Destination Morrisburg

A few weeks ago, I fancied a change of scenery and so dusted off my Yaris for a little road trip. After driving for a mere three-quarters of an hour, I arrived at my destination. Namely, Morrisburg Marine Park on the Saint Lawrence River! Before the photos from that jaunt get any more stale, I thought I'd better toss them into a post.

 

I drove through Winchester with it's dairy-themed hydro poles.

Entering the county of South Dundas. The fire ban was off that day.

Morrisburg's water tower was having an overhaul.

On the waterfront, a helpful map encourages folk to explore.

The jetty is one of my favourite hangouts.

There were rows of these colourful and very comfortable Adirondack chairs.

I wonder if Dan & Dan is short for Danny and Danielle.

Visitors from Quebec rolled up in these sporty vehicles.

Folk were heeding the social distancing reminders.

A vintage-themed mural adds interest to the Giant Tiger parking lot.

The logo's tiger seems to appreciate the cheery vanity plate message.

After a refreshing and enjoyable hang out at the marina, I took a little stroll up Lakeshore Drive to admire some of Morrisburg's lovely old buildings.

 

A grand old tree that gives the home both shade and privacy.

The lush cover of vines makes me imagine a cool and tranquil interior.

I love the hot colour of those double doors.

Elegant roof crestings decorate many of the 19th century buildings.

Another grand old building with a great view of the river.

 

On the way home, I stopped in to say 'Hi' to my beekeeper friends in Williamsburg. This year they added four new bee colonies to their honey bee population. I like the bright box colours to help returning foragers quickly find their own hives.

 

Good Bye, Old Friend

This week I bid a sad farewell to a dear old friend.

At least eighty years ago, my father bought half a dozen young Manitoba Maple trees from a traveling salesman. In those days, he didn't know that Manitoba Maples are considered weed trees in Ontario. Anyway, he planted them around the lawn perimeter and they soon grew into lovely shade trees. We kids (especially me) loved to climb their sturdy, low branches and one tree held an old fashioned rope swing. Another one supported a clothesline.

Decades passed and these soft maples matured and aged. The Ice Storm of 1998 damaged all of them and felled some of them. Eventually all but one toppled. Happily, not one of these gentle giants ever damaged the house when they fell.

Of course, being Manitoba Maples, they produced thousands of Maple keys. While most seeds were eaten by squirrels and many seedlings were curbed by lawn mowing, ample descendants of those original trees live on. 

The sole surviving tree that Dad planted so long ago stood just south of the house, in perfect view from my living room couch. I so enjoyed watching the tree change costumes with each season. It's shade helped keep the house cool in summer and it's cavities and a large roost box/bird house sheltered screech owls in winter.

My Manitoba Maple (right) with it's younger hard maple cousin.

The Screech Owl box attracted tenants, both feathered and furred.

Heavily decayed on it's south side. 

The west side was a popular target for woodpeckers.

 

The tree was getting increasingly unsound but I wanted to let nature take it's course. The old soldier leaned away from and was not a threat to the house. 

But then I started getting 'thinky'. What if the tree comes down in a winter storm and blocks my driveway. Also, I need to hire a contractor to raise the laneway and perhaps add a culvert. The tree would be in the way of construction equipment. Common sense out-ranked sentimentality. I hired a tree service. 

Arborist, Paul, makes the first cut.

The deed is done. 

As you can see, there is still no shortage of trees around.

So after all these years, the new view will take some getting used to. I sorely miss my old friend but look forward to watching the stars in the now expanded patch of sky.