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Saturday 16 February 2008

Kingston Ontario Canada Part I



Where in the gardening world am I ?
Well .. here goes something like a school assignment .. hopefully with a twist that makes it interesting ?
Quick time on a bit of history for Kingston Ontario CANADA EH !
We are located on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St. Lawrence River and the "Thousand Islands" begin.
It was first established as a city in 1846. Kingston was actually the first 'capital" of the "United Canadas" before Confederation. It boasts the first Prime Minister, Sir John A. McDonald (who is a resident of one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have ever seen ..Cataraqui Cemetery, more on that to come !) ..
For those who just want a quick mental picture of where we are .. think half way between Toronto and Montreal .. best way to place it in my directionally impaired brain for me !
We have been nicknamed the "Limestone City" as well because so many of our historic buildings have been constructed from our local limestone .. thus the still unnerving BLAST that happens even now with construction boom we are experiencing. I have straightened out my fair share of pictures on the walls in this house because of THAT quaint feature of this city.

We have been recognized just recently with UNESCO World Heritage Site designation of the Rideau Canal, Fort Henry national Historic Site and Kingston fortifications.

Something I didn't know was that our region has also been recognized as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. I guess that means we are "green" friendly ? Hope so !
We participate with "Communities in Bloom" for four years now and it is amazing to see this city come to life with beautiful plantings every where.

The Buskers come in July .. bless them for working at entertaining us so hard in the heat and humidity from hell .. is that a dry heat .. in hell ? maybe not .. in any case what crazy people they are and we appreciate them !
August is the Limestone City Blues festival .. people come from far and near to enjoy superb blues music for free and some for just a little money ? .. well worth it !
We have sister cities in Cienfuegos, Cuba ... hubby should know where that is .. well .. ok, Cuba at least .. the boys go there every November ... he is beginning to look Cuban ! haha
Our other sister city is in Scotsdale Arizona .. now I didn't know that one ! Cool .. I love that southwestern look and succulents !
Next post is on the quirks of Kingston ... and some pictures I hunted down ..
Jodi .. how is it goin' ? ... hehehe


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Kingston - thank you. I remember the few times that I visited and had a super time. The water front is lovely, and the limestone buildings are gracious and beautiful.
Rose

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Rose ! I owe you e-mail !
Thanks for having a look at my over stuffed rant on Kingston ! LOL
It is a pretty city .. now if we could concentrate on staying that way ? : )
Joy