|
Jill and I hadn't been away togehter since on our own since our honeymoon 5 years ago. This year we decided would be
different so we packed up the trailer and the girls and headed to Kingston. We stayed at Rideau Acres Campgrounds which was
just outside of the city on the other side of the highway from CFB Kingston.
We had the most uneventful 4 hour drive
there which was exactly what I was hoping for. We arrived just about 3 o'clock and were set up and ready by a little after
4. The girls were a little nuts from sitting in the van for hours and went to bed a little late. We were impressed by how
pretty our site was but never more then at sunset. The below picture was taken from my bunk window.
The Sunday afternoon my parents came to visit. It was also a 4 hour drive for them so we put them up for the night on
the other bunk end and Victoria slept on the other dinette bed. She wasn't to thrilled with it but she put up with it so
her grandparents would stay for the camp fire. Being our guest they thought that they would bring supper and beverages for
the grown ups. Sunday's campfire was much more successful than Saturday's which had no dry wood and produced a lot of smoke
but not much of anything else. We all sat around enjoying the stars and the company before turning in for the night.
 The Monday morning my parents left for home after breakfast and we all headed up the 401 to Gananoque to take a 3 hour
cruise (insert Gilligan's island theme song here) of the 1000 islands.
We missed the noon boat so we had a picnic under
a very large old tree (see picture to left). Once the boat arrived it was off on our cruise. April fell asleep after a couple
of minutes and Victoria spent more time exploring the boat than watching the scenery. We were going to get off at Boldt Castle
but because of the heightened security going into the States we weren't on the cruise that stopped once a day and could only
watch from the boat. The cruise was relaxing for us but a little long for the girls.
We spent that night around the fire again enjoying each others company and starting our obsession for the week, playing
Yahtzee.
We spent the next day swimming in the campground pool and playing at the park. That night we made a new friend. A little
scrawny cat which Jill named Kingston
This little darling would spend most of the rest of our holidays playing with the girls. We tried to find his/her owners
but never did find someone that would claim him. We couldn't take him because of Jill's allergies but we would have.
We visited Kingston and walked around the water front. They have a lot to see there but most of it is under construction
at the momment. We did however, find a nice Irish Pub to sit outside and enjoy a French Fries with Nippy cheese and a beer.
It rainned that night and we were visited by a skunk the size of a small mountain lion. I let him finish eating
what ever he could find. It took a couple of hours to see all the stuff that they had to offer. We couldn't stay
for the Sunset ceremony since it was too late for the girls to enjoy it. They had the "soldiers" on parade and most of the
rooms were open and furnished. We didn't take a tour but we could read the signs and figure out what was going on.
Victoria liked the cannon firing and the goat (Fort Mascot). There were some tunnels and cells that the girls just would
not go into they were too afraid. There is a haunted tour of the Fort available at night. Maybe they were feeling the ghosts.
When we got back from the park we were going to go to the pool but they were having troubles keeping it clear with all
the people using it to stay cool. Luckily for us the people next to us were from the area and they knew about
a secret water park for children on the base that was open to the public but that they didn't advertise to try to keep it
for the military personel.
The girls enjoyed this place far more than any other thing that we had done with them before or after. We went back
a couple of times. It also helped keep the parents cool.
Jill's sister Melissa and her boyfriend Craig came to visit for a couple of nights. They brought a tent and every other
thing needed for camping except matches. No problem we could help them out there.
They arrived late on Thursday night and stayed up for a fire with us. The next day they spent the better part of the
day playing with the girls and swimming with them and buying them treats. In general they spoiled them.
Around supper time the sky started looking a little angry and sure enough it poured for about an hour but with good company
and an awning to cook under the 6 of us were able to have an enjoyable dinner inside the camper.
Well that is about it for this years big holiday. We had a great time and spent a lot of time just enjoying each
other. It is nice to be home now. It is amazing how comfortable carpet is when you have been wearing sandals for
a week straight.
|
