Do you believe in ferries?

That’s the Frontenac II, which operates between Amherst Island and the mainland. And yes, it has its own webcam.

So, we spent a single, beatific week on the island at the end of August. Our rustic accomodations were on the northern shore… and so from our hammocks we could look over the channel, and on to the busyness of the mainland — all while comfortably insulated by distance and our extensive supply of hot-dogs and marshmallows.

One thing we noticed was that there’s a real sense of community on the island. The women’s institute is active, there’s an equivalent group for the men (though not, I’m sure, called “the men’s institute”), and even an island newsletter (the Beacon) that’s published on a monthly basis. Amherst is home to many an artist, and has its own radio station to boot (93.7).

Of course, there are a few exceptions to the idyll. And while the Island Life certainly isn’t in jeopardy, there are some islanders about who aren’t really Islanders, if you know what I mean. Nowadays, you’ll more often than not find the ice cooler outside the general store locked, on account of folks who weren’t paying up. But mavericks (I’ve seen a few) aside, it seems that the island mentality is slightly contagious. Since our stay there, I find myself waving at passing motorists, wearing shorts and those “croc” things out to the grocery store, and wishing there were more distances I could stare off into.

The island is also well known for its owls. The large vole population draws Long-Eared owls, Great Horned owls, and Screech owls — which all in turn draw great flocks of bird watchers. We didn’t happen to see any owls when we were there, though we did hear a couple.