Merrickville: Rideau Canal in September

The beauty of September is that the weather is still pleasant enough to take day trips by car - but the busyness of summer is over.

One recent day, Terry and I headed to Merrickville, to enjoy the town - and the canal that runs through it.

Before cars were common, the canal was the main route through the town.

One of the large old buildings here was once the biggest department store between Chicago and Montreal...

(I wonder if Chicago is accessible from here by water?!)

There are still signs of the town's former prosperity in the picturesque stone buildings that remain.

But no boats passed through while we were there...

Just peaceful, glassy water.

(What a difference 150 years makes!)