Hopewell Bay and Byng Inlet

July 29 & 30, 2011

It’s raining when everybody wakes up.  I left the dock at 8:35 AM.  There was a little drizzle, but then the sun came out and it was a nice day for a ride.  We did hit a patch of fog, but it didn’t last long. 

When we got to Honeywell Bay Crawdad put down her anchor and I rafted to her.

Crawdad & Grianan

After lunch, they all explored the bay and it’s little coves in the dinghies until around 3 PM.  All in all a nice lazy afternoon.

Plans for Saturday were made over dinner.

(Sat.) Beautiful morning!  We’re unrafted and Crawdad’s anchor is up and we’re on our way by 9:20 AM.

It’s a nice day to be crossing outside on Georgian Bay.  There’s a light breeze, and everyone is comfortable -- no waves and sunny and clear.

I’m tied up at Wright’s Marina by 1:05 PM and everybody is doing chores or relaxing.   Aaahh!!!

Midland to Frying Pan Bay

July 28, 2011

We had a very quiet night.  My anchor stayed right where it was supposed to.  This is the first time I’ve anchored on this trip, so I’m very happy.

Greg had the anchor up and we were under way by 8:38 AM.  I’m not sure where we are going though.

We stopped at a place called Henry’s Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island.  They all had lunch there.  I guess it’s one of those places you “must” see??!!  When Crawdad and I were leaving our friends Jeremiah and Seamoore were coming in.  Nice to see them again!!

Henry's Fish Restaurant

While at lunch, the people decided to go to Parry Sound and try for a marina for the evening.  We ended up on the Town Dock, which is always fun.  Lots of people to see and talk to.

Tomorrow we’re off on another adventure!

July 27, 2011

This morning Crawdad’s people and mine went to meeting at Beacon Bay Marina for the AGLCA.  They were able to get their charts marked with good routes and anchorages.  I’m glad – I don’t want to hit any rocks or shallow spots!

They got back around 11 AM and we headed out to Beausoleil Island and Frying Pan Bay.  There was no wind and it was hot again.

My anchor was dropped about 1 PM.  It was a real pretty spot – part of a National Park. There were 2 docks that were full and about 9 other boats anchored.  Some wee med-moored, but others were just anchored like us.  There are no tides or current here, and with no wind everyone is pointing in a different direction.

Midland, ON

July 26, 2011

Cool and a bit cloudy this morning.  I am still in Midland, ON.

Greg & Kate walked to Tim Horton’s (sort of like Dunkin Donuts) for breakfast and then up King Street.  Greg found a barbershop, so he got a haircut.  Kate found a bakery and bought a baguette for lunch.

They all went back into town to the grocery for supplies since they plan to anchor out now that we are in Georgian Bay.

Greg was taking a nap and Kate was on the computer when all of a sudden a 40 Sea Ray hit my anchor.  It only hurt a little.  My anchor has some scratches, but nothing else seems to be hurt. Scared me though!  The winds were really gusting at this point.

The people, along with 2 more, went to an AGLCA wine & cheese party in Penetanguishene.  They said they met some familiar faces and some new ones.  I’m glad for them.

Big Chute to Midland

July 25, 2011

It started raining during the night – hard at times.  It was a bit drizzly when we left at 7:40 AM.  Gloria & Jim walked me around the dock so I didn’t get stuck.

We did the last lock of the Trent-Severn today.  Lock 45- a very small lock.  So small we had to go one at a time.  And of course it started to rain again as we got to it.  There was also a very narrow channel under a highway bridge right after the lock.  Again, only one boat at a time – no passing!

We stopped at Bay Port Marina in Midland so I could be fueled and pumped out before going to the Town Harbour.

After we tied up Kate went off to do laundry.  Greg called the Splendide people again and they figured out that the timer on the washer needs replacing.  No telling when that part will arrive!

Kate made guacamole for apps tonight while they all checked charts for Georgian Bay and where I will be going next.  Hope it’s someplace fun!

July 24, 2011

Cool this morning – chance of showers today.

The plan was to do 2 locks and moor before the Big Chute.  We got underway at 7:25 AM; get to a swing bridge that’s normally open and stop!  Big freight train and then slow bridge tender.  Had to hover around and use my thrusters.

We got to the first of the locks and problems!  NO thrusters!  We tied up below and Greg & Jim looked things over.  Thank Goodness it was just a loose connection.  I was worried – I don’t want any marks on my pretty paint!

By the time we approached the second lock – Swift Rapids – it was sunny and hotter.  I was getting passed a lot by idiots in go-fasts who don’t read signs.

When we got to the Big Chute, they tied me up at the public docks and walked over to the Visitor’s Center to watch a few boats go through.  When they got back, I was untied, taken to the Blue Line and we were on the way!

It was very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking.  I had 2 small boats in front of me and I was in the middle and back further.  About 5 feet of me was hanging off the back of the car!  Kate was a bit nervous again!  Everything was fine; we got to the bottom and tied up for the night with Tourist and Crawdad. 

They all sat around on the dock with cocktails so we 3 boats could listen to the conversations.  Dinner was aboard in my salon.  Another fun day.

Kirkfield & Orillia

July 23, 2011

Gray morning – a bit cooler but still humid.  We left Kirkfield at 7:30 AM.

We did 5 locks today – all close together.  Then we crossed Lake Simcoe because it was a calm day.  They decided to end the day at the Port of Orillia.  It was a decent day – they tied me up at 2:30 PM

There were lots of weeds in the Trent Canal. It was also very narrow, barely enough room for 2 boats to pass each other.

They had to go to the grocery again (at least they’re getting exercise riding their bikes) for water and tonic (and veggies!).  We will be heading out tomorrow again.  Only 4 locks left!

July 22, 2011

Well we woke up to no water this morning.  Don’t know what happened, but thankfully Greg had filled my tanks yesterday.

We were through the Bobcaygeon lock at 8:30 – first lock thru of the day.  We saw Muddy Waters and the Samway family above the lock.  Good to see them again.

From Balsam Lake we entered the Trent Canal – narrow and shallow all the way.  Then we came to Mitchell Lake – just as bad as the canal, but also full of stumps and snags because of being man-made.

Got to Kirkfield Lift Lock – Kate thinks it’s scarier than Peterborough because it’s more open.  It also feels like you are sailing off the edge of the world!  We moored at the bottom of the lock for the night at 2:15 PM, and had a nice lazy afternoon.  They checked out the visitor’s center and all the info sites about the lock and then they napped!  Sheeeeesh!  You would think they had worked hard (instead of hardly working!).

They all had dinner on my upper deck.  It was a really nice night with a breeze, and not too hot.  Hope tomorrow is as nice!

Buckhorn & Bobcaygeon

July 21, 2011

Had a hot day yesterday, but today was worse. It was 84 degrees at 8 AM!  My generator is running so my air conditioner can!

We are only doing 1 lock today.  We spent the night below Lock 31 and went through at 9:15 AM.  We tied up on the top side so Greg could get ice (for his beer – naturally!).  We then headed out for a slow ride to Bobcaygeon.  It’s only around 18 miles.

Today was a bit gray and windy until we tied up at Gordon Yacht Harbour.  Nice people, and I have hydro and water!

Kate & Gloria walked into town (again!) to shop and get groceries.  Kate bought another pair of sandals – that’s 2 pr. in 3 days- Greg only got one shirt out of the deal.  Then they jumped off my swim platform with floats to cool off!

When my friend Salt n’Sand from Cape May got here, they all went out for some Italian food.  Then back to see me.  At least I got my fridge defrosted tonight.  Some fun!

July 20, 2011

First ones in the Lock this morning.  They are doing it slow to stagger boat traffic because of yesterday’s problems.  We didn’t plan on going far – only to Buckhorn, last night’s planned stop.

Kate called ahead and the upper wall was full, so we stopped on the lower wall.  There was a nice breeze, but it died down and got very HOT.

Crawdad needed a generator repair and the mechanic came to the lock wall.  Nice!  Salt n’ Sand from Cape May also needed a mechanic.  They are very helpful around here.

Our people went out for Canadian Chinese (?) – said it was really good!  I don’t understand how different it could be!

I hope they run the generator for a while – I don’t want to get to hot tonight.

Young's Point

July 19, 2011

We planned on going to Buckhorn today – 4 locks.  We got as far as Lock 27 – Young’s Point – to find that Locks 28 & 29 were closed because of power failures from last night’s storm.  We were in the lock, went out and turned around, and then went through again to get wall space to tie-up below the lock.  I only ran a little more than 2 hours!

We did get to see a floatplane take off on Lake Katchewanooka.  Really neat!  And Kate went shopping in a cool little store. 

Just gotta take it as it comes!

We saw Patriot come through the lock.  We had met him back in the Dismal Swamp in May!  He seems to be doing well for a little pontoon boat that’s not really enclosed.

There's a cute little store here that Kate says has everything. She did come back with a bag of stuff.

I want to say thank you to Senang (and Max & Thea) for lending me their books and charts.  It saved my people a lot of money.

Perterborough to Lakefield

July 18, 2011

We woke to a thunderstorm at 5:12 AM.  Lots of noise, wind, and rain.  The hydro went out around 6 AM.  When it came back on Kate found the washer/dryer stuck on a cycle and it started all over again.  She ended up drying the clothes in the laundry room.

It was a bit gray and drizzly when we left at 8:45AM.  It took us 45 minutes to get through Lock 20 which was less than 5 mins. from the marina and only 20 mins. to get through the Lift Lock at 21.  Between Locks 22 and 23 we passed a large tour boat that travels from Kirkfield to Ottawa.  We met our first houseboats at Lock 25 – people had told us to beware, they were correct!  They are all over the place with very little control.

We tied up for the night above Lock 26 at Lakefield,

a very pretty town with a lot of nice shops, restaurants, and grocery, etc.  Kate & Gloria walked to town for some veggies and sundries.  They all went back for ice cream after dinner.  We had a thunderstorm again before dinner and another around 8 or 9 PM.  Summer weather!

Peterborough

July 17, 2011

Today everybody took a bike ride to the Peterborough Lift Lock.  They watched it in action and took pictures.  Then they went to the museum and a film in the visitor’s center.

They went to the grocery store (again!).

Greg & Kate went out for lunch and listened to music.  Then they came back and made me all pretty, inside and out!  They planned out where I will be going for the next week with Gloria & Jim.  Then the whole gang (12 of them) went to St. Veronus Café and Tap Room for Belgian beer and mussels.

Not a bad day!

July 16, 2011

They pushed me off and right into Lock 18 @ 8:30 AM this morning.  Even being in the first lock-through, it took us ½ hour to finish.  All 3 of us – Crawdad, Coconuts, and I – were together most of the day.

We crossed Rice Lake today.  It was very shallow, narrow in parts, and had a lot of idiots in go-fasts who ignored the posted limits.  It is beautiful country – there are a number of Indian reservations around here.

We left the lake and headed north on the Otonabee River to Lock 19.  Very pretty river with lots of little marinas, tight curves, and deep water.  The lock had a cute teddy bear dressed as a lock tender!  After leaving the lock, we headed to Peterborough Marina for fuel and a pump-out.  We will spend 2 nights here.

Everybody walked to Boater’s World and the grocery.  Greg bought me a new 150’ line for med mooring!  I’m excited!  Kate cooked dinner for everybody and they ate up top while listening to a concert in the park next door.  Pretty Neat!

July 15, 2011

Today we headed for Hastings.  Only Crawdad and I are going, so we left about 8:15 AM to catch the first lock.  We ended up with another boat; an Ocean Alexander called Sea Flat.  We had some excitement in Lock 1 – the lock tender was helping push Sea Flat off and she slipped.  She was still holding onto the railing of Sea Flat and was able to pull herself onto the boat and not fall in the lock.  Exciting start to the day!

We were going to do another 6 locks today, but Kate called ahead to see if there was room on the wall above Lock 18.  The Lock tender said there was only room below the lock, so we stopped there.  There was no hydro or water, but it was a neat spot.  We sat on the back deck for cocktails and ate above.

We also met a new boat –“Coconuts” – they are heading north also.

July 14, 2011

It was a pleasant morning – sunny & cool.  The Looper Train left around 8 AM so we waited until 8:10 so we were a bit behind.  We had a lot of greenhead flies and dragonflies today!

We did 6 locks again today.  The last one was a double lift – you exit the first lock right into the next!  Interesting!

We tied up at the town wall in Campbellford.  Again I had hydro but no water.  Greg & Kate met a nice guy  - Garry – off of Watermark who gave them some good tips.  He’s been boating in the area up to Georgian Bay about 30 years!

The park we were tied up next to is very quiet, even though it is downtown. 

July 13,2011

We headed up the Trent-Severn waterway today.  The locks are small and don’t open until 8:30 AM, so we waited a bit.  Kate & Gloria walked to the Post Office and Pharmacy.  The “Looper Train” – Seamoore, Dream Catcher, and Jeremiah – left before us, so we left @ 9:45 AM to get some space between our groups for the locks.

Just as we were about to exit Lock 5 a thunderstorm hit, so we stayed tied in the lock for a bit.  When it cleared a little we moved to the outside lock wall and waited for a bigger window.

We eventually made it through Lock 6 and tied up outside the lock in Frankford.  We had hydro (Electricity) but no water.  The lock tenders helped us tie up for the night.

Kate & Gloria walked into town (again!) and were able to get some supplies.  Everyone cooked on board tonight, and ate outside at the picnic tables.  It was a beautiful night with a full moon!

July 12, 2011

Well, everything here seems to open @ 9 AM. (Except the locks – they open @ 8:30.) 

Greg & Kate walked over the bridge to a grocery store & a beer store.  Guess who went where?!

Crawdad’s people and mine took their bikes and rode to the National Air Force Museum of Canada.  They were there for a couple of hours.  Said it was very informative.  Then Jim & Greg rode to Lock 1 (Kate was feeling a bit faint so Gloria stayed w/her in the shade).  On the way back they hit the LCBO for wine and liquor.  They were gone a loooong time!

They all went out to dinner – 11 of them!  They seemed to enjoy themselves.  They were certainly boisterous enough when they got back!  Everybody was laughing & joking.

Tomorrow we start the Trent-Severn Waterway.  I’m looking forward to it!

July 11, 2011

It was cloudy and cool this morning when we left at 7:35 AM.  We are heading for Trenton, ON and the Fraser Park Marina.  There is a lot of grass in this harbor and I have to be careful not to get it in my thrusters or wrapped on my prop.

We had a little sprinkling of rain along the way but then the sun came out and it got hot!  Beautiful scenery along the north shore of Lake Ontario made it a gorgeous ride.  I was on a smooth course.

We got in & tie up at Fraser @ 3:35 PM Just before some wind and rain hit.  It didn’t last long though.  And we met up with our other friends from the “Looper Train” – “Seamoore”, Dream Catcher”, Jeremiah”, and also “Sweet Pea”.  It was fun to see everyone!

July 10, 2011

Greg & Kate, and Gloria & Jim took a trolley ride around Kingston this morning to see some historical sites.  Then they all walked to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.  They told me it was fun and interesting; they also got to see a buoy tender and walk through her!

They went to an Antique & Flea Market.  There were also some produce vendors also, so they bought more veggies & fruit.

Then after lunch aboard, they spent the afternoon planning Monday’s route and called a marina for a slip.

Cocktails aboard while conversing (Kate’s fancy word) with the people in the next slip.  They were heading up to Toronto for a couple of weeks to see the Yankees play and a Jimmy Buffet concert.  Cool!  I wanted to go too!

July 9, 2011

Wow!  The wind really blew last night.  It started around 10:15-10:30 PM.  Greg got up (because Kate was up and fussing) and put 2 more lines on.  I was being blown about a foot off the dock.

We headed for Canada today!  It was cool with very little breeze.  We left at 9:00 AM and had a very pleasant ride, if I do say so myself!

We pulled into Confederation Basin and tied to a dock w/o power or water.  We met up with “Seamoore”, “Dream Catcher”, “Jeremiah”, and some other boats we met in Norfolk at the Rendezvous.  I like meeting with friends again!

The people walked around the park grounds for “A Taste of Kingston” – food tents with samples from area restaurants benefitting the Canadian diabetes Assoc.  Then they quick ran back to “Crawdad” and I because we finally had slips.  Yeah!  Hydro (electric) & water!

Greg popped a beer and took a nap, Kate went to the farmer’s market, and I just settled in.

Greg & Kate went to dinner w/Jim & Gloria.  They found a couple of Irish pubs, and a brewery.  They had a good meal at the brewpub and then walked around the city a bit.  We are staying tomorrow also, so there will be more adventures.

July 8, 2011

Wow – it was a bit cooler this morning.  My people were wearing sweatshirts.  We headed for Clayton, NY.

“Old Grouch” stayed as they had to replace a chip, but “Crawdad” and I headed out around 7:30.

The weather was really good for the crossing – mostly sunny with only a few clouds.  Seas were good too (Kate took a pill just in case, though).

We arrived in Clayton @ 2:00 PM.  We had to move around the pier a bit to find power.  They only have 2 - 50 amp stands and we had to wait for people to leave.  We were all set by 2:30 so the people went to the Antique Boat Museum.  It was right at the end of the pier so they didn’t have far to go.  They discussed it at dinner on board with Jim & Gloria Crawford.  I’m jealous of all the pretty wooden boats they talked about!  Everything from Birch bark canoes to a really big houseboat with 9 bedrooms.

I think I’d like to stay here when I get old – they really like boats and take good care of the older ones!

The people were eating in tonight I order to use up the veggies before we go to Canada.  They might not be able to bring fruit and such in.

Clayton is on the St Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands are right here.  It is very pretty country.  We could cruise around here for a whole summer, explore, and not grow tired of it.

July 7, 2011

Well, after all that work yesterday we had to wait a bit this morning for the part for my stern thruster.  We got underway about 8:45 AM.  We are heading for the Oswego Canal with “Crawdad” (she’s a Grand Banks 42) and “The Old Grouch”  (she’s a Nordic Tug 37).

It was a beautiful day, no wind, no humidity, and just a bit cool.

We did 8 locks today, 1 on the Erie Canal and the rest on the Oswego Canal.  My engine only ran for 5 hours today, but it took us 7 hours to get to Oswego Marina.  We did a lot of waiting today!  Lock 7 on the Oswego is on a restricted schedule of openings.  We aimed for the 2:30 and thank goodness we made it!  The next opening was 6:00 PM.

We’re spending the night on the shores of Lake Ontario.  We’re not sure yet if we’re going to Clayton, NY tomorrow or across to Kingston, Ont.

I’ll keep you posted!

PS - Greg is glad he filled me up yesterday.  Fuel is 40 cents more expensive here - $4.44!

July 5, 2011

Wow! It was cool this morning.  There was a lot of mist off the water.  My people are thinking of heading to Sylvan Beach (on the shore of Lake Oneida) today.

It was a gorgeous day!  We did 5 locks  -- there was a long way between a few of them. 

We got into Sylvan Beach @ 5:00 PM and tied up on the free dock.  There is no power or water, but they should be ok – it is a nice night with a breeze.

I met another boat yesterday at Little Falls – “Crawdad”     (Jim & Gloria Crawford) from Michigan.  We traveled with them & “Old Grouch” today.  All the people went out to dinner @ a funny place called The Crazy Clam.  They seemed to have had a good time when they got back.

I enjoyed the other boats!

July 6, 2011

Today we crossed Lake Oneida!  “Crawdad” and “Old Grouch” went with us.  It was a beautiful, calm morning.  A bit cool, but warming up as the day went on. We were only going as far as Ess-Kay Marina in Brewerton today, so it was a short day.

I had a Spa treatment today!  We did a short haul and got rid of all the barnacles, and then put new zincs on my shaft.  I also got fuel and a pump-out, so I’m all ready to go!

Kate says it was a very expensive day with my treatments and a grocery trip!  But I feel good!

July 4, 2011

Happy 4^th of July!  We hope everybody had a wonderful holiday (Kate told me to say that).

Today was a very long day. We started at 7:05 AM and didn’t finish until 6:00 PM.  We did 10 locks today.  Part of the problem was waiting for other boats to leave the locks – oh well.

When we left Schenectady this morning we ran into racing sculls (just like last year!).  It was a bit cool today and somewhat breezy.  We had a bit of a problem in Lock 8 (the first one we did), but Greg decided to open the greenhouse up and that seemed to help.

I was really upset because there is a lot of debris in the water here, especially around the locks!  I was dodging branches and logs all day!

We traveled with “The Old Grouch” and another trawler named “Grace” today.  We all ended up at Little Falls Canal Harbor.    Time for a rest!

July 2, 2011

We start the canal today!  We’re heading to Schenectady Yacht Club.  I remember being there last year.

We stopped at Waterford Visitor’s Center.  They were having a Steamboat Rally.  Saw a lot of little steamboats.  I’m glad I don’t have a fire going in me!

We went through 7 locks today – the Federal Lock, the Waterford flight (5 locks in 1.5 miles), and finally Lock 7.

We followed another trawler “Glory B”  today.

The weather was perfect.  It got a bit hot just before we reached the Marina.

The owners went to the pool (I was kind of in the shade so it was ok). They also did some laundry.  “The Old Grouch” caught up to us, so they had dinner with my two people.  They were too far away for us to exchange news, though.

July 3, 2011

Rain, rain go away!  Rain and thunderstorms off and on until about 12:30.  My people decided to just stay put, so did “Grouch”.  We hope tomorrow will be better.

June 29, 2011

On the road (water) again!!!

We all got up early and were off the dock by 7 AM.

We had a pretty smooth ride today.  I saw lots of ferryboats early, but once we passed under the GW Bridge boat traffic eased up.

I got to see the Verrazano Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the George Washington Bridge today.  Pretty neat!

A breeze kicked up just before we got to Haverstraw, so we had a bit of trouble getting into our slip.  No pilings between boats, so we had to be careful not to hit the next boat.  No dockhands or dockmaster to help grab lines.  A nice man from down the dock came and helped.  We were tied up securely at 1:50 PM.  Not too long a day.

Greg cleaned me off and then he and Kate went to the office.  They were gone a long time (they found an outdoor bar and restaurant).

On the good side --- I’m in fresh water for at least the next 4-5 months!  I feel so good already!

June 30, 2011

They let me sleep a little later this morning!  We only had to go 46 miles today.

The stern thruster was acting up yesterday and then it quit altogether today when leaving Haverstraw.

Pleasant ride – weather a little cooler, but not too bad.  Much easier docking today.  We had a very nice dockgirl help us.

The owners went out again!  Kate found an Irish pub (of course, she had a Guinness for me).  They walked to Ship to Shore Restaurant for dinner and then to the Steel House for after.  Guess what!  It was country night!  Line dancing and a mechanical bull – wish I could have seen that!

All-in-all a good day.

July 1, 2011

Got to sleep in again – 54 miles to do today.

Yeah!  My stern thruster works!  Greg was able to fix it.  It’s a nice day - cool and a bit cloudy.  A nice ride up the river  -- no problems. 

We fueled and docked at Troy Dock.  Fuel is high -- $4.11 a gallon.  My owners met a couple from Canada who are finishing up the Loop in Georgian Bay, David & Brenda Middleton.  They had drinks & dinner with them.  I made friends with The Old Grouch (their boat).  It was a really pleasant evening.

Greg got all the fenders ready for the locks.  We are good to go!!