Curves and Levels

Ode To A Canadian Appalachian Spring

Curves&Levels is taking a short fresh air break, visiting in the town of Magog, hub city for Eastern Townships recreational activity.

Google Map

Like me, now that summer is peaking, many others will be escaping the city swelter and seeking out campsites, cottages, market farms and lakes in this captivating region. Even an afternoon's drive through the greenery is change of scenery enough, if that's all the time one has.

Accordingly, I am posting a few images from a short-lived online publishing experiment called Memphreblog. These are from last May, when spring was trying to assert itself after a long snowy winter. To honor the project, I have created a new album, "Best of Memphreblog". It's listed in the right-hand column.

Pangandaran Travelogue coming soon.

Saturday Stroll, Rue Principale

Bubble machine at a specialty soap shop.

The patios and sidewalks of Magog's main street were at capacity yesterday afternoon. The much-anticipated balmy day allowed weekend bikers the year's first ride, continuing a tradition of gathering at the town's largest outdoor restaurant, their motorcycles gleaming in a row along the curb.

Other establishments had it brisk, as well, in the shirtsleeve weather. Even in this between time, with ski season over and the lake still ice-covered, a sunny Saturday brings a buzz.

Tire d'érable in a cone, $2.00.

Hiatus

St. Luke's Anglican Church, Rue St. Patrice.

Posting may be light these next couple of weeks. I have some other things going which may not allow for more than cursory posting. My travelogue projects will definitely be on hold; local stuff will go up as time permits.

Ghost Cows

The dreams I've been having!

I have been browsing images from the local area with a plan to put a slideshow/video together and thought I would dust this one off and post it here. A foggy summer morning at a pasture a few blocks from here.

Soviet Tractor

This stoic beast is parked on the grass of what is going to be our new library. Whether it's there to do some work or just as display, I can't say, but it is from the USSR, as can be seen by the detail below.

Not Over Yet

A couple of posts ago I allowed that spring is coming and what better proof than to show winter still hanging around.

A few pix from around the countryside, then. Above is a church near Frelighsburg. Below are ice fishing shacks on the Canadian side of Lake Champlain. Further down, a cyclist takes a shortcut across Lac Memphremagog. The bottom picture is a Magog garage.

Yet Another Winter Lake Activity

This is kiteskiing. In the far distance behind yesterday's hockey heroes, skiers with kite rigs were traversing the length of Lac Memphremagog at impressive speed. I walked out to get some shots before realizing they were kilometers away over drifted snow. A long telephoto lens helped bring the noiseless grandeur of this sport close enough for a decent photograph.

A couple more shots under the link.

Outdoor Hockey Championships

On the frozen surface of Lac Memphremagog, shinny enthusiasts gather for the Liquid Nutrition World Outdoor Hockey Championships. This is a yearly event, held to raise funds for local charities. The organizers' website is here.

A nasty wind blowing across the lake made this -5C day feel bitterly cold, but the players were dressed against the chill. It was otherwise a perfect day for this low-contact, no-hit version of Canada's national game.

Good sports.

Hit the link for more photos.

If you are new here, please read my recent Blog Notes post. Thanks.

La Fetes Des Neiges

At Point Merry, on the shore of Lac Memphremagog, Magog's annual winter festival. Despite a brisk wind off the lake and a -10C temperature, the sky was a brilliant blue and festival goers jostled together happily at the numerous venues. The fun included tube and pony rides, skating, a zip line, a polar bear swim, ice fishing, a weenie roast and more.

Holes were chainsawed from the ice, allowing ice-fishing for the kids and a refreshing dip for adults.

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Copyright: Michael Farrell 2009

Photographers Love Snowboarders

La Fetes Des Neiges, yesterday in Magog.

Some teaser airbornes while a complete Fetes des neiges report is being contemplated.

Bonjour et voila, snowboarders! The rest of my pictures are now posted. Hit the link.