The Persistence of Winter

Parry Sound area fell prey to yet another snowfall this week. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever escape winter.

Nature's impertinent refusal to join the land of the waking reminds me of my own reluctance to participate in spring; like the seasons, I too prefer to pull up my downy, white blanket rather than leave the comfort of my sleep. I'm having a hard time shaking winter from my fingers, my toes – electing to stay in with a hill of blankets and a warm mug of tea more often than not. Hibernation's end comes late this year.

See more after the jump...

Railway Lands, Pt. 2

Railway Lands is a two-part series exploring Parry Sound's history with railroads.

When I first came to live in Parry Sound it was 1977. I was only about five years old then. The town was very different from the way it is now. Now there are two busy continental railways passing through the town: the mighty Canadian Pacific and the equally proud Canadian National Railway. They wind their way through the town, heading to and from greater markets in the East and the West. But when I first came here, there was more.

When I arrived in Parry Sound the town was entering a transition period. Booth's Parry Sound-Arnprior-Ottawa railway was coming to a close, but was still in operation, and the port of Parry Sound was slowly ending its industrial phase and entering the more peaceful tourist phase. Let me paint you a picture of what this looked like:

Learn more about old Parry Sound's harbour and its railways after the jump...

Railway Lands, Pt. 1

Railway Lands is a two-part series exploring Parry Sound's history with railroads.

The other lost railway local to the area is the Parry Sound-Arnprior-Ottawa Railway, built at the turn of the 19th century and completed nearly a decade before any other railways came to Parry Sound. It did not end in Parry Sound; it ended in Depot Harbour, on Parry Island. Depot Harbour was located in a natural deep water harbour on the north shore of Parry Island.

The harbour was sheltered and had a large entrance. The land secured for the terminus was flat and sandy, which is an oddity for the area. A small town was built there. The railway was connected to the mainland at Rose Point with a low swing-bridge across the South Channel, which was the main water route into the town for passenger steamships. Steamships were taller than the bridge, so the bridge had to be able to move to let ships pass. At one time it was possible for a train, a car, a ship and a person to use the same space in a short period of time. The bridge, originally meant only for trains, is only a single lane to this day.

The wharf at Depot Harbour

More about Depot Harbour after the jump...

Dinner Time At Wellington's

A common question:

I'm hungry for pub food and quiet Parry Sound steeped atmosphere, where should I go?

A common answer:

Wellington's.

Wellington's is a pub and grill just on the outside of what would be considered the downtown. Like many buildings, it has the brick exterior but with a big green overhang.

Having been to Europe, and in pubs, I find that Wellington's entry emphasizes what a pub is -- and that is a local gathering place. The way in is close, with one wall containing a panel of adds from other local businesses. Then it opens in to a warmly lit room, with the bar and its tap shining brightly. The waitress will seat you now.

See more of Wellington's after the jump...

Photo walk: McKellar Balsam Trail

Read Midwinter McKellar for more information on Balsam Trail.

We begin our journey at the top of the steps, with a map explaining the area.

A smiling Kelsey looks back for a picture.

Continue your walk after the jump...

Lunch at Lill's

Lunch at Lill's.

How do you combine the small town feel, the old style diner, and the qualities that make Parry Sound Parry Sound? Well in Lill's of course.

Lill's sits in the downtown area, just past the CIBC and Mitch's. Outwardly it is very Parry Sound in its red bricked exterior, and there is a quaintness to the red banner cloth that hangs down.

Serving breakfast and lunch, they are all that I have described above. With a warm theme of red paint, soft pine trim and closeness of tables that give an intimate feel, it's not hard to think of Lill's as a great place to go for a bite to eat.

Often, I go to Lill's for breakfast, early on a Sunday morning, post party or pre-parting with friends. Lately I've indulged in their delightful lunches where heady discussions of life are done over fish 'n' chips.

Sample some of the food after the jump...

Midwinter McKellar

Like other townships surrounding Georgian bay, McKellar is often blanketed with the term "cottage country" and rightfully so. Come summer, the population blossoms with visitors. The great summer migration north is a shining light for tourists and local business alike.

What is most often forgotten though, is midwinter.

The cold bitter weather sets in and gone is the glow of Christmas, leaving everyone shivering at the bus stop waiting for warmer weather to arrive.

What is often forgotten is how much there is to do in these frosty months. Sure, there is the hockey on TV and cavalcade of Hollywood award ceremonies, but these are crumbs of entertainment. The big question remains: what is there to do?

For this, I ask you to put aside your computer, just for two hours of the day, pull on thicker socks and even dawn the dreaded and not very fashionable snow pants.

Read our suggestions after the jump...