Japan is increasingly becoming a must-visit destination for Canadians, with its vibrant cities, picturesque cherry blossoms, and rich cultural heritage. To make exploring Japan more affordable and accessible, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have launched a new initiative that offers Canadians a complimentary domestic flight upon booking an international flight to Japan.
Effective immediately, travelers can enjoy a free domestic flight to any of Japan’s 64 airports, allowing them to discover lesser-known cities and hidden gems across the country. This initiative aims to ease tourist congestion in popular areas by encouraging visitors to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
For instance, visitors can start their journey in bustling Tokyo or Osaka and then take a complimentary flight to Hokkaido, known for its stunning snow-capped landscapes and hot springs. Alternatively, those seeking a tropical getaway can fly to the beautiful islands of Okinawa, famous for their pristine beaches and rich Ryukyu culture.
History enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the traditional charm of Kyoto, with its exquisite temples and preserved geisha districts. Adventurous travelers might enjoy the dramatic sand dunes in Tottori, offering a unique landscape perfect for photography.
To take advantage of this offer, Canadians must book their international and domestic flights through JAL’s website (jal.co.jp/ar/en/) as part of the same reservation. There’s no set end date for the initiative, but it’s advisable to secure the offer quickly for a multi-stop journey. JAL promises a comfortable travel experience, having won the Skytrax World Airline Award for Best Economy Class three times, thanks to its spacious seating and delectable onboard meals. With this opportunity, now is the perfect time for Canadians to explore Japan’s diverse offerings, whether it’s their first visit or a return trip.
Khi tháng Mười Một đến gần, người Canada có thể mong đợi một làn sóng trợ cấp và tín dụng từ chính phủ có thể cung cấp hỗ trợ tài chính cần thiết khi năm kết thúc. Cơ quan Doanh thu Canada (CRA) đang triển khai một số khoản thanh toán quan trọng, bao gồm Trợ Cấp Trẻ Em Canada, Kế Hoạch Hưu Trí Canada và An Sinh Xã Hội, cùng nhiều chương trình khác.
Trợ Cấp Trillium Ontario: Chương trình này hỗ trợ người dân Ontario có thu nhập thấp và trung bình chi trả các khoản chi tiêu thiết yếu như hóa đơn năng lượng và thuế. Để đủ điều kiện, cư dân phải nộp tờ khai thuế thu nhập năm 2023. Người đủ điều kiện có thể mong đợi thanh toán vào ngày 8 tháng 11, 2024, với số tiền tối đa có thể lên đến $104 cho người từ 18 đến 64 tuổi và $118.41 cho người cao tuổi.
Trợ Cấp Trẻ Em Canada: Được thiết kế để giúp đỡ các gia đình có trẻ dưới 18 tuổi, khoản trợ cấp này dựa trên thu nhập gia đình và số lượng trẻ em. Số tiền có thể lên tới $648.91 hàng tháng cho mỗi trẻ em dưới 6 tuổi. Ngày thanh toán tiếp theo là 20 tháng 11, 2024.
An Sinh Xã Hội: Người Canada từ 65 tuổi trở lên có thể nhận trợ cấp hàng tháng này, với số tiền tối đa lên tới $800.44 cho những người trên 75 tuổi. Ngày thanh toán tiếp theo là 27 tháng 11, 2024.
Kế Hoạch Hưu Trí Canada: CPP cung cấp thu nhập hưu trí dựa trên các khoản đóng góp trong những năm làm việc. Số tiền tối đa hàng tháng ở tuổi 65 là $1,364.60, với các khoản thanh toán dự kiến vào ngày 27 tháng 11, 2024.
Trợ Cấp Gia Đình và Trẻ Em Alberta: Khoản thanh toán miễn thuế hàng quý này cung cấp hỗ trợ cho các gia đình ở Alberta. Ngày thanh toán tiếp theo sẽ là 27 tháng 11, 2024, với số tiền khác nhau tùy theo số lượng trẻ em.
Trợ Cấp Tàn Tật cho Cựu Chiến Binh: Dành cho các cựu chiến binh có khuyết tật liên quan đến dịch vụ, khoản trợ cấp này có thể cung cấp lên đến $3,357.30 hàng tháng cho mức độ tàn tật cao nhất. Ngày thanh toán dự kiến vào ngày 28 tháng 11, 2024.
As November approaches, Canadians can look forward to a new wave of government benefits and credits that could provide a much-needed financial boost as the year wraps up. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is rolling out several key payments, including the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security, among others.
Ontario Trillium Benefit: This program assists low- and moderate-income Ontarians with essential expenses like energy bills and taxes. To qualify, residents must have filed their 2023 income tax return. Eligible recipients can expect payments on November 8, 2024. The amounts vary but could include up to $104 for those aged 18 to 64 and up to $118.41 for seniors.
Canada Child Benefit: Designed to help families with children under 18, this benefit is based on family income and the number of children. Payments can be as high as $648.91 monthly for each child under 6. The next payment date is November 20, 2024.
Old Age Security: Canadians aged 65 and older can receive this monthly benefit, with payments of up to $800.44 for those over 75. The next payment date is November 27, 2024.
Canada Pension Plan: The CPP provides retirement income based on contributions made during working years. The maximum monthly payment at age 65 is $1,364.60, with payments scheduled for November 27, 2024.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit: This tax-free quarterly payment offers support to families in Alberta. The next payment is due on November 27, 2024, with amounts varying based on the number of children.
Veteran Disability Pension: Available for veterans with service-related disabilities, this pension can provide up to $3,357.30 monthly for the highest disability rating. The next payment is set for November 28, 2024.
Overall, these benefits aim to support Canadians through various stages of life, providing essential financial assistance when needed most.
Donald Trump vừa giành chiến thắng trong cuộc bầu cử tổng thống Mỹ lần thứ hai, và các lãnh đạo chính trị Canada đang chuẩn bị cho những thách thức mới trong quan hệ giữa hai quốc gia trong 4 năm tới.
Trong nhiệm kỳ đầu tiên, Trump và Canada đã mâu thuẫn sâu sắc về thương mại, nhập cư và quan hệ ngoại giao, và nhiệm kỳ thứ hai có thể không khác biệt nhiều.
Nhìn lại những khoảnh khắc căng thẳng
Đàm phán lại NAFTA:
Ngay khi Trump nhậm chức, ông đã đẩy mạnh việc đàm phán lại Hiệp định Thương mại Tự do Bắc Mỹ (NAFTA) với Canada và Mexico.
Sau nhiều tháng đàm phán căng thẳng, thỏa thuận USMCA đã được ký kết vào năm 2018 và có hiệu lực từ năm 2020. Trump đã hứa sẽ mở lại thỏa thuận này trong nhiệm kỳ thứ hai.
Chính sách nhập cư của Trump:
Lệnh hành pháp của Trump vào năm 2017 cấm công dân từ một số quốc gia Hồi giáo vào Mỹ đã gây phản ứng toàn cầu, trong đó có Canada.
Chính phủ Canada nhanh chóng khẳng định rằng người dân Canada sẽ luôn chào đón những người tị nạn và người nhập cư. Tuy nhiên, với lời hứa sẽ trục xuất hàng triệu người nhập cư trái phép trong nhiệm kỳ thứ hai, Canada cần chuẩn bị đối phó với khả năng gia tăng số lượng người tị nạn.
Căng thẳng ngoại giao tại Hội nghị G7:
Mối quan hệ giữa Trump và Trudeau căng thẳng đỉnh điểm vào năm 2018 sau Hội nghị G7 tại Charlevoix, Quebec, khi Trump tấn công Trudeau trên Twitter. Từ đó, quan hệ ngoại giao giữa hai quốc gia trở nên rạn nứt.
Thuế quan thương mại:
Năm 2020, Trump tái áp đặt thuế quan đối với nhôm Canada, dẫn đến một cuộc chiến thương mại mới giữa hai nước. Canada đã đáp trả bằng các biện pháp thuế quan tương đương.
Trong nhiệm kỳ thứ hai, Trump đã hứa sẽ áp dụng thuế toàn cầu tối thiểu 10% đối với tất cả hàng nhập khẩu, và Canada đã bắt đầu đàm phán để tránh thuế quan mới.
Tương lai quan hệ Canada – Hoa Kỳ
Với việc Trump tái đắc cử, Canada sẽ phải đối mặt với một loạt thử thách mới về thương mại, nhập cư và ngoại giao. Chính phủ Canada đang nỗ lực để bảo vệ lợi ích quốc gia, tuy nhiên, chuyên gia dự đoán rằng nhiệm kỳ thứ hai của Trump sẽ tiếp tục mang lại nhiều khó khăn cho Canada.
A Glimpse into the Future of U.S.-Canada Relations As Donald Trump clinches victory in the U.S. presidential race for a second term, Canadian political leaders are bracing for what lies ahead in the next four years of Canada-U.S. relations.
The 45th president’s first term was marked by numerous confrontations over trade, immigration, and diplomatic relations, and his second term promises to be no different, with looming challenges for Canada.
A Look Back at Tough Moments
NAFTA Renegotiations:
Shortly after Trump took office in 2017, he pushed hard to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. Tensions rose as Trump threatened to pull out of the agreement entirely unless changes were made.
After months of often bitter negotiations, the new trade agreement—the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—was signed in 2018 and took effect in 2020. The deal altered key trade aspects, including giving the U.S. greater access to Canada’s dairy market in exchange for keeping a dispute resolution process intact.
Carleton University’s Aaron Ettinger, an expert in U.S. foreign policy, said the process was “grueling and arduous,” with the entire economic stability of Canada at stake.
The USMCA is set for review in 2026, and Trump has vowed to reopen the agreement, echoing campaign promises to introduce new tariffs on imports.
Trump’s Immigration Policies:
Trump’s executive order in 2017, banning citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, sparked outrage worldwide, including in Canada. Canadian officials scrambled to understand the impacts on immigration and refugee policies, while Trudeau quickly voiced Canada’s welcoming stance: “Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith.”
Under Trump’s first term, Canada saw a spike in asylum seekers, many of whom crossed the border from the U.S. amid fears of deportation.
With Trump promising mass deportations during his second term, experts warn Canada must prepare for a potential wave of migrants seeking refuge.
Former immigration minister Jason Kenney cautioned that Canada “does not have the ability to police” a sudden surge of asylum seekers.
Diplomatic Tensions at the G7 Summit:
In 2018, tensions between Trump and Trudeau reached a boiling point following the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec. After Trudeau rejected Trump’s proposals on trade and tariffs, Trump lashed out on Twitter, calling the Canadian prime minister “very dishonest” and “weak.”
The fallout from this confrontation strained diplomatic relations and set the tone for a tumultuous period of bilateral interactions.
Trade Tariffs:
In 2020, Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian aluminum products, reviving trade tensions that had seemed to ease. In retaliation, Canada imposed dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. goods. At the time, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called the Trump administration “the most protectionist in U.S. history,” and many Canadian provincial leaders, including Premier François Legault, expressed their disapproval.
With Trump vowing to enforce a global minimum tariff of 10% on imports during his second term, Canadian officials are already working behind the scenes to avoid further tariffs. However, experts believe Trump is unlikely to back down, with Gerald Butts, Trudeau’s former principal secretary, suggesting that Trump is “not afraid to wield access to the U.S. market to get what he wants.”
Looking Ahead:
Will Relations Improve? As Trump returns to the White House, Canada must navigate a complicated relationship that balances trade, immigration, and diplomatic issues. The groundwork for addressing these tensions is already being laid, with ongoing talks about avoiding new trade tariffs and ensuring that Canada’s immigration policies remain a point of pride. However, the future remains uncertain, with experts like Ettinger predicting that Trump’s second term will bring more challenges for Canada, especially in terms of trade policy and immigration.
Chiến thắng của Donald Trump trong cuộc bầu cử Tổng thống Mỹ đã tạo nên nhiều lo lắng và thách thức cho Canada, quốc gia có quan hệ kinh tế và chính trị chặt chẽ với Mỹ. Với hơn một nghìn tỷ đô la giao thương và có chung biên giới đất liền dài nhất thế giới, cả hai nước có mối quan hệ mật thiết.
Ngay sau khi kết quả bầu cử được công bố, Thủ tướng Canada Justin Trudeau đã gửi lời chúc mừng tới Trump và bày tỏ hy vọng sẽ hợp tác tốt trong tương lai.
Tuy nhiên, quan hệ giữa hai người lãnh đạo trước đây không ít lần gặp khó khăn, thậm chí Trump từng công khai chỉ trích Trudeau là “người cánh tả cực đoan” và “hai mặt.”
Thách thức thương mại và kinh tế
Canada hiện đang xuất khẩu 75% hàng hoá và dịch vụ của mình sang Mỹ, và lời hứa của Trump về mức thuế 10% trên tất cả hàng hóa nhập khẩu có thể ảnh hưởng lớn tới kinh tế Canada.
Nhà kinh tế Trevor Tombe cho rằng nếu áp dụng mức thuế này, GDP của Canada có thể giảm 7 tỷ USD, chủ yếu từ việc giảm đầu tư kinh doanh và đẩy đồng đô la Canada xuống thấp hơn.
Tương lai của Hiệp định Thương mại Bắc Mỹ (USMCA hoặc CUSMA) cũng trở thành vấn đề nóng khi ba quốc gia sẽ quyết định có gia hạn hiệp định này vào năm 2026 hay không.
Ông John Dickerman từ Hội đồng Kinh doanh Canada cho rằng Canada nên tiếp tục nhấn mạnh lợi ích của USMCA để bảo vệ quyền lợi của mình.
Quốc phòng và đóng góp cho NATO
Canada đã bị xem là tụt hậu trong việc chi tiêu cho quốc phòng. Trump dự kiến sẽ gia tăng áp lực, yêu cầu Canada đạt mục tiêu chi 2% GDP cho quốc phòng vào năm 2032, trong khi hiện tại Canada chỉ đạt 1,29%.
Kelly Craft, cựu Đại sứ Mỹ tại Canada, cho rằng “2% vào năm 2032 là không đủ.” Canada có thể phải sáng tạo hơn, dựa vào các nguồn khoáng sản phong phú phục vụ cho mục tiêu quốc phòng.
An ninh biên giới
Những tuyên bố về trục xuất hàng loạt của Trump có thể làm gia tăng số người tìm cách vượt biên sang Canada.
Giáo sư Terri Givens từ Đại học British Columbia cho biết mối đe dọa trục xuất có thể khuyến khích dòng người di cư tìm đến Canada qua các điểm không chính thức như Roxham Road, biên giới không chính thức giữa New York và Quebec.
Bà Chrystia Freeland, Phó Thủ tướng Canada, đã cam kết có kế hoạch đảm bảo an ninh biên giới chặt chẽ và sẽ phối hợp chặt chẽ với phía Mỹ.
Quan hệ chính trị
Chính phủ Canada đã chuẩn bị sẵn sàng cho mọi kịch bản với chiến lược kích hoạt lại một “Team Canada,” bao gồm đại sứ Canada tại Mỹ và các bộ trưởng để bảo vệ lợi ích của Canada.
Trudeau nhấn mạnh về tình hữu nghị lâu đời giữa hai nước, trong khi cựu Đại sứ Mỹ tại Canada cảnh báo về khả năng gia tăng di cư bất hợp pháp từ Mỹ sang Canada nếu Trump thực thi các biện pháp kiểm soát nhập cư nghiêm ngặt.
Tóm lại, chiến thắng của Trump có thể dẫn đến nhiều thách thức cho Canada, từ thương mại, quốc phòng đến an ninh biên giới. Chính phủ Canada cần linh hoạt và sáng tạo hơn trong ứng phó với những thay đổi này để bảo vệ lợi ích quốc gia.
With Donald Trump back in office, Canada faces both renewed opportunities and significant challenges. The relationship between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump has historically been rocky, from disputes at NATO summits to Trump’s past criticisms of Trudeau.
Despite these past tensions, Trudeau extended a congratulatory message, signaling cautious optimism about collaborating once again. However, if Trudeau’s struggling Liberal government faces a snap election, it could mean a change in Canada’s leadership, potentially further complicating diplomatic relations.
Key areas at stake include trade, defense, and border security.
Trade troubles
Canada relies on the U.S. for 75% of its exports, yet Trump’s proposed 10% tariffs threaten to impact the Canadian economy. Economists estimate this could cut Canada’s GDP by $7 billion, weaken the Canadian dollar, and strain an already slowing economy. The future of the USMCA (or CUSMA) trade deal is also uncertain, with the U.S. demanding concessions, such as a possible revision to Canada’s Digital Services Tax, which targets major American companies like Google and Amazon.
A ‘fair share’ on defence
Defense is another point of pressure. Trump has long pushed allies to increase their NATO contributions, and he is expected to urge Canada to expedite its timeline for reaching NATO’s 2% GDP spending target. Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland has reassured Canadians that their government remains committed to safety, prosperity, and sovereignty, but meeting Trump’s demands could be financially challenging.
A plan to secure the border
Lastly, Trump’s tough stance on immigration and border security raises questions about the shared U.S.-Canada border. The issue of asylum seekers crossing into Canada through unofficial points has prompted Canadian officials to prepare a plan, aiming for tight collaboration with the U.S. on border management. As the two countries navigate these issues, Canada will lean on its deep trade connections and shared values with the U.S. to maintain a strong partnership, but the path forward will likely require careful diplomacy and flexibility.
Canada’s smallest province was calling to me this autumn. Prince Edward Island used to shut down come Labour Day, but things are changing. I decided to go in October to indulge in PEI deliciousness at the annual Fall Flavours Festival.
Since 2007, the festival has been three weeks long, starting in late September. Rather than taking place in one location, it stretches out to inns, restaurants, and event spaces across the island.
After flying into Charlottetown and picking up my rental car, I headed to the eastern side of the island. I could feel the stress of the city dissolving as I rolled by farm fields and forests filled with changing leaves. For most of the trip, I was the only one on the road.
Inn at Bay Fortune was my first stop. The five-star country inn is renowned for its flamboyant proprietor Chef Michael Smith, as well as his restaurant FireWorks. A TV host, author, and nutritional advocate, Smith helmed the inn’s kitchen in the 1990s and came back as the property’s owner in 2015.
After checking into the 15-room inn, I took a look around. Boxed herb gardens sat on the front lawn, complete with labels. Behind the inn, I discovered the Pots and Pans trail, adorned with worn-out accouterments from the kitchen. There were also greenhouses, more trails, and rows of leafy vegetables.
I had booked a seat at that evening’s FireWorks Feast, advertised on the inn’s website. That included meeting with some other guests for a tour with the inn’s farmer, Kevin Petrie, and his Australian Shepherd Harley.
“In one hour you will see, hear, and smell the farm before dinner. You’ll understand the process that makes a meal possible,” Petrie told us.
Standing in the middle of one of his culinary gardens behind the inn, Petrie told us 475 types of vegetables and varietals are planted on around 10 acres. Plus, he has 47 raised herb beds, a test garden with experimental plantings, and an area where mushrooms are grown in sawdust.
At this point, Chef Smith stepped up to the mic. After honoring the Mi’kmaq people who have lived on the island for at least 12,000 years, he waved at us to follow him.
“Welcome to Oyster Island,” he exclaimed.
Outdoor fire-fueled stations offered us ember-roasted oysters, smoked salmon, turnips and bone marrow, and more. Smith got behind one counter and started shucking raw oysters. Plump and delicious they were straight out of Bay Fortune.
“They don’t get any fresher,” confirmed Smith.
Then it was time for dinner inside at FireWorks. Smith loves flames and the room’s centerpiece was a blazing 25-foot hearth where cast iron pans sizzled with meats and roasted vegetables.
We were seated family style, at communal tables where it was easy to start a conversation with strangers. I sat across from one couple that had driven all the way from Ontario to get married on the island that week.
“You are fireworks-worthy,” I teased them.
For me, a wellness respite was due after such an evening of extravagance. The next day I headed to Mysa Nordic Spa, a 20-minute drive from the inn to St. Peter’s Bay. The Scandinavian-style thermal spa had outdoor hot pools and cold plunges as well as sauna and steam rooms and relaxation areas.
After doing a few rounds and feeling like a limp noodle, I wrapped myself in a robe and headed to the dining area. Stick-to-the-ribs lentil soup and a buttery grilled cheese sandwich on freshly baked bread provided just the right dash of comfort to round out my spa experience.
You can’t visit the island without a lobster supper, and that night was the PEI Lobster Party. It was one of the festival’s ticketed events and took place in the New London Carriage House, just past Prince Edward Island National Park on the northern side of the island. After a welcome cocktail and spread of snacks that included mini lobster rolls, I wedged myself into a space at one of the long tables that were packed with people.
Who should be sitting across from me but the couple I had met the night before. Prince Edward Island really is a small place.
A master of ceremonies kept the jokes flowing and a band called Muddy Buddy got the crowd up dancing. Chef Adam Loo, from Ada Culinary Studio in Charlottetown, came out from the kitchen and explained what we’d be eating.
“We are extracting all the lobster meat from the shells so you won’t have to,” he explained.
The meal was a pescatarian’s dream. Mussels poached in lobster broth, homemade focaccia, an autumn salad of greens, sweet potatoes, apples, and pumpkin seeds, and butter-poached lobster with a potato cake. And dessert? Rich beetroot cake with raspberry ganache and hazelnut praline.
My eating adventure was not over yet. Blackbush Beach Resort was hosting its first-ever Fall Flavours event the next day. The Beachside Brunch was held in a waterside restaurant called FiN Folk Food on the resort’s property near Tracadie Bay.
I started with a blueberry fizz, then progressed to lobster eggs benedict, and a fishcake taco. The soundtrack to this generous spread was tales told by Gary Evans and Alan Buchanan. Local storytellers, they had us laughing as they shared some of the hijinks they experienced growing up.
My final Fall Flavours Festival event was the Street Feast in Charlottetown. Walking over from my hotel, past St. Dunstan’s Basilica, I found Kent Street. The block party was alive with food and beverage vendors, kids’ games, live music, dance performances, and drag shows.
I loved visiting in autumn. The summer crowds had dissipated, but there was still lots to do. Most importantly, plenty to tingle my tastebuds.
Where to Stay
Inn at Bay Fortune: 5-star country inn with a celebrity chef-owner on the eastern side of the island.
Barachois Inn: A gorgeous, family-run inn in a converted 1880s home in North Rustico near Prince Edward Island National Park.
The Great George: A calm refuge of Old World charm comprising 20 buildings in downtown Charlottetown.
In 1825 the Erie Canal was New York State’s super highway. Some even liken it to the Internet of its time.
“You could get a message from New York City to Buffalo in four days,” said Susan Smith, director of the Brockport Welcome Center. Getting a message through by stagecoach would have taken at least 10.
My husband and I have been fascinated with the history in Upper New York State, since travelling to the Finger Lakes a few years ago. Historic movements percolated there, such as abolition of slavery and women’s rights, due to the Erie Canal.
We started our waterway exploration in Brockport, about an hour east of Buffalo. Outside the welcome center a banner proudly proclaimed 2025 the Erie Canal’s bicentennial. Inside, we found maps and guide publications outlining what we could encounter on our way to Rochester.
The Erie Canal is 339 miles long, running from Buffalo to Albany, hitting Rochester, Utica, and Syracuse on the way. It also flows past a myriad of picturesque hamlets and villages that once jostled with canal traffic. That’s what we were most interested in.
You can bike the Canalway Trail just about the whole way, along what was once the tow path. Mules towed canal barges filled with goods from village to village before railroads took over. The canal was a life line and a major artery that connected to the Great Lakes, contributing to the founding of industrial cities like Cleveland.
Our trip was in September, before the canal shut down for the winter.
“We have two seasons on the canal, navigation and maintenance,” Smith explained.
Navigation is May to October and maintenance begins in November and goes until April, which includes a lot of tweaking of the custom-built bridges and locks.
Being there during navigation, we watched small tour boats and pleasure craft ply the calm waters. We also witnessed much ascending and descending in the locks. Locks, we learned, are like elevators for boats that take them to the next level on the canal. Today the Erie Canal has 35. Originally it had 83, but this number was reduced when the canal was widened over the years to allow bigger boats and more traffic.
“Maintenance is when the canal is drained to just a foot or two of water. That’s when rehabilitation is done to the bridges and locks. All the bridges are old and custom built, so they need constant attention,” said Smith.
Where does the water go? Into various creeks and eventually it drains into Lake Ontario.
Next stop was Fairport. The Erie Canal is lined with port villages including Lockport, Middleport, Gasport and Middleport. There are also a fair number of basins, including Adams Basin and Bushnell Basin.
Nancy Ragus, director of Fairport Perinton Partnership met us for a tour of the village.
“In the 1990s both the state and federal government created the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. That’s when a lot of money was pumped into the canal to preserve it and make it into a tourist destination,” she explains.
We walk past outdoor cafes, gelato shops, pubs and even a platform built for train spotting. Folks sitting there on camp chairs were waving to the trains as they rushed by. A donated 1978 CSX caboose was parked permanently beside the platform.
“We have two live stream cameras so people can tap into the train traffic here, and we have a lot, even though they don’t stop here anymore.”
Iron horse aficionados can check out the action at virtualrailfan.com.
Fairport has capitalized on its location with kayak and bike rentals which you can pick up right in town. The owner of Erie Canal Boat Company, Peter Abele has made it his mission to provide accessible adventures in the area. The dock in front of his rental booth is fitted with a special launch that makes it easy for anybody with mobility issues to slide into a kayak and smoothly enter the water. He also had a variety of bikes including recumbent and three-wheel bikes for easy cycling of the flat canal trail that passes in front of his shop.
“I’ve been here for 15 years and this is the first trail head for adaptive recreation in the United States. It makes me so happy to see people who thought they couldn’t kayak or cycle get out and enjoy themselves,” he said.
Another vessel attracts tourists in the area, as well. The Colonial Belle, captained by Tammee Poinan Grimes can carry 149 passengers. With a rotating crew of 15, she is the only large tourist ship that plies the canal.
“I’m a fifth generation boater. My Dad started the business in 1989,” Grimes said.
After her father passed away in 2016, Grimes jumped from her music and dance studio business and got her captain’s papers.
“I love it. It’s great to open people’s eyes about the history of the canal with our narrated tours,” she explains.
A bit further west, in the village of Pittsford, we hopped on board the Riverie for a cruise. Much smaller than the Colonial Belle, it had room for around 30 passengers. Funnily enough, just as we were heading into Lock Number 32, the Colonial Belle steamed up behind us. Descending together, the crews of each vessel had to carefully mind not bumping into each other by holding ropes tossed down from above.
Another way to explore the Erie Canal is to rent a purpose-built canal boat. Erie Canal Adventures has a fleet of 11. The largest holds six people while the smaller one is good for a couple with two children. You can rent them for a few days or a week and the company provides hands on training.
“It’s a great way to travel the canal. It is a protected waterway and there’s not much current or waves,” noted Brian Keenan who owns the business with his wife Allie.
George Eastman MuseumStrong Museum
Our trip wrapped up in Rochester, where we opted for a bit of fun at the Strong Museum of Play on the Sesame Street set, and a tour of the George Eastman Museum were we watched Lumiere Brothers’ reels.
“What’s the difference between an island and a shoal?” asked Brad Minnick, the guide on our Clayton Island Tours jaunt through upper New York’s Thousand Islands. My husband and I shrugged.
“Both are surrounded by water, but in this region of the world, the difference is foliage. An island must have at least one tree, which can even be in past tense,” explained Minnick.
The Thousand Islands are actually made up of 1,864 islands (plus lots of shoals) that dot the St. Lawrence River before it meets Lake Ontario. The region stretches to both sides of the river and the border between the United States and Canada slices right through the water.
I had been to Gananoque, on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands, but this adventure on the other side of the river was new territory. We boarded the tour boat just outside Clayton, a three-hour drive from Toronto.
As we chugged along, the number of Canadian and American flags I spied flying side by side outside island cottages made me smile.
Explore a Castle and a Lighthouse
The number one attraction in all of the Thousand Islands has to be Boldt Castle. Sitting on a speck of rock called Heart Island, the castle was built by hotelier George Boldt whose CV included a stint as manager of New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel. He started constructing the fairy tale abode as a gift for his wife Louise at the turn of the last century. But she died suddenly in 1904 and work ground to a halt. The castle lay vacant until 1977 when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired it and completed the construction.
Our group unloaded and spent an hour exploring the magnificent property. Walking through bedrooms and ballrooms it was strange to think no one had ever lived here.
Other robber barons of the guilt age built palatial summer homes nearby, and although many have since burned down, we glided by a few magnificent summer homes along what is known as Millionaire’s Row.
The last stop was Rock Island Lighthouse, the first river lighthouse in the United States. Originally commissioned in 1847, it is 50 feet tall. We climbed up to the lantern and checked out the view of the potentially deadly waterway, dotted with rocks just under the surface. Accessible only by boat, the site is a designated state park.
Go for a Cruise at the Antique Boat Museum
Clayton residents describe their daily rituals as “river life.” In summer, this includes swimming, boat racing, and sitting in numerous Adirondack chairs watching the world go by.
It’s no surprise that this watery town should be home to the Antique Boat Museum. Curator Caitlin Playle met us at the entrance and showed us around various galleries crammed with all varieties of watercraft. Mahogany daysailers that you might see the the Kennedy clan zipping about in were housed throughout, as were skiffs, canoes, kayaks, and racing boats. The real show stopper was a 106-foot houseboat called La Duchesse. A hulking square vessel built in 1903 for George Boldt (of the castle fame) it floated outside the museum on the river.
“Later the McNally family of Rand McNally maps bought it. They used it for 50 years as an extension of their summer cottage,” Playle explained.
The original mahogany hull was replaced with steel in 1957. It was getting a bit of an exterior touch-up while we were there. But the inside was ship shape. It had five bathrooms, a dining room with the original fireplace, a living room, 10 bedrooms, and an expansive covered deck for entertaining.
“The McNally family donated to us and we opened her doors to visitors in 2005,” noted Playle.
The highlight of our museum visit was a 45-minute cruise on a Hacker Craft. Built in 2005, it had been donated by the original owner, a CEO at Time Warner. Sitting in the back as water sprayed on either side we felt like royalty. The ride was smooth as silk.
Where to Quench Your Adult Thirst
A short drive outside Clayton we spied Coyote Moon Vineyards and went in for a tasting. Owned by the multi-generation Randazzo family, the winery specializes in northern climate vinifera, including Marquette, Frontenac, Brianna, and La Crescent grapes. These varietals are the product of the University of Minnesota’s grape-growing project and they are hardy. The grapes are hand-harvested and the love that goes into each bottle is palpable. My favorite was the White Blend, with La Crescent and Frontenac Blanc grapes, citrusy and crisp.
Another boozy enterprise we stumbled upon was St. Lawrence Spirits. Founded by father and son team Jody and Bill Garrett in 2015, the operation was named New York State Distillery of the Year from 2019-21. Its vodka, gin, absinthe, moonshine, whiskey, and bourbon is made with St. Lawrence River water. They had a retail/tasting outlet in downtown Clayton, and we were told the distillery is just outside town in a 1937 manor that was once a nunnery. I liked the distillery’s catchy slogan, “The Spirit of the River in Every Bottle.”
Our last stop was in Thousand Island Park, just across the bridge from Clayton. After picking up bikes from Boomerang rentals we pedaled around the former Methodist camp community. Founded in 1875, it was filled with colourful Victorian homes and even had its own hotel, restaurant and concert hall.
Want to dip your toe into river life? 1000 Islands is the place.
Stellar Food & Drink
Wood Boat Brewery: By the Antique Boat Museum with cool brews and excellent brick oven pizza.
