Capturing the Art of Nature
Dexter, Sparta and Middlesex (Day 9)
I returned to revisit a few areas as today I had bright sun to liven up some of the trees
Category
Ontario Adventures
2015
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The day looked quite overcast as I dragged myself out of my warm bed. The alarm said it was time but my body had quite a differing opinion. I got myself cleaned up and ready for breakfast. I checked the forecast and it showed improving skies as the day progressed, so I was hopeful for the day. I took it easy through lunch but once finished eating, I packed up the gear and set out for the roads. I have been doing the old areas for the past trips so today I decided to drive further out and see what there was.
I decided to head out to the area on the east side of the City of London. So my first stop was to reload the fuel and then set out east on Dexter Line. I had spotted a nice area yesterday along the lake that had a lot of colour but the sky made it dull. Today the trees were brilliant and very pretty. I grabbed a good number of photos and then started north but not before a short drive along a section of Roberts Line. This road has always had many great spots of colour and the blazing sun today really brought out some great sights. I stopped at one spot along the road and got covered in ladybugs. Now normally I quite like these beetles but when they got this dense and were crawling all over me I had had enough and batted many off as I got back in the car. They followed me in and I was flicking them out for next half hour.
When I got to Yarmouth Centre Road I turned north and started along the side road watching to see what I could find. The road continued a long ways north crossing highway 3 changing its name to Old Victoria Road and then continuing on over highway 401. All during this part of the drive I kept a watchful eye out for colour but actually found very little I wanted to shoot. There were a number of patches off in the distance but nothing close by. The landscape seemed much flatter and duller as I headed north. The main point of interest was a large combine that I passed on the road, it kept following me a long ways and I had to keep moving to ensure it didn't catch me.
Once across the 401 I decided I had gone north enough for today and so I turned east on Bradley Road and then south again on highway 74 back across the 401. Here I took the first side road east and drove along looking for some colour. I found a few patches but again it was quite sparse. I then turned south and west and then repeated the back and forth looking for colour as I slowly made my way back to the lake. As I approached the town of Belmont it was time to call Ralph in Vancouver on my Ham radio. He was waiting and we had a nice chat, Jim joined in for a short period and then I brought the link down. I was then called by a local ham who shared some interesting information about the repeater I was using. Done with the radio I drove through Belmont and did a few more back and forths as I got closer to the lake. The tone of the landscape was improving as I made my way to the lake. Funny that is, I still need to quantify what it is.
I spotted a small cemetery off Springwater Road which caught my eye so I stopped and wandered the stones for a bit. They do come in so many shapes and sizes but all decay and the oldest ones could no longer be read. Someone needs to photograph them with better equipment to preserve the messages and dates. Perhaps one day I will research that as it seems a shame that they fade away to dust. Once done with the tomb field I zipped along to Quaker Line and drove the short way back home. I was getting tired having been out here for almost four hours of driving. I wanted to sit in the comfy chair and rest.
I was a good drive with lots of colour, creation was truly showing its best today. I just wish I could find it faster. I should have another good day tomorrow, but I still need to decide where to go. Regardless, it will be a nice feel being out on the road in the colour.