Johnathan Photopoulos, 8, nears the top of Peanut Butter Rock. -- Photos by Tracy McLaughlin

Think blue. Blue sky. The blue, blue waters of Georgian Bay and the misty blue haze that covers the Blue Mountains that embrace this jewel of a town called Collingwood.

You don't have to wait till the snow flies to visit this area which is known for its skiing. Come now. A drive along the winding country roads that surround this mountain town about two hours northwest of Toronto feels like a visit to a faraway country.

Shop 'til you drop in the charming little boutiques along the quaint little downtown with its tiny cafes and gourmet foods. Or pack a lunch and hike in the cool crisp air of the mountain trails.

I planned such a busy day that I decided to turn my road trip into a weekend stay here.

I hit the bull's-eye when I ended up at Beild House Country Inn with a cozy little spa right on the premises. Host Stephanie practically bursts at the seams with enthusiasm for Collingwood.

"Walking along Collingwood is a gift," she says. "The historic architecture of the homes combined with nature's gifts makes it special."

Beild House itself is a historic home with a rich history and part of the annual Doors Open historic walk that was happening while I was there. Each year some of Collingwood's finest architectural, historical and cultural treasures open their doors to the public.

I toured some of them and then set out on a country drive along County Road 19 dotted with apple orchards, rolling hills, horse ranches and flocks of sheep and I felt like I was somewhere in Scotland.

On County Road 10 I met up with rock climbing instructor Jennie Elmslie of Free Spirit Tours. What a fitting name for this free-spirited woman whose office is the forest and whose passion is sharing the thrill of climbing to the top of a rock cliff.

We hiked a short distance along the Bruce Trail until we got to Metcalfe Rock, one of Ontario's most popular climbing cliffs.

Jennie and her assistant Rosa also had a family group with them who were staying at the nearby Blue Mountain Village Resort and even the kids got into the climb with gusto.

"I definitely need an elevator up here!" quipped 8-year-old Jonathon Photopoulos, of Toronto, as he climbed his way up a 12.5-metre-high craggy rock cliff called "Peanut Butter" while both instructors held his harness ropes and cheered him up, up, to the top. He made it with a whoop of joy.

With much fumbling, (and a little fear) as I tried to become one with the rock, I made it too, and the exhilaration I felt at the top was heady.

Arms now a little rubbery, I left the group and wandered back through the woodsy trails, ate a picnic lunch, then headed back to town where I decided to roam the main street filled with shops for antiques, lingerie, and clothing stores. I stopped for tea at an off-the-wall place called Zencha tea bar, where organic and herbal teas like Lemon Mango or White Monkey Paw can warm the belly and soothe the soul. Owner and poetry writer Harry Posner showed off his amazing lemon tarts.

Hot stone treatment at the Beild House spa is a heavenly way to end a day of kiking or biking.

Later in the day, I stopped at Kamikaze bike rentals where for less than the price of a movie and popcorn you can rent a bike and have an adventure riding some of Collingwood's 90-km network of trails from easy to rough and craggy.

I rode along the harbour trails that hug the beautiful blue shoreline and pedalled until the sun went down behind the mountains. I found hidden nooks along the bay and a marvellous boardwalk that wound its way through peaceful marshes.

Pleasantly exhausted, I headed back to Beild house where a dining table set for 22 kings and queens was sprinkled with red rose petals.

Be prepared to gain a few pounds if you stay here as the packages include gourmet breakfasts of waffles, scones and omelettes and three-course dinners with hors d'ouevre.

I dined on sea scallops sizzling in a cast iron pan and chicken stuffed with feta cheese. When chefs Eric Madden and Adriana Rosa came out of the kitchen to say hello they were greeted with a standing ovation.

Birthday girls celebrate their 50th with a pajama party at Collingwood's Beild House.

Guests bring their own wine to the table and we sipped and chatted and swapped funny stories of the day and I laughed until my face almost fell off.

I've never experienced such a warm, festive, atmosphere at any inn and I'm told it's always this way on a Saturday night when the house is full.

During mid-week Beild House can be a romantic getaway, with rose petals sprinkled over the canopy beds, candles and chocolate dipped strawberries. Beild House also features an all-girl getaway called the Pajama Club with specials on spa pedicures and manicures.

While I was there I met a group of gorgeous, fun-loving, high school graduates from the Stephen Leacock Collegiate in Agincourt who were blissfully celebrating their 50th birthdays.

Something to think about for my next trip to Collingwood. Maybe I'll even tell you which one I picked.

Harry Posner of Zencha Tea Bar shows off his lemon tarts.

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MORE INFO

Beild House Country Inn and Spa is at 64 Third St., Collingwood. For information and reservations, contact beildhouse.com or 705-444-1522 or 1-800-322-3453.