Hello BoQ!
My name is Charlotte Buckle, and I am an “aspiring” photographer – I still find it weird to just call myself a full-fledged photographer – and an adventure seeker. I am originally from the Annapolis Valley in NovaScotia – where my east coasters at? – but have been a military wife 
since 2013, which means lots of relocating.
The Bay of Quinte has been my home for a year now, and I have explored quite a bit of it, but I am nowhere close to seeing everything this area has to offer! Our move to Belleville/ Trenton last August – from Shilo, Manitoba – meant that I had to start from scratch with my photography business (#militarywifelife). I took the time to learn the area, to find the perfect spots for photos that everyone would have access to. In doing that, I found myself being an unofficial “tour guide” for the Bay of Quinte and surrounding area, which caught the eye of the folks down at the Bay of Quinte Marketing Board, and wha la! Here I am. Now that I have shared my drawn out
Now that I have shared my drawn out introduction, how about I share some of my favourite spots in the BoQ area. To keep this post a little shorter, – because I can go on when given the freedom to do so – I am only going to talk about my top 3 spots in the area. Make sure to check out the @bayoquinte Instagram page where I shared 5 of my favourite spots in the Bay of Quinte plus a quick trip to the tiny town of Frankford!
First stop: Mount Pelion, Trenton.
What better way to start your BoQ trip than from the top of Mount Pelion. This lookout sits comfortably in the middle of Trenton and looks out on the town and beyond. It is the perfect spot to get acquainted with the area and to get a little workout on, too! You can walk up from the base through the beautiful tree covered driveway, or drive up to the parking area. Either way, your experience will be the same once you have made it to the top. This is one of those spots that you need to experience in every season. I have made it through all four seasons and have snapped a photo for each of them – Fall is by far the best time to go!
Second stop: Riverside Park + Trails, Belleville.
I feel this park does not get enough recognition. Its location is prime – running through the middle of Belleville – and as you go along the trail, your view will change. You cannot get bored with this park or the trails. The specific area that I am talking about is 2 minutes west from Quinte
Mall and lays on either side of Bell Boulevard. The area is perfect for bicycling, picnics, walks or runs, or simply sitting by the water in your favourite lawn chair and soaking in some rays while listening to the many geese that inhabit the park. The paved trail is perfect for bikers and will take you all the way to the bay (of Quinte). Due to the rain this year and the higher water levels, the trail has been obstructed in a few areas but most of it is still accessible. Finally, if you head North on the trail(s), you will find the huge Belleville “sign” that lies beside the 401. Make sure to get out there and take a snap of the Belleville 200 “sign” made of flowers before Winter arrives (Winter is always coming in Canada)!
Final Stop: Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves, Belleville.
Growing up, I used to collect the tiny rocks that they would put in 
playgrounds at elementary schools and say that I wanted to be an archeologist. Then, my mother would find my discoveries in the wash and get pretty annoyed with me. But, the moral of the story is, I liked, and still like, rocks (and fossils)! So, when I heard that there were caves around here, I knew I had to check them out. I have only been to the Tyendinaga caves once (last Thursday to be exact) but I had to add it to my top “must see” spots in the Bay of Quinte. I have not heard anyone talk about the caves but they are a must see, especially being that it is Ontario’s oldest natural cavern! Pretty cool, eh? They are a little out of the way but very much worth the 20 – 30 minute drive. When I first arrived, we had no idea what was in-store. The tour, run by Claire (seen in the photos), was excellent. We had a great group of people, and Claire was an awesome tour guide with a lot of knowledge of the area. Overall, it was a really fun experience and I highly recommend everyone, especially those with kids, to check out these caves. You will not be disappointed!
This part of Southern Ontario has countless parks, events, coastlines, and charming little towns. The adventures are never-ending and with every passing season, there is always something incredible to see in the Bay of Quinte!
I hope that I have sparked even the littlest interest in you to go out see what is in your own backyard or to add the Bay of Quinte to your Summer 2017 road-trip! Make sure to check out the Bay of Quinte Instagram page (@bayofquinte) and my own (@crabuckle) for more photos of the area and the other spots that I covered!
