I was up early to take care of some boat chores, the most important being a load of laundry. The onboard washer/dryer combo unit is not very good with towels, jeans, or sweatshirts, but it does a good job with our everyday clothes ... as long as we don't overpack it.
The first neighborhood sightseeing trolley departed at 9:30 from the visitor's center, and we were there early to meet it. We explored around Confederation Park while waiting to board. I completed the Kingston sign. It reminded me of the times in recent years that I had similar photos taken while completing the 13.1 signs before half marathons. In the park was what we consider to be a vintage phone booth. Pay phones are not uncommon here in Kingston, although we have yet to see anyone using the landlines.
Kingston touts itself as being "rich in history and culture and home to a vibrant arts, food and maker community." It was the first capital of unified Canada and celebrates native son, Sir John A. Macdonald, the country's first prime minister, with multiple statues and buildings named for him around town.
The tour started at City Hall, the historic Prince George Hotel located beside it, and crossed the Cataraqui River to reach the Royal Military College of Canada. We were driven through the gates and saw many buildings and the parade grounds. From there we went to Fort Henry and saw a few things that we didn't last night. Mainly we took in the views of the martello (small defensive fort) from the highest point of the city.
We enjoyed a clear view of the skyline before heading back into town for lunch and a little shopping along Princess Street. Barry met Mr. Moose outside a souvenir store. Beautiful flowers were everywhere -- in window boxes, pots, and planted in beds.
Kingston is home to the oldest continuously run farmers market in North America (dating back to 1801). We walked through the layout, looking at the breads, crafts, and maple syrup and were impressed by all the colorful produce. It was a sunny and hot day and we went looking for water and found another one of our new-favorite water fountains that easily fill water bottles. The display at the top of the fountain logs how many water bottles were not needed because of refilling. Take note, America ... we need some of these!
Back on the trolley we mainly just looked as we rode through Queen's University and beside the Portsmouth Olympic Harbor, which was the sailing venue for the the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. We did get out and stretch out legs at the Pump House Steam and Model Railroad Museum before heading back to Crossroads for a nap and dinner onboard.
We ventured back out as the sun set and enjoyed the tail-end of a concert in Confederation Park before finishing the day off a some ice cream.
We will leave tomorrow morning and head into Lake Ontario. Our destination will be an anchorage that's half-way between Kingston and Trenton. As we continue to travel west, we are getting closer to Toronto as we distance ourselves from Montreal.
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