August 15: Parks Canda - Hill Island

The wind was still blowing and the sun still hidden on Thursday morning (yesterday) but it was time to move on regardless.

With the wind at our back, it wouldn't be bad but jeans, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt were still in order! Even then it was a bit cool :-) Sure am missing the flybridge enclosure on the trawler!

We were continuing to head east on the St. Lawrence River. The yellow line is our track from Kingston to one of the last Parks Canada island: Hill Island. From here we'll cross to the US side of the river (blue line), check in at US Customs at Heart Island (location of the Boldt Castle) then continue west and back to Lake Ontario.

As the islands increased in number and the river narrowed, the current in the river increased. I was glad we were going with the current! But of course we'll be going against it once we turn and head back west.

In the meantime we enjoyed the views - even though it was overcast all day.

Steve spotted the statue of St. Lawrence (after whom the river is named) along the river near the international bridge which crosses the river. Oddly it is visible only from the cars on the bridge and from the river.


The Parks Canada dock was quite nice and VERY well protected from the strong west winds which continued all day. I love it when a plan works!!

There was the cutest little gazebo on it's own island with an arched bridge connecting to the mainland. About two seconds out there reminded me why I was dressed so warmly!

There was a renewed appreciation for the protection we were getting at the dock.






After a peaceful night, the bikes came off and we were off for the mile and a half ride to the 400 foot observation tower overlooking this area of the Thousand Islands.


What amazing views from the top!!

Those are steps around the outside by the way.

But the elevator is much faster :-)

Besides, you weren't allowed to climb the steps anyway!

Sadly the sun was out only for a very short time this morning. I'm sure the view would have been REALLY amazing with the sun out!

With the narrowness of the river here, it's no wonder there is so much current - especially considering all of the water from the Great Lakes passes through this river.

On the bike ride back, we spotted this sign.

No sooner that we saw the sign, we saw the deer!

Then we saw this sign:  must be time to get on back to the boat :-)