First, let's travel west along the lake toward Prince Edward County. Before the ferry, the landscape begins to change. The farmland is richer, the trees taller, and in the fall I like to stop at one of the many apple orchards.
At the Glenora ferry, there's usually a bit of wait time. No wonder that I have so many photos taken at the eastern side in all seasons.
A short drive from Glenora, and we're in Picton, originally a Loyalist settlement, and home of Rosehaven Yarns (now you know why I like to go in this direction!)
Continuing a tour around the County, we visit some vineyards,
and Chetwyn Farms, an alpaca farm/studio with its own "Shed" line of yarns.
The beach in tiny Welllington looks out onto the open lake, close to Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Travelling north from Kingston takes us into the Canadian Shield, with its pink granite, lakes, and pines. This is cottage country,
and the village of Westport is at its heart.
From Westport it's easy to do a circuit of other nearby towns and villages on the Rideau Canal, including Merrickville, with its lush gardens (in summer!),
and Perth, now home to Unraveled.
When the days are long, there's time to make it as far north as Almonte, an old mill town, where the woollen mill is now a textile museum,
and the downtown is chock full of interesting boutiques. Both Almonte and Merrickville benefit from being close to the outer suburbs of Ottawa.
If you're in the area, make time to visit some sheep and/or alpaca farms.
This region is part of a growing animal fibre farming industry, with many farms boasting studios with one-of-a-kind products, such as these at Windblest Farm, part of the Fibre Roads group.
OK, I'm ready now for some warmer weather!
