Wallpaper February 2016

Several people correctly identified the location of last month’s image as you’ll see in January’s comments. As my old friend Carl Hiebert (an acclaimed Canadian photographer) once coached me, “The secret to photography is to just show up.” He’s absolutely right and unlike many of my images, showing up for this one couldn’t have been easier. I slid the living room door open and snapped the picture. It’s the view we enjoy during winter when we can't be at the island:

Showing up for February's image wasn’t quite so easy. I seldom accept photo assignments because I don’t know how to make magic happen on order. This request was different, however. Jason Clark is the nephew of St. Lawrence Cruise Line’s owner, Bob Clark. Bob is a very decent guy. Furthermore, I owe him.

Several years ago, I shared with Bob some of the challenges that Brockville’s Tall Ships Landing and Aquatarium development were facing due to the ongoing effects of 2009’s Great Recession. A line had been drawn in the sand. If, by a particular deadline, condo sales hadn’t passed a certain point, the project wouldn't be economically feasible and would be canceled. Understanding how much good the project could do for the entire region, Bob volunteered, “If it ever comes down to a single sale that will tip the scales, give me a call.”

Perhaps a year later, that’s exactly what happened. Reluctantly and nervously, I made the call as all other avenues had come up dry. Despite this being Brockville and Bob being a Kingstonian, he was in! A major stumbling block occurred while choosing a unit. After explaining that the lowest units began on the 6th floor, he responded, “Myrna (Bob’s wife) can’t do elevators. She’s terrified so there’s no chance we'll be able to live there.” Nevertheless, he was up to his word, made the commitment, and the project squeaked across the line, just. Soon afterwards, sales began accelerating and Bob’s amazing gesture was no longer required, but when it counted, he made the difference.

So when Jason called, explaining that there were only two possible days to shoot the Canadian Empress before Lyne and I left for France last fall, I agreed. Jordan Mol of Gananoque’s 1000 Islands Helicopters rose (literally) to the occasion and we flew one evening and the following dawn while Captain Brian Johnson willingly (and occasionally bravely) took the Empress into new waters to pose in places she had never previously ventured (but now I suspect will).

I must add that several years ago, I had the pleasure of cruising on the Empress. What an eye opener! Just like the 1000 Islands Tower, which I had thought of as “only for tourists,” but later discovered was much more than that, experiencing an overnight cruise was a revelation. Sitting on the rear deck, beer in hand, watching the islands slip past as the sun set while a delicious meal was being prepared prior to anchoring overnight in the middle of the River, was something I hadn’t experienced. If you or your friends are looking for a wonderfully different way to enjoy and explore our favorite place, I’d strongly suggest you consider a cruise with St. Lawrence Cruise Lines.

Don’t be shy to share stories about the location of this month’s image, or perhaps your experiences if you’ve ever cruised aboard the Empress.

Download wide-angle version

Comments

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---