We arrived in Kingston,Ontario shortly after our friends Mark and Jane on Average Looper. We had been separated a few days while they were delayed for some repairs to their boat. While we stayed at Westport they passed us on the Rideau. It was really nice to get back together again. After a short catch up session we again rented a car and began our re-provisioning. From Canadian boaters we learned about Marine Outfitters, a store that sold metric water pipe fitting that I was looking for. Jan found a very nice rain jacket on the clearance rack and Mark and Jane found the chart book they wanted. A great stop!
On our return to the boats we stopped at the LCBO, which stands for Liquor Control Board Ontario. Wow, is liquor expensive in Canada! Their free health insurance comes with costs in other ways. After we resupplied the liquor cabinets we resupplied the pantries at the grocery store.
Another of our Looper traveling companions, Panacea, was having some bad luck and delayed in Merrickville. They needed some repair parts that were thought to be available in Kingston and we offered to pick them up and bring them to Merrickville the next day. The parts were not available but we drove to see Larry and Jan anyway. They were really glad to see us and said we brightened their spirits considerably.
Just before arriving at Panacea we stopped at Bob's fresh cut fries, the local poutine shop. It was just a little roadside stand that had a fabulous reputation for poutine. We purchased takeout to share with Larry and Jan as they hadn't previously experienced poutine and were appropriately impressed. Now you are thinking "Mertz, what is poutine". Poutine is a popular food in the French areas of Canada and consists of french fries, cheese curds and gravy. It tastes a lot better than it sounds and is even sold at McDonald's. On our way out of Merrickville we had to stop for another potine fix. This time we over did it and haven't had any poutine since.
On our return to Kingston we saw some interesting scenery as the pictures below will show. The Thousand Islands were not on our cruising itinerary so we drove through the area with the car. The area is absolutely beautiful! We took the elevator to the top of a 400' tower and had an aerial view of the entire area. Not as good as boating through but better than missing it entirely.
The following day we drove to Picton, Ontario which was a potential overnight stop on our way to the Trent Severn Waterway. Picton is accessible via ferry so we made another road trip and viewed by car instead of boat. Visiting by car turned out to be wonderful. We would have missed most of the beautiful scenery had we stayed at the marina. After lunch at "The Inn" we toured the island until I noticed we were almost out of gas. We made a nervous trip into town and refueled. Lucky for me we didn't run out of gas! The beach area was another of the beautiful places, as the pictures show.
After making really good use of the car it was time to move on again. Next time the beginning of the Trent Severn Waterway.
This original steam engine is in beautiful condition.
The train station is as nice as the steam engine.
Kingston has a lot of very well preserved buildings.
This Church was in Kingston.
This church was in Merrickville.
We saw this eclectic shop outside of Merrickville.
We aren't sure if it is a shop or store or just somebody's collection of junk.
The talent of some people continues to amaze me.
The doors on this garage are actually closed and this scene is painted on the outside.
We saw this solar panel on our trip to Merrickville.
Solar power was prevalent in Canada.
On our return the panel was tilted the other way following the sun to get
maximum output.
We also saw this farm yard driveway lined with these painted tulips.
Amazing talent!
There were a lot of painted tulips!
And more!
The painting quality was quite good.
The view of the USA from the 400' tower.
US and Canadian Customs.
Looking west from the tower.
It was windy at the top.
We rode this ferry to Picton.
A view going to Picton from the ferry.
The ferry returning to the mainland.
This view is of the ferry dock on the mainland from the island.
It felt like Picton was on an island because we took the ferry to get there.
It wasn't an island just a long way around to get there on the mainland.
Tom & Jan in front of the Inn which was built in the 1860's..
This hacksaw, made by a millwright apprentice in 1865, was displayed
on the wall inside the Inn.
And I thought some of my tools were old.
The beach on the island.
There were several kite surfers here.
Another view of the beach.
It reminded us of Maui, Hawaii.
The sunrise on our departure day.
A Nice day coming.
Now we are on to our long awaited Trent Severn Waterway.
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