Fairy Lake

Although Southampton sits right on Lake Huron, there is also a smaller, littler lake at the eastern edge of High Street.

First, we come to the brand new stage

where Sunday concerts are held all summer. I listened to a bluegrass band on the one Sunday I was in town, but there is a band for every musical taste if you can attend any Sunday evening. Bring a chair, or blanket and sit back and enjoy!

The concert area is very nice, and a big improvement over the temporary blue tarp clamshell that was there. But, while one is always grateful for toilet facilities, I can't help thinking that perhaps a matching permanent structure would have complemented the new stage.

Surrounding the lake is a nature path that is easy to walk, and doesn't take very long.

the lake is behind the Bruce County Museum

 which includes this log cabin and schoolhouse

if you have a keen eye, you may spot some basking turtles

this bench probably had a lovely view a few years ago before the trees grew so wild

but the bench below now has a better view after storms broke these trees and they were cut for safety

bowing down to the water

Although I deliberately made a point of walking this trail early in the morning, it was already getting very hot. The dappled shade was most pleasant and welcoming

The only 'memorial' was this stone

Dedicated to the enduring legacy of Albert and Helen Eagles 

on Ab's 100th birthday March 28th, 2013.

I did some research when I got home to a computer and did not see any death notices for Ab, so this year he celebrated his 102nd birthday. For his 101st birthday there was a facebook page and website dedicated to 101 ways Ab has made a difference in the world. Ab was in the lumber and building supplies business and retired in 1997. The Eagles have family and friends flung far and wide and as I continued walking, I daydream that had I lived in Southampton (which I almost wish I do) I, too, would have known them.

Fairy Lake supplied water for a tannery that was built in 1880. But, in 1900, there was a devastating fire and it was never rebuilt. This wheel was dredged from the lake in 1983.

We have almost made it around the lake

and while I was disappointed at not seeing the two swans, or the egret, I did catch some mallards flying away 

and a few more seeking out any bit of shade nearest the water they could find

and for a quarter (.25¢) you can buy some corn feed for the ducks (the green ones seem to be newer ones and lack the decorative finial)

and finally, 

here is a view from a previous walk showing the old bandshell that matched the water tower

for a Monday Escape, 
a little walk around a little lake for Restless Jo
with a few signs for Lesley