Kingston and the St Lawrence River

After 24 hours and 250 miles in the USA driving the southern bank of Lake Ontario we were pleased to return to the relaxed friendliness of Canada. We could have crossed the St. Lawrence River by the 1000 Islands bridge system on Highway 81. Instead we chose the longer but more scenic ferry from Cape Vincent which lands at Wolfe Island. A short drive across the Island connects with a second ferry which lands at Kingston. Kingston is home to the Royal Military College, reflecting the town's military past and it's strategic position where Lake Ontario first narrows into the St. Lawrence River. After visiting Upper Canada Village we spent the night at a typical hotel in Morrisburg.

	The Cape Vincent customs official was much more user friendly than his colleagues at Niagara Falls had been. The ferry from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island is seasonal.
	The ferry threads it's way between the 1000 islands. The Wolfe Island to Kingston leg of the ferry runs throughout the year.
	Just before it reaches Kingston the ferry passes Old Fort Henry and the Fort Frederic Museum, part of the Royal Military College.
	Kingston seen from the ferry. The town was the capital of Canada from 1841 to 1844 and remained an important centre until the end of the C19th. Most of it's important limestone public buildings originate from this era.
	Upper Canada Village is a collection of buildings from the 1860's that were saved from the rising waters following the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950's.
	The train outside Upper Canada Village is the first thing seen from the road, Highway 401, about 2 hours east of Kingston.
	The Battle of Chrysler's Farm was fought on the land adjacent to Upper Canada Village on November 11, 1813 between the American invaders and the Canadian and British defenders.
	As with so many former battle fields around the world all that remains today is a simple monument and some beautiful scenery.

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