Back in the USA!

September 3, 2013

Alexandria Bay, NY

We left Aubrey Island about 9:30 AM.  We are heading to Heart Island to clear Customs and Immigration.  I will be back in the USA!

I made the dock at Heart around 11:45.  Greg & Fred checked in and then Dreamchaser and I moved to the visitor’s dock.  The people wanted to tour Boldt Castle so we stayed for a bit before heading to our marina.

Grianan at the dock at Boldt Castle

 

Boldt Castle

Our home for the winter is The Thousand Island Club/Horizon Marina. It is a pretty nice place.  I wouldn’t mind spending a summer here. 

Dreamchaser and I will be pulled and put in heated storage (we’ll be nice and toasty) for the winter. I’ll be all spiffed up with my topsides waxed and my awlgrip fixed.  And it will be a nice rest!

Talk to you next year!

Aubrey Island, Thousand Islands, ON

Sept. 2, 2013

Thousand Islands

It rained overnight and is supposed to rain later on today.  So we need to get going while we have a weather window.  We are not going far – only to either Mermaid Island or Aubrey Island.

WE got to Mermaid by noon and tied up.  No generators allowed and the slips are short, but Aubrey is full.  The guys put the dinghies in and went exploring.

When they got back they untied Dreamchaser and I and we moved over to Aubrey Island.  Thanks to the other boats (their people had to get home for work tomorrow)!

At least here I can use my generator if I need to, and there is more protection in case of storms.

It’s very quiet and rustic.  There’s a shelter, some picnic tables and a composting toilet.  There are also campsites on the Island.  It’s going to be a nice evening!

These are "Inuksuit" - stone figures that act as message centers or aids to hunting & navigation

Kingston, ON

8/29 – 9/1/13

Kingston, ON

Thurs.

Foggy again this morning so we have to wait a bit. Today we do the last 7 locks.  I don’t know about Dreamchaser and her people, but we are ready to be through with locks!

It was an easy day.  I only had to wait for the LaSalle Causeway Bridge in Kingston (it only opens on the hour).  Then I docked in Confederation Basin.  Back after 2 years!

Fri.

The people all took a trolley ride to see the sights of Kingston.  After lunch Greg & Fred went back to the Fort and then the Prison museum while Ginny & Kate shopped.  So predictable!

Sat.

Rainy day.  They went to the Farmer’s & Craft Market in Market Square. Then they were with me all day –laundry, cleaning, reading, etc.

Sun.

Today they decided to take the Ferry over to Wolfe Island.  They said they walked around and then had lunch.  They were back home by 2 PM.

Ferry to Wolfe Island

Windmills on Wolfe Island

They went out to dinner at a place called Chez Piggy (really!?).  Everybody enjoyed it.  Wish I could go out to dinner sometime!

Seeley's Bay, ON

August 27,2013

Seeley’s Bay, ON

Woke up to fog this morning!  Oh no – shades of the river system!  We waited until 9:15 AM to leave.  We are planning on doing 7 locks today.  Hope we don’t have any problems!

The first lock is Newboro.  Oh, I forgot to tell y’all that Dreamchaser and I made a new friend in Poonamalie called Shoreline Traveller.  Well, we met up again at Newboro Lock.  She lives on the Trent-Severn Canal System so we hope to meet up next year again.

 

Scenery on the way to Seeley's Bay

 

One of the "cottages" on the lakes

We got into Seeley’s Bay at 2:15 PM.  Friendly people on the docks helped us tie-up and then told us where everything was in town.

The people walked in for ice cream and groceries but Dreamchaser and I didn’t get any treats!

Poonamalie Lock - Westport, ON

August 25 – 27, 2013

Poonamalie Lock – Westport, ON

Sun.

Today is an early day so I can catch the first opening of the Kilmarnock Lock. There were 2 boats there already but they had spent the night and were staying a bit.  Thank goodness!  Dreamchaser and I barely fit!

We did another 7 locks today, and went through a number of narrow channels.  One Lockmaster told us there were a number of problems this year with weeds.  I’ll say!  They are everywhere!

 

Dreamchaser leading in  a very narrow channel!

We tied to the Lock wall above Poonamalie Lock by noon.  Quiet, rural setting, but we have power!

Mon.

Decide to stay put.  The weather forecast is iffy and Ginny is suffering with allergies or a cold.  Quiet day to chill.

Tues.

Up early again, this time to beat predicted afternoon storms.  I only had 1 Lock to do today.  It was a 3-foot lift – easy!

Westport is a cute little town.  We are in the town harbor and the people can walk into town easily. They went in to do laundry and came back with shopping!  Even Greg got something!

Manotick - Merrickville, ON

August 21 – 26, 2013

Manotick, ON – Merrickville, ON

Wed.

The first bridge we need to have lifted is only 5 mins. away and doesn’t open until 9AM.  I get to sleep in a bit!  We will do 7 locks and 2 more swing bridges; not too bad a day.  The weather is sunny & hot!

When I docked at Hurst Marina the people all took off for the pool! Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy, so I guess I’ll just stay put.

Thurs.

Woke up to rain.  Bands of showers all day.  Good for doing laundry and cleaning.

Fri.

Both Dreamchaser and I had pump-outs this morning before we headed to Merrickville.  We will be staying on the Lock wall and will have power, but no water.  7 more locks and 3 swing bridges.

 

Dreamchaser & Grianan  docked at Merrickville Lock

Merrickville is a cute, small town.  They have a lot going

on.  Restaurants, stores, bank, post office, grocery, LCBO – they have it all!

 

Restored Blockhouse &  Museum

Sat.

They all went out for breakfast and left Dreamchaser and I to fend for ourselves!  There is an Antique and Artisan Fair today.  I know where the ladies will be!  And all those stores on the main street right by the Lock!  Poor Greg & Fred!

 

Main shopping area

Ottawa, ON, Canada

August 18 – 20, 2013

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

 

Rideau Falls

8/8/13 – Today was an exercise in patience.  I got to Lock 1 on the Rideau at 8:45 AM for a 9 AM opening.  Unfortunately, the first group was coming down.  They were coming out about 10:30 AM but all of a sudden the lock doors were closed!  They were doing a double and there were more boats coming down! I finally got in the 1^st lock around 11 AM.

Since I knew we were doing 8 step locks today, I figured it would be about 2 hours.  Well ---!  It was that and a little bit more!  5 of us went through the locks together.  We had a lot of people watching us – I think we all performed admirably.  There was no heckling from the cheap seats! (My friend Jada, the boat dog on Dreamchaser, did get some flak for wearing a silly orange vest!)

 

2 of the boats with us in Locks 1-8

Dreamchaser and I were tied up to the wall in Ottawa by 1:15 PM and the people took a walk around the city.

On Monday and Tuesday the people took tours around the city.  They all did different things, but it sounds like they all enjoyed themselves.  Someday, Dreamchaser and I will be able to see something besides the waterfront!

Changing of the Guard in front of Parliament

 

Parliament Hill seen from the Ottawa River