We drove 87 km! It's a lovely island, Amherst Isl. We visited Topsy farm, as well.My information told me that these are magical places. The road traffic told me that those from away, like us, are taking advantage of the birding possibilities. Locals wave at us as we pass them on their muddy, miserable roads. I'm not sure they wave to the wind farm construction crews.
The contractors are ubiquitous, although limited to particular roads. This is a good thing.
Locals have protested for a long time, online as well as with signage, but the wind farm is being built.
I felt guilty being on the island. We cannot contribute to their economy, although we do pay the $9 ferry fare as does everyone. We did make some purchases at Topsy Farm.Amherst Island’s “Windlectric” project, owned by Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., project.
There are a couple of B & Bs, as well as a restaurant, which is closed for the season.
Air BNB has a webpage for accomodations, thousands of birders visit the island during spring and fall migration, as well as now, during winter owling season.Hubby bought a coffee at the General Store. They've owned the store less than a year, and decided to also make sandwiches, as construction crews are hungry.
It's interesting that the construction company has its own barge and tug boat to ferry across the equipment, the turbines and the crews.
Amherst Isl. Wind Farm from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
5 comments:
Lovely winter trip!
I like to visit islands, not to live/work on one as I prefer Land which offers more stability.
As canadian tax payers you probably do contribute , in a way, to Amherst island's economy if it's part of Canada.
Anyway, in winter even tourists are a miracle - that's why this season is chosen for construction in most places.
Wind turbines, they might have needed a sturdier and longer barge to take the pieces over. We need to face facts, and for me, having a turbine closer would be a far better way to generate power than a nuclear plant. How many homes are nearby? Over here, we pass by the "turbine farm " and I do not find the noise too bad at all. They are higher up a ridge or places on a hill, no homes really close by, and I love the way they look like ballet dancers as the blades slowly turn. There is also a viewing place, with a lot of info, and you get to stand right under one, even as it is turning.
That's a lot of work!
Oh doesn't sound like a win/win situation ~ what will happen to the people that live there?
Happy Weekend to you,
A Shutterbug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
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