Day 1 (May 17, 2025): Getting to Kingston via Sandbanks Provincial Park

 

Sunrise began with an incredible pink sky over the airfield at Halifax International Airport.

The Porter Airlines Embraer 195 aircraft provided an incredibly smooth flight all the way to Toronto. It was less than half full

Any fight goes better when, instead of a tiny bag of pretzels for breakfast, you can have a home-prepared breakfast tray. A little effort the night before pays off big time.

As we were in final descent for Pearson Airport, we passed the iconic core of downtown Toronto, bathed in  early morning light.

As we drove across Toronto, from the airport in Mississauga, to the east, we passed several large Hudson’s Bay department stores. It is surreal to imagine that, in a few short weeks, this icon of Canada will cease to exist across the country.

From Highway 401, just before the the ramp to Colborne, one sees this massive apple belonging to The Big Apple apple company and, on a holiday Saturday like this, that massive apple was drawing in hordes of people, including us. I mean, it’s hard to resist! 

The apple trees were in Blossom at The Big Apple's orchard.

Brilliant fields of rapeseed were in bloom along the journey

When we think of Ontario, we really don’t think of sandy beaches. But that is exactly what we did find! And the first beach we explored was in Wellington.

Growing up in Newfoundland, we were used to capelin washing up on the beach every June, as they spawned. All along the beach in Wellington, we found these little fish. Smaller than capelin, but similar.

The lighthouse at Wellington Beach. Not quite as attractive as a Maritimes lighthouse, somehow. But still, a lighthouse is a lighthouse - even this Great Lakes version.

The market in Wellington was a neat place to explore on a Saturday morning. A lot of people drive from Toronto to Prince Edward County on the weekend, and the little community was certainly abuzz today.

The Wellington town hall reflects very typical brick architecture style in these parts.

When we lived in Ottawa from 1992 to 1994, we made a trip down to sandbanks provincial Park. We haven’t been back there since. Three decades later, we felt it was time to go again, because we loved it the first time

There is nothing nicer than driving through a deciduous forest in the spring, with all the leaves are just bursting open.

This is Outlet Beach at sandbanks provincial Park, a 2 km stretch of sand. All that white stuff is comprised of tiny shells.

The dunes at SandBanks provincial Park.

We stopped in Napanee for lunch. The town is known for its beautiful waterfall. 

At 4 PM, we rolled into downtown Kingston, where we checked into the Marriott

We enjoyed a beverage and some snacks before heading out to explore some downtown sites

The tulips were at their perfect peak

Prior to Confederation, Kingston was the capital of the United Province of Canada. Built in 1844, and now serving as Kingston City Hall, this domed classical structure served as the seat of government for the United Province of Canada.

The Customs House, built from 1856-59. 

Across the great Cataraqui River in downtown Kingston lies the impressive and sprawling campus of the Royal Military College, Canada's finishing school for its military officers.

At ground zero in downtown Kingston is Confederation Park, where you will find CPR steam engine number 1095, as well as Shoal Tower, one of the many fortifications that protected Kingston‘s harbour back in the 1800s, against potential threats from the United States of America against the British naval shipyard at Kingston.

Another view of Kingston City Hall

CPR steam engine number 1095 up close.

Shoal Tower at dusk.