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

Rockcliffe, Ontario, Canada

Rockcliffe, ON, Canada

August 17, 2013

Had a long, slow day today.  I am heading to Rockcliffe Boathouse, which is around the corner from the entrance to Lock 1 on the Rideau Canal. 

 

Dreamchaser  on the way to Rockcliffe Boathouse

I am going to dock on the fuel dock and Dreamchaser has a slip.  I can’t use the fuel dock until 6 PM so it will be a long, slow day.  40 miles @ 7 mph.  My connecting rods are not getting any exercise!

We left Montebello at 11 AM and I was docked at the Boathouse at 5:45 PM.  We both ended up on the same face dock, just at different ends. 

We were surprised to find out there were fireworks tonight at the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau (right across the river).  It was a good show – pretty long for fireworks! I did rock a bit from all the boats coming and going though!

Sorel to Montebello

August 07 – 16, 2013

Here I am!  I hope you missed me!  I’ve been a few places where there was no Internet service available and Kate’s hotspot was iffy for a bit.

Anyway – Dreamchaser and I left Chambly on the morning of the 7^th.  We only had one lock to do and it was different!  We tied to a floating dock at St. Ours and rode up very nicely.  We stayed at the Parc Nautique de Sorel.  There were no dockhands but the boaters there were very helpful.

On Thursday the 8^th we all headed west to Montreal.  No locks to do, but I did have to contend with the current in the St. Lawrence Seaway.  I passed very few boats today and only one container ship just before docking at Longueuil (across the river from Montreal).  It’s a nice town with a number of restaurants, grocery, patisseries, etc.  The people enjoyed it.

 

Cathedral at Varennes, Quebec

Friday, Saturday and Sunday the people explored Montreal and Longueuil.  They really didn’t spend too much time with Dreamchaser and I!

 

Rue St. Paul, Montreal

Place de Armes, Montreal - Ginny & Kate

Basilica de Notre Dame

Stylized "Lily" of Montreal, Montreal City Hall

Monday the 12^th we both got fuel and a pump-out and then headed out to do two locks on the Seaway.  They were big and I had boats rafted to me in both locks!  We ended up in Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue for the night tied on the lock wall.  I’m getting to use my mooring pass!

Tuesday was an exciting day because I was going to see an old friend – My Way – and our people were going to get together.  I had to do 2 more locks today.  They both had floating docks like St. Ours.  The Carillon Lock is a 65-foot lift and has a door just like Lock 17 on the Erie.  They are the only 2 like this in America.

 

Entrance to Carillon Lock

"My Way"

Wayne & Francine Assaly's house, Grenville, Quebec

I am spending the night on the town wall in Hawkesbury, Ontario, which is right across the river from My Way.  All the people go to dinner at the house – Jada gets to go too – but we are fine tied to our wall.

On Wednesday I headed west again to Montebello and Le Chateau Montebello Marina.  This is a big resort and I will be staying there for 3 nights.  The people are going to be “pampered “!  I hope they don’t forget me!

 

Le Chateau Montebello

Fred, Kate, & Ginny - Chateau Montebello

Canada

Hi everybody -  sorry to say I will not be publishing for a bit.  Internet is spotty and my Hotspot is not working.  I will update when I can.  Made it to Montreal today and will post pictures and text when possible.

Chambly, Quebec, Canada

Chambly, Quebec, Canada

August 6, 2013

Dreamchaser and I left Gaines Marina in Rouses Pt., NY at 8AM today.  We checked in at the Canadian Customs dock and got our permits.  Off to the next canal!

 

The Customs Officer was nice enough to take a welcome picture!

We did 9 locks and 6 swing bridges today.  Not bad!!  The locks were nice – Clean lines and not really a big drop.  They were small though – Dreamchaser and I barely fit!

The scenery along the canal was nice.  A bike/hiking path ran alongside the whole way.  It’s a bit puzzling to me when joggers and bikes are going faster than I can!

One of the bikes along the Chambly Canal

I am in Marina de Chambly tonight.  It is a bit snug.  There is only enough room for a fender between me and the pretty Chris-Craft runabout beside me!

The end of the Chambly overlooking the Basin.  The marina is to the right.

Rouses Point, NY

July 26 – Aug 4, 2013

Rouses Point, NY

Well!!  If you’ve been wondering where I am – I’ve been sitting with Dreamchaser in Gaines Marina in Rouses Point, NY for the last 10 days!  Our people left us!!!  We were all alone with lots of Canadian boats.  It wouldn’t be a problem if only 1 of us could speak some French!!

The people had family issues to handle (not big issues – weddings, reunions, blah, blah) so we had to wait for them.  We are only about ½ mile from the border.  I can see it!  Oh, well – I’ll get there tomorrow!

Rouses Point is a small town just on the border.  The marina is very nice.  The owners have been terrific and really helped our people with getting a car, and keeping us here for so long.

Tomorrow we will be on the move once again.  Can’t wait!

Deep Bay, NY

July 24-25, 2013

Deep Bay (off Treadwell Bay), NY

Wednesday morning is windy (10-15, with gusts to 25) and cool, but I am leaving Plattsburgh.  If it’s not too crowded I am going to pick up a mooring in Deep Bay.  They did make reservations at Mooney Bay Marina just in case.

Lucky, lucky us!  The mooring field has a lot of space.  Dreamchaser and I pick up moorings.  We are out of the wind and waves that we’ve been traveling through.  It’s really a pretty place.  And I don’t have to worry about weeds!

 

Dreamchaser moored in Deep Bay

Thursday morning they all took a dinghy ride and explored the State Park that this mooring field is part of.  They took a hike along the Long Point Trail in the morning and explored Middle Bay and the beach in the PM. 

 

Long Point

We have really enjoyed being here.  I think it’s one of the most peaceful and quiet places I’ve been lately!

Plattsburgh, NY

July 21-23, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Sunday AM it was decided that Dreamchaser and I would try to anchor south of Bluff Point on Valcour Island.  It’s supposed to blow from the north again tonight and that will be protected.  Bummer!  The anchorage is packed!  We try an empty spot but all I get is weeds and mud.  My anchor won’t hold.  And now I have weeds on my prop and a vibration!  It's okay -- after a short haul we found out everything was gone!  Whew!

 

Lighthouse on Valcour Island

Kate puts a call into Plattsburgh Boat Basin and we get slips for the night.  Greg decides to get fuel and a pump-out.  Well – I had to circle for about 30 minutes. Every sailboat around was looking for a pump-out!

We all end up staying Monday & Tuesday because of some weather.  The people enjoy walking into town.  They had lunch at a Greek restaurant one day, and ice cream the next.  Nothing for me though!

Oh, well.  At least we had good sleeping, even if I was docked right outside the restaurant!  

Mallett's Bay, VT

July 18-20, 2013

Colchester, VT

We were going to leave early today to beat the heat and the storms but Dreamchaser had to wait in line for fuel and a pump-out.  We are only going from Burlington to Mallett’s Bay so it’s only about 2 hours.

 

The entry into Mallett's Bay from Champlain

The people decided to walk to the grocery – about a 10-minute walk.  They need beer, wine, milk and bread.  Well --- they got caught in a rainstorm and were soaked when they came back!  I was a little miffed that they were dripping all over me!

Friday was Fred’s birthday.  He and Greg were busy making sure Dreamchaser and I were pretty and clean while the ladies went to the grocery again for a birthday pie.

Saturday was a windy day.  They all walked to a pub for burgers.  By the time they got back a north wind was really slapping me around!  Kate really didn’t like the rocking and rolling!

Anchorage across from The Moorings Marina

Burlington, VT

July 15 – 17, 2013

Burlington, VT

Leaving Vergennes on Monday morning I had a 3-knot push down Otter Creek that really helped!  We actually arrived early at Burlington Community Boathouse and had to wait for slips to be vacated.  Mine was ready first, but Dreamchaser had to circle a bit.

 

Juniper Island outside Burlington Harbor

After lunch all the people walked into town.  The ladies shopped a bit while the guys got haircuts.  Then they had dinner at the Vermont Pub & Brewery.

On Tuesday they all went to ECHO – a science center at the harbor.  Ginny went for a haircut and then they all had lunch at the harbor.  The ladies went shopping again while Greg & Fred biked 3 miles to the Magic Hat Brewery for a tour.

Wednesday was cleaning and re-provisioning for the next stop in Malletts Bay.  They all took the free shuttle to and from the City Market.  I think we’re all set now for the next few days.  They decided on a German restaurant for dinner.  Everything was great (according to Kate & Greg) and they even had entertainment.  Ooompah!

Vergennes, VT

July 14, 2013

Vergennes, VT

We were ready to leave about 9:45 this morning when Dreamchaser had a generator issue.  I just hung onto a dock until they got it fixed and then we were off!

We are headed across the Lake to Vergennes, Vermont.  They have a free dock that has some power.  It will be a long ride up Otter Creek (11 miles) but people say it’s worth it.

When we arrived the dock was empty so we have power.  Only 1 other boat came in all day.  There is a waterfall at the top of the creek and a hydroelectric plant.  It’s very pretty.

 

The Falls at Vergennes

The people walked a lot of hills to get to town, but said it was worth it.  Kate’s only complaint was that it was a Sunday and most of the shops were closed!  Greg seemed happy though.

The Falls at night

Westport, NY

July 11 – 13, 2013

Westport, NY

On Thursday the 11^th it was decided that Dreamchaser and I would anchor out that night.  It was a bit windy as we left Chipman Point Marina.  We had originally planned to anchor by the Crown Point Bridge, off Crown Pt. Fort but it was too exposed to the North.

We went a little further north and anchored in Cole Bay between Cole Island and Camp Dudley.  The camp is a YMCA boy’s camp.  Lots of whooping and hollering.  The first time Greg set my anchor I dragged and there were a lot of weeds.  It was better the 2^nd time, but Greg set the anchor alarm just in case.

I was rocking ad rolling until dinner when the east wind calmed.  I don’t think Greg and Kate got much sleep.

Friday Greg pulled my anchor around 10 AM (ugh!! Lots more weeds!) and we set off on a short ride to Westport Marina.  Very short ride – only 40 minutes!  We stayed for 2 nights here.  It’s a real small town – some cute shops (according to Kate & Ginny!) and a market.

The fixed docks in the marina are under water because the Lake level is so high!  Glad that Dreamchaser and I are on floating docks!