Fergus Ontario

In 1833 Scottish settlers began arriving in this area. The freed slaves formed "Pierpoint Settlement", named after their leader Richard Pierpoint, in Garafraxa Township - around what is now Scotland Street in Fergus.
Later that year Adam Fergusson and James Webster purchased land in Nichol Township, establishing the town of Little Falls. The waterfalls in the Grand River were used as power for local industries, and in 1834-1835 the town took shape further when a hotel, saw mill, grist mill, church and school were built.
The Scotts also built stone houses and industrial buildings, which give the town of Fergus (Ontario, Canada) its characteristic historic look and feel. Many of these old buildings are still around - some are even still occupied by descendants of the original owners.

For more visit: http://www.gri.ca/fergus

Belwood Lake

Belwood Lake was full of spring runoff during my visit.

Belwood Lake was created in 1942 with the construction of the Shand Dam, the first dam in Canada built solely for water control purposes.

The flow from the dam is used to generate hydroelectricity. The 12 km-long lake (7.5 miles) offers excellent boating, fishing and water-skiing.

Sandy

Sandy is always on guard for killer squirrels! He takes protecting Mom and Dad from harm very seriously!

Oh and watch your handkerchief around him, lol!

Mom and Dad Spring 2009

Here's Mom, Dad and Sandy enjoying their day trip to the Owen Sound area. This picture was taken at Big Bay.

Spring has sprung!

Yes Laura in some parts of Canada spring has arrived, lol!

Here's Mom's Daffodils enjoying the sunny weather Saturday morning.

Belwood Sunset

Belwood sunset Friday April 24th 2009.

Headwaters of the Grand River

The Grand River that runs through the heart of Southern Ontario beginnings here just south of Georgian Bay near Dundalk and slightly north of Belwood.

For more visit: http://www.greatcanadianrivers.com/rivers/grand/grand-home.html

The CNR Caboose

On April 27, 2002, this valuable rail way artifact was delivered to the Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum and added to their permanent collection. Originally constructed as a Grand Trunk boxcar in 1910, it was converted to a caboose in 1947.

As you can see the Caboose has been beautifully restored.

Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum

Officially opened on Saturday, May 19, 2001, the "Back on Track" exhibit highlights Owen Sound's rail history through three main themes: the history of the station, Owen Sound's railway history and communications on the railway. The scenic Owen Sound Harbour makes a fitting backdrop visible through the large windows, uncovered during the exhibit's development.

The Museum's collection is housed in the former Canadian National Railway (CNR) Station. Originally the site of the Grand Trunk Railway Station built in 1894, this station was constructed in 1932 when the CNR absorbed the Grand Trunk Railway. Passengers boarded trains from the Owen Sound station until November 1, 1970 when passenger service was discontinued and the last passenger train pulled out.

Great Lakes Bulk Carrier A.S. Algosteel

Initially constructed in 1966 as the traditional styled Great Lakes bulk carrier A.S. Algosteel was built by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd., Lauzon, PQ for Labrador Steamship Co., Montreal, PQ. She is powered by a Sulzer 6RD76 diesel engine rated at 9470 horsepower at 119 r.p.m. and is equipped with an 800 horsepower bow thruster. Fed by 16 hatches, her 6 holds can carry 24,800 tons at maximum Seaway draft of 26 feet and is capable of carrying 27,000 tons at her maximum mid-summer draft of 27 feet 8 inches.

The Algosteel sails under the management of Seaway Self Unloaders (partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group). As part of this fleet, her cargo could include coal/coke, aggregate, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, and sand. The Algosteel, like all S.S.U. vessels, is equipped with a DGPS (Digital Global Positioning System) precision navigation system.

Big Bay General Store

Here's Big Bay General Store owed and operated by Don and Pat Carriere just off of RR2 in Big Bay.

Don and Pat offer a wide varity of goodies including 8 flavors of ice cream cones and information on local B&B's.

Big Bay Ontario

Big Bay Ontario located on Georgian Bay is a gorgeous stop as you drive the shore from Owen Sound to Wiarton.

The shore is rocky and the water is very cold however you can swim here during the warm months of July and August. Scuba divers and boaters like to enter the water via the boat ramp.

Owen Sound

On Friday 04/24/2009 I drove Mom, Dad and Sandy to the Owen sound area for a day trip.

It was a beautiful sunny but very windy day.

This picture was taken from the bluff above Owen Sound.

The City of Owen Sound is located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay in a valley below the sheer rock cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment. Owen Sound is characterized by a magnificent harbour and bay, two winding rivers, tree-lined streets, an extensive parks system, and tree-covered hillsides and ravines, which are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

For more visit http://www.e-owensound.com

Pink Elephant!

For those of us that at one point in our lives swear to have seen a Pink Elephant or two here is final proof that they are real and not something of our imagination!

More Storms!

Storms followed me to Cookeville TN Monday. This one produced heavy rain and high winds lasting several hours!