Heat Wave in Kingston

Heat wave! Wow, I cannot believe the weather we are having this year well researching in Ontario. Very few days of rain and when it does rain it is accompanied by thunder and lightning. So it as a light show at least.

For the last week is has been at least 28 degrees out. Tonight the low is 21 degrees AND that is at night. It does not soiund like it is going to change either for the next week. Bad news for the color green in nature. Good news for the tanning meter.

So, thanks to the heat, I arrived in Kingston, Ontario dripping wet. I was on my second t-shirt when I pulled up to the campground in Napanee.  Must look good for my introduction. I checked in and said my hellos and set off to set up camp in the heat. It did not take long for me to be on my third t-shirt after I finished setting up. It was a sweat-fest (Main BLOG Photo) but I love it – the sun feels good, tanning is at a premium without trying, people seem happy.

Kingston is the gateway to the 1000 Islands (checking it out tomorrow I hope).  It turns out there are ferries and boat tours to some of the islands and to the USA.  On my way into Kingston I passed by 3 ferry terminals.  That would be because I stuck with the plan of staying away from the major highways and following the lakefront road into town which follows the never ending Waterfront Trail. You learn something every day in this biz.

My first visit was to Lake Ontario Park near Kingston. No fee.  I almost nixed it as it did not look like much from the road. But, my inner voice told me to check it out so I did. Who is one to argue with their inner voice. Not me.

It turns out that the park has a nice waterfront with picnic areas, canoe launch and grass lawns. One picnic area was hidden on some flat rock, looking out onto Lake Ontario with shade from the leaning,  hanging trees. It was my lunch break spot for the day. Got to hydrate all the time. So what better why to refuel than on the shores of  Lake Ontario.

My next visit was to Lemoine Point Conservation Area. Finally,  a conservation area open to the public for activity without an admission fee. I was beginning to lose faith. I can relate to tourist who want to visit  in Ontario. Traveling Ontario I can relate to how expensive it can get for tourist if they want to visit more than one  park. I can see how the constant barrage of admission fees would limit the parks they visit. So, it was nice to see a park free to the public. The locals also appreciate it as it was busy with walkers, strollers and joggers.

In Kingston I bumped into the Waterfront Trail again as I was checking out museums.  It seemed like the locals liked to spend time on the waterfront lawns located along the trail. The view is the big attraction. There were viewing benches, picnic tables – most were occupied. There was a lady painting a portrait, a guy playing a guitar, one happy tourist clicking away like a happy little camper (that would be me) and the other hundred people staring at me like I was a freak.

Downtown Kingston has a very good selection of old heritage buildings. This was great news as I have a growing sensation with heritage buildings lately. It must be the stone and brick.

I must of walked up and down most streets and on every one there had to be at least 2 or 3 great looking heritage buildings. Some with pillars and some with vines growing up the walls. But again, like many communities, it was the churches which seem to be competing for the biggest and best building. Back into Kingston tommorrow. Wonder what I will discover? Will tell you about it on the next blog if I do not melt first .. LOL.