Prince Edward County and Ontario's Loyalist Parkway
Prince Edward County and the Loyalist Parkway commemorate the United Empire Loyalists who passed through this area, carving out the route that bears their name. After 1784 and the partition of English-speaking North America into two camps, New Englanders who found themselves on the wrong side of the border headed north, many of them crossing the St. Lawrence at the now Thousand Islands. For some the trek ended here and they founded many of the settlements on the north shore.
For others, the British government had provided land further west and they began hacking their way through the wilderness along the north shore of Lake Ontario to their new lands. Today the route they created is named after them, a remembrance of their sacrifice to establish Ontario. It runs from Kingston to Trenton, passing through some of the prettiest scenery in Ontario. Small farms and villages, set among mature trees, line the route, many flying the Loyalist flag -- the Union Jack without the cross of St. Patrick (Ireland wasn't part of the Union until 1801).
The Parkway, Ontario Highway 33, skirts the north shore of Lake Ontario, providing views of the lake and islands offshore. Along the way is the Glenora Ferry, joining two parts of the mainland, which adds some maritime excitement to your drive.
The ferry crosses Adolphus Reach, which leads into the Bay of Quinte, and lands its cargo few miles outside Picton, the largest town in this popular vacation region.
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Although the route includes the beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park, both the County and the Parkway are more about the comforting things in life -- antiques, art, wine, and food. Bed and Breakfast places abound.
