Grenadier West Aug. 15/12

Left Constance Island this morning in search of something different.  Cruised slowly to allow the battery to charge.  This is a nice little island with a lovely little house - 'twould suit me just fine.

And then there was this.  Who could possibly need something this big?  Notice the spires to the left - that's all part of the same house!

This is St. Lawrence, high on a rock cliff.  A plaque near the water says who it is, and that he was a 3rd century martyr after whom the river is named.

We arrived at one of our favorite islands - the west end of Grenadier, and there was a good sized space on a big sturdy dock.    We went for a walk around the island, and this tiny island and cottage are just to the west of it.

Our walk-about turned out to be a short one, since most of the island is blocked off to allow for restoration of the vegetation.  This is one of the original gazebos - I think there are only 4 left.  Unfortunately the informational sign is missing.

I believe this is the summer home of the family who invented the Zippo lighter.  Lots of toys here!  It's also part of Grenadier, which is a very long island.  Parks Canada owns several parts of the island, the west end being our favorite.

This mink kept us entertained for part of the day.

He went out into the water to drag a big dead fish to shore, which he then labored to drag up over the rocks and up the hill to wherever it was that he wanted it.

I think the fish is probably bigger than he is!

The lake boats go up the main shipping channel, which is quite a few miles from where we are.  It's on the south shore in American waters at this point.  We could see this boat going by Alexandria Bay.  It would be very near Boult Castle, though we can't see it from here.

Constance Island Aug. 14/12

I can never figure out how a tree this size can grow out of a pile of rocks like this!                 Since it was supposed to rain and t-storm all day today, we decided to stay put.  Guess what, it didn't!  But we had a restful day.

Paul checking things out in the motor compartment.

We walked around the island again today, and swam a few times.          I persevere through trails like this........

.......to get to trails like this.

There are a lot of trees like this on the island, but I have yet to see or hear a woodpecker.

Guess there was a fire on Hill Island this evening - 3 firetrucks went over the bridge.

This boat reminded me of the "Spook" boat, the big launch they used to have on Spook Island, Rice Lake, where I worked as a teenager.  It never had a canvas top on it though. 

Two kids on the boat in front of us.  They do some stuff like this, but mostly they read!  If you can imagine with boys about 10 years old!           

Monday, Aug. 13/12 Constance Island

We left Georgina Island this morning, planning to go to Grenadier, but peeked around the corner to the south side of Constance, found no-one on the south dock, and decided to go there.  For a couple of hours we were the only ones on the island - lots of company now.  This is a really sturdy dock and it's very close to the outhouse.  Where we were yesterday, it was a LONG way over "mountainous" terrain.

When we were sitting in the shade in our chairs, this little fellow came to call, so we shared with him.

We went for a walk around the island - some of the paths were easy like this one.....

.....some were not.  It's a wee bit tricky with the boot!

This house on Hill Island, across the channel from us is "built upon the rock".  You can see how strong the current is in the narrow channels - foreground. 

This is the tower on Hill Island (Canada), across from us.  We stayed on Hill Island one time, biked to the tower, and went to the top.  Yeah, it was in an elevator.  They don't allow people to climb it anymore.  But what a view from the top!

Constance is one of the islands that the supports for the Ivy Lea Bridge are on.        It has been an absolutely gorgeous day here - warm/hot, and sunny - not a raindrop in sight.  But there was no dew on the boat this morning, and we're told that's a bad sign - bad weather coming!  The weather reports say t-storms tomorrow, so we may stay put.  At least we can run the generator on this island.

Sunday Aug. 12/12 Georgina Island

Got up this morning to rain, then the sun shone, then rain, etc etc.  It was iffy all morning.  Adrian enjoyed a game of ball with Great Uncle Paul.  The ball only had to be fetched out of the water a few times!

Amy, Maria and Gena doing the lazy river.

Dan, Amy, Maria, Adrian and Gena feeding the geese (and the fish!).  Maria is taking pictures of the geese with her "Leap Pad" - I think that's what it is called - it's like a tablet for kids.  Gena was eating more bread than the geese.  :-)

Some ducks joined the group.

Maria and Great Uncle Paul doing some fishing.

We were sorry to see them go, though understood, since it was raining again by this time - just after lunch.  Soon after they left, the sun came out and was hot for the rest of the day.

1000 Islands at last!

Left Lower Brewers, decided to sit at the top of the 4 locks at Kingston Mills until they finally got it repaired and opened, and as we approached, the doors opened and the first lot of boats went down, including us!  What a great surprise!  We were through the 4 locks in a half hour!

There is a sign on the lawn announcing that this house belongs to Kierstead, the artist - just north of Kingston.

We met up with some kayakers on the way into Kingston - Paul counted them - 30 plus.

This is a tour boat out of Kingston, with Wolfe Island in the background - there are 100's of windmills on the island!

Finally got to the back side of Georgina Island, where Donald, Nancy, Dan, Amy, and the kids were stopped.  They were able to make room on the dock for us.  This is Adrian, age 4, having fun in a bucket in the pool.  :-)

This little sweetie is Gena, age 2.

We saw 7 police boats between Gananoque and this island.  There was actually a police officer from this one ON a boat from Pennsylvania which was anchored in the little bay we were in.

Adrian and Gena feeding some geese - what the fish didn't grab first!

Maria, age 6 swimming the "lazy river".  This particular spot is known for the current which starts up the island a ways, and comes right around to beside our boat.  Lots of people come just to swim the lazy river.

Dan, Adrian and Gena after swimming the lazy river.

Don and Nancy's dog, Izzy, loves to lie on the dock watching the fish - the water is so clear, and there are a LOT of fish.  Should have brought a fishing pole!

Nancy with grandson Adrian, who is a real cuddler - I even got a good cuddle with him!  Sorry that these guys have to leave today - guess we'll stay here for at least one more day before moving on to another island.