Bernadette Obeid's first trip to the Lake Erie shore opened her eyes to a whole new world.

 

"It is very amazing," said the Windsor resident as she took in the sights of the weekend's Explore the Shore event.

 

"It's just beautiful. The trees, the windmills, all the homes. There's just so much out here."

 

Along County Road 50 from Holiday Beach to the Arner Townline, 25 local businesses opened their doors to guests Saturday and Sunday.

 

Visitors to the shore could cruise through Colchester and Oxley, stopping along the way at wineries, conservation areas and gift shops.

 

Obeid's first stop was Serenity Lavender's roadside kiosk. She brought Mary Zaglaniczny of Troy, Mich. along with her.

 

"It's a great way to spend a Saturday," said Zaglaniczny.

 

She said she's a wine drinker who loves to buy local, and she was planning to visit some of the area's wineries.

 

Local business owners are hoping visitors like Zaglaniczny come back.

 

Richard and Christine Froese, owners of the Oxley Beach Golf Course, said Explore the Shore helps tourism in the area.

 

"There's lots to see and do down here," Richard said.

 

Christina Froese said the event brings new people out to see what's along this stretch of road.

 

"I think it's a hidden gem."

 

It's an area 21-year-old Maja Kujundzic of Windsor was just discovering.

 

"I never come out here, so it's a nice change."

 

She said she'd come back and explore. For Marina Olujic, spotted along with Kujundzic on the golf course, the trip along the shore evoked memories.

 

The 28-year-old lives in Windsor but is originally from Vancouver.

 

"It kind of reminds me of home," she said. "Grass, trees, local food, friendly people."

 

"It's nice to kind of see different places you've never stopped at."

 

Windsorite Joan Walker had already explored much of the shore by the time she stopped at Colio Estates Wines.

 

She sampled some of the winery's new fare at its roadside booth and said she'd be keeping an eye out for their Girl's Night Out line of fruit-flavoured wine beverages.

 

"It's been great," Walker said. "It's been an excellent idea."

 

She's been through the area before, but "how I missed this, I don't know."

 

Article Credit:

JEFF BOLICHOWSKI

The Windsor Star