Every year, on one special day in the month of June, there's a really great event called "Doors Open Ontario". For that one day museums, attractions and government buildings all across the province are open for free to the public. Being that we live in a historical city, we had several places to choose from. This year, I pondered taking the kids to the Penitentiary Museum so they could learn about the history of Canada's prison system...nothing like seeing some photos and artifacts from prison to sway you from a life of crime I always say...but ultimately the Marine Museum won out.
The museum is just a couple blocks from our house and sits in a building that was around back when the whole shoreline was still a shipyard and our building didn't exist.
Surprisingly, it wasn't that long ago. This photo shows exactly where we live today. Our building would be located on the left of the picture. I'm not sure what happened...the trucking industry I guess...but you don't see any ships like this docking in Kingston these days. Kind of sad actually.
Right now, there's a huge celebration of the bi-centenial of the War of 1812 going on. They're actually bringing in several tall ships to re-enact some famous chase between a Canadian ship and a US ship over the July 1st holiday and tons of artists have been commissioned to create paintings, models, giant dioramas, and other whatnot as part of the occasion.
To be perfectly honest, I don't think anyone actually won the War of 1812...or lost it for that matter. I admit it's pretty unclear to me what exactly they're celebrating, but who am I to judge? All I know is that I prefer not to partake in discussions about who won the War of 1812 just in case there's a difference of opinion.
To be perfectly honest, I don't think anyone actually won the War of 1812...or lost it for that matter. I admit it's pretty unclear to me what exactly they're celebrating, but who am I to judge? All I know is that I prefer not to partake in discussions about who won the War of 1812 just in case there's a difference of opinion.
Kingston is supposed to have some of the best freshwater scuba diving in the world. Thank goodness they've updated the gear a bit. This thing is straight out of a Scooby-Doo episode.
We took the opportunity to check out the John Henry as well. It's a Coast Guard boat that is permanently docked outside the museum for visitors to enjoy.
Despite the fact that the boat wasn't moving, wandering around on board made me queasy. I don't think I'll be joining ranks anytime soon.
Clay, on the other hand, might make a good sailor.
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