Date:         Wed, 26 Jul 2000 21:45:43 -0400
Reply-To:     Christopher Michael Gronski <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Christopher Michael Gronski <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
Subject:      Re: Anyone familiar with 1000 Islands area?
Comments: To: jgh3rd@mindspring.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I love the Thousand Islands area and spent lots of time there as a kid on my
parents boat. You'll definately want to check out Bolt Castle / Heart Island
and Alexandria Bay New York. They are REALLY touristy but they can't be
missed.

On the Canadian side be sure to visit Kingston, I recommend "Chez Piggy" for
a meal. Gananoque is also very nice and be sure to drive the full length of
the thousand islands parkway, preferably Eastbound so that the water is on
your right.  Sandbanks Provincial Park campground is nice it is just west of
Kingston.

Regarding currency shops accross Canada will take US dollars no questions
aasked (though smaller ones may have restrictions on the denomination).
However,  myself and my fellow Canadians will take every opportunity to
screw you on the exchange rate. Around 1.48 is reasonabe these days -
somewhere around this rate and you're OK.. don't fall for 1.25 or a
ridiculous rate. Do the math though, on a $100 Canadian item the difference
between a 1.5 and a 1.25 is only $13.33 so if you're buying something small
you may not want

Some stores will only take it at par. Bills only is the norm, change may not
be accepted at all and if it is it will be at par. American change won't
work in vending machines or parking meters, etc. but CAN be used to cross
the Ivy Lee Bridge from Canada to the US (Do it during the day, the view
from a Westy would be great. You can easily exchange money at most banks in
Canada and you'll get a decent rate.

Hope that helps...

Chris Gronski
Toronto, Ontario,
'80 Westy "Pokey"

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Haddad" <jgh3rd@mindspring.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 8:28 PM
Subject: Anyone familiar with 1000 Islands area?


> Howdy all,
>
> Thinking about packing up the westy and exploring the 1000 Islands area.
Does anyone have any info on beautiful/interesting places to camp/see/etc.?
We especially like campgrounds 'off the beaten path'.
>
> I wouldn't mind crossing over into Canada, but I was wondering:  what is
the smartest thing to do concerning currency?  Since I'll probably be
staying close to NY state, I'm guessing I can just use US dollars in Canada?
Or, is it easier to just exchange some for my stay?
>
> John Haddad
>