Discovering Richmond

Wed. 9 August:  Discovering Richmond

Exploring the village of Richmond

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

That’s it!  The final Rideau Trail side trail completed.  And all it took was a gentle stroll around the village of Richmond on a glorious summer morning.

Each blue trail has had something unique about it.  Today I discovered the enchanting parks which border the Jock River, as well as two beautiful small churches, and a secluded “quiet garden” where a person can go to sit and dream. 

The streets of the town are more like country roads, with unpretentious homes, many full of character.  Bus stop signs along several streets are a reminder that, however unlikely it may seem, the big city is just over the horizon.

Perhaps most exciting was the discovery of Royal’s Restaurant, the best breakfast destination in Eastern Ontario as far as I’m concerned.  They deserve a special mention in this blog.

This was a great way to finish my exciting quest.  Now I just need to get the message out to my fellow hikers so that more people can discover the magic of the Blue Trails.

Note: The installation of a new sewer line south of Jock River caused closure of the SE portion of trail last fall.  RTA created a “diversion” through the streets north of the river.  The construction work will apparently be completed later this year.

We started at St. Philip Catholic Church on a perfect morning

Here the two blue trails diverge

Entering Jock River Park

The McBean Street bridge over the Jock River

The main Rideau Trail passed this way until a few years ago

It's now a beautiful side trail

Protestant roots evident

More riverside parks

Here the trail comes to an end
due to major construction on a sewer line

Reflections from McBean Street bridge

One man's junk.....

Wilderness trails so close to the centre of town

Some wonderful homes

THE place for breakfast.  It's on Hwy 10 at Lennox St
There was quite a "dinn" today at this popular eating place!

The Quiet Garden

St. John's Anglican Church

Back to the start at St. Philip Catholic Church