This ferry crossing is a great example why you must do your due diligence prior to taking a…read morevacation to a place you've never been. This international border crossing is like no other and I mean like no other - first of all it's a water crossing which by no means makes it rare but this small family run operation is very rare, they are in the history books as the oldest ferry in the United States. For more than 200 years, the Horne family has been shuttling people from Cape Vincent, New York, to Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada across the St. Lawrence River. The ferry was chartered in 1802 and today, still in the family, they continue to pack up to a dozen cars on their little ferry built back in 1952 for the short trip to Canada and back. Fortunately on this day we were the single passengers, my rental and the captain's aging old pickup truck were the only vehicles on the deck. Boarding on the Canadian side was quite the adventure with the high water level they have been experiencing, it was my first ferry boarding where I had to maneuver through a flooded ramp with the choppy river water threatening. A little nerve racking but vacations are suppose to be filled with adventure right? I'm told many travelers use this as a convenient "back door" entry to and from Canada for its ease and convenience however this wasn't the case today thankfully. Horne's is the only international ferry in the region and is located at one of the narrowest crossing distances between the two countries. The ferry ride, which takes all of 10 minutes to cross the seven miles is like no other, it's very small and rolls with the waves but the crew takes great care ensuring it's a safe voyage so pay attention to the crews instructions, back in 2013 a minivan rolled through the gate and plunged off the ferry mid river - fortunately no one was inside, the genius rent a wreck driver had failed to set the parking brake and left the van in neutral before exiting, no injuries from the spill but the captain did suffer a heart-attack and fortunately survived. The schedule of trips begins at 8 am and ends daily at 7:30 pm. Everything is small at Horne's ferry. The ferry boat itself, the family operation, the duration of the trek to Canada and even the fare. Coming in at $18 for a car and driver, plus $2 for each passenger, you cannot find a cheaper, quicker, fun and hassle-free way to go from the U.S. to Canada.

Be prepared to take a bumpy ride. In comparison with the Ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island this…read moreis a miniature. A very small, private owned and operated ferry. Costs you $15 or CND 15 a vehicle. And then the adventure starts. Although it's a short ride, it can be a very bumpy ride because of the size of the ferry. But you can see the other side from the departure. So no worries. You'll survive. I did. A plus to the ferry / ferries is that their time tables match. That's probably no coincidince. And please excuse any grammar and spelling mistakes. English is not my first language. And my Apple device keeps changing English words into 'proper Dutch', my first language.

No longer an active lighthouse and standing here in front of some Cape Vincent town buildings, the…read moreCape Vincent Breakwater Lighthouse was constructed in 1901 and stood on the breakwater protecting Cape Vincent Harbor. It was deactivated and moved here in 1951. It is at the same time sad, as it is no longer protecting the harbor, and cheerful, as it is easily accessible and fabulous that it was saved from destruction. There is parking here and it is easily accessible. I don't know if it is ever open to see the inside. [Review 1562 of 2024 - 478 in New York - 22585 overall]

Along Broadway and heading to the lighthouse, this marker points out some post-Revolutionary War…read morehistory. I was unfamiliar with "The Patriot War" but I've learned a bit. It was not a war between the United States and Canada (aka The War of 1812) but instead was an unsuccessful independent attempt to overthrow colonial British rule in Canada. The marker reads, "Built in 1815 by J. D. Le Ray de Chaumont. Here Canadian rebels were sheltered during Patriot War, 1838" The home is private property but can be seen from the road. [Review 1563 of 2024 - 479 in New York - 22586 overall]

If you're ever in Kingston, be sure to stop by the Martello Alley to see some great local artists…read morework and meet some very friendly artists! We came for a quick visit I think it was November, so it was quite chilly and snow-y outside. Thought the alley might be closed but as you walk in, the sensored lights turn on and greet you with beautiful works of art. Infact, the entire alley itself IS a work of art. David, the owner, has, in his own genius, turned what use to be a shabby dark alley, into a whole new scenery!! It's such a delightful little space that I think artists would love to gather, especially in the summer as he has a patio space. Sip some coffee, make some art, admire some beauty. :) David was so friendly too! He showed us all the "behind the scenes" of the pieces in the alley. The befores and afters are quite remarkable. As a very creative and resourceful individual myself, I truly appreciate the thought that went behind creating something so amazing out of seemingly not much. David is very passionate and proud of his work, and rightfully so! I hope more people come visit this alley and support the local artists!

David is a great guy with more stories than I had time for. The Alley is such a neat and local…read moreplace in the heart of Kingston that combines retail with art. From the decorations outside to the art inside, there is something for everyone. Highly recommend!

Its over 1000, and you ll encounter some beautiful small islands…read more.. We took a boat tour of this island 1000 Island and guide were well aware of what he was doing. He informed us about each and every island on the route. This boat tour was on Saint Lawrence river which comes from Canada. It was thrilling to know one side of the river is the USA and another side is Canada and houses on Canada side were so close, the person sitting on his patio can even wave us. Guide told us, for being an island, it should have 3 criteria, tree-house and the third thing I don't remember. We were amazed to see island having just one house and no space at all. Wondering how a person living there was able to stay there so long. Guess they are done with humans: P The beauty of Thousand Island is the bunch of unique small island in a vast water zone. The islands were super clean and have millionaires staying there. The staff was amazing and snacks on board we all reasonably priced. Our tour included 3 hours of time to get to the island and have a 1-hour stopover. Which was plenty of time. The way home included a stop to Bolt Castle with the option of catching any other Uncle Sam boat back to shore. The scenery is magnificent; the choice of things to do is great, but mostly it is a relaxing time. Enjoy both a sunrise and a sunset over the St. Lawrence.

The 1000 Island Bridge is old and showing it's age. Built in 1937 the bridge deck is riddled with…read morepatches and therefore rough. We paid $7.00 US$ to cross with the motorhome. This bridge should be replaced. The natural beauty of the area is great but in no way offsets the need for a new bridge.

Historic site here on the lake offers a variety of options from self-guided outdoor tour to more…read moreinvolved indoor tours. We stayed outside because of covid, and enjoyed a brisk walk on a cloudy fall afternoon. It's definitely an interesting place for history buffs or those interested in maritime history. It's worth checking out if you are in the area. Free parking is available.

Wow, what a story What a place…read moreSo much history So long ago. 1812 Spend an hour, learn a lot