A Stroll Through The Arboretum

 I had gone as far as I wanted in Commissioners Park for fall colours, but the other part of my destination was on the far side of Dow's Lake, called the Arboretum.

The view here includes Canada geese, making a lot of noise, along with ducks. Across the lake, which is lowered for the season being part of the Rideau Canal, is the naval reserve station HMCS Carleton. A careful eye might pick out the green roof of the observatory at the Experimental Farm.

I headed in that direction.

The Arboretum begins when you pass the reserve station. It is actually part of the Experimental Farm, a government agricultural facility and working farm, and here a multitude of trees have been planted.

There's a marsh along one side of the path, likely a remnant of what was here before. Before the days of the Canal, this was all called Dow's Great Swamp.

Willow trees appear to be late to change their leaves.

A creek feeds into the Canal, and so its levels are reduced to a trickle over the winter.

This slope beyond sees sledding in the winter.

As I was leaving, the rain was just getting started.

Night Skate

 The ice was in fine shape during this trip. I have never learned how to skate, and at this point in my life, that won't be happening, but I've always enjoyed walking on the ice of the Canal.

Another look at the ice below.

The Pavilion overlooks the lake at the northwest corner. It includes a restaurant and boat rental facilities, and during Winterlude, a lot of skaters will start their journey here.

For me, it was going along the ice to the northeast, where a secondary staircase off the ice leads to Commissioners Park. My place is beyond that, less than five minutes walk from this spot, and left of the lit apartment building at center.

But one final shot of the Canal looking south from here.

Skateway

 I start today below the Bronson Avenue Bridge, where the Rideau Canal widens into Dow's Lake.

These two shots look back where I'd come from, with the bridge above.

I headed onward. The dark mass of trees on the west shore of the lake is the Arboretum, part of the Central Experimental Farm.

Looking to the north end of the lake. Part of the skateway route loops up that way, and that's where I was heading.

At this end, huts for changing your skates, as well as food opportunities.

This includes Beavertails, a local icon. They're a flat fried pastry topped with various ingredients. 

Also down here are raised fires. A fitting hint of the upcoming theme day, where I'll have more of these.

The skateway ahead loops to the left, towards the next set of canal locks at Carleton University, where the skateway itself ends. I was heading to the right.

A look back to the Bronson bridge. We'll carry on here tomorrow.

Finale

 It was time to go. I took this shot of the main entrance of the Small Animals Barn.

And then over to the Dairy Barn.

And the Horse and Cattle Barn.

This view of the Small Animals Barn includes one of the barnyards.

Outside the Museum perimeter, I took these shots of the Horse and Cattle Barn.

I was heading for north, passing by the Cereal Barn as I went.

One final shot of the Dairy Barn.

Across the road, a historical plaque about the Experimental Farm.

A final shot, with the observatory in the distance. I hope you've enjoyed this visit to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.