24 July 2023   Monday

Today we travel from Pembroke to Ottawa, stopping at small towns along the river on the way to Canada’s capital.

Pembroke, ON
Sunrise view out our window. 

We dumped the waste tanks and filled our water before leaving the city campground.

0856  58,040  70°F  Leave Campground

We stopped in downtown Pembroke at the City Hall

A plaque told us it is the site of “Canada’s first electric generating station to supply energy for street lighting and commercial purposes – Wednesday, October 8, 1884.”

Not sure why the building fascinated me, but it did. 

“Post Office” is carved on the stones below the upper-most window.  1883 is carved between the clock and the window.

0945  58,060  Cobden, ON
Cobden Visitors Center   

They opened early when a friendly employee noticed us outside. 

There is a nice little lake in here in Veteran’s Park. 

The park has handicapped accessible restrooms and even showers. It looked like that, at one time, it had a few camping spots, but not now.

We didn’t see any Bison, but the White Pine Bison Ranch is nearby. The Visitor’s Center had a price list for anyone who wanted to order Bison meat.

A concise history of Timber Rafting was posted on this historical marker (click on any image to enlarge)

1022  58,075  75°F  Portage-du-Fort, Quebec

Crossed three dams between Ontario and here.

This house was the reason for visiting Portage-du-Fort.

Built in 1899, the Maison Reid House is made of white and calcitic marble. 

Reid was a wealthy lumberman and store owner.  The house was used as a hotel and bar during the construction of the nearby hydro-electric dam. It has since been restored as a private home.

Beth noticed the cat statue. Looks like it is birdwatching with binoculars.

We haven’t seen many homes built of marble.

There wasn’t much else to see in Portage-du-Fort, so we crossed over a dam and returned to the Trans-Canada Highway

1120  58,093  78°F  Sand Point, Ontario

Beth noticed a lighthouse on the map, but we drove past without seeing one. 

Turned around and found a gap in the trees leading to a wharf with this tiny lighthouse. Neither of us understood why the door faces the water.

The wharf did provide a good view of the Ottawa River.  There was just enough room for our Lexor to make a loop. I wouldn’t recommend stopping here if you are pulling a trailer.

One more view to put the tiny lighthouse into perspective.

The home next door looked like an ideal spot as long as the river doesn’t rise.

1140  58,100  78°F  Arnprior, Ontario

Beautiful church and museum

Parking here seemed safe in July.

Made lunch near the town ballpark overlooking these man-made waterfalls. 

A thunderstorm passed nearby, but we didn’t get wet. Again, these spots look like they were used for camping at one time.

1410  58,142  83°F  Ottawa, Ontario

We arrived in Ottawa early enough to explore some before checking in with our Boondockers Welcome host.

We headed to the Central Experimental Farm. There was plenty of room for our Lexor in the free 90 minute visitor parking area.

Ornamental Gardens were the first stop on our walk.

Rather than write from my limited knowledge of farming, here is the information posted on a bronze plaque by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 2000.

Central Experimental Farm

“A rare example of a farm within a city, this outstanding cultural landscape brings together two strong 19th century interests:

agricultural improvement and picturesque design.

Established by the federal government in 1886, the Farm has supported Canadian agriculture 

by undertaking critical scientific research and by developing and demonstrating good farming methods.

Its 426 hectares are organized into three distinct areas: 

a central core of science and administration buildings, an arboretum and ornamental gardens, and the experimental fields and plots.

The individual parts of the landscape are orchestrated into an organic whole intended to enhance nature’s inherent beauty. Adopting picturesque features of the British country estate, the Farm combines large stretches of lawn and field, winding paths and pleasing water vistas.

The Main Dairy Barn, with its attached stables laid out around a barnyard, was at the heart of the model farm. 

This site is a symbol of the crucial role agriculture has played in shaping Canada.”

The Dominion Observatory was an easy walk from the Gardens.  It opened in 1905 and was used to determine, time, longitude, and star positions.

Note the floral sundial out front.

Unfortunately, the building wasn’t open for visitors.

Walking back to the van, we passed some teepees with a view of downtown Ottawa. We wonder what the plans are for those.  It would be an interesting place to camp.

The Experimental Farm was a beautiful place to visit. The pleasant surprise was a lack of crowds. We highly recommend visiting if you are near Ottawa.

1555  58,149  86°F  Ottawa, Ontario

Boondockers Welcome Host

Byron’s Urban Oasis

This will be our base for the next three nights while we explore Canada’s Capital.

Good night from Ottawa.

Today’s Route

Pembroke to Ottawa, Ontario

(click any image to enlarge)