falling water

 where I live, there are many waterfalls - these are perhaps the most picturesque

but, there has been so little rain lately, that at least two of these have no flow (Tews and Tiffany) and the other two are more like a trickle.

water

For all of my life, I have always lived near water - in many cases within walking distance of a lake, a creek, canal, river, or a pond.  I cannot imagine living somewhere without a body of water,  but I also cannot imagine going through some of the cataclysmic flooding such water can bring.  Any floods near me have been, well, not devastating.

I am fortunate to live near Niagara Falls.  And it's fortunate that I really like it there.  Sure, there is a bit of tacky touristy hell there, but the falls themselves are magnificent and I will happily drive past them at any time of the year.  Especially in winter.

Oceans are okay, though with the latest tsunami threats in the Pacific, I'd be happier on a calm cruise in Estonia.

maybe add a few islands

or a waterfall

Rivers in a city are especially attractive as they provide an opportunity for bridges.  I have been known to go miles out of my way for a waterfall or bridge.  (I've been to Milford Sound, but not Prague)

sometimes, you can't really escape water, and that's fine with me

my happy place: anywhere near water

touring canada

from the French charm of Quebec City to the turquoise, crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay (with some of the best scuba diving for shipwrecks)

 

 

 

 

to the wilds of the far north in Yukon 

early bloomers

we are having a bit of an ice storm at the moment... so seeing spring flowers will have to wait

Trillium, provincial flower of Ontario, blooms late May, early June.  It is always exciting to see them in the woods, but it is illegal to pick them.

Daffodils, one of the very early bloomers.  Unlike the trillium, these are not native to North America, but aren't considered invasive.

autumn splendour

Agawa Canyon in Northern Ontario

"Remember Your Friends - Send Post Cards"

 

Nature's woods tinted in autumn colours thrill the passengers on  the canyon tour as the train passes over one of the high trestles on the run

arches

The Huron Street Bridge

One of the most photographed spots in Stratford, this bridge was built in 1885.  It was meant to be a triple arch, but the river (Avon) was too narrow, and now it is the only double arched aqueduct road bridge still in use for road traffic in North America.

Below is the Stone Arch Bridge, built 1847.  It has a 90 foot span and a 60 foot arch at its centre making it "the largest stone arch in New England".  It is now part of the Cheshire Rail Trail.

more houses of learning

two quite different styles of libraries from the early 1900s

house of learning

 it's back to school for many students

It is unusual to have a classroom with a bay window.  I once went to an open house of a school conversion to condos, and I am imagining that this building would lend itself to some lovely apartments

monuments

 Minsk is a city of monuments and sculptures

In Tallinn there is a memorial to the Russian warship Russalka that sank (in 1893) somewhere in the direction this angel is facing.  Estonia was part of Russia at the time, though this was the first statue in the country made by an Estonian.  

The sculptor's housekeeper was the model for the angel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here in Canada, overlooking the Niagara River, is a tall monument to Sir Isaac Brock who died in the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812 (the only war fought in the country)

 some monuments to history

on the water

 

from China

and a ferry from Hong Kong

or, for something a little more away from it all, a boat in cottage country

or, even more bucolic, an early sunrise in a canoe

groundhog day

 

our local groundhog prognosticator is known as Wiarton Willie

winter

So many people want to escape the winter - and a part of me doesn't blame them. Shovelling snow is the worst after a snow storm. And unless you live way out in the country, the snow does not stay "postcard pretty" for long. Slush and ice make walking brutal and hazardous. But, skiing, snowboarding, skating are exciting activities that totally depend on snow and cold.

Back in the summer post, I showed a postcard of Little Tub Harbour in summer. Here is the same view in winter. No boat tours at this time.

Winter can be a natural wonderland (with fewer tourists!)

Or, it can be just plain nasty (I believe this is Lake Huron)

If you like outdoor activities, you might want to go skiing and have a view like this

for Thursday Postcard Hunt

haunted

Believed to be haunted by the ghost of Harriett Douglas Phillips. Four generations of the Phillips family lived here from 1882 - 1971.

rvh

Located on Ross Street.  For three years, I lived across the street from here.  It had expanded several times since opening in 1932 as a 35-bed hospital, and by the time I moved away, there was a brand spanking new hospital built in the far northeast corner of town.  It is known colloquially as RVH, not the Royal Vic.

summer

Summer has never been my favourite season. The heat and humidity exhausts me. And, after so looking forward to patio season, the cool, air conditioned interior of any restaurant or cafe draws me inside. And, it seems to be fraught with disasters - fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes... But the gardens are beautiful and lush.

as is the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

which is festooned with flowers along Queen Street

which is also where you can find several ice cream shops, including this one (which conveniently also sells postcards)

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a tourist town, with its flowers and the Shaw Festival (with three theatres)

Some tourist towns are really quiet beyond the summer, like Tobermory, which is located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula which divides Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The little town, with about 1,400 permanent residents, wraps around this harbour.

It has lots of restaurants, art galleries and craft stores, book shops and clothing shops, a well stocked grocery store filled with all your camping needs, and places where you can buy tickets for the several boat tours. But, as a local once remarked, there are no hair salons.

for Thursday Postcard Hunt

canadian spans

 

The Thousand Islands International Bridge connects Ivy Lea, Ontario to Alexandria Bay, New York. It was opened in 1938 and is actually a system of five bridges and roads. The top postcard shows the different bridge styles: suspension, arch, and truss.

hitchin a ride

 

a grand house

 

What passes for a castle in Canada, it was once the home of Sir Allan MacNab, a railway magnate and the Premier of the Province of Canada. It is now a museum with the rooms restored to 1855 design.

beach canal

 

The limestone Burlington Beach Canal Lighthouse (1858)

floral clock

Riverside Park