Event #78

Rocks, Docks and Locks Gathering

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, 55 Ontario St, Kingston, ON

Registered Boxes: All Traditional HH/Cootie/Flea Postal LTC Event Box Traveler Other

Starts	Sat May 27, 2006 12:00pm
Ends	Sat May 27, 2006 4:00pm
Owner	Norasta
Admins	Norasta
Signups	42/∞
Location	Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, 55 Ontario St, Kingston, ON View Map
Website	http://www.marmuseum.ca/
Add to Calendar	Google calendar ICS file (e.g. Outlook, iCal, etc.)

Description

Ahoy there! Lots of letterboxes around the rocks, docks and locks in Kingston! You’ll be on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence and Cataraqui Rivers in one of Canada’s oldest cities. Stay downtown at the "Drydock" by booking a cabin on the Alexander Henry, a retired coast guard icebreaker, now moored at the site of a former shipyard. Cabins aboard are simple and can be cheaper than camping; breakfast is included. A number of letterboxes will be planted on board, all participants will have an opportunity to look for these free of charge. The Museum staff have waived the usual tour fee for folks who are not spending the night.

If enough folks book on the Alex we can lay siege to the whole vessel! See the B&B website here:

http://www.marmuseum.ca/alexhenry.html#b&b

The Alex B&B is run largely run by volunteers with revenue earned used to support the heritage activities of the Marine Museum. Sample rates in Canadian $$:

Backpacker cabin $35, 2 single bunks, sink
Chief cook's cabin $60, 1 bunk, sink, toilet & shower
Captains cabin $95
Remember, this was a working vessel, none of the cabins are luxurious, they are rustic! No TV's, minibars or room service, but a lot more interesting than a Motel 6. Some of the larger cabins can accomodate 4.
Book your cabin for the evening of May 27; longer if you wish. Evening activities are being planned, perhaps some night boxing, ferry ride to neighbouring Wolfe Island, fine dining or ????? Suggestions welcome!
UPDATE 8.8.05 - Three bigger cabins already booked, all with private WC's. If you want one of these act fast. (Most cabins share a bathroom.)
NOTE: These are the prices at the time of listing this event; they may be slightly higher in 2006.

Lots of alternate accommodation is available if you aren’t interested in the nautical life. Check here for camping, hotels, university residences:

http://tourism.kingstoncanada.com/

IF YOU RSVP you will have a packet of goodies waiting for you when you arrive: local maps, a pass and guide to the ship, clues to LB's on the ship, clues within walking distance and some other goodies. SO RSVP ASAP!

FOOD: As most of the participants are coming quite a distance the food will be a little more organized than the usual potluck so we don't end up with 20 bags of chips and no "real food" (Guitarzan's worry). You will be asked to contribute something please.

KIDS: Let me know if you are bringing some of these and their ages! This is a kid friendly event and we will try to keep them busy and happy. As we will be right beside some pretty deep water they will need something to keep them close at hand. If your children have an activity they would be willing to share please bring it along.

MONEY: There will be a Donation Jar set up at the event to help cover the cost of the Museum's fee for the site rental and other related items.

INFO FOR U.S. VISITORS:

The Gathering date is during the U.S. Memorial Day weekend and one weekend after Canadian Victoria Day long weekend. US visitors can drive to Kingston via the Thousand Island Bridge near Alexandria Bay NY ($3 CAD) or use 2 ferries. First ferry takes you from Cape Vincent NY to Wolfe Island ON ($12) then the second bigger ferry from Wolfe Island to Kingston is free. (Prices as of 2005) This is a really fun way to come into town, you arrive right downtown and have a scenic cruise on the way. However you may have to wait if the 1st ferry is full. You can call ahead to see how busy it is:

http://kingston.cioc.ca/details.asp?RSN=14329&Number=46

The other closest car border crossing is at Ogdensburg NY, this is usually one of the fastest ways across as they seem to have more border staff. Whichever route you take be patient when you get to the border. Security measures will slow you down, relax while you wait your turn to be grilled. We usually average 20- 40 minutes at the 1000 Island bridge. Waits are longer in the afternoon and evening. Guitarzan and I cross the border often and haven't had any problems coming or going - by car. Airports - whole other story. Ask me about the group W bench.
Gas is very expensive up here so fill up before you cross.
IDENTIFICATION:
US visitors do not need a passport to DRIVE into Canada. However, starting on December 31, of 2007 you WILL need a passport. The rules for flying into the country are different. More info here on U.S. regs:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

Be sure you bring current photo ID, drivers license and/or birth certificate. You need ID for your children as well. Leave all fruits, vegetables, meat, drugs and weapons at home ;-)
You don't need any special shots and you don't even have to get Canadian money, everybody around here accepts USD with a decent exchange rate. Leave really big wads of cash at home. Both US and Canadian laws limit you to $10,000 - any more than that you will be labelled a currency smuggler! Yes you can buy Cuban cigars here but you can't take them home.... An even better treat are Canadian KitKats!
Email me if you have any ???.

Signups

Total signups:42