Long weekend trekking

We decided to take day trips during the August long weekend.  First, we went to Montreal, fully intending to go here.  It's a lovely spot, and we enjoy it very much.  So much in fact, that one year we had a season's pass, but now we just make sure to go once or twice (particularly when the azaleas bloom--it's an awesome sight).  But, apparently, 'partly cloudy' means "rain so hard and heavy that you can't see your husband beside you".  So instead, we went shopping.  It was okay, particularly since I got this fantabulous bird feeder that should have cost me $60 and instead only cost me $12.  Yup, that was sweet.   And there was a lovely rainbow on the way home. 

The next day, we went to Smiths Falls.  This is an interesting little town, established in 1854. It had three lockstations on the Rideau Canal, and thus has an important place in Canada's history.  At one point, the river dropped 11 metres and this caused some significant engineering challenges, which the good people at Smiths Falls solved. 

It's known to most people around here as the place where you buy chocolate.  This is because Hershey's chocolate factory used to be here and Smiths Falls was known as the chocolate factory of Canada.  

What happened?  Greed, I suppose--the plant has been closed so

 that the Hershey's company can relocate it to Mexico.  In a little town like Smiths Falls, that is a huge economic blow since they relied on the chocolate store as the base of a tourist trade, as well as all the people that were employed there. 

I wish that I could say that I have enough mettle to boycott Hershey's altogether, but let's face it--I'm a chocolaholic.  So instead, we spent a pretty penny on stuff that isn't good for us.   We did spend some time in the town looking at the other shops and things, and

 it was a nice day for it.  But, there wasn't anything else that we found.   That being said, we loved each other's

 company and it was such a treat to not be working for a change. 

Turns out that my guy had Perth in mind when he said that we should go to Smiths Falls.  Perth isn't that much further, but it is a gem of a town.  For one, it is historically interesting.   Again, it is important because of the canal, but it is a town with an 1800s heritage.  This is reflected in some of the

 buildings--including Canada's oldest drugstore.  But it also has cute little shops, and interesting restaurants on the canal.  Unfortunately, for the second time in a row, we wanted to try Maximillians because it boasts European sausage flair, and for the second time, it was closed.   Oh well.  THEY weren't by the canal, and it was indeed the perfect day to have a waterside meal. 

All in all, the weekend was delightful!