was a success.

2 thoughts on “Exploring Close to Home”

Comments are closed.