Foggy Day

I love foggy days. Whether it is a cool summer morning as the sun is beginning to drive the dew of the ground or a late winter day such as this, it really does not matter to me. Today, the snow in Barrie is still laying heavy in all the open places but milder weather and temperatures are producing a healthy layer of fog.


I had a space of approximately 20-minutes to myself after dropping of my three kids and when I had to be at work today. What better way of killing this small amount of time than driving down to the waterfront and snapping a few pics.


It is somewhat like urban exploration, just without the abandonments.

One stop I had to make was the old Crazy Fox Restaurant & Bistro, now the beautifully restored elegant Shutters Restaurant.

The owner, developer Mark Porter had effected a stellar job in restoring and preserving this historically significant building. The restaurant's courtyard is sporting a formidable ice fortification installed in the spirit of Barrie's Winterfest, held last weekend.

Next door, the dead shell of the Allandale train station still stands. Recently, Barrie's City Council has begun discussing the possibility of using this abandoned station as the terminus for the GO train service line which now is located at the hamlet of St. Paul's just within the limits of Barrie's south end.

Of course, I had to also stop off at the Spirit Catcher at Barrie's waterfront. This iconic sculpture was erected (tee-hee) in 1987 and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Barrie.

With only minutes to spare to get to work, I swung by the old Barrie Gaol. Not much is happening at this abandonment either. The facility receiving new roofing last year but for the moment, it is just taking up space which could be used for parking at the adjacent Court House.


Next time you are out and about in Simcoe County on a foggy day and do see a photographer, there's a good chance it's me.

Happy & Safe Exploring !