Kayak in the Thousand islands, Gananoque, Ontario

Today we are off to Ganonoque about 30 minutes east of Kingston. 

Kayaks on the Ganonoque River

Five months ago when planning this cross Canada trip, the whole Thousand Islands area along the St. Lawrence River seemed like it would be outstanding. We felt if we could kayak amongst the Thousand Islands that would be amazing. Well, here we are in Ganonoque, a prime location as a gateway to the islands for a close up experience. 

We put the kayaks into the Ganonoque River and head under the swing bridge out into the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands. 

St. Lawrence River

The area was aptly named as it is island after island in beautiful clear water. The wind is lightly blowing but it is expected to pick up later this afternoon. 

We really have to keep our eyes peeled as there are other bigger boats out here too. 

This home fills the island 

Many of the islands have personal homes on them..

Cormorants - some with outstretched wings drying them.

Many of the islands have beautiful birds on them. This island is filled with Cormorants, which are known for spreading their wings up in the air to dry them. Since their feathers are not waterproof, they can dive deeper for food but they don't like wet feathers after fishing...lol

Public dock on Aubrey Island

We go through areas that remind us of Belize as the water is shallow with white sand beneath us. As we come out from behind Anchorage Island it is a more open-gap-dash past Mermaid Island towards Aubrey Island, our lunch destination. There are 1-2 foot waves and small whitecaps but we power through and the kayaks feel stable. I've never been in these conditions before and I get through them with each stroke of the paddle saying and seeing-  "Sophie - Gerrit - Beth - Rolo - Barley - Onie - Hankie - Carmie" (Gerrit and Beth's fur family) Over and over paddling hard to the safety of the dock at Aubrey Island where we can get off and go for a short walk to the other side of the island and then have our picnic lunch. 

Picnic lunch on Aubrey Island

Safely back to our start location

When we start our return trip the wind is really getting up there. We are happy we are now heading down wind, which makes the return trip super fast. 

Farthest east for this season

We do a quick trip east down the 401 highway to Rockport. This is the farthest east we will go this year. From here we actually head west to explore more of Southern Ontario. 

USA flag across the St Lawrence River

Right across the water from Rockport is the United States of America...a stone's throw away. My picture isn't clear after I enlarge it,  but you can see the flag of the USA blowing in this wind. 

Mural in Rockport

Poutine and craft beer

It's time to find a pub and try some local craft beer so we head back to Gananoque and find a cute pub. We break down and try a poutine even though we said we wouldn't until in Quebec. At lease now we'll have a comparison. 

Kingston, Ontario

Today we head into Kingston, known as the 'Limestone City' because of the beautiful 19th-century heritage buildings that dominate its urban landscape. The city's abundant access to high-quality limestone in the early 1800's led to the construction of many fine limestone buildings that still stand today, earning its iconic nickname.

The Prince George Hotel

Market Square

SS Keewatin docked at the Great Lakes Museum

Our main goal today is to see the Great Lakes Museum, which is largely a museum about the old steam ship, The SS Keewatin. Built in 1907, she is the last of her kind, and actually older than the Titanic.

Picture of a Picture - Onlookers witness Keewatin's arrival in 2023

Basically the Keewatin arrived in Kingston on October 26, 2023, where it will now serve as a permanent historical attraction. She is one of the world's last remaining Edwardian steamships and is now open for public tours though she is still under extensive interior restoration.   

This picture in the museum shows hundreds of onlookers for the ship's arrival at the Great Lakes Museum in 2023. She was towed here from Michigan, USA and tugs pushed her into her final dock.

Ship graveyards on Lake Ontario

We tour the museum first as the next tour of the ship isn't until 3:45. The museum contains all sorts of old artifacts and lots of very interesting reading. 

This is such an unbelievable picture showing the location of graveyards of ships lost on Lake Ontario. There is hardly a space left...so many marine tragedies. 

Topographic map of the Great Lakes

Old Ship of the British Empire

These ships came in an era of when boat loads of people were coming to this new land in search of a different life. This poster shows what the First Nations peoples and The Metis who had lived on these lands for 100's of years, were up against.

Titanic vs SS Keewatin 

We do the 3:45 (1.5 hour) tour of the ship. It's a great tour that literally takes us back in time with the grandeur of steam passenger travel back in the day. Our guide was exceptional and we each had our own personal audio headset that really added to the experience. These models are seen at the beginning of our tour. The large one is The Titanic and the smaller is the one we are on, The SS Keewatin. Living proof that bigger is not always better :)

Ships radios and equipment

Basically The Keewatin was built by Canadian Pacific Railway to help speed up transport across Lake Superior by bypassing the northern railroad route of Lake Superior. Rather than a train around the massive lake, it was cheaper to build a boat to sail across Lake Superior from Port McNicoll on the Georgian Bay to Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay. The ship would be filled with passengers as well as freight cargo.

Dock hand quarters

We go through the ship and see everything from the ship's crew and deckhand quarters, galleys and shared bathrooms to the luxury of the passengers quarters and dining rooms. Every paying passenger was considered First Class and all treated the same though sleeping quarters were more luxurious for some who obviously paid more.

Newspaper from the era

Dining room for passengers

Galley aka kitchen

Sitting room

The 1.5 hour tour flies by. Being lovers of the water and boats, it was fascinating to hear about the ships history. It's nice she will forever sit in Kingston and continue to be restored.

KYC - Kingston Yacht Club

Onto the Kingston Yacht Club. Earlier we had stopped by quickly to put Chris's name on a list to crew if anyone needs help on their boat for tonight's race. No one has called so we just head back and watch the boats getting ready to head out.

Sitting area at the KYC

Door 20 and Door 20 1/2

We walk the streets for a bit as we love the old buildings and colorful doors. It is starting to get late so we head back to the RV for supper and a chill night.

Beth, Sophie and Gerrit

We keep trying to stay distracted on our trip though the mojo is so off right now. Wishing tears could bring Sophie home to Gerrit and Beth. 

In memory of Sophie....I don't think we will ever get over her tragic loss.

Portland boat stop with Mike + Kingston, Ontario

Our campsite along the Rideau Canal

Good-bye to Friends of Long Island campground. It worked well to visit Ottawa as well as lots of local stuff to do. We have gotten to know Daniel, the park administrator and it has been a nice place to hang out for a week. 

Mike and Chris on his Carver 28

We are on our way to Rideau Acres just outside Kingston but, we have a stop at a marina in Portland planned. We met Mike 2 years ago in Dinosaur Provincial Park back in Alberta. He was camped next to us and somehow either he or Chris said a nautical term and the story begins. He is an avid boater and Chris has kept in touch with him. He has a boat in a marina in Portland, Ontario so we stop by to see it. 

Carver 28 - Mike and Chris

The plan for today was to actually head out on Big Rideau Lake with his boat, but the winds are really up today and he doesn't feel it's a good idea. We are just happy to actually meet up with him and see a boat of this size. 

Mike picked us up at our RV about 2 minutes away so we head back there for a picnic lunch and general conversation. Wish we could have gotten out on the boat but it was sure nice of him to make the effort to meet us. 

Rideau Acres on Colonel By Lake

We head south to Rideau Acres and get set up in this massive, 500 site resort. We go for a walk around and find there is a disc golf course and a lot of Canada Geese. It will be a fine place to spend a week exploring the Kingston area. 

Sun setting out our door

The wind is still super strong and it feels quite chill out. We opt for supper inside where we can see the sun setting.

Sun set on Colonel By Lake

After supper we walk out and enjoy the sun set on Colonel By Lake. Love the colors boats add to sun sets. 

This will be a great place to splash the kayaks when the wind is down. For tonight, we call it a day. 

Ottawa - bike ride to Watson's Mill

Rideau Canal waterway

We bike along the Rideau Canal to the Watson's Mill in Manotick,  a suburb of Ottawa. 

Watson's Mill in Manotick

Built in 1860, Watson's Mill remains active as a water powered flour mill 

Original components in the mill

Every Sunday the mill hosts public flour grinding demonstrations so we came on the right day. It features many original components and machinery including the 1859 turbines and millstones. You can even buy Watson's Mill Honey Oat bread but only on Saturday's and Sunday's. 

What's an old mill without ghost stories. Apparently Ann Crosby, the new young wife of co-owner Joseph Currier, died in a tragic accident in 1861 when her crinoline dress got caught in the mill's machinery, smashing her head into a pillar. Today, Ann's ghost is said to haunt the mill especially on foggy, cold nights. 

Sheila and her new bike

We bike back to the RV and we work on individual projects. Chris does an oil change and fixes a few things. I finalize my bike theft report with the Ottawa Police as well as register my bikes with Project 529, a bike registration and recovery platform that aims to reduce bike theft. 

Within an hour of me registering my stolen bike, I get a note someone thinks they have seen my bike in a rough part of town with crack heads all over. I forward the information to the Ottawa Police. I am able to contact the person who saw my bike and he says if he sees my bike again he will steal it back!! Bizarre. 

                          

Ottawa - Rideau Canal Kayak, National Art Gallery and Zorba the Greek Fest!

After yesterday's sad news of Sophie passing away, we needed to keep our minds occupied. We started the day with a kayak on the canal right out our campsite, enjoying nature and the beautiful setting. Rideau Canal locks 12 & 13 are a stones throw away.

Rideau Canal locks 12 & 13

Vimy Memorial Bridge

On the way into Ottawa, we cross the Vimy Memorial Bridge, built to honor World War 1 troops who captured the strategically important Vimy Ridge.  

National Art Gallery of Canada

For the afternoon we decided to visit the National Art Gallery of Canada, our last trip into downtown Ottawa. While it had an impressive collection, the display isn't really our style though we thought it would be good for us!

Favorite display - VVG Iris from 1890

Oddest display :)

Colorful building in ByWard Market

We do another walk through the ByWard Market area and into the big Rideau Center mall but we are still very emotional and not in the mood for this sort of thing, so we exit quite quickly.

Odyssey Dance Troupe

Next stop was the 50th Anniversary Greek Fest, just south of downtown and our way back to camp. Lots of good food and a very festive atmosphere. We watch a few different Greek dance groups including the local Greek Odyssey Dance Troupe, a performing group for the Hellenic Community of Ottawa. 

Useful Greek phrases to use at a Greek Fest! 

Yeia sou “Yah-Soo” (Γειά σου) – Hello.

Andio (αντίο) – Goodbye.

Parakalo (Παρακαλώ) – Please/You're welcome.

Efharisto (Ευχαριστώ) – Thank you

Yamas (Στην υγειά μας!) – Cheers!

Opa!

Zorba The Greek dancers

It's definitely a vibrant festival and we have great seats so we decide to stay for the last performance of the evening - "Zorba The Greek dancers." They are a high-energy display of Greek culture, dancing and plate breaking. The show has crowd interaction, fire and a lot of Ouzo shots. Even some smoking of cigars...lol

To top the evening off, the interactive finale has us all doing a Greek line dance...

The evening was a great distraction for us, just what we needed. On the way back to our campsite, we get a view of Vimy Memorial Bridge at night. 

Sophie - RIP

Once we get back to the RV we sit on the dock and raise a glass to Sophie. 

Just before we head in for the night, I take a moment to walk out onto the end of the dock. It's pretty clouded in but I look up and ask Sophie to give me a sign she's out there. Oddly, a lone star emerges encircled by clouds. I know that little pup is up there running around like the wind, stealing sticks from other dogs, just like she always did to her brother Barley.  You will always be in our hearts Sophie.