After leaving the beauty of Niagara Falls, I made my way to Toronto for a brief but wonderful visit with friends from Starbucks before heading to the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Island region.
On Tuesday, 5/20, I left Niagara Falls and drove around the west edge of Lake Ontario on the QEW and Highway 401 to Indian Line Campground, which was advertised as the only campground in the Toronto city limits. It wasn’t the best campground, but was the closest to where Andy, Christina and Paige were staying. I didn’t realize how big Toronto was, even though I know it is the most populous city in Canada (and surprisingly the fourth largest city in North America after Mexico City, New York and LA). Shortly after setting up camp, they arrived at my site. It seemed much longer than five months that I was working with them in the Seattle Starbucks headquarters, but seeing their faces erased all time and distance. We only had a few hours together but it was well worth changing my plans to see them. Thank you Andy, Christina and Paige for fitting me into your business plans; it was awesome seeing you… I miss you all! And thank you Paige for traveling so far to deliver my mail and debit card! :)
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| Happy faces reunited! |
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| The team formally known as "Strategic Initiatives" |
Since the campground wasn't great and the best way into downtown Toronto was a one-hour bus ride, I decided to pack up and leave the city behind. It took a while driving east on highway 401 to feel like the city was behind me… a long while. In my last blog post, I wrote that my experience driving in Ontario felt like a competitive sport. It still felt like that; however, one brilliant factor that I noticed was that people pass in the left lane then move over to the right. I have yet to see a slow driver in the left lane, so kudos to the Canadian drivers! Highway 401 has frequent “On Routes” which are comparable to US Travel Plazas only cleaner with better food options and WiFi, so I pulled into the Port Hope On Route for a few hours to get a Starbucks mocha and plan my next stop. Looking at the map, I found Sandbanks Provincial Park located just west of the Thousand Islands and decided to check it out. The drive toward the peninsula on highway 33 reminded me of northern Florida with flat countryside and surrounding water, only this area included many quaint wineries and vineyards overlooking Lake Ontario.
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| Sandbanks campsite with only one other camper in the loop |
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| This Robin certainly knows where to find the worms |
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| T chased this little guy up the tree |
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| These Canadian Black Squirrels look like a cat and mink got together |
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| Trooper is a magnet for everything... in this case, leaves |
Shortly after pulling into a wooded and quiet camp loop, I met Tom and Kim who were kind enough to share the history of the area (as well as give me helpful photography hints). The park is surrounded by Lake Ontario, West Lake and East Lake. Both lakes were once bays of Lake Ontario but over thousands of years, sandbars formed cutting off the water and forming lakes (in later research, I learned the dunes are geomorphological features called “baymouth barriers”). That afternoon, Trooper and I headed out to explore the west side of the park on Woodlands and Dune Trails. After walking through brilliant green grassy meadows, we walked right into the West Lake sand dune. It was unexpected and inviting. The breeze coming off the lake was warm and the golden sand seemed to glow in the setting sun.
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| Woodlands Trail heading toward West Lake |
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| American Goldfinch just hanging out |
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| Found this note to parents humorous |
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| First sighting of the dunes and what a beautiful discovery! |
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| T wishing the sand was snow |
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| Overlooking West Lake |
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| I like well-marked trail systems |
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| T cooling off in the sunset |
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| And still cooling off... |
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| And still cooling off... |
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| T wondering what's out there |
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| Then deciding to sit it out |
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| Clearly he needs a break (or is yelling at me!) |
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| The banks of Lake Ontario |
On Friday, 5/23, I continued traveling east on highway 401 into the small town of Gananoque, “Canada’s Gateway to the Thousand Islands”. I stopped at the Visitors Center and immediately felt at home. The staff was incredibly welcoming and curious about my story. Tamara gave me her top few things to do in the area, which quickly became my agenda for the next few days. First on the list was stopping at “The Socialist Pig” coffeehouse for homemade lemon loaf and a mocha (made with chocolate milk rather than syrup because they can’t find a healthy syrup). I walked around town for a few hours enjoying the quaint waterfront and very friendly locals.
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| A GREAT town at the beginning of the 1000 Islands Region |
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| Enjoying the town park |
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| Oh Canada! |
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| Hanging out along the St. Lawrence River |
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| The Socialist Pig coffeehouse... delicious, quaint and friendly! |
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| T making friends with the pig |
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| Home for the night at 1000 Islands Camping Resort (petting zoo to the right) |
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| T making a new friend |
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| But not sure about the goat (it was mutual) |
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| A few privately owned islands |
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| Not a bad housing situation |
I stopped at the 1000 Islands National Park located outside Mallorytown and based on their recommendation, drove a bit further east to hike Jones Creek. It was hot and muggy and my first experience being swarmed by incessant mosquitoes. I knew I was in trouble when I passed a couple of hikers wearing net hats. Several times on the hike, I had to wipe the mosquitos off Trooper’s eyes. Another hiker told me it gets better in August! We picked up the pace, didn’t stop often and did our best to get around the loop as fast as possible.
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| Jones Creek (the only photo due to mosquitos) |
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| A lot of cuteness in this family! |
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| T and I cooling off back on the banks of Lake Ontario |
Lake Charleston Provincial Park
After our hike and based on another recommendation from Tamara, we headed north away from the St. Lawrence River to visit Lake Charleston Provincial Park. En route, I stopped at Wendy’s Farm Market which Tamara told me was a must. It was hard to find since it’s off a dirt road deep in the countryside, but what a great stop! The owners were immediately drawn to Trooper since they have a pack of Huskys and Malamutes that they run in the winter. We chatted for a while while I enjoyed a yummy BLT wrap made with all fresh ingredients from their market. I could have stayed at this place for hours; they have a wonderful business and were incredibly friendly. I walked away with elk sausage, fresh bacon, 50/50 wild boar/venison hamburger, tomatoes and fresh farm eggs. Feeling well stocked, I made my way to Lake Charleston. We spent the weekend (5/24 - 5/25) at the lake hiking, biking, doing laundry, and prepping for our return to the USA. The Provincial Parks in Canada are wonderful. They are beautifully maintained with clean restrooms/showers, laundry facilities, and welcoming staff. On a side note, electricity is referred to as “hydro”.
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| Delicious and brilliant with the addition of cucumber! |
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| Wendy's Farm Market... a must do in the 1000 Islands Region |
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| A great setup |
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| Lake Charleston campsite... again, the only camper in the loop |
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| Shortly after setting up, we were welcomed with a hail storm |
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| Lake Charleston |
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| Pitstop on a long hike |
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| T doing his thing |
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| Not a bad place to pitch a tent for the night |
On Monday, Memorial Day 5/26, I headed south toward the 1000 Islands bridge to cross back into the states. The crossing was easier than expected, although I ended up in the wrong lane; my options were “Auto” or “Truck”, so I assumed I was considered a truck. The officer (whose window was 3 feet above my head clearly meaning I was in the wrong lane) asked me if I was trying to beat the traffic in the auto lane and I explained I didn’t know if I was an auto or truck. He clarified that I was an auto then took my tomatoes (so I didn’t mention all the meat I purchased) and made me drive through the radar machine. The good thing was that I did beat a lot of the auto traffic! After crossing, I stopped at the 1000 Island Tower. I do my best to stay away from tourist attractions but after finding out it was $12 to get to the top of the 400 foot tower, I couldn’t resist. It was well worth the money to see this perspective of the 1000 Islands with breathtaking views in all directions.
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| Waiting to go through the US Crossing radar machine (not sure what they're looking for but happy I was cleared) |
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| The 1000 Island Tower on the US side |
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| 1000 Islands looking east toward Montreal |
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| Looking north at Canada and the border crossing bridge |
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| Looking west toward Lake Ontario... a great view! |
Unplug. Since I was only going to be in Canada for one week, I didn’t purchase a voice or data plan (which I will do for my upcoming summer journey through Canada). Even though it was a bit unsettling to have limited access, there was silence and simplicity that came with it. Not having instant communication or access to information took me back to a time before cell phones and internet (I know I sound like my grandparents, but they were right!). I’m all for technology, but I’m also for unplugging from it and finding other sources of entertainment… like finishing that novel you’ve been reading for far too long or just simply sitting outside and watching nature unfold. Unplug and you may be surprised at the creativity and motivation that befalls upon you.
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