Photos of the Seaway Tour

Originally designated as a national scenic by-way for car touring, the Seaway Trail’s paved shoulders provide an excellent path for seasoned recreational cyclists. However, care should still be exercised since vehicular traffic can be traveling quickly.

Marina at Youngstown and small park just to the west.

As you can see the trees here seem as old as the beautiful heritage homes.

A wall of wind slows the group down to a crawl. Normally the wind travels west to east. We had hoped to have the wind at our back! Fortunately it was not far to the first coffee break at a small roadside restaurant where the staff is incredulous that we are cycling the Seaway Trail.

Somerset Beach.

Hardwood forests give way to farm fields and blossoming apple fields.

Olcott is a small fishing village that is working to enhance its appeal to tourist. This lovely boardwalk is a wonderful place to visit and shop.

Celebrating the end of Day One at a local pub. The wind and cold force the cyclists into the car for the last leg of the first day. We need to reach Rochester if we are going to complete the Trail in 4 days. Later on we learn from an experienced cyclist who knows the Seaway Trail well that cycling on Lake Ontario Blvd is unpleasant and not recommended.

Webster Park has a pier that gives people very close contact with the water. As you can see we are still on a bluff and we learn first hand that the Seaway Trail is extremely hilly and very beautiful.

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Anglers enjoying the warm sunny day. Fishing is an important pastime and driver for the economy.

A fine example of a Cobblestone home. Cobblestones are hand-sized stones deposited by glaciers and polished by thousands of years of wave action. Part of the lake plain after the waters receded caused farmers to have to clear their fields of the stones. Masons began to use them in buildings around 1825. There were 1200 cobblestone buildings in North America, 90% of them within a 75 miles radius of Rochester. (Source Seaway Trail Discovery Centre)

Seaway Trail Inc has installed many interpretative panels that provide excellent information regarding the local history, the War 1812 and the natural history.

We were promised amazing sunsets at Sodus Point and we were not disappointed. The Lighthouse is staffed by animated and helpful volunteers. You are invited to climb the 52 stairs up the lighthouse tower. The passage is very narrow but the view from the top is wonderful. We stayed at the historic Carriage Inn. After dinner we strolled along the beach and into town for ice-cream.

Once back on the road, the cyclists encounter more and more hills!! The Seaway Trail folks recommend you bypass Odessa for good reason, but we missed the cutoff. Take care to notice the road signs and be sure to use the Seaway Trail’s recommended route. After lunch we head out toward Texas and Mexico-two small towns located about 15 kms outside of Odessa. This fruitstand sells only organically grown produce.

We spend night three in a cabin located by a lighthouse. Unfortunately the beautiful beach is completely private and inaccessible to the public, so we decide to spend the night at a “big-town mall”.

Ah - traveling with environmentalists-admiring a shiny new battery operated car in Sackets Harbour! It certainly would have made the hills more bearable.

Getting to know Ulysses at the Seaway Trail’s Discovery Centre in Sackets Harbour. The giftshop offers a wonderful assortment of resources and gifts. Be sure to call this group if you’re planning a trip.

Enjoying a beer at a local microbrewery. There is no shortage of amazing places to eat and drink in Sackets Harbour. Tin Pan Gallery is another wonderful restaurant with a stunning outdoor garden patio and tasty menu.

Getting on the Ferry that travels from Wolfe Island to Kingston at the end of our 5 day journey. The Kingston skyline looks picturesque from our boat.