In the city, we’re bombarded with textures, colors, and smells. Asphalt, screams, sirens, trash cans, a guy who thinks he’s cool for blasting Romanian rap at full volume from his Toyota Tercel with the windows open. On top of that, our phones vibrate every two minutes in our pockets. The futuristic overload of city life, which sends the nervous system into a state of total panic, is still just as hard to bear when school starts again.
To calm our minds, refresh our eyes, breathe in the fresh air of the reddening leaves, and immerse ourselves in the silence of the woods, we’re going to live like hobbits for a weekend.
Just an hour and twenty minutes’ drive from Montreal, we’ll settle in at one of the eco-lodges at Entre Cîmes et Racines.
LIKE A HOBBIT
Entre Cîmes et Racines is a 71-hectare forest reserve, preserved and set aside for a certain appreciation of nature—old-fashioned, almost medieval. There’s a campground, eco-lodges without electricity, and little bridges spanning the rivers. Plus, there are 12 kilometers of hiking trails.
Before we get there, we stop by the supermarket and stock up on sandwiches, breakfasts (and snacks for 11 a.m.)—we won’t want to leave the forest all weekend. We’ll also buy candles, firewood to build a nice fire, and maybe some flashlights.
Entre Cîmes et Racines has three cave-like eco-lodges (dug into the earth) that resemble the hobbit houses in the Shire from *The Lord of the Rings*. The first one, in fact, is called *LE HOBBIT*. It sleeps four, and features a kitchenette, round windows, an outdoor table, a dry toilet, and a fireplace for a fire.
If it’s not available, we also recommend *LA PIERRE DE FEU* or *LE SEIGNEUR DES BOIS*, which are also troglodytic (or semi-troglodytic).
We pack a thick sweater, a book (by Tolkien, perhaps?), hiking boots, and a notebook to document our hobbit weekend.
PRACTICAL INFO
Where? Between Cîmes and Racines, at 80 Chemin Simard (via Ch. Bellevue), Bolton-Est
When?
Arrival at the eco-lodge: 2:00 p.m.
Departure from the eco-lodge: 11 a.m.
What? The three cave-style eco-lodges are about $225/night plus taxes, and you can find all the details here
*Pets are not allowed
