July 3, Merrickville

Traveling 32 miles and lifting up 7 locks to Merrickville, the “Jewel of the Rideau.”  Our first stop was the Merrickville Blockhouse museum.  With its four foot thick stone walls, cannon portholes and gun ports, reassured settlers of protections in the event of an enemy attack.  At one time this city shoreline was dotted with water powered industries, but today only the malleable ironworks  factory remains; now known as Village Metalsmiths, it is Upper Canada’s oldest operating foundry.  The shops were closing by the time we started strolling down the Victorian Village.

Osprey nest we discovered while we were in a lock.  Diane and Larry enjoy bird watching and this is
the first time they have seen an osprey.