After two days in Gatineau Park, we say goodbye to Quebec and start a new chapter of our journey across the Americas: a road trip in Ontario! Indeed, after three years in Quebec, it’s time to explore other Canadian provinces, starting with Ontario and its great lake of the same name.
Friday, May 20, 2022
Our day starts at the most beautiful spot we’ve stayed at so far. Sure, it’s only our fourth night on the road, but it still counts! We parked on a vast grassy area by a border lake, where we can wave to our American neighbors. In summer, this place is a campground, but since it’s off-season, we can stay for free. Pretty sweet. We spent the night lulled by the sounds of wild geese and other birds, so peaceful.
This is exactly the kind of place where we could stay for days, but the road awaits! A quick water refill, and we’re off!
After stopping at Tim Hortons to use the Wi-Fi, and then at McDonald’s because the Wi-Fi is better 😵, we can finally head towards the Thousand Islands, an archipelago of some 1,800 small and large islands located on the St. Lawrence River. We’ve been following it since Montreal, but we’re about to leave it for good, as the Thousand Islands are situated at the mouth of the immense Lake Ontario. We drive along the road that follows the river, impressed on one side by the properties with perfectly manicured lawns, and on the other by tiny islands that still house a home! It’s a strange idea to build a house on a rock that the slightest wave could submerge!
Our road trip in Ontario takes us to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, where the city of Kingston is located. With its strategic position, Kingston was the first capital of Canada. There are numerous fortifications here, including Fort Henry, which is, however, closed. Well, at $20 per person for entry, it’s not certain we would have gone anyway…
For tonight, we set up camp in a park near the city, Ontario Park. Off-season, it seems allowed to stay overnight, and we find a spot by the water. Restrooms, picnic tables, and most importantly, showers! Excited, we head off to take our first real shower… which is cut short because the water is freezing! Might as well just jump into the lake 😂. Nevertheless, it still feels good to wash up, even with cold water. In the evening, we cook our dinner and do the dishes under the astonished eyes of passersby. Jeepy always makes an impression! We spend the evening working on the blog in the back of the Jeep, sheltered from the wind, sipping our evening tea. Next to us, our neighbors for the night, comfortably settled in their RV, seem to be taunting us 😁.
Saturday, May 21
Wake up at 6:30 AM. Everything is quiet, and the weather is nice. We immediately pack up and go for a walk in Kingston, where we grab some coffee and muffins. When the city was founded, the founders must not have been very inspired. Indeed, the main streets are named “Queen Street,” “King Street,” and “Princess Street.”
At 9 AM, we hit the road again. We follow the small roads along the lake, as we love admiring the beautiful properties, stunning houses, and perfectly manicured gardens, though devoid of any trees. I guess trees aren’t very practical for lawn mowing! After a short ferry ride, we arrive at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
🥾 The Dunes Trail – 2.5 km
On the shores of Lake Ontario, this park has a bit of a South of France vibe. “It’s like home, but without the sea breeze,” says Rémi. A sandy beach, plenty of pines, and all we’re missing are the cicadas to feel right at home!
Around noon, we find a lovely spot by the water for a picnic. The crystal-clear water is tempting for a swim, but not today, it’s freezing! Yesterday’s shower was enough for us xD
We then continue our road trip in Ontario towards Toronto, avoiding the highways. The small country roads are so much prettier and more enjoyable. We drive slowly, admiring the scenery and the beautiful properties we never get tired of. Behind us, the Canadians are getting impatient. We should put a “slow travelers” sticker on the back of Jeepy! 😅 Now, we’re heading towards one of the most famous places in the world: the legendary Niagara Falls!
