Tiny Ontario - Gananoque

People have happy places. Some people thrive in cities, others love the suburbs and still others cherish the country life. Each type of environment has a different vibration, or energy. Over the course of the pandemic, I realized that I didn't want to be an empty nester in the suburbs. The suburbs were a fantastic place to raise kids while they were in high school, and for that I'm immensely grateful, but it wasn't my happy place. I grew up in a small town on Lake Ontario, and felt a pull to return to tiny Ontario.

My oldest kid flew the coop for university in the fall of 2020 and my youngest left in the fall of 2023. As the pandemic raged on, I really thought about what was important for the next chapter of my life. What did I value? A short list slowly emerged. Practically, I needed to remain a reasonable commuting distance to work. Being able to walk to do most of my daily errands was crucial. I love a walkable village. I'm a villager. In addition to the daily necessities of life I also enjoy a little bit of sparkle ... a couple of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques bring the fun. An appreciation of the arts wouldn't go unnoticed. And being close to nature, the water, and an abundance of flowers and mature trees was important.

During the many pandemic lockdowns, we went for rambling weekend drives, visiting neighbouring towns. Little by little, I realized the town of Gananoque, which lies at the heart of Thousand Islands National Park was the place. It ticked my boxes. We traded in our suburban house for a modest abode in the heart of the village. The St. Lawrence and Gananoque rivers are never far away. Waking up to a spectacular sunrise still takes my breathe away. It's a thrill. I love going for walks admiring the many, many beautiful gardens, and the unique architecture that developed over the centuries. It's lovely to settle into a community where neighbours care for one another. Thank-you Gananoque!