Trip to Smiths Falls

 This was a laugh. I suggested we look for boots, then actually EAT IN A RESTAURANT! Off we went.

TA DA!

I had suggested The Vault. We repositioned the car, and went in. They couldn't seat us for another half hour. It was full. Not what we were looking for. Excellent, fresh, creative food, but too crowded. On a Tuesday, it is a good sign they are doing well. There are a lot of eateries in Smith Falls. We ambled down to a pub which overlooks the falls. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Back to square one. We noticed a restaurant in the Hotel Rideau, which we'd not noticed before. It was more of a cafe, which took up the first floor.

Smiths Falls Library 1908

Fresh food, wonderful service, and I had eggs benedict. 

The street and parking have been revamped in Smiths Falls. Including terrific bike lanes, but you do have to watch when you park and get out of your car. 

The book store, Arlie's Books, has a marvellous display. 

On the way to a talent show

From Walkies in Mer Bleue, we went to the hotel. This is an annual fundraiser talent show. We attended last year, too, but drove home that evening. This time, we stayed in a hotel.



The hotel! I've passed this place many times. It's got a view of the river. We were on the second floor, and there was no elevator.


Next, we had lunch. Yes, it was 3 p.m., but that's how we roll! We were the only people there. Yum. It was freshly prepared and refueled us.



After that, we picked the girls up early from day care. We were really early. Grampa suggested we go to Dairy Queen to kill some time! Smart man.

I took our new home phone, and tried some photos. I'm getting better.

Have you ever had chicken and waffles? I don't know...


We passed Bell High School, where all three of my kids attended school. Josee will go there for gr. 7 next year. It's been changed from 9 - 13 (back in Caitlin's day) to 9 - 12, between Jesse and Terry. Now, it is a 7 - 12 school, with declining enrollments and populations. They are doing extensive renovations.

Talent Show ♪♫♬

To have some fun whilst waiting for the music, I'd brought paper, pencils and emoji stickers. 

The t-shirts for one of the two bands. Josee designed them! They are very clever. They had people drop out of the band, it's a lot of commitment to learn the songs, and rehearse weekly. So a few people bailed. They called themselves The Bailers.

I did some research on taking indoor photos, after all these years. What a difference.
Josee took over my camera! She's a hoot.


One of the songs Caitlin did was Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. Grampa bought himself a Cash t-shirt.



Caitlin has her M. Sc. in hydrogeology. It's so good to live and work, but also to play!  ♪♫♩


The kids had a grand time. They didn't stay for the other band. Caitlin performed 2nd and 4th. JL took the girls home to bed. Grampa and I hung in. We haven't been out this late in ages. We went back to the hotel, had a good breakfast, and toddled on home.


We drove home in the rain. On the way, we drove by our old house in Pine Glen.

This is why we don't like morning driving any more! 

Lane changes from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Hooper was really happy to get outside. We unpacked and rested!