Day 51, Thursday, July 30, 2009

The ice maker works! We’re almost back to 100%! The plan is to find one part for the generator when we get to Peterborough. Tomorrow we will stay in Hastings then two days in Peterborough. This coming weekend is a national holiday and we will be with a group of friends to help celebrate it. We are not sure exactly what the holiday is but we’ll celebrate with the best of them.

We saw Ann & Ralph off this morning - they are headed for Peterborough. They will probably move ahead of us for the remainder of this season. Kathi & Harold came over and the four of us took a nice bike ride to Campbellford's suspension bridge - then to the chocolate factory. There was a major sale at the factory due to an anniversary. The factory was selling 15 pounds of candy for 20 dollars! It looked like a feeding frenzy with people filling large sacks with fifteen one pound bags of their favorite candy! Yes, Barb and Kathi both purchased 15 pounds of candy – which filled their backpacks! On the way back to our boats we stopped for a couple rounds of cold drinks and a few appetizers.

Tomorrow we will fuel up at 7 am when the fuel dock opens across from where were at now. The station sells gas and diesel for 91.9 cents per liter – the cheapest fuel we have seen in Canada! When you convert liters to gallons and factor in the exchange rate the cost is $3.11 per gallon.

Day 50 – Wed. July 29, 2009

As nice as Trenton was we decided to leave the marina, get into the line of boats waiting to enter the canal then move up the Trent-Severn Waterway. Weather was a mixed bag today but not so bad that you didn’t want to drive the boat. With boats ahead of us it slowed us down a little but we still did 12 locks and 31 miles to arrive in Campbellford, Ontario. Ralph was there to handle our lines and try to inspire me to move a little faster as our late arrival was eating into his happy hour time! We were invited to happy hour on Kathi & Harold’s boat “Sonsie of Meaford” along with Ann & Ralph. With luck, Harold had had a spare solenoid to repair my ice maker. Tomorrow I will take some time and repair it!

We are tied to the wall in front of the visitor’s center that has Wi-Fi so we can finally get a few days posted to the blog and catch up with world events. Barb and I have decided to stay here an extra day and take a day of rest. Maybe we will walk or bike the town?

Day 49 – Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I worked on completing some of the boat repairs this morning while Barb did laundry a few blocks away. After getting fuel we moved on. (Picture is leaving the harbor in Picton.) We put another 40 miles on the boat bucking the wind for about four hours before entering the port of Trenton. As we entered the marina we noticed a few boats that we had traveled with on the Rideau. It was great seeing everyone again and it turned into a social evening after tying up. At 8:30 pm a group of AGLCA loopers meet on the patio and had a birthday celebration for Kathi Rogers. It’s very nice here and I think we will stay an extra day to chill out prior to our start up the Trent-Severn Waterway. Barb and another lady would like to get their hair cut if it can be arranged. Maybe I’ll take the time and figure out how to get a part or two shipped to me from the states! Without a generator we can’t make coffee or heat water for a shower unless were in port!

Day 48 – Monday, July 27, 2009

Today wasn’t my best day………….I wasted half a day trying to find parts for our Generator! At this point in time I’m not sure what I’m going to do with our broken generator! We were tied up in an industrial type ship yard that I thought could fix the problem and couldn’t so there wasn’t any reason to stick around and waste additional time! I wanted to get moving so we entered Lake Ontario to head west. The first hour was pure hell as the weather picked up and we were taking water over the bow – probably 3 to 4 footers if not more! As the trip progressed things got better the last 3 hours. Late in the day we caught up with Ralph & Ann at Tip of the Bay marina in Picton, Ontario which was very nice.

We had a lot of wind trying to get into the slip so I nosed in to find out the dock was to short for Barb and I to get off the boat! With lots of help we took her out again turned her around and backed her in! The four of us had a few drinks on their boat then a nice dinner at the marina to close out a stressful but exciting day!

Day 47 – Sunday, July 26, 2009

Today we finished the Rideau Canal! It has been every thing that I read about and then some. At the end of the canal we spent most of the day waiting for boats that were coming toward us to be lifted up while we just sat there tied to the blue line to wait our turn. I took advantage of the time and corrected some of the boat problems. Once they called for us to enter the first of 4 locks we moved to our assigned location within the lock - then were lowered to a turning basin about 15 feet lower than where we started. The next lock was a step lock (pictures) that lowered us 45 feet in three steps. As we exited the last lock Mike’s engine overheated and he dropped his anchor to do repairs. It was getting late and we were having problems also so we continued on, knowing he would catch up within the next few days. A few miles further we entered Kingston, Ontario, a city with a metropolitan feel about it. (It had a donut shop!)

As we entered the harbor we saw Ralph & Ann that were a day ahead of us. We had dinner together shared a little wine - swapped stories about what was not working on our boats then turned in for the night.

Day 46 – Saturday, July 25, 2009

Barb and I retraced our wake down (picture on left) the Tay Canal to finish the last few days of the Rideau Canal. While in one of the locks with the same boats, we realized we had been traveling with Mike & Jana aboard “Second Star” from time to time since Vermont and John and his family aboard ”Pearl” since the Hudson River! It turned out to be a long day so Mike, Jana, Barb and I decided to anchor out and get an early start the next morning. (Picture is Mike & Jana cleaning the weeds off their anchor the next day). That’s when the problem started. The generator had a problem and we couldn’t cook on the boat. One thing led to another and before 24 hours was up three different systems had a problem. No sooner had we become comfortable with our location to anchor when the lighting, thunder and rain started! The weather will keep you awake but then, add in boat problems……………….it was a long night!

Day 45 – Fri., July 24, 2009

We were up early and out of the slip before 8 am. The weather was cold and wet early in the morning, so lining up at the blue line and waiting, wasn’t the greatest source of entertainment especially at that time in the morning. As the morning progressed and we passed through a few locks, the weather improved until it turned into a fairly nice day. We were with three other boats when locking through until reaching a buoy that directed us into the Tay Canal - a feeder canal off of the Rideau Canal. The Tay Canal was completed 175 years ago two years after the Rideau was completed. The canal (first three pictures) is very narrow in places and shallow most of the nine miles as it bends and turns through the wilderness. A few times when we were moving at idle we had tree branches rubbing on the boat! Barb and I passed through two additional locks on the Tay before reaching the town of Perth.

Perth turned out to be a wonderful little town of 6,000 people. It has repeatedly been voted the most beautiful town in Canada. It’s very old, well maintained and has a proud heritage associated with it. One gentleman told me that the town was so relaxed that it takes 7½ hours to watch 60 minutes.

Perth maintains a three slip public dock with electricity that is integrated into a city park / camping ground about a ten minute walk from town. We decided to stay as we were the only boat here until late in the day when one additional boat showed up. We walked around the town enjoyed a fine lunch then returned to the boat to lower our dinghy (picture on right is going into Perth on the dinghy) and take a ride into town under a few low bridges that our boat wouldn’t fit under and find an ice cream parlor!

Tomorrow we will depart early as it will take one and a half hours to retrace our wake to the first lock that will open at 8:30 am. Hopefully we can get into the Rideau and move closer to Kingston.

Day 44 – Thurs. July 23, 2009

Barb and I are alone again since Russ and Mary left this morning around 10 am. They no sooner left when we encountered another rain storm that lasted a few hours. We said the hell with the rain and put on rain gear to walk to the Rideau Canal, Smith Falls Railway museums and Wal-Mart when the weather cleared! We used up our afternoon marching around town and doing a small amount of shopping. On the way back to the boat we stopped for a burger at McDonalds! After returning to the boat, Barb sent out the blog, less photos (except for today), and I read charts for tomorrow’s adventure.

Tomorrow morning we have boat chores to do then wait until 8:30 am for our first lock to open. We will probably divert from the Rideau to the Tay Canal which will take us to Perth via two locks. After that we will retrace our steps and return to the Rideau Canal. Our final destination won’t be determined until early afternoon. Where ever we end up tomorrow night, I’m sure we won’t have Wi-Fi. There are a few large lakes to cross in this canal system with less to see -which will get us to Kingston sooner. Kingston is the last stop on the Rideau before entering Lake Ontario.

Day 43 – Wed. July 22, 2009

NOTE: Having trouble uploading pictures to blog - will insert at another time - just wanted you to know that we are not lost.

We continue to have good weather while the Olsson’s are with us. They just made their plans to be driven back to Ottawa tomorrow, to get their car. We hope they have enjoyed the trip down the Rideau as much as Barb and I have enjoyed their company.

We are now tied up in Smith Falls (picture is 'The Pond' where we are tied up) which is a major stopping point for people boating on the Rideau Canal. We are about half way or 60 miles into the Canal. We’re in a slip that is located between locks that flank the town with a city park as our front yard. In addition to restaurants there is a Wal-Mart, two museums and other stores within walking distance.

Our luck was still holding when we found twenty feet of finger to tie up to. There was a 35 foot sail boat between us and the main dock which left port minutes after I completed hooking up electric and water! Within minutes after tying up the second time, we noticed a couple of loopers, Ann and Ralph, which we had met when we did the set of eight locks together. They were in the canal and looking for a place to tie up and we gave them a shout there was room. With our good fortune they were able to moor on the same finger opposite us then join the four of us for dinner across the canal. With some luck we will most likely see them again in the next few weeks, as were both traveling the same route.

Day 42 – Tues. July 21, 2009

Today was a quiet day. The weather continues to be good as we move down the Rideau. We went through six more locks the last three being a step lock. The lock master really tested my skill as our boat was the last one in the cell with inches between our boat and the one next to us. The Lock Master and his staff are employees of Parks Canada that have been outstanding to Barb and me.

We are now in Merrickville, Ontario and we were able to get one of the few wall locations with electrical power. This also was a challenge to get to and into (picture is of the wall we were on). For a minute I thought I was home on B dock with all of the help given by our Canadian neighbors!

The town was full of quaint little shops that sold lots of things that I didn’t need - which I didn’t go into. I did find a grocery and liquor store which I did go into! Later that evening, Russ and Mary treated Barb and I to a great Italian dinner, walking distance from the boat. Everything was made in house and some of the ingredients came straight out of the Chefs garden from behind the restaurant.

Day 41 – Mon. July 20, 2009

The Olsson’s brought great weather with them. Ever since they arrived the weather has been great.

We couldn’t depart as early as usual, as we needed a bridge tender to lift a bridge for we could continue our journey. The Rideau Canal that “wines” its way through Ottawa reminded me of Lincoln Park in Chicago.

The banks of the canal were hand built of stone with vegetation carefully planted to complement the area. After an hour of beautiful well manicured parks and beautiful city buildings we were back in the country. We started down the Rideau and passed through nine locks the last being lock 17 at Burritts Rapids. The location of the lock was somewhat desolate but very quiet and peaceful (on left). We were expecting to dine in a new restaurant next to the lock but it won’t open until this coming Friday (timing is everything). With no place to go we dined on the boat, enjoyed the company of Russ and Mary and other boaters on the wall then turned in for the night.

Day 40 – Sun. July 19, 2009

First a little family business - Happy Birthday Keith! We hope your having a great day!

Russ and Mary stored there car at the local hotel and arrived by cab ready to get underway. Thirty minutes later we made our way across the Ottawa River and rafted off a 40 ft. Sea Ray to wait our turn to enter the locks. We had to move the boat a few more times over the next few hours until the lock master gave us the word that we would be in the next group to enter the cell and start the trip up (77 ft.) the flight of eight locks. The ride up tested our skill levels as to driving and handling the boat. Having Russ and Mary to give additional assistance was very much appreciated. It took over three hours to reach the top as we had to carefully exit one lock and enter another lock with eight other boats. It was a little nerve racking but a fun filled experience. The general population could walk to the edge of the lock and talk to you as you were raised from deep in the lock to above eye level. There were always questions as to where we started from and how did we got there! Most people didn’t know that a boat could travel from Illinois to Ottawa, Canada via the route we had taken.

Once we completed the flight of locks we tied up at the wall for the night. The location was in a park like setting a few blocks from the Parliament building and walking distance to restaurants and other entertainment. We went to one sidewalk establish where the staff was having an internal problem and they were completely dysfunctional---- which doesn’t make for a fine dining experience. After an hour or more of frustration and BS we made it clear that enough was enough and just got up and moved across the street! We closed out our exciting day with good food and a little wine.

Day 39 – Sat. July 18, 2009

Today brought a few surprises! We left Montebello (on left) in a light rain which turned heavy for a short period then turned very windy. We did experience a little blue sky on and off during the afternoon. If you don’t like the weather here just wait a few minutes and it will change!

Just before we arrived in Ottawa we received a phone call from Russ and Mary that they were about 150 miles away and would meet us at the marina later in the day. They arrived a day sooner than expected which is great!

By the time we fueled the boat and arrived at our marina and got the boat squared away they arrived and we had a grand reunion. Later in the day we crossed over to Ottawa from Gatineau via their car and had dinner then turned in early. Russ and Mary checked into a hotel for the night and will join us in the morning prior to moving the boat into the Rideau Canal via the flight of eight locks. Once you enter the first lock there is no turning back – you must continue moving forward in our case up until you have passed through all eight locks. When we get to the top we will be next to the Parliament building in Ottawa.

The Rideau Canal is 177 years old and is still operated by hand using the same original equipment. No motors, pumps or hydraulic controls – strictly hand operated levers and cranks!

Day 38 – Fri. July 17, 2009

NOTE: Having trouble uploading pictures into blog - will insert at another time - but wanted to get you updated so you wouldn't think we are lost.

Today we visited the Chateau Montebello (on left), constructed of logs in the 1930’s. We also walked through a Parks Canada National Historic Site, Manoir-Papineau (below) that was completed in 1850, both quite interesting!

From there we found a log restaurant that served great pizza and beer. We meet a group of Canadians and had a few laughs (and beers).

We had another mixed bag of weather today, sun shine to rain - back to sun shine. The temperature dropped in the afternoon and a light coat became necessary.

Today we’re tied up to a floating dock that has no protection from the wind. We are definitely going to have a rocky night in the boat and will probably be ready to leave earlier than usual. The Ottawa River was dammed up for hydro electric and the river that was a mile across is 3 and 4 miles in some places which gives the wind a chance to whip up a few waves and move the boat around.

Tomorrow we will travel 60 miles to Gatineau (Hull) Quebec. If the boat is protected from the wind we will stay there two nights and move sometime Monday into the Rideau Canal.

Day 37 - Thurs. July 16, 2009

We are still here in Hawkesbury, Ontario! We spent most of the day fixing small problems and checking all of the systems. The boat continues to work well and has not caused us any problems.











The weather was pleasant for most of the day until we were hit with a 15 minute violent hail storm! That’s our first hail storm on the boat and hopefully our last! We actually had hail enter the fly bridge by bouncing under the canvas! The noise level was a little much and when the storm passed the sky turned blue and there was a great rainbow!

















Tomorrow we will cruise to Chateau Montebello and visit the worlds largest log structure! We will spend the night close by - then move to the Hull Marina in Gatineau, Quebec, the city directly across the river from Ottawa, Ontario. We plan to spend two nights there and intercept Russ and Mary at the marina Sunday night. If the master plan works we will enter the flight of 8 locks Monday morning and end up next to the Parliament building and have lunch tied to the wall on the Rideau Canal!

Day 36 – Wed. July 15, 2009

Today was just spectacular – the weather was perfect! We decided to go slow and enjoy the view and end up west of where we started from in Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue (on left coming out of the lock)! Right now we are in Hawkesbury, Ontario a beautiful location. We had read that the town had a free dock that was close to a large bridge and somewhat tricky to get to. The floating dock is 200 ft long with free power and three hours of Wi-Fi that works per day! The view from the dock is beautiful and the surroundings are quiet. Restaurants are a few blocks walk with shopping close by if needed.

Since I am trying to time our arrival into Ottawa to meet the Olsson’s we will stay here two nights and do some maintence on the boat. I can’t thing of a more pleasant location to get a little work done. Every thing that needs to be done is minor in nature.

Today we passed through a special lock one of two in the world. The lock was constructed when they built a hydro electric dam and flooded the surrounding area to use as a reservoir. The lock raised us up 65 feet! What makes it special is the down stream side which we entered is made like a guillotine as opposed to a door. When we entered the cell there was a floating dock with Park Canada attendants to take our lines and secure us to the dock. The gate was slowly lowered to seal the cell, and the water released - to lift us 65 feet. The whole process took about 35 minutes and was great fun. Barb and I passed through the other lock (#17) on the Erie Canal last year.

Day 35 – Tues. July 14, 2009

To all of my go fast friends - slow is good here, and every one goes slow in the Canal de la Sud, even the big Sea Rays! The weather was less than perfect (that’s nothing new), and now has turned cold. We passed through two very large locks that were built for ships. They charge a 25 dollar toll to use the lock. In the first lock – Saint Lambert (above) - we rafted off two larger boats as the biggest are put on the wall and smaller as you go from there. We passed one ship in the canal (very impressive) and met the second one coming out of lock number two at Saint Catherine (we were rafted off the 2nd boat). All in all it made for an interesting morning. We still had fun picking our way through a patch of buoys that was somewhat like playing a board game with a little more to lose!

We are tied up to a sea wall (bottom pictrue approaching the wall) in Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue a very nice stop. At present we are doing laundry close to the boat, then – we will have a difficult decision to make as to which restaurant to visit.

My buddy and best friend for over 60 years Russ Olsson and his wife Mary will join us for a few days beginning this weekend in Ottawa, Canada!

Day 34 – Mon. July 13, 2009

Again we had a beautiful morning then rain! We crossed the St. Lawrence River on the ferry, got a map and then walked the city. There are two cities – one above ground and one below ground. They are both beautiful and full of excitement. When we realized just how large this city is we took a 3 hour Gray Line tour which turned out to be perfect considering the weather. Highlights were – Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica (on right), Olympic Park, Mount Royal Park (pic of us) and St. Joseph Oratory (left). We were both impressed with the comfort of the bus and the knowledge of the driver. It truly was a good choice.

When the ferry returned us to the other side of the river we headed straight to restaurant row on St. Charles in Longueuil and had another very good meal at Jacques Cartier Pizza. The food was so good we even passed up having ice cream tonight.

Tomorrow weather permitting we will enter the Canal de la rive Sud and work our way into the Ottawa River. I sure hope for good weather as we will have to be on our toes as we pick our way through a slew of buoys and channel markers when transitioning from the canal to the river. In the middle of this transition the colors of the buoys are reversed twice! Tomorrow should be interesting!

Day 33 – Sun. July 12, 2009

When we entered the St. Lawrence River (on left) it was very impressive. It had the same feeling as entering the Mississippi River, wide and fast flowing. We encountered large ocean going ships that push a lot of water in front of them. When approaching Montreal (picture at bottom right) a large number of pleasure boats seamed to swarm every where!

Typically of this summer’s weather the wind kicked up and we had thunderstorms building behind us to the north east. The weather become ugly the last hour of our cruise and as I was attempting to back into our slip the wind caught me and I bumped our dingy into the anchor of another Carver. I must say the owner was very gracious and understanding and even provided a beer while I was apologizing for thumping his boat. It was explained to me that the difference between Illinois boaters and Montreal boaters is winter comes we put our boats in storage and go to Florida or Mexico. Up here they change out their props to winter props to break the ice and remove their dinghies and replace them with snow mobiles! I have learned one thing from this incident………………soft inflatable dinghies make good fenders or WOOPE cushions.

Barb and I were disappointed that we won’t have the opportunity to visit with Nicholas. After speaking with him and finding out that he is in the town of Magog (east of us) and consulting a map found that we are about a hundred miles apart and neither of us has a car.

Tonight we walked to the town of Longueuil and had one of the best meals we have had since leaving home one month ago. The French influence is very obvious!

Tomorrow we will ferry from the marina in Longueuil across the river to Montreal’s Old Port and visit Montreal.

Day 30 – Thurs. July 9, 2009

What a great night we had anchored in Bluff Point South a bay of Valcour Island. Two deer came to visit at the waters edge. When we left the anchorage this morning there were 21 boats at anchor.

The weather was perfect today. The closer we got to the border the better it became. I know it won’t last but a little blue sky goes a long way.

We cleared customs and are now on the Richelieu River waiting for the Chambly Canal to open tomorrow at 8:30 am. We have enjoyed our waiting time by walking the waterfront of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu! We visited the lock that we will enter tomorrow and were very surprised at the overall size – it’s only 24 ft. wide. I’ve seen bigger swimming pools!

There was a small sidewalk cafe "Capitaine Pouf" filled to capacity with patrons close to the canal so we joined them for dinner. It had a French name and almost everyone spoke French with the exception of the music which was Mexican! We thought we were in Cabo San Lucas!