Labor Day Weekend: Part II

Sunday morning we were all very excited to head into Canada and check out the 1000 Islands Skydeck.The Skydeck is something we had always seen towering 400’ above the river but Mom and Dad never bothered to take us to. It’s kind of a hassle because its literally one mile from the border crossing and the border is just an annoyance. Anyway, we eagerly went inside only to discover that A)the elevator was broke and B)the iconic stairs were for emergency exit only and were not climbable. No wonder it’s for sale!

We were told the elevator repairman was coming from America but we decided not to wait. St.. Lawrence National Park comprises the rest of Hill Island so we set out to find a trail to hike. I convinced Kyle that I found one but after scrambling down a hillside to the waterfront we were quickly greeted by a concerned resident who kindly informed us that we were trespassing. Oops.  It probably didn’t help that we were all dressed alike, looking like escapees from a summer camp.

We decided we’d had enough of Canada so we went back across the border. We stopped at TI Park on Wellesley Island which was a cute little village with a great playground. Most of their equipment is outlawed in parks nowadays (tetherball, teeter totters, merry go rounds, etc) so it was really fun. We also checked out the 1000 Islands winery. They offer free tastings which was a nice bonus.

After stopping to get some groceries we had lunch and then went back to the 1000 Islands bridge because apparently you can walk across it! It was a heck of a climb up but the view was worth it. Probably on par with the Skydeck view and this one is free (albeit more strenuous).

Devin is not a fan of heights and she steadily climbed all the way to the top which was awesome!

Keeping on our adrenaline high we went to race go-karts. Devin and Amber decided to sit it out because of the expense but Kyle, Don and I had to do it because of tradition. We managed to make it all 4 laps without getting kicked out (although we did receive several warnings for aggressive driving). That’s the point of racing!

After our rowdy night out on Saturday we decided to cook some steak and veggies and enjoy a campfire Sunday night. It was a delicious meal and we got to enjoy a gorgeous sunset.

 

The next morning it was time to break camp and head out. We stopped in Clayton to stroll around and made sure to buy some River Rat cheese (mmmm). 

Classic Burns pose

Next stop was Tibbett's Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent. It guards where the St. Lawrence river meets Lake Ontario. Last year I stopped here and it was cold and rainy so it was nice to see it on a sunny day.
 
Finally we drove down to Chimney Bluffs state park which I'd never been to before. After a quick picnic lunch in the parking lot we set off to see the bluffs. It's about a 20min hike and the bluffs are so cool! They look like big sand castles. 

It was an amazing Labor Day weekend and it was really great to get away and spend some quality time with my brothers and sisters.