Saturday 4 May 2013

I had the best day ever!

Foley Mountain Lookout
As seen from The Cove Inn's patio!
This is what our precious granddaughter says when she visits us!

"I had the BEST day ever!"

Thursday, we went for a walkabout. Foley Mountain is part of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). We've been to the RVCA Rideau Ferry beach and the regatta. It's a great spot for kids! They have a beach, too.
You can download their map from their website: Download Foley Mountain Trail Guide

RVCA has 9 conservation spots to visit, as well as educational programs, but Foley Mountain was one we hadn't been to yet.


Having been a special education for most of my teaching career, I enjoyed the wheelchair-friendly trail.

This is a fabulous time of year to visit lookouts, since the leaves aren't out yet, and you can see these fabulous vistas. I've been to the Dorset Tower Lokout, in Huntsville, and we climbed to the Blueberry Mountain lookout (#4 of the 7 Wonders of Lanark County!), but not this one, near Westport, right in our Rideau Valley watershed!


Here is the view from the lookout.

Westport

 

If a tree falls in the forest...

Poor old tree
We have old pines like this.


Merganser pair

We walked up to the beaver pond.


Turtles!



Found on the road on the drive home!

Camera-Critters #265


We brake for snakes!


ID butterflies here
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

The spring flowers are amazing!

Spring Beauties
Lots of great trails of varying distances!


Interpretation centre and hard-working crew!
Lots of clean-up to do!

This site can be used to obtain information and start booking processes for education programs, the group camping area, the interpretive centre, and special events.
Don't forget to pay the $6 fees to enjoy the park!
It's only fair (fare)! We have a seasonal pass.

Groups camp site

11 comments:

Misty DawnS said...

What an awesome day!!!

Judy said...

You would have to remind me the spring beauties are blooming!!! They are my favourite flowers, and my hip is so sore I can't get near them...
Glad you had a good day, though!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful views! I love the wildflowers popping up amid the leaf litter.

TexWisGirl said...

i like seeing the mourning cloaks. cute turtle, too!

Karen said...

Great shots! I love cottage country.

eileeninmd said...

What a nice day, love the scenery and the turtles. The snake is cool as long as they are not poisonous!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a place. Thanks for taking us along. And we get to piggyback on your $6!

Kay said...

Oh wow! There are so many beautiful, wonderful things to see. I love your gorgeous photos, Jenn. Wildflowers are my favorite!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Looks like tou had a fabulous day.

Lovable Derek said...

This post is almost like making a trip there. It's comprehensive and beautifully illustrated.
I love the turtles, although they are usually extremely unfriendly creatures – I don't suppose that we can blame them for that though.
Have a great week.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

A best ever day indeed! Kids are so great at reminding us to stay joyful and enthusiastic!