I rolled into Merrickville this morning at 11 am. For a fleeting moment, I had thought about riding the Star but didn’t: the sky was murky and the mercury lower than predicted. I was happy with my decision after an hour and a half drive through rain, heavy rain, sun and rain again. Four wheels and a roof were a good thing today. There was one brave rider, his or her cruiser parked along the main drag, but it wasn't me.
In the summertime the streets of this little destination mecca are filled with groups of motorcycles. It’s an historic little town known as the ‘Jewel of the Rideau’ that has won recognition as the ‘prettiest town in Canada.’ Today it was dressed for Autumn and devoid of tourists.
I met my friend Leslie and we walked the streets. We visited the shops that were still open, ate lunch at the Yellow Canoe Café and hiked through the historic ‘Ruins of Merrickville,’ along the river.
Leslie tells me the town fills up again near Christmas. Maybe I should come back in the winter.
I agree sometimes 4 wheels are better than 2 and being warm and toasty on a stormy day is pretty luxurious. I am getting ready to park Scarlet for the winter soon, I don't feel like riding through the coming rainy weather. What a lovely place to visit, I bet it is beautiful at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteDar being wet is okay, being cold is fine but being wet and cold and the fun is gone. I think I will have to go back for Christmas.
DeleteI hope you enjoyed your last ride of the year into storage.
ReplyDeleteThat really does look like an interesting place. I like the road in the last photo.
Thanks Richard ... I'm just about to post how it went!
DeleteThat town looks impossibly picturesque! Sounds like you had a good day, even without the bike.
ReplyDelete"Prettiest town in Canada," or so they say El D... it was nice to get away so close to home.
DeleteLooks nice, I love the fall decorations. Opportunities for riding are getting less and less. I hope to get in one more ride before I have to mothball my cruiser.
ReplyDeleteSonja, the friend that I met in Merrickville spent several years living in Germany (can't remember exactly where.) I remember being jealous of the shorter, milder winters she had there.
DeleteGreat pictures. Love the way the color of the chairs pop in that first one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made a wise decision on taking four wheels instead of two.
Thanks Trobairitz ... those chairs caught my eye and there was a fair bit of hiking to get to a place where we could see them well enough to take a picture. And yes, I was dry, warm and happy ... more fun that way.
DeleteThe chairs are nice, but what makes them live is the touch of color along the right margin. I like the framing of this photo very much. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI love small towns. I keep telling myself I'm going to make more opportunities to explore small towns and not just the really pretty ones. Alas, it seems I continually drop the ball.
Thanks Keith ... exploring small towns is easy when you live in 'small (towns) ville'.
ReplyDeleteAh Merrickville, one of my favourites, along with Westport, which is where we were on Sunday. Gotta love small town Ontario.
ReplyDeleteCanajun - they are two of my favorites as well ... how did I miss you? I was in Westport on Saturday as well (it was a small town kind of weekend.)
DeleteThere's something about "still open" that I find very appealing. I for one would really enjoying seeing it at Christmas?!
ReplyDeleteCoop, it's lovely with few tourists but I think I may have to return for the holiday!
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