Camping, Craft Fairs and Gluten Free "Bisquick"

We spent 5 days camping outside of Gananoque, Ontario.
This area is along the St. Lawrence River where the 1000 Islands are. This area was known by the First Nations people as "The Garden of the Great Spirit".
And they are right. Lush growth of both deciduous and evergreen trees, wet lands and wild life.

Wetlands along the St. Lawrence River

An osprey nest on a nest pole along the St. Lawrence River. 

One of the many islands that dot the 1000 Islands 

We stayed at Landon Bay Campground, which is part of a biosphere reserve. This biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO for its amazing biodiversity. This biodiversity is greater in this area than any other area in Canada.
Landon Bay Campground also has Red Cross Swimming Lessons daily Monday through Friday. Also Parks Canada runs a 6 week nature course at the campground with weekly topics.

Yes, we had hydro. I took my trusted fan, kept me comfortable. Not the camping I used to do. But with the changes in my health, fans are a good thing even at camp.

My new favourite summer everywhere footwear. These are the swimming shoes I bought, I wore them all the time. They kept my feet cool and cushioned, especially when I got hot. 

The building on the hill was the showers and washrooms. The hill incline was enough to get a good hamstring stretch everytime you walked up it.

The campground has hiking trails one of which leads to an osprey nest that was built by students in 1996 and annually is occupied by these beautiful birds.
We saw them soaring above our campsite each night. At night the fireflies sparkled in the bushes around us. The night sky was so clear with stars. The air smelled clean.
It was hot and sunny. We had rain once overnight, but it dried up quickly the next day.
It was a 4 hour drive from our home to the campground along Highway 401, the major highway in Ontario.
On Saturday & Sunday we did the craft show in Gananoque. Lots of people through, many vendors and activities.

The climbing wall, one of the many activities they had for families at the  Gananoque Craft Fair.

Our Craft Booth

The Gananoque Craft Fair had many diverse crafters.

On Sunday there was church in the park. A youth gospel group sung with several ministers preaching.

Lots of people came to church in the park on Sunday.

The youth gospel group sang their hearts out.

Gananoque has a river running through it, they've built a large fountain in the middle of the river. I saw a pair of swans drifting back and forth.

The river in Gananoque

The swans cruising the river.

On Monday we went to another craft fair in Kingston, a short distance east of Gananoque.
Kingston was the original capital of Canada, but then Ottawa was chosen to be our capital.

The History of the City Hall Of Kingston

The cupola of the original parliament buildings. Reminiscent of the  White House.

A long view of this beautiful regal Victorian building.

The craft fair was held in the park across from the original Parliament Buildings on the water front.

Along the pier we saw the catamaran and paddlewheeler boats that are used for the 1000 Islands tours, some of which are dinner tours.

The tour boat.

Hopefully the next time we go there we are able to go on a tour.
Kingston has theatre, art shops, fine dining, beautiful river views. It is also home to a military base and military college. There is lots of new construction along the riverfront of modern condos that rise up across from Victorian homes and heritage buildings.

Kingston Victorian row house.

Modern condos along the waterfront in Kingston

A beautiful city.


We then traveled back along the 1000 Island Parkway to Brockville. A lovely town with a busy downtown stretch. Beautiful mansions and homes from the Loyalist area.

Downtown Brockville

A old mansion in Brockville

An old church in Brockville

Monday I made Bannock from the Gluten Free "Bisquick" or otherwise known as the Gluten Free Master Baking Mix recipe from Ginger Lemon Girl. Bannock, also known as frybread or Indian bread, is found throughout North American native cuisine. The dough is made to be thick enough that if you wanted you can wrap it around a twid to cook over an open fire. I used a lightly oiled frypan instead .
I don't have exact measurements yet. But it tasted good with some margarine and strawberry jam.

I was using a two burner hot plate to cook on. It did a great job.

The bannock with some Strawberry Jam from Niagara on  the Lake.

Tuesday morning I used the GF "Bisquick" again to make some fluffy great tasting pancakes. I added some stevia and cinnamon to the mix and used soy milk as my liquid. I made the batter extra thick, it fried up easily and cooked thoroughly in little time.

I added some Vegetarion Protein powder and used some agave with maple  flavouring. This idea I got from Babycakes.

A satisfying breakfast.

I plan on checking out the "Bisquick" website and see if I can use the GF "Bisquick" in their recipes.

A listing of Ontario's food groups all along the 401.

Getting closer to Toronto.

Modern Architecture of Toronto.

Every time I pass this building in Mississauga I'm reminded of a Batman movie.

More unique buildings in Mississauga

Last stretch to home.

On the way home, the traffic began to snarl east of Whitby, the smell of smog started to permeate the air.
The business of Toronto was soon pulsing the air. The Toronto area is becoming an area with unusual architecture, especially Mississauga.
Finally Highway 403 Hamilton, the last stretch home.

Although Hamilton is mostly known for the steel mills and steel processing plants, highway 403 passes by Cootes Paradise on the approach to downtown Hamilton. A beautiful natural habitat that is easily accessible. 

Cootes Paradise

Christ the King Church greets the traveler as you enter Hamilton.

Home.

Most of my pictures were taken while we were driving. I set my Canon Rebel on the Sports setting.