Brighton Speedway and Lake on a mountain

Toured the county and friends suggested we view "Lake on the Mountain".  Small pretty lake above Lake Ontario, has no known water source, but has an outlet creek that used to supply water to run mills below in Glenora.

Bought some Cheese

Tasted and bought some cider

Had lunch and bought some wine

Saturday Race night at Brighton Speedway. Julie and I have never been to any car races, but this racetrack was very near to our campsite. Had to go. Could hear them warming up from the campsite before we left to ride over. Dirt track oval race track. Very cool! We had a blast!

We sat beside some people (when in the military) were stationed in Chilliwack. What are the odds???Very nice people, he now is the Deputy Chief of Police in Belleville. 

Intrepid Park, Location of Camp X

Short relocation day to Prince Edward County on the north east corner of Lake Ontario. En-route we stopped at Whitby, the location of Camp X. Only a Park and plaques are remaining from this history of Canada. But Recently a TV series called X Company has started, based on stories of Camp X. 

Proceeded to our next campsite. Since it was early in the afternoon, more wine tastings...

Went to a few others, but couldn't stomach them, so no picture.

Peterborough Lift Locks

Apparently we like locks... Talked to my buddy Wayne who grew up in the Toronto area, he suggested these locks. Rode to Peterborough to check out this time machine. Built in 1904, one of eight built in the world, the highest hydraulic lift locks in the world, still operational. Basically they are large bathtubs that are raised and lowered with boats in them. Very Cool!

What is more amazing is the fact that canals and a waterway system was built between 1833 and 1920 linking the Georgian Bay on Lake Superior to Lake Ontario. This is called the Trent Severn Waterway and has 41 locks or lifts on it, spanning 387 Kms of canals and waterways.

Click here to check it out.

After the locks, (watching them go up and down made us hungry) so we went to a pub for lunch. Good lunch, (they had Central Brewing beer here) then we rode back to the campsite. Warm day!

Toronto Bound

Packed up and headed to Toronto. Drove the coast (Lakeshore Drive) through the towns of Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga and arrived just after noon. One parking lot wanted to charge us $100 to park the camper and trailer. Total rip off!  Took about an hour and talking to some motorcycle police officers who gave us directions to a great parking lot across from the CN Tower. Ended up costing us $10.50...  Had lunch at the CN Tower as people suggested it was a better deal than just the ride to the observation deck. The pictures say it all.

Then went to the Steam Whistle Brewing Company for a beer tasting and tour. Tour was full so headed to our chosen campsite. Glen Rouge Public Campsite on the Scarborough, Pickering border. 

Last Day of Niagara wine tastings

Went to 3 local wineries in and around our campsite. Exquisite wines, trying not to buy any, we bought another case.

From the Niagara escarpment, in the distance you can see Toronto

"In Search of" Locks, Canals, Wineries

Today we spent our time touring around in search of the old canals and locks. We cross referenced the maps received at the St Cathereins Museum and google maps. Found a small park called Mountain Locks Park. This was nothing to speak of because they really haven't done anything with it. We did find a small monument and an outline of Lock #24 which was made out of wood. The plaque says it all.

Up the hill in the same park, as seen from google maps was a straight waterway and a short walk, we heard water running. As we walked around the fenced off area, through the brush we saw remnants of locks built out of fieldstone. We followed the path up the hill and crossed locks in 4 area. This section was from the 2nd canal system. 

Apparently these have been fenced off for safety sake do to the fact that a sewage treatment plant dumps processed water into them. At the lower end an aqueduct was placed and some of the canal was filled in.

After this we headed our bike for Welland as the canal was straightened to go around the town instead of through the middle of downtown. The old canal is still used for locals to a waterway. Then we drove up the Welland River which comes from the Niagara River upstream of the falls. Apparently this river is used as an extra water supply for the current canal system and was used as a detour route when the upgrade around Welland was being dug.

For more information about the history of the Welland Canals click here

After all that touring we were thirsty and needed wine so we drove down the Niagara Parkway AGAIN and to Inniskillan Winery. Had been there yesterday but it was totally busy.

Then to Vineland Winery near our campsite. It was recommended to us and we weren't disappointed. Turned out that the owner sold off Sumac Ridge winery in the 80s when people were removing grapes and moved out to the Niagara region and bought this winery.  Bought 6 bottles, 1 special for our Aunt Judy and Uncle Gary who we will be visiting in PEI.

Buildings from 1847

Niagara Parkway

Went down to Lake Erie and crossed the entrance to the Welland Canal, Port Colborne. Had lunch in the park. Beautiful little town. Something you could retire in, like the many that have because there are many retirement homes and assisted living accommodations. Many with a view of the town or Lake.

Canal entrance, Port Colborne looking south onto Lake Erie

Looking North

At the park looking south 

Yours truly

These are the first locks, built in 1833

You can actually see where the lock gates sat in the recesses

Continued down the road to the start of the Niagara River at Fort Erie. As we headed down river, on the parkway, stopped at a park under the bridge that goes over to Buffalo, NY and saw a guy dipping for minows to use for bait, as he fishes the river all the time. Even at this point, the river is very fast.

Then went for a wine tasting.