For our homeschooler postcard exchange, we decided that a picture was worth a thousand words. For each participant, the kids decided to write a short personal note on the actual postcard. Kori is going to colour a picture for some of the kids who included a personal note in the postcard packages we received. Raiden didn't want to print anything but wanted to share about our town.

So today we ventured out and took pictures of many of our favorite places. It was one of the first cold, crisp winter-y days we've had this season. I thought it was gloomy and dreary. However, we are shamefully late getting these postcards out, so I figured as long as the pics turned out clear, they would have to do. Brian thinks the photos are beautiful - so that's encouraging.

We have a beautiful town. The waterfront is amazing. I love the architecture and the history. The kids made a list of venues that we had to take pictures of. Interestingly, not many 'must sees' included modern buildings. So, just in case you're wondering, we bypassed the new 'powercenter' that was built just last year with some of the recently popular 'box stores'. We also haven't included any pictures of suburbia - we have quite a collection of turn-of-the-century Victorian, even older Georgian, post-war quick-builds, 70s suburbia, apartment complex neighbourhoods and modern suburban sprawl.

So, here's the pics. If you want to see the bigger versions, at the end I'll leave a link to where I uploaded the pictures. Happy touring!

The local Conservation area. Across the pond is where we take our Environmental Science lessons.

     The 'New' (10ish years old) Police Station.

Our House. No, really it's the Fulford Mansion. Fulford made his fortune in the late 1800s making 'Pink Pills for Pale People'. His family was quite infuential in Brockville. The mansion is now cared for by Ontario Heritage Trust and operated as a museum.

Canada's Oldest Railway Tunnel. During the tourist season, the tunnel is open. It's been recently restored and was quite the feat for it's time. In the middle picture, the kids are sitting on top of the wall, to the right of the doors. It's street level from the other side, but a long drop the other way. I used to work for the local Museum and it was my job to open and close the tunnel each day and man the caboose for visitors. They don't open the caboose anymore and the tunnel has a very informative reader board inside.

City Hall and the new condos going up beside it. The kids love the crane and we come down (because this is 'downtown') often to check on the progress being made. The center column of the structure seems to be an elevator shaft. And no, the man is not swining on the crane's hook. He was unhooking some beams the crane had been moving.

The waterfront. My favorite. First picture is looking to the east. On a clear day, you can see the bridge to the States. (That's the St. Lawrence, by the way) The bridge is about a 15 minute drive away. The second picture is looking to the west. One of the many '1000 Islands' is smack in the middle of the river. That would be northern New York state on the left of the photo. And, of course, the new playground down at the waterfront.

         The General Sir Isaac Brock.

Courthouse in the background. The steeples are historic and beautiful and can be seen throught town. There were four churches around the courthouse - all with steeples. There are only three churches now. On top of the courthouse is Sally Grant standing as the figure of Justice:    

"This hidden gem is one of Canada’s earliest figures of Justice. Sally Grant is reputed to have received her name from a joke made at the expense of Major Alexander Grant at the sculpture’s unveiling before being mounted atop the Brockville courthouse in 1845. Deterioration from exposure to the elements resulted in her being taken down in 1956. She was rescued in 1962 by the Rideau District Museum, subsequently restored, and now dominates the Museum, located in a reclaimed smithy’s forge. This almost gothic sculpture owes much of her appearance to Holmes’ career as a ship figurehead carver. The figure was originally painted in sand and iron oxide to mimic sandstone, then in white, and finally in silver, although many tones and textures now emerge."

    The old post office and customs house - newly restored.

    The present post office.

Our well used Library. I used to sit where my kids are (there used to be steps there) and eat fish and chips as a kid. We make fish and chips in the English style here...wrapped in newspaper.

        Downtown's Firehall. There is a more modern one uptown as well.

The Museum. A new haunt for us local homeschoolers. The Children's Programmer is a TREASURE.

And the park next door to the Museum - Hardy Park

This is a common sight: Freighters. Coming from and heading to the Great Lakes. On a choppy day, the waves will soak you. If you're ever in town, plan to spend a day on the waterfront. There is a nice long boardwalk and many wonderful places to sit and skip rocks.         

And last but not least....the place that makes it all possible...

   Dad's work.

 I'll let you Google the mess they're making of the earth. Does it help to know that Brian doesn't really work for P&G? He works in the building, but he works for an independent contractor that provides services for P&G? Oh well...I can tell you I don't use fabric softener...I don't need to ...he comes home fairly permiated.

And that does it for what the kids wanted to share with the world. Check here for the big-un's : http://loveandlaughter.spaces.live.com/