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!