Pretty Perth

Tied up at the Lower Beveridges Lock on the Tay Canal wanting to explore  Perth (a heritage town for the LOVE family), Mike inquired with Lockmaster Ian the route to ride our bikes the 7 miles into the town.  Ian (who was a first responder to a 7-vehicle pile-up accident the day prior) responded, “The road's too busy.  I don’t want you to be a statistic.  I’m giving you a ride.” 

The Town of Perth, Ontario (pop:  roughly 6,000; Seat for Lanark County; located on the Tay Canal) is a happening place!  Situated in a lakes and rivers region where people from larger cities vacation, it’s a perfect location to host festivities throughout the year.  We arrived in time for the Ribfest Music Festival.  In 2 weeks, the World’s 5th Largest Garlic Festival will be held here.  Its lovely downtown has boutiques, specialty shops, cafes and restaurants, most operating out of old stone buildings.  The canal (which splits and surrounds the downtown area) is featured in its nearby Stuart and Last Dual parks where one can attend events, get married, read a book, rent kayaks or paddle boards, park a camper or…as in our case, dock your boat!

Yesterday, we cruised 2 hours on the Tay Canal and docked in Perth at the Last Dual Park (The last fatal dual in lower Canada was played out here in 1833; it involved 2 law students over the honor of a Miss Elizabeth Hughes.  Alas, one law student is in a grave in the cemetery next to the park, the other law student spent time in jail until his case was acquitted, and Miss Hughes?....yes, she married the winner of the dual!).  We will meet Norm and Lori Low (Ottawa) and Katie and Todd (Seattle) for lunch today at the Stone Cellar Restaurant.  We await of an opportunity to meet cousins of the Love family.

Taking a side trip to Colonel By Island with DLB4 (Craig, Linda and Kendrick), we stopped to enjoy a swim in the soft and clear waters of the Upper Rideau Lake.  The water temp was 80 degrees and felt wonderful on the warm sunny day. 
After our swim, we said goodbye to our new Canadian friends.  They continued north on the Rideau to Ottawa and we soon left the Rideau Canal for the Tay Canal towards Perth.

Tied to the wall at the Lower Beveridges Lock, we went for a walk and Brenda collected flowers for this arrangement.

On Saturday, we got a ride into Perth by Ian and took a walking tour of the town. 
This is the lovely Stuart Park and Tay Canal.  A wedding was taking place way in the background of this picture.  Notice the black squirrel?

We ended our Saturday at Dual Park where the Ribfest and Music Festival was taking place.  This is a major fundraising event put on by the Rotary Club of Perth.  

Next to Dual Park is a campground and docks.  We spent our Saturday evening enjoying the music of the festival with Gold Loopers Greg and Reenee (couple to the right; Greg in Blue and Reenee in black) and Rochester NY vacationers Bob and Mary Kay (Bob in khaki; Mary Kay in White).  We are on Bob and Mary Kay's houseboat they rented; behind them is Greg and Reenee's Mariner, MV "Thistle."

On Sunday morning, we learned of a dock opening for us (Bob and Mary Kay's spot).  The Lock tenders prepared the lock for our passage.

The Tay Canal is quite shallow (usually less than 5 feet in depth).  Velsignet must stay in the center of the canal to avoid hitting bottom.

The sites on the Canal vary from tree-lined to marshlands.  We were warned by others to have our fly swatters close at hand; we were prepared for the biting spotted winged flies when they arrived!

Moving slowly (3-4 mph), we cruised the Tay Canal for about 2 hours before arriving at Dual Park in Perth.

Here Velsignet is docked at Dual Park, the location for the Ribfest and Music Festival. 
We nosed in the bow as the depth was shallow.

Once docked and settled, we took our bikes and rode around this quaint, well-kept town.  Lanark is the county Perth is located; Lanark was the area in Scotland from which Mike's ancestors--the LOVE FAMILY--came. 
From Scotland, LOVE family members came here to Perth, Canada.  From Perth, some moved to Fisher, Minnesota. 
Mike's mom, Marlys Love, grew up near Fisher (Key West).

Here's an example of the centuries-old stone buildings downtown
(taken of the backside of the building from the nearby Stuart Park, next to Tay Canal).