The Last Couple of Weeks

Since my last blog, Dee and Jim have gone and in fact are now back in the U.S. The day they left I was scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy both of which turned out fine. Unfortunately we didn't get to Changing of the Guard. The first day was June 28th and it wasn't a very nice day and after that I was preparing for my procedures so that's one thing they will have to come back to see.

While Dee and Jim were here we also had Elaine and Rick (photo in my sidebar on the right) from New Brunswick stop by. We met briefly in the rain at the Walmart parking lot. They had just purchased a new diesel pusher north of Toronto and were on their way to see relatives at White Lake before returning home.

On Canada Day (July 1st) we went to the Canada Day festivities here in town and in the evening parked ourselves by the canal at the easement just across from us and watched the fireworks. Gordon took photos which can be seen here. I succeeded in getting lots of mosquito bites even though I used repellent. They bit me through the pants I had on but at least I killed a lot of them!

On Wednesday, Glenn and Sylvia came to visit (see photo on the sidebar to the right). Glenn was born in Fort Covington, NY which is about a two hour drive from us. They return to Fort Covington every year so they came to see us. We showed them around the area including Perth and Merrickville, had lunch at Chuckles Jack and all too soon they were headed back.

Since then we've gone out for a couple of sunsets which eluded us when Dee and Jim were here.

We've been trying to get some things done around the house and have gotten some painting and staining done.

Tai chi has been taking up a lot of our time it seems but we're enjoying it. We've graduated the beginner's class having completed all 108 tai chi moves and are now in the continuing class where we're learning form.

Yesterday we went to look at a small china cabinet for the dining room and although it looked like it would work from the ad on Kijiji when we saw it neither one of us thought that we'd like it. So, we kept our money!

That brings you up to date.

A Day in Ottawa

Today was a busy day. We started out at tai chi but left at break time. Dee and Jim came over about 12:30 pm and we headed for Ottawa. We made a few stops to pick up some things but our first scenic spot was Andrew Hayden Park.

Keeley Falls with a Japanese Lilac beside it

Sailboats on the Ottawa River

Little lighthouse

From there we stopped at Hog's Back Falls.

This is a pirate tour boat

Then on to my sister's place. My nephew and godson, Nicholas turned 26 today! He has grown into a fine young man, husband and father.

Happy Birthday Nick!

Here are some photos of his son, Jack.

Sandra & Jack

This is one photo of Jack I managed without red eye!

Great Uncle Gordon and Jack

 And here's a picture I painted a few years back. When we sold the house to go fulltime RVing, I gave it to my sister.

After a visit there we drove downtown via the Ottawa River Parkway, saw the Parliament Buildings (I'll leave the photos of these things to Dee as I didn't take any photos) then across into the province of Quebec to see the Museum of Civilization, back into Ottawa where we took the scenic route down Elgin Street where Gordon and I often used to go for breakfast on Sunday mornings.

We took the Driveway back to the west, through the Experimental Farm to Merivale Road where we had dinner at Swiss Chalet and from there south till we could pick up the freeway to get home.

It was a long day but Dee and Jim seemed to enjoy seeing Ottawa.

Perth and Balderson

Scoon, the pig looks over the local Meat Market and Deli and has been the subject of much controversy here in town but it looks like Scoon will be reigning for a long time!

Last night's sunset

Old shed in Balderson

Rusty old stove

Little red barn in Balderson

Stewart Park, Perth

Another view of Stewart Park

Stewart Park

Tourist information, Perth

Beautiful tree with a field of hay

Close up of above

 

 

 

For what's been happening this week, see Dee's blog here.
 
 When we left Smiths Falls early this afternoon the weather was nice but as we approached the little town of Perth about 12 miles away it was pouring rain. It continued to pour so we drove through town and continued on to Balderson, Ontario.

I had never been in any of the stores there but their Amish Store was great! They had everything from jam to kitchen renovations to furniture. The furniture was beautiful but very expensive! From there we stopped at the Balderson Clothing store. It's a huge store, it would be great if I was still working or going somewhere but I'm not so was able to leave without spending any money.

From there we went back to Perth, stopped at a couple of grocery stores and then at Stewart Park. It had quit raining so Dee also got to take some photos. We drove around downtown a bit, stopped at the tourist bureau and a few times on the way home for some photos.

We've had some severe weather but most of it has been centered on the Ottawa/Gatineau area. So far, we've been ok except for a couple of cracks of thunder and lightning last night which knocked out Jim and Dee's wifi at the campground. We've been lucky!

Trip to Kingston and Some Locks

Today we left Smiths Falls at about 10 a.m. and headed for Kingston, Ontario.

We took the scenic route and stopped at Chaffey's Locks on the way.

On our way from Chaffey's Locks toward Hwy 10, this little fawn was standing in the middle of the road. It was soooo cute!

On Dee's bucket list is a wish to see all the great lakes. She already had Lake Michigan and on this trip so far she's seen Lake Erie so today we headed to Kingston so she could see Lake Ontario. She got her photo however the place was so busy, there was nowhere to park so we just drove around the city. We drove to Fort Henry but they won't even let you in the parking lot anymore without paying the fee. We tried to take the ferry to Wolfe Island but missed it by three cars so rather than wait an hour we left. All in all, a disappointing trip to Kingston. For those of you that don't know, Kingston was the original capital city of Canada. If you want to know more about that, click on the link.

The only photo I took at Kingston was of Jim and Dee at Swiss Chalet. Thanks Jim and Dee for treating us to lunch!

On the way back we stopped at Kingston Mills Locks

And then at Upper Brewers Lock.

When we got back we fixed Jim up with a booster for his computer as he's having trouble connecting with the wifi at the RV park. Hopefully that will help him out.

Friday and Saturday, Tranquil Acres, Almonte, Carleton Place and Around Smiths Falls

I didn't sleep worth a darn Thursday night so I wasn't in good shape on Friday. However, we picked Dee & Jim up about 1:30 p.m. and took them to Tranquil Acres which was our home park when we were fulltiming. We met the owners and they said we could go ahead and walk around the park.

The frogs just sat there like they were in a daze

Our old RV is still there

Now sitting in one place all year

Pretty flowers look like bells

I miss the gardens

 While we were out Dee was able to get a lot of barn photos.

I took one of this 'solar' farm

We drove to Almonte and walked around the town there. Almonte is the birthplace of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.

Almonte is a pretty little town on the Mississippi River. I've posted lots of photos of it before both in summer and winter.

Falls from Riverwalk

More of the Falls

Jim & Dee on Riverwalk

More of the Falls

A garden of beautiful multi-coloured lupins

The Town Hall is a beautiful old building

 From there we went to Carleton Place as we had some shopping to do and Carleton Place has the closest Superwalmart to us. Then back to Smiths Falls to drop Dee & Jim off.

Today (Saturday) we went to tai chi then I picked Dee up to go to the Farmer's Market but everyone was gone so we went off to do some other shopping, looking and driving around for a couple of hours before driving her back to the RV. No photos today but Dee might have some.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading, having a nap and watering my flowers.

Tomorrow is another day!

We Have Visitors!

I'm afraid I've been very lazy lately. I've been posting my photos on Facebook as it seems so much easier!

However yesterday is noteworthy. Dee and Jim, fulltime RVers from the Raleigh, NC area arrived here in Smiths Falls complete with their fifth wheel. Being they are the first fulltimers to visit us since our move to a stix and brix, it is extremely noteworthy. Dee and I know each other, first of all, through the RV-Dreams site and chatroom in 2008. When we were on the road Dee and Jim were only dreaming of it and now it has come to fruition.

I guesstimated when they might arrive at Victoria Park Campground and we decided to head over there. They were set up except for their TV satellite so we chatted for a bit then we took them to McDonald's as they hadn't had lunch. From there to our place to drop off their car and we headed out for a tour of the area. It was so exciting to meet them after all this time.

Jim setting up the TV satellite

Sitting on the picnic table in the shade behind the RV

We checked out the locks. The only photo I took at the locks was of this big turtle in the lock. The lockmaster said that he'd been there all day. Guess he likes playing chicken with the boats in the lock.

We drove around town a bit, showed them how to get to our place and back to the RV park. Then drove out of town to show them Gordon's favourite sunrise photography spots. As we were about to turn onto Kilmarnock Road the Via Rail passenger train came through headed for Ottawa.

On to our favourite sunset spot and then back to our place to chat and have dinner.

It was a beautiful bright sunny day with a light breeze and sitting behind their RV which backs onto the canal was beautiful!

Oh and here's sunset from Wednesday night. It was really strange with a red halo around the sun.

On to more adventures today although we are having a few rain showers!