Even though I’m very much a city person and can’t imagine living in a place with a population of less than 500,000, I’m in love with Canadian small towns.
Over the year, we visit quite a lot of small towns, mostly in Ontario but also in the U.S. Some were just a stop on the road to or from somewhere, some were a getaway, but most of them were simply lovely.
It’s a cliché but the pace of life is different and people are friendlier than in the big cities. It’s also refreshing to see fewer franchises, more “mom and pop” stores, and fresher products. It also helps that Ontario is a lovely province, and that a lot of these towns are in a beautiful natural setting. Most small towns here really try hard to be welcoming, unique and original and they each have their own little quirks or attractions.
Last week, on our way back from Toronto, we decided to break the five-hour-long drive in Gananoque instead of Kingston (home of the Tragically Hip!), our usual stop. We had been to Gananoque once before, in 2008, when exploring the Thousand Islands.
Our stop there was quick but very relaxing. As soon as we stepped out of the car, we noticed how quiet it was compared to Toronto and to the highway. We walked around Joel Stone Park and the marina, and enjoyed what probably is the calm before the storm for this touristic site.
Stunning pictures! I love visiting small villages though I could never live there..I’ll get bored immediately! I need to run a crazy and busy life!
I’m the same, but visiting these places is nice though.
I love reading about your travels – and the accompanying photos.
If I had my life to live over (and that would definitely be a life minus the back problem…) I’d choose to lead a life like yours! You have been to so many wonderful places.
Well, on the positive side, Gananoque is close to Toronto so you can probably make the trip easily.
Hi Zhu,
Beautiful place! It is very nice to have a change of pace now and then.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
For sure! You can’t always be in the city.
I always incorrectly assume where Ottawa is. When I looked at Google Maps to find where Gananoque is, I was surprised to see it close to the Thousand Islands. I didn’t expect Ottawa to be northeast in relation to Toronto, I always thought it was straight north, where Sudbury or North Bay is. Tsk tsk tsk… 😛
Canadian geography can be confusing! 😉