Summer of 2022 – Part 4 – Road Trip & Highland Games

I left Toronto feeling confident and proud.  Completing my sixth tandem jump and first solo jump made me feel like I could do anything.  The never-ending, bumper-to-bumper traffic on Highway 401 didn’t bother me at all. 

The next town I visited was Petrolia.  I wanted to see how my friend’s brewery was doing after another year.  In short, Black Gold Brewery (BGB) is still going strong.  My friend and his business partners are steadily expanding the beer list and distribution network.  Several restaurants in Petrolia and Sarnia already sell BGB beers on tap.  They’re also looking at acquiring more floorspace for storage.  I asked if buying a large transport truck was in the works, and my friend said maybe in a year or two.  They’re currently looking at purchasing a van for outdoor events.

I got a tour of the backroom where the beers are brewed and was allowed to take photos.  I was impressed to see a large awards plaque displaying gold & silver wins for two of his beer flavours at the 2021 Ontario Brewing Awards. 

I did sample several beers and bought a lot of beer cans before continuing my road trip.  I support local businesses.  I wished my friend continued success.

I stopped at a local gas station to refuel and buy snacks.  I was surprised to see Crystal Pepsi on sale.  The last time I saw that beverage was in the 1990s.  I bought two bottles.  An internet search informed me that Pepsi brought the flavour back for the 30^th anniversary and was selling it for a limited time.  I hope they continue selling the flavour.  It’s alright.

I made a short detour and visited a former co-worker in Fergus.  He and his family are doing well.  I gifted them several cans of BGB beer.

The last town I visited was Kingston.  I dropped in to see an old university friend and take a break from driving.  I’m not a fan of driving for more than 5 hours unless I take plenty of breaks in between.  I gave my friend a six-pack of BGB beers for letting me stay at his place.

Old Train Station.

City Hall

We explored the city centre and waterfront.  Well, actually, I explored; he played tour guide.  There were a lot of people, most likely because it was bright sunny summer day.  I photographed the Old Train Station, City Hall, Confederation Park Fountain, and surrounding buildings.  You have to watch where you step in the park because of droppings left behind by Canada geese. 

Speaking of Canada geese, I managed to stand in the middle of a flock and film them walking by eating grass.  Thankfully, I wasn’t attacked.  I’ve heard stories of geese being very aggressive. 

We ate at Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse for lunch.

Royal Military College

I continued exploring the waterfront, photographing boardwalks, sidewalk art, the Royal Military College on the other side of the bay, and the Flora MacDonald Confederation Basin (FMDCB).  The FMDCB is a large small craft harbour that can accommodate a lot of boats. 

We explored the Lemoine Point Conservation Area on the second day of my visit.  It’s near the Kingston Airport.  People come here to hike, walk their dogs, bike, fish, canoe, swim, and photograph wildlife.  The only wildlife I photographed were geese and ducks.

I thanked my friend for putting up with me and returned to Ottawa the following day.  My road trip had come to an end.

The last big event I attended this summer was the Glengarry Highland Games (GHG) in Maxville on July 29.  The last time I attended the Games was in 2017. 

A lot of people were glad to see the return of the games, having been previously cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This was evident from the many cars parked around the festival grounds.  I wore the GHG shirt I bought in 2017.  It still fits!  My dad & I paid the entrance fee and entered the festival grounds.

A loud constant drone of bagpipes greeted us.  It didn’t matter if one, several, or many bagpipers stopped playing.  Another player(s) somewhere starts playing and the tone is maintained.  If that annoys you, wear earplugs.  There were also sounds of crisp snare drum rhythms being practiced & performed, but these were not as constant as the bagpipes.

My dad & I walked around, looking at everything the Games had to offer.  Food and vendor stands were placed around the main field.  There were also smaller fields to accommodate the Pipes & Drums competition.  At the main field we watched: the men’s caber toss, men’s & women’s weight throwing, and the women’s sheaf toss.  The throwing weights weigh 42 pounds!

Lotus Turbo Esprit

The Antique British Car Display returned.  Club members parked their vintage vehicles on a hill behind the main field.  I’m not much of a car enthusiast, but I did spend a lot of time photographing each car.  They’re all well maintained, but the only car I can see myself owning is the 1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit.  I prefer futuristic designs.

In the afternoon, my dad & I watched a Scottish Small Sword tournament, musket demonstration, and two pipes & drums bands perform.  I’m glad I brought ear plugs.  (For the musket demonstration, not the music).  The muskets are loud and I didn’t want my hands to shake while I filmed the loud bangs. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try haggis.  There’s always next year.

We left the Games in the late afternoon.  Overall, it was a great day.  The Games would continue for a second day.

Attending the GHG was the perfect way to end my summer vacation.

I spent my last week of summer getting ready to return to the Arctic.

End of Summer of 2022 mini-series.