Just over two years ago I activated this park, but this activation differed in almost every respect. The activation in 2023 was much colder, with a distinct foggy damp cold. The weather today was glorious 23°C (73°F) and very sunny. In 2023, I activated alone, and it being only my 9^th activation ever, I used only SSB. Despite my rig being very new, the KX2 stock microphone failed, and I had to use the internal microphone to complete the requisite 10 QSOs. I was amazed that I sent Elecraft support an email at 4:00 P.M. local time, on the Sunday of the activation, and they mailed me a replacement at 7:00 A.M. on the Monday. Amazing customer service!

In 2023, I activated alone, and due to the weather, I did not investigate the grounds much. This time I activated with Chris, VA3CJW. Chris was nice enough to drive, and we took Trafalgar, just off where I live, due north to Georgetown with a pleasant drive through the country, after a brief stop to Starbucks to get an enormous iced coffee.

There is only one parking lot, where I activated last time, but this time we had a much more comprehensive plan. By activating in the northwest corner of the park, we could make this park a 4-fer, including:

• Limehouse Conservation Area (CA-5563)
• Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve (CA-0063)
• Bruce Trail National Recreational Trail (CA-5628)
• Limehouse Conservation Area (VEFF-3574)

the last of which is a World Wide Flora and Fauna site.

First we took a hike to find the best place to activate. It took us along some trails, and then near some interesting cave-like areas (this one was called "hole in the wall").

Later there was a wooden bridge that was constructed to cross a stream, and prevent you from using the older, and much nicer looking, stone bridge.

Continuing along the hike, we got to the old kiln. The kiln dates back from the late 1800s, when this area was a big industrial area, employing over 100 workers. The full text can be read on subsequent photos (you can click to get an enlarged high-resolution photo for reading purposes.

We took note of the kiln area, as there is a nice bench in front of the kiln, and the prospect of carrying extra chairs for seating from the car was not appealing. The site is in a small valley, so not optimal from a propagation point of view.

A little further down the trail is the Powder Magazine where they stored the black powder to get the limestone rock.

At the end of the trail we came to the road. To the right is the Limehouse Memorial Hall, a former house of worship that was closed when the United Church was formed, and later given to the town. It would have been very convenient to park here, but there was a function later (the photo was taken at the end of the day when the activation was over, and the parking filling up. The trail is just to the left of the yellow sign. I forgot to take a picture of the old Church.

We walked along the road, back to the car, and briefly parked in the verboten area for 10 minutes to bring all the radio stuff back to the Kiln. Chris then drove back, and walked back while I set up at the Kiln. Here's the pack bench next to the Kiln

The tree next to the bench worked very well, and allowed for the QRP-Guys 49:1 Random Wire deployment with no concern for pedestrian traffic.

I actived first while Chris was still walking back from the parking lot along the road. I started on 20m, that was just picking up in the late morning.

I was just finishing up my activation, and Chris was starting to set up his antenna (he could not use mine as his rig does not have an ATU). While he was setting up he saw a tiny frog that was literally the size of a dime.

Here's a selfie after we were all set up.

Once Chris was set up I turned my attention to making some vegan chili and homemade cornbread.

Chris completed his activation, taking lots of time to be an excellent hobby ambassador, handing out cards describing amateur radio and a description of our club, BARC. He got a contact with Vlado, N3CZ, who was doing a POTA/SOTA on Mount Mitchell!

Here's a map of my QSOs. 14 in about 45 minutes.

Date	Time	Call	State	Band	Mode	Park
2025/09/28	15:31	VA3JPI	ON	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:35	KFØUGD	MN	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:36	N9HO	AL	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:41	W4SK	TN	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:47	W4EAP	VA	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:48	N9ANA	IL	30m	CW	US-4120
2025/09/28	15:50	K4DXC	TN	30m	CW
2025/09/28	15:51	N4NN	GA	30m	CW	US-3737
2025/09/28	15:52	W9FAA	WI	30m	CW
2025/09/28	15:57	AD9CA	IL	20m	CW
2025/09/28	15:59	VE3OON	ON	20m	CW
2025/09/28	16:01	K4FT	SC	20m	CW
2025/09/28	16:01	VE3IIS	ON	20m	CW
2025/09/28	16:13	VA3CP	ON	40m	CW
2025/09/28	16:14	WA3INC	NY	40m	CW
2025/09/28	16:16	N1XV	NJ	40m	CW

Chris got a lot of steps in, as he did two legs more from the car to kiln than I did.