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Cattails in the WInd

Cattails in the WInd

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Belfountain

Posted by Lorac Sunday 28 February 2010 7 comments

The last post I said I would show some more of the park in Belfountain. I will give a little history of the town too!
The first settlers arrived before 1850, and in 1852, the village was called "Tubtown". This was a reference to a local blacksmith, Archibald McNaughton, who used large octagonal iron tubs to cool hot metal. The tubs sat outside his shop, which occupied a prominent place in the village, next to the town pump. Fortunately, this name did not last long. A post office was opened at Belfountain (some sources cite it as "Bellfountain") by Thomas J. Bush in 1853.

In the town,  in the 1870's, there was a grist mill powered by the Credit River to produce flour. This is an original stone from the mill which is displayed in the park. I like the way the sun shone on the water in behind and the shadow of the wheel.


The origin of the name appears unclear, although it may have come from the French "belle fontaine", or "beautiful fountain" - a reference to the clear waters of the Credit river. The bell-shaped fountain was built to honour the village. The stone work is all from local stone, quite beautiful. Unfortunately , as it is winter, it is not on.

Charles W. Mack, the inventor of the cushion-back rubber-stamp, purchased the land in 1908 and put stone masons to work on ideas he acquired while traveling.

Charles W. Mack building the caves and
dam for his summer retreat home called Mack's Park


The waterfall made by Mack, was supposed to be a miniature Niagara Falls. 


A lovely set of stone stairs, obviously the work of the stone masons, leads nowhere. In fact there a few sets of stairs in the park that  do not lead to anything other than into the forest around the park now. At one time they led to the summer house for C.W.Mack. Stone walls surround the area made from local brown stone and limestone.

Credit River in Belfountain

Posted by Lorac Saturday 27 February 2010 12 comments

Last Sunday we had a release from winters grip for the day. It was sunny and mild (+5 C). A perfect opportunity to get out for a walk in the sun. I and my son's family went to a park in a well known area for locals and tourists alike, called Belfountain Park.  Although we have returned to winter with a snowstorm that has taken us from Wednesday last and is still going today, this day, was perfect

Clear, brilliantly blue skies were with us as we took to the trails around the Credit River.


The total length of the Credit River and its tributary streams is over 1,500 km and it flows from headwaters above the Niagara Escarpment  to empty into Lake Ontario. The river was named Rivière Au Crédit by French fur traders, because trading goods were supplied to the native Mississaugas in advance (on credit) against furs which would be provided the following spring. A trading post was set up at the mouth of the river, in Port Credit, in the early 18th century.


It doesn't take much mild weather for the lakes, rivers and creeks to start to melt the ice that has encapsulated  them for the winter.


This is so deceiving as the ice is hanging over the water for a fair distance there being only air underneath.


 I got some plenty of photos during this hike and will show more in the next few days. I went out a few minutes ago and took the photo below. Over a foot of new snow. Pretty typical for February. Look at the sky though! It is still snowing and  it looks like a lot more to come!
(yes that is my snow shovel covered in snow.)


Grey skies, frowning at me, nothing but grey skies, do I see...


At my other blog, a post on the hype over the Canadian Women's Team Celebration - Champagne and Cigars!

Nostalgia - A Return Home

Posted by Lorac Friday 26 February 2010 24 comments

I had to go about 45 minutes south of Georgetown to my home town, Oakville, on Tuesday. It was a fair bit warmer and sunnier when I got to Oakville and I decided, after my appointment, I would go for a walk down by the lake. I spent many spring and summer days there in the Lakeside Park when growing up. Even as  I approached the park, familiarity overwhelmed. I remember that tree, the gazebo, the lighthouse down at the lake, all so familiar and long due a visit. I have always loved lakes and seas, rivers and creeks. Any body of water. As a youth this was the spot I would often come to when happy or sad, just to be at peace. I am always calmed by the water. It was a warmer than usual day (+5 Celsius) and the sun was bright and for the first time this season felt warm on my face! (all pictures look better when enlarged, there was just to many)


 I could sit for hours and stare out upon the water....


 The Harbour has changed greatly since I was young. Tall apartments and condos were new additions to the view. If you look to the right , that is the original wooden lighthouse. It was moved and restored.

 This view looks the same. Many times I have walked down to the lighthouse, often alone in my thoughts, as I am on this day. I remember hanging out with a group of friends diving and swimming off the end of the pier. Strolling along it's length on hot summer evenings trying to catch that elusive breeze for a bit of respite from the heat. As I think about it, I was more often alone though, than with friends. This was a healing place for me and as always, it felt good to be there.

So deceiving! It looks warm enough to swim in.


Waterfowl are every where. Some in flight,


and some just lazing around. I think these are Bufflehead Ducks, or possibly Old Squaw or a mixture of the two! If any one knows what they are for sure, let me know.

 Looking back into the Lakeside Park along the pier, I sat down to soak up the wondrous sunshine and watched as a fisherman on the opposite shore cast a line into the water.


 Just a thin layer of ice between the gulls and the water on the inlet side. I saw the reflections of the sea gulls and had to have a pic. Do go see all theWeekend Reflections!


If you enlarge the picture below you will see it was shot towards the Toronto side of the Golden Horseshoe, a large horseshoe shaped portion of the lake. The Toronto skyline is visible in the distance.


A lone goose shows the typical Canadian Goose markings.A lot of people think they are a nuisance but I think they are beautiful with their very distinct markings. It is the humans who have made the mistake of feeding the geese that has changed their migration patterns.


 A couple preen side by side. Both male and female look alike.


Wide expanse and many different types of water fowl adrift on this day.

 Many happy times were spent as a youth hanging around the gazebo! There were bands playing in the summer in the evenings. The park is so close to town. When I was growing up there weren't any malls or places for the youth to hang out. A park was ideal!


Beautiful historical homes surround the park. An ancient tree sets a frame for St Knox Church.


A ship builder, David Pattersons home, in 1835. A plaque on the building by the Oakville Historical Society.


I couldn't leave the town with out looking at my old schools. Unfortunately, the high school is being torn down. My old public school is still running though. It was originally a one room school house and was added onto later.When I went there it accommodated a few hundred children form Kindergarten to grade 8. My 8th grade year was in the old school house room of the school and I loved it. Couldn't stand my teacher, but the room was great!


The old bell tower is still on the roof and the original entrance in the front and still painted green! I remember gleaming hard wood floors and a library under the upper senior classroom. The biggest downfall was the Principals office was right beside the classroom!

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SkyWatch Friday - Lighthouse

Posted by Lorac Thursday 25 February 2010 42 comments

Skywatch Friday

 This lighthouse stands at the entrance to the 16 Mile Creek harbour in Oakville, Ontario. In the 1960s an automated lighthouse was placed at the end of the pier, replacing a seventy year old wooden lighthouse which was moved and preserved.

The colour contrast attracted me to this shot.  I saw the sunlight reflected on the red top and against the blue-grey sky it caught my eye. Nice to see it is run on solar power.

The pier on which the lighthouse stands in Lake Ontario. I was a bit shocked to see that there was only one life ring on the whole pier. It was attached to a rope on the post. Heaven forbid anyone fall in other than right at that spot! Much warmer here than in my town which is about 45 minutes north. It felt balmy at +5 degrees Celsius! The sun was warm on the face and the winds were slight. I could almost feel spring in the air!


There are great skies from all over the world at the SkyWatch Friday site. Do go and have a look! Many thanks to:
  Klaus | Sandy | Wren | Fishing Guy|Sylvia

SkyWatch Friday - A Touch of Colour

Posted by Lorac Thursday 18 February 2010 43 comments

Today is SkyWatch Friday!

The brilliant red of the Sumac against the blue of the icy winter sky adds colour to an otherwise white world.


Beautiful photos of skies form around the world at SkyWatch Friday!

Black Creek

Posted by Lorac 13 comments

So many people have been lamenting the snowfall this year. They say they are sick of the white stuff and want spring now. I love spring as much as the next person but I do enjoy a good snowfall as well.  It is so beautiful on a winters eve as the snow is falling to have a stroll and listen to the hush of the snow fall. Amazing how the heavy snow dampens all sound! I think of the snow as a blanket on the ground protecting the earth from the biting cold! This morning it was snowing heavily here and I enjoyed a few minutes watching out the window with coffee in hand as the flakes danced across my view and little swirls of snow pirouetted in the yard! The only way I can get through winter is to embrace it's beauty!

The other day I went for a walk on the Bruce Trails in Limehouse and went to the lime kilns. Black Creek runs through this area and very close to the kiln. Here there is a modern wooden pathway to cross and
an old foot bridge out of stone. (Previous post)

 On the other side a lovely little area to sit on a bench and listen to the sounds of the water and the forest.It was very quiet and you could really hear the water falls making music.


This tree caught my eye with it's wrinkly bottom! Made me think of an old elephants leg.


All along the path there are crevasses of limestone. Many animals call these rock crevasses home.


Lift anyone? In one crevasse is an old wreck of  a car. It looks to be early 1900's. A red one is a little further down. Just as old.



The Limestone that makes up the Niagara Escarpment abounds.

Over 800 kilometers of trail are on the 725 kilometer long Niagara Escarpment. The trail runs from Niagara to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. The trails are well marked and maintained by volunteers.


Still wearing red flowers a stand of sumac lends some colour.

I didn't put a picture of the reason for this walk in the last post, so here he is "Harley". He is wearing his FBI suit and ssshhh.... nobody has told him he is a small dog! This is my sons family dog who visited me for the weekend.

On the way home I saw these black birds washing and drinking from some melted snow puddles. They were very intent on their task as they did not want to leave the road! They were swooping down in great numbers and then back onto the wires or tree.


It was a lovely quiet walk with Harley. I really enjoy winter when I can get out and walk in the woods.

Watery Wednesday - Black Creek Waterfall

Posted by Lorac Tuesday 16 February 2010 47 comments

This is one theme I really enjoy as I get to look at gorgeous water views all over the world. Well worth a visit to Watery Wednesday!

 I found this little waterfall on a recent walk along one of the Bruce Trail pathways. This is  part of Black Creek that winds it's way down to the much larger Credit River. It is not far from a historical lime kiln site (last post below) and you can see the foot bridge made from limestone as well as a retaining wall. These were built in the 1840's. I liked it enough to put it as my header.


A little further along, the little creek reflects the winters  barren trees on it's still surface. It is not hard to see why it is called Black Creek!


It was so quiet way back in the forest. This is what I love about winter!
Do go and have a look at Watery Wednesday!

Limehouse, Ontario along the Bruce Trail

Posted by Lorac Monday 15 February 2010 3 comments

My son asked me to dog sit this long weekend. Harley is a small dog.  I don't mind sitting him and as I am trying to get out to walk more I thought his company would be nice. On Sunday I decided to go to part of the Bruce Trails up in Limehouse where we could have a nice walk and it was not too much for a little doggy. I haven't been there in years and didn't even remember what it was like but knew the trails are maintained. Limehouse was a going concern in the 1840's and onward until the 1880's due to the limestone in the area that was heated and ground into lime for mortar. Not far into the walk there are old lime kilns that they are in the process of restoring and I wanted to see these as I hadn't in many years. First though, you come across this powder house that has been restored. It is dated 1850.


Above the door is this metal plaque.
 There is a locked metal open mesh door in place.


Continuing on for about 10 minutes is the first kiln. They are restoring this one and it is looking good.



The oven have been restored all ready. I think the new brick work blends in well. It's really great they are restoring them for generations to come and see. While we were walking there were two groups of older teens talking a walk through the forest and commenting on them.



I found the way they had built the kiln very interesting. Look at the varying sizes of the stones.


The re-bricking is been done to match old pictures of the kiln so it will look authentic. Some parts of the kiln was the limestone from the area and some was brick work


I love finding places like this. A great place to walk, and a history lesson as well. What more could you ask for?

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Lorac
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
I have lived in Georgetown for 37 years but have traveled around a great deal. I own my own business which takes a lot of my time but try to blog as much as possible! I love to take pictures, no training, just a love of photography. Enjoy the pics but please do not copy them.
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Copyright ~~All content and photos are original to Carol Merten, Ahhh...The Cottage Life! and are copyrighted. Please do not copy, or download any content without express written consent. All content and photos remain the sole property of Carol Merten.

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