Doors Open

We took part in Doors Open again this year, but instead of doing a repeat of St.Thomas (which is where we went last year), we attended Doors Open Port Stanley and Sparta:
Our first stop was the Quaker Meeting House which was a fast stop. We did a quick peak, warmed up by the fire, listened as the guide entertained the kids with stories of a duck and a raccoon who took up residence in the chimney and who had to get chased out in order not to start a fire, and had a picture on the deck. Kade's exclamation of our first stop: "Well, that was boring!" So on we went. Our next stop was Rush Creek Wines where we enjoyed a tour of their facilities and learned the general process of wine making . . . of course there was samples and more samples, so after a quick sample of non-alcoholic wine for each of us, we were on our way and let them continue their sipping. I thought it was a neat place. (No pictures)

Then we drove some beautiful back roads to the Elgin Water Intake Plant - this is the plant which purifies and treats water before distributing it to Central Elgin, St.Thomas, Aylmer, London, Malahide and Southwold. The kids liked the deep tanks of water. (again no pictures)

Next door to that was Hawks Cliff. This was beautiful. Although we didn't see any wildlife (it was cold and rainy), the kids loved it here. There are trails and of course the big cliff and it is just really beautiful overlooking Lake Erie. Since it was raining, we didn't do too much exploring, but it is a place I promised the boys we'd come back again to when it was dry:)

Then we stopped by the Railroad which is actually just in someone's basement. It was amazing though. (Click on the picture below to see it closer) The hours that must have gone into and still do continue must be phenomenal. The details are great!

Of course Kylie continually needed a lift:)

They also had free kittens at this place . . . and they were really, really cute. Good thing I know how they end up a few months later. But we did have to take a good look and Kevin did really think we should take one home . . .

Next stop was Lake Erie Salmon and Trout Club. They have stocked ponds and many, many more ponds. We first spent our only money of the day (50 cents for fish food . . . how could I resist when the man walks up and says, "You can see the fish jumping if you buy some fish food for the kids to throw. It's only fifty cents" I can handle that:) And the kids thought it was great.

They have a beautiful property there and we did some walking there too. (If anyone is into fishing and lives near P. Stanley, they told me you could buy a family membership for $25 a year . . . tempting in some ways b/c the kids love fishing . . .but I wonder how often I would ever get out there . . . )

We stopped next at the HMCS Prevost (something about the Navy). The kids did a colouring contest and took home a paper model ship which we got to create later that evening. It required much fine cutting and gluing (and lots of patience . . .we found a stapler a quick substitute for patience . . .though the end result was not such a masterpiece) I told Kevin that it's more about the quality time we got to spend together building it than how it looks at the end;) He was good with that and still displayed it proudly on his dresser.

And then because it was a rainy and cold day and because I had promised them a movie, we headed home and got cozy. It was a good day.