Back in Kingston, ON - When you are given Lemons...make Lemonade :)

After a rather sleepless, tossing and turning night, we get back in the saddle and remember this is a first world problem. Get on with it. 

Finding ourselves unexpectedly back in Kingston, ON, we are OK as thankfully this was a favourite city from last year. We walk to Enterprise Car rental and turns out we swapped a Ford for a Ford. Back in the saddle with a Bronco!

Ford Bronco rental

We spent a week in the area last year, but there is always something new to discover.  As we are driving we see The Kingston Penitentiary (KP) museum so make a stop. Operating from 1835 to 2013 it was Canada's most infamous and oldest maximum-security prison. It housed some of the country's most notorious criminals and witnessed major violent riots prior to its closure. The prison enforced a strict 'rule of silence' where inmates were forbidden to speak to one another. Brutal treatment of inmates where there was no reform, just more psychological damage and hostility towards society This inmate art piece called "Fragmentation" sums it up. The prisoner has been broken...the vertical slices symbolise prison bars. 

Inmate art - Fragmentation

We walk to a small marina we see in the distance which turns out to be the site of the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics sailing venue. The excellent wind and wave conditions offer some of the best fresh water sailing in the world. We chat with these young aspiring Olympic sailors just before they launch their boat. 

49er sailboat - premier Olympic class boat

We head to Springer Market Square by Kingston City Hall where there is a tribute to Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. He was a true Canadian singer/song writer known for his deep poetic lyrics and energetic stage presence. Gord sadly died of brain cancer October 17th, 2017 at the age of 53.

Springer Market Square

Commemorative stone dedicated to Gord Downie

We also walk to the Gord Downie Pier and enjoy the warm sunshine while watching sail boats racing off in the distance. 

It's been a long day so we head back to the trailer for the evening to do some trip rescheduling.

Thankfully we are able to switch our bookings in both Montreal and Quebec City to the fall when we are on our way home. We hope to be back on track by Friday.