Foggy, foggy day trip

I had a big trip planned: Perth, to the drug store for happy pills; Carleton Place, for some amaryllis bulbs; Smiths Falls, for new boots and a jacket.

Home Depot had some bulbs. They are planted. When I was teaching elementary school I would divvy the class into groups. Each group would grow some bulbs. They would plan, pot, water, photograph and measure their growth. Much fun!

These photos are from 2005!



It was also a PD Day here! Things were pretty quiet.
There is some development near the Home Depot, apparently there is some giant hogweed.
 

Off we went... next stop Smiths Falls.

Originally named Smyth's Falls in 1784, after Thomas Smyth who died in 1831, the little village began to take shape by 1840. It was a railway hub, after the canal was no longer used for defense or transportation. Lots of families had men who worked on the railroad.

About 1880 Smith's Falls started being written as Smiths Falls without the apostrophe. (I know, I shudder.) It was on April 11, 1968, that the name Smiths Falls became official. It took an Act of the Ontario Legislature to officially remove the apostrophe. Most locals call it Smith Falls when they use it in conversation!

Smiths Falls 1910

We had lunch at the Fort Hemlock pub, we are frequent flyers! The owner was walking by as we were looking at his framed photos. He is a 7th generation Smiths Falls man. He knows his history. The pub was flooded in 1904, when the river flooded. The river originally flowed across the parking lot, where the building with the graffiti now stands.

They rebuilt the pub, including the corner stone from the original building. The mill is now a museum, and the falls have been rebuilt to harness water power.


Crews are rebuilding the bridge.


After lunch, I bought my new boots. The Smiths Falls store, a chain, had a Black Friday sale. This is becoming more usual in Canada, it follows Yanksgiving. I was spray painting outside, and they already have yellow paint on them, but they are work boots! Annie likes them. A nice felt lining and no holes like my old pair!

September: signs of fall

We had a lovely dump of rain on the weekend, total 52mm (~2"), which filled the goldfish pond through my water barrel, which drains from the eavestrough! It's draining pretty quickly, however, with the holes the mice have chewed in it!




The frog pond filled with water, with little bullfrog tadpoles, the only tadpoles left, dancing in the rain. The man, in the next picture, eschewed the crosswalk in the rain, choosing to walk in the traffic lane. I wonder what he was thinking? He was headed towards his pick-up truck, but looked like a dumb move to me!


Our county has redone the roads and added a paved shoulder. This really makes a difference for bikes, making it much safer. I'm glad to see my tax dollars being put here. It extends the life of the road, as well. We have a lot of people biking on their own, and in organized marathons. It will reduce stress between car drivers and bicyclists.


More signs: beautiful maple trees, and election signs!


We went to lunch Sunday afternoon, at Fort Hemlock pub. I love watching the water, and the pigeons.

Fort Hemlock Pub Smiths Falls

After our healthcare appointment, we stopped in Smiths Falls for dinner.

Fort Hemlock Pub, where we met the owner, Scott Prout, quite a keener, trying to capture photos of his heron. I'm so glad we can afford to eat out on our way home. I'd be too tired to cook. The staff are great, I grabbed a selfie of one of them. They manage hubby's food intolerances well.
The view, the birds, and the rushing water, are soothing.