It was a day for forests. Marian and I took advantage of the continuing mild mid-winter weather to go skating through a forest along the shores of Kemptville Creek in the municipality of North Grenville, Ontario.

A series of interconnected ponds creates an extended rink through a magical forest.

Marian and her trademark Canadian flag mittens gets ready to glide through the forest.

We had been invited by a friend, Sandy, to take advantage of the frozen ponds along the shore of the creek on the property behind their house in a tranquil rural setting.

Sandy and Marian take a break and strike a pose.

It reminded us of our childhoods, when we skated on outdoor ponds and back yard rinks, on less than perfect ice surfaces. Hearing the blades pound over the rough spots brought back the memories.

An abandoned railway bridge spans Kemptville Creek.

It was a relaxing way to enjoy the mild winter weather at the beginning of 2021.

We followed that up by a short hike through Limerick Forest, a nearly 6000-hectare community forest managed by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

The main trail into the forest through an imposing stand of tall straight pines.

We only had time for a quick stroll through a small section of the forest before it started getting dark, but we saw enough to make us want to return and explore one of the many snowshoe trails that wend their way through tall pines in the mature forest.

Marian enjoys a moment on a bench deep in the forest.

When you live in Canada’s national capital region you never have to go far to find yourself in the midst of all that nature has to offer.

Check out our other skating adventures on Mud Lake and Meech Lake.