July 25, 2020 visit to Mississauga Wahoosh waterfall and Leslie Log house

We have been trying to beat the ennui caused by the Covid work-at-home life. One of the few happy ways of doing that has been hiking or merely visiting some of the abundant woods, rivers and lakes that Ontario has been blessed with.

Narcity, an online news media has been an excellent source of information about these places. Through Narcity, I only last week discovered that there is a waterfall in next door Mississauga! This waterfall is hidden behind houses in a really posh area and for want of something to do we went there and spent a few minutes. (Two security at the waterfall, said we cannot get into the water. reason:Covid)  We spent only a few minutes there as we really cannot walk more than a few meters in any direction walk  as there are houses aka private property around the falls.

If you want to go there: the address is at 3669 Mississauga road near Mississauga and Burnhamthorpe intersection.   You have to park at the Sawmill Valley school's parking lot and then walk through the school's playground at the back to the waterfall on Mississauga road. One is not allowed to park in the street in this posh residential area.
Here are a few photos.

The guys living with a waterfall behind their house are really lucky!


While trying to find this waterfall, we had a bit of good luck. We saw a  beautiful log house on our way and stopped to see it. It is the Leslie log house and if you are interested it is at 4445 Mississauga road.

It was closed either due to Covid or as it was Saturday. We spent a few pleasant minutes walking on the trails of this-once-a farm/fruit orchard/pasture.

Here are a few photos.

I wonder what this building on this farm was...a cattle shed? fruit or harvest storing thing?

We could hear the waters of a creek flowing but did not go to see it. we saw apple trees and lots of other trees which we could not name.

Below: While walking in this ex-farm, I saw a poor dead bat, (probably a young one as it was small), hanging on some ?nettles.

All in all, a pleasant way to spend a covid saturday! Great weather, quiet trail with hardly anyone. lots of black eyed susan and other flowers, a few birds, lots of plants.

We rounded off this day by dropping in on my cousin who lives close to this waterfall and lunching there and visiting the new Iqubal store (which we discovered today while driving from this waterfall) and doing a bit of grocery shopping.

July 12, 2020 Sunday Visit to Humber Arboretum

Thank the Gods! It was cooler today than it has been for the past ten days. Visited Humber Arboretum after many years.

It was as beautiful as ever. The flowers were lovely. And walking around here I realized that I have heard the most birds here than in any other park or trail or woods in Toronto. Also, I think I have seen the most number of lotus (lilies) here with at least 4 colors of lilies.

From the east where I live, it's a long drive....about 25km. But the flowers and lilies and birds are worth it.

above are photos of one type of cactus among the several at one spot. I liked this one above ...the thorns gave it a kind of geometric look and seemed to add some sort of dimension to the leaves of this  plant.

 Above and below are photos of a concrete mosaic with river stones inset in a design. I would love to do something like this in my backyard.
Look at the concrete slab on river stones packed in iron-wire box...I would love to have this as a 'compound wall' or fence between my neighbour's and my ravine lot at the back of my house. Right now there is only an rusty iron fence which is not preventing the mud in my side going into their side...the ground on my neighbour's side is at least a foot lower than mine and every year my side is going lower and lower as the mud slides into theirs.