Exploring History and Elegance: The Rodman Mansion

Imagine strolling through a quaint town on a warm Sunday afternoon, the air thick with the promise of summer. As you make your way back to the train station, a curious sight catches your eye: perched atop a grassy knoll on St. Paul Street in St. Catharines, a spire peeks out from what appears to be a magnificent Victorian home. Intrigued, you decide to venture closer.

Despite the steep incline and your casual flip-flops, you ascend the hill slowly, each step revealing more of the grandeur ahead. Finally, you reach the summit—an expansive estate spread over at least 10 acres, complete with a generous parking lot and gravel pathways leading up to a majestic burgundy red front door. This is the Rodman Mansion.

This architectural gem boasts all the hallmark features of a Victorian masterpiece: a steep gable, grand hallways, and large paned windows that seem to invite the outside in. Surrounding the mansion are meticulously tended gardens, a serene oasis untouched by the hustle and bustle of modern life. Yet, remarkably, not a soul is in sight, leaving you to soak in the tranquil beauty of the place.

The Rodman Mansion has a fascinating history intertwined with the dreams and aspirations of the Rodman family. It was originally conceived by Hamilton Rodman, a successful barrister with a penchant for grandeur. During his travels to Italy, he fell under the spell of Montebello castle and resolved to recreate its splendor back home in St. Catharines.

Upon returning, Hamilton began construction, laying the foundation with poured concrete—a testament to his ambition and vision. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 38, leaving behind his dreams and a foundation waiting to be realized. His brother, Thomas Rodman, took up the mantle, repurposing the materials intended for Hamilton’s castle to construct what would become the Rodman Mansion.

Completed in 1820, the mansion stood as a testament to both the Rodman family’s determination and the architectural prowess of its time. However, over the years, neglect took its toll, and the mansion fell into disrepair until it was painstakingly restored to its former glory by the City of St. Catherines. Today, the mansion serves a dual purpose: as a breathtaking venue for weddings and events, and as an art gallery showcasing local talent.

Visitors are welcome to explore the mansion’s grounds, reveling in the beauty of its gardens and the historical resonance of its halls. The parking is ample, and the gardens, a tranquil haven, are open for all to enjoy—a true gift to the community from its storied past.

Whether you’re drawn to its historical significance, its architectural beauty, or simply seeking a moment of serenity, the Rodman Mansion promises an experience unlike any other. It stands not only as a tribute to the Rodman family’s legacy but as a testament to the enduring allure of Victorian architecture and the timeless elegance it embodies.

Exploring St. Catharines: A Riverside Adventure - 12 Mile Creek Trail

After a delightful lunch at WIND on King Street in St. Catharines, my friends and I were eager to continue our afternoon adventure. 

Our destination? Montebello Park, a charming spot rumored to house a nostalgic working carousel. Because, let's be honest, some of us never really outgrow the allure of a carousel ride.

Anticipation was high as we approached the park, but alas, a fence had been erected, signaling the imminent arrival of a summer carnival. Our carousel dreams would have to wait for another day. Undeterred, we decided to make the most of our time before catching our train at St. Catharines station.

With a few hours to spare, we ventured towards the Burgoyne Bridge, where a path led us down into the valley below. Here, nestled beneath the bridge, we found ourselves in serene isolation, surrounded by the rushing waters of 12 Mile Creek. It was a rare moment of tranquility, with not a soul in sight.

As we marveled at the long pedestrian bridge ahead , we couldn't help but notice the remnants of the what looked to be an old Shipyard just off the 12 Mile Creek,  a testament to the area's rich maritime history. Once a bustling hub for ships navigating these waters, the locks now stand as silent witnesses to days gone by.

Curious about the redirection of shipping traffic, we learned that today, vessels are diverted to the nearby 16 Mile Creek instead. This adjustment has transformed the landscape, allowing nature to reclaim parts of the waterways once dominated by industry and commerce.

Our impromptu riverside excursion beneath the Burgoyne bridge turned out to be a hidden gem in St. Catharines, offering a glimpse into both the past.  As we entered the trail we noticed an interesting looking pink Firemans training tower used to train firemen in the late 1970s.   With each step, we discovered more about its history and natural beauty, making memories that would stay with us long after the train carried us away from this picturesque corner of Ontario.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a quiet escape, St. Catharines promises adventures aplenty for those willing to explore beyond the beaten path.

Annual International Jazz Festival

 The 'Beaches' section of the (Waterfront trail) is also known as the Martin Goodman trail.  I have previously covered portions of this trail before (see 'Martin Goodman' and 'Ashbridge Bay' in this blog) 

In the summertime, the Toronto beaches come alive with swimmers, sailors, sun-bathers and almost anything else you can think of that can be enjoyed in or near the water.  The Boardwalk runs along Beaches Park, Kew Gardens, Kew Beach, Woodbine Beach to Ashbridges Bay.  Unfortunately, the remaining 50% of the Beaches trail is all on-road. (approximately between Kingston and Silverbirch Avenue to Kingston and Birchmount in the east). 

Toronto's International Beaches Jazz Festival. I thought I’d include this as it was an important event in Exploring Toronto.  It ran for a few weeks in July, and had over 100 bands some old, some new who had their own flavour of Jazz.   

Around noon time, Kew Beach stage blasted out with an upbeat Romanian-Gypsy style of jazz music from a group called Lemon Buckets!  I was surprised to hear this kind of music in a jazz festival.  They are considered relatively new to the Jazz world, but they're young, energetic and extremely talented with their instruments!

South of Kew Gardens playing on the The Latin Stage near Woodbine Beach,  was the Latin Jazz Ensemble .  These gentlemen would be considered established.  Their stuff was kinda cool with that Latin-Salsa flair and very relaxing kind of music, but not really my cup of tea as far as music goes! :) Although, it was kind of neat to see a couple get up and dance to it.  

Not too far westward along the Beaches trail past the Kids park and Woodbine Beach swimming pool was the Big Band stage.  Far more dancing was seen here to the sounds of the Big Band era played by an established group called the Jazz Mechanics.  A couple of hours of jazz music is enough, and the day was still young.  Like any annual festival it brings in plenty of money to the hosting cities, and an opportunity for local business to market their wares, and a chance to get their names or products out in the world marketplace.  Even if you didn't get a chance to check out the Festival at all, you can mark your calendars for next year.  Be sure to check out Lemon Buckets, they really are a very unique and fun group!

Where there is any large group of people, there are always police officers standing by in case of any trouble, and being in a large city like Toronto, that's no surprise.  What I am puzzled about is, where does Spock fit into all of this?  Well he had his phaser on him, so guess that made us all safe.

The Thornton-Cookstown Trail: A Journey of Hills, Heat, and Hydration Challenges

Biking has always been a shared passion for my husband and me, so when we decided to tackle the Thornton-Cookstown Trail, we were excited about the adventure ahead. Little did we know, this ride would become one of our most unforgettable experiences—for better or worse!


The Thornton-Cookstown Trail stretches for a picturesque 16 kilometers, starting from Thornton and ending in the quaint village of Cookstown. It's a beautiful route, winding through lush forests, open fields, and charming rural landscapes. Perfect for a summer day, right? Well, sort of...

The day we chose to embark on this journey happened to be the hottest day in June. The sun blazed down on us, and to make matters worse, we had completely forgotten to pack any water. Undeterred, we set off, thinking we'd find a place to hydrate along the way. Big mistake.

As we pedaled through the trail, we encountered hills that seemed to go on forever. Grueling doesn't even begin to describe it (My husband added to my frustration, but keeping positive and not once agreeing with my misery) The combination of steep inclines and scorching heat quickly took its toll. By the time we reached Cookstown, we were exhausted and dehydrated.


The real challenge began after we reached the end of the trail. We needed to find the nearest GO Station to catch a train home, which was in Bradford, Ontario—another 12 kilometers away. With no other option, we mounted our bikes again and set off, hoping to find some respite along the way.

After what felt like an eternity—an hour and a half of pure heat exhaustion—we finally arrived in Bradford. Our first stop was the local community center, praying it would have a water fountain. As luck would have it, the center was closed, and there was no water fountain in sight.


We found an open washroom and did what we had to do: using our hands as water cups, we drank from the tap. It wasn't the most elegant solution, but it was effective. 

Standing there, drenched in sweat and frustration, I let my husband know in no uncertain terms that I would NEVER do this again. A few choice words were exchanged, but I knew I was letting off more steam than was already coming out of my helmet.


Somehow, we made it to the GO Station in time for the next train. As we collapsed into our seats, a strange sense of elation and accomplishment. I had made it through the toughest biking experience I'd had ever personally faced.


This ride on the Thornton-Cookstown Trail is now etched in my memory as the best and worst biking experience ever. It was a day filled with challenges, but also a testament to our resilience and partnership. Would I do it again? Probably not. But am I glad we did it? Absolutely.