Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The 7th Line

Over the past six months, since we signed on to have our new house built in Meaford, I have been back and forth up the 7th Line more than ever.  I already knew it quite well, as the quickest route north, but now it seems like an old friend.  Lots of landmarks along it catch my eye, and I can sit here and picture the entire 25 minute drive, mile by mile.

In our township 'Lines' refer to the north/south roads; sideroads run east/west.  The 7th Line starts just behind our house at Hutchison's Corners, and goes all the way to Meaford, about 30 km.

As you might guess, the old Hutchison's barn foundation is right beside Hutchison's Corners.

And across the street, this old hotel, very close to the road.  I'm told this is an old stagecoach stop; it's slowly but surely being fixed up nicely.

Two concessions north you come to the hamlet of Wodehouse.  Formerly it had a school, blacksmith shop, post office, and two mills.  There's nothing left but 4 houses and one abandoned house.  '88' is a very optimistic estimate!

Just at the north edge of Wodehouse is Wodehouse Creek, in an April picture when it's flooded and flowing down into the karst sinkholes just to the east.

Another concession and you come to the Alpaca Farm.

And across the road is one of two cemeteries you pass.  This is the old New England Cemetery, kitty corner from the old New England Church, now a house.  I actually had someone ask me once why they buried all the people in the centre of the small area.  In fact, they have gathered up the tombstones and placed them together to allow for continuing maintenance, as has been done with many tiny rural cemeteries in southern Ontario.

Just over the hill you drive down into a long bit of swamp, and yes, that's where the first fall colours appear.  This was taken today.

There are at least 4 dead-end sideroads that run to the east off the 7th Line, ending where they bump into the Niagara Escarpment cliffs.  All of them have sections that are forested like this, and virtually no traffic.

Another concession, and you pass the beautiful old Sligo School, one of the few stone one-room schoolhouses I've seen here.  I know someone who went to this school, now a residence.

And a concession beyond that is the only nearby canola field I've found this summer.

Then it's the village of Rocklyn.  The quilting group there is behind the barn quilt trail here, and they contributed this 'quilt' to the village, highlighting several of the active groups in the village.

This may sound like just a travelogue, but to me it's a matter of being embedded in the landscape, a sense of belonging that grows out of familiarity and comfort with the rural community.  As you get to know the farms, fields and woodlots in all the seasons, and get to know a few of the people who live along the road, you feel anchored in that landscape.  It's always on my mind as I drive back and forth.  The second half of the drive tomorrow.

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I was shocked today when the sun didn't rise until after 7!  I might even be up early enough to see the sunrise a few times.  The seasons move relentlessly on and the days get shorter and shorter.

19 comments:

  1. The sun is gone so early now and up so late. The leaves are beginning to change here too, FG.

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  2. Beautiful views and scenery on your ride. You have become so comfortable with this change, it is like a family member now.

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  3. We have sunlight a lot earlier now, and daylight lingers till almost 6 p.m. The other night I drove home from the hospital, leaving Hugh there overnight, ( just an x_ray, blood test and aspiration to check for an infection, they were all clear) and at 5.45, all the vehicles had their lights on, but it wasn't really dark. Love your drive along the 7th line, and you, like me, will be so familiar with a well travelled road.

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  4. Looks like your new house is going to be in a really beautiful area. I love the shot of the dead-end road!

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  5. I felt happy to go along with you by reading your post. It was a beautiful place all around. So your new house is going to be in a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful scenes.

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  6. Thanks for the tour along the 7th., so much interesting scenery right in you own back yard to enjoy.

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  7. Lovely drive along the country sideroad. I notice the late sunrise too, and darkness arrives sooner. Love the pictures of the old buildings, school house, hotel and barn foundation.

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  8. Hello, looks like a beautiful place. Lovely tour and scenes from your ride. I love the cute alpaca. Have a happy day!

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  9. I love the tour you just took me on. I especially like the canola field and the pretty alpaca. :-)

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  10. I've never heard of the 7th line (it sounds as though it should be something from a spell), but I enjoyed the views very much - and I like the idea of being anchored in a landscape. Very reassuring!

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  11. I notice our days are shortening... That cemetery reminds me of a chessboard!

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  12. What an interesting trip - love the barn foundation, the old hotel and cemetery - and everything else. I'd never heard of putting all the gravestones together like that - interesting.

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  13. Very beautiful narrative. It is true that as one traverses the familiar roads it becomes a warm place to be. And yes the days are getting shorter and shorter and soon we will wonder where Summer went.
    I will take your advice and do a blog on the Tree Farm. 16,000 acres of forest. All because of one man who thought logging could be done differently. John Haugan came out to the PNW from Illinios and went to the University of Washington and recognized and was troubled by the wasted potential of logged off land. He began buying small pieces of logged off land around Stanwood considered no go and started researching was to improve the tree growing potential---well there is more and I think and hope I will do a blog for Tuesday's Treasures.
    MB---Thanks again

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  14. The old cemetery particularly speaks to me. I remember Lines where roads were concerned. Growing up, I lived on the 8th Line in Halton Hills.

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  15. Interesting way to reduce maintenance in the old cemetery; wonder how that was accepted by the descendants of those buried there. Yes, the days are growing shorter and the warm weather is, hopefully, done for the year.

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  16. I really enjoyed this drive...I love that one-roomed school.

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  17. Lovely post and photos . Looks a lot like where I grew up in Caledon Halton Hills area and the surrounding area of the Forks of the Credit , Caledon East and Inglewood with all the old school houses and such and yes we had Lines referred to as roads . I remember I lived on old base line and part of our address was RR#2 Caledon it was a large farm I was raised on . I understand where your coming from by being anchored with in your area and the land. I like walking through those old grave sites and reading them I have heard of they way they put them together for maintenance of the surrounding land . I haven't been to Meaford in years I bet it has grown . Thanks for sharing , have a good day !

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  18. Your posts are always so very interesting. They entice me to want to explore more of your area.

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  19. everything else. I'd never heard of putting all the gravestones together like that - interesting.


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