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!