June 24, 2011 Grenadier Island Central Park
The previous day a number of smaller power boats descended on the docks taking most of the space. As soon as the boats tied up, out came portable gasoline generators which were taken to shore along with gasoline containers, and yellow extensions cords were laid from the generators to the boats so the occupants could run their air conditioners, laptops for the kids, lights, etc. The party started mid-afternoon, and although it broke for the rain storms that occurred in the evening, it began again when the rain stopped. Everyone was having a good time, except for those of us who wanted to get to sleep early! Understand this activity is rather typical for this time of year. French Canadians living in Quebec keep their small boats in Montreal, then all head out together for one of the islands for a couple of days of partying before heading back to Montreal and work.
We departed on the 24th and stopped around noon at Gananoque in the Municipal Marina. Had a great time looking around this small town, shopping for a few necessities at a food store, and eating out. Having four people to help carry groceries means we can buy more in one trip. The English Pub had been touted as THE place to eat in town, but we found it just so-so! Had a chance to do laundry in a real washer and dryer.
Bob was able to get some good advice about anchorages between here and Trenton/Belleville from a trawler owner who was docked in front of us and had cruised by sail and power for over 30 years. We took advantage of his advice over the next week while we headed west.
On the 26th of June we left Gananoque via a very scenic route along a narrow channel through some of the small islands heading toward Kingston. Around noon we anchored for the remainder of the day at Milton Island, just a few miles east of Kingston. The next morning we headed to Kingston and wanted to tie up at either of the two park docks on Cedar Island (the entire island is a park) but when we cruised past the northern dock it was being worked on by the park service, and the western dock was occupied by several boats. We went a bit further and anchored in Navy Bay, just to the east of Canada’s military academy. Andrew and Avery took the dinghy back to Cedar Island to do some swimming, and after about 10 minutes reported to us via the VHF radio that the main dock on the west side was open.
Judy and I got underway, and while Andrew and Avery held a spot for us on the island dock, we motored over and took the only spot where Sanderling would fit. A few hours later another boat came in and took the smaller dock space, and toward evening a third small boat came in and took the inner side of the dock we were on. Beautiful island. That night we were visited, twice, by a raccoon. Judy scared it away the first time as it was trying to get through the screen on our aft companionway hatch; Bob scared it away the second time when we heard it’s little feet padding down the deck and past a port-hole where Bob was waiting and yelled at it!
The next day we departed Cedar Island and put into Confederation Basin Marina in Kingston where we had reservations for two nights (prior to Canada Day on July 1st). We had planned to visit Fort Henry just to the east across the river, but threatening rain kept us on the boat. Avery and Andrew went to a movie and got out just in time to see the fireworks which culminated the weekly Tatoo at the fort; Judy and I watched the fireworks from Sanderling.
On the 30th we departed Kingston heading west along Adolphus Reach and eventually Belleville where we were meeting Rebecca and Alyssa (Andrew’s wife and daughter). We stopped the first night at Prinyers Cove and took a mooring at a small “marina” there – paying more than we’d ever paid for a mooring in all of our cruising, but it was the only game in town with most of the harbor taken up with private moorings. Avery and Andrew spent the afternoon swimming off the boat and rowing the dinghy. About mid-afternoon I was on the stern taking care of something and I was hailed by a fellow on a personal water craft (jet ski) who asked if I was Bob. He had been following a couple of my posts on the Trawlers list and knew that we were going to be at Prinyers Cove that evening; he had come from his cabin on the North Reach in order to present us with mugs and pens from the town where he lived, Napanee, with greetings from the mayor and a recommendation that we visit Napanee on our way to Belleville. He explained how to get there, that the charts weren’t accurate for the narrow river leading to Napanee but that the privately maintained buoys were accurate and that we wouldn’t have any trouble with water depths. After talking it over with the rest of the crew, we decided to visit Napanee after Picton.
On the 1st of July we cruised to Picton (at the west end of Adolphus Reach) and took a mooring at the Prince Edward Yacht Club for the night. We dinghied to town to check out the shops, and went back for dinner that evening. Later in the evening we watched a very nice fireworks display at the head of the harbor celebrating Canada Day (Canada’s equivalent of our Independence Day).
The next day (the 2nd of July) we took our new friend’s recommendation and went up the uncharted river to Napanee – a nice adventure we hadn’t planned on and a beautiful trip up the small river leading from Desoronto to Napanee. The river had plenty of water (the lest we saw on the depth sounder was 7 feet) and the channel was well-marked with buoys maintained by the Conservation Commission. We stayed on the wall at the town park provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. The charge, with 30 amp electricity, was only $10.00 per night – a real deal! It was a beautiful spot at a quiet park with many picnic tables and shade trees.
As we departed the next morning we decided that we would return on our way back east from Belleville when Rebecca and Alyssa were onboard so they could enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the narrow river and park. We then spent the 3rd and 4th of July in Belleville. Andrew and Avery walked to the train station where they met Rebecca and Alyssa who had flown from Salt Lake City to Toronto, then took a passenger train from Toronto to Belleville. By 1400 on the 4th of July their family was together again and we were discussing plans for the rest of their short stay on Sanderling. Before Andrew and Avery left for the train station, the four of us were interviewed and photographed by a photographer for the local paper who was doing a story about Americans in Canada for the 4th of July. One of the photos (but no story) appeared in the Belleville Intelligencer on July 7th.
When we departed Belleville on the 5th we basically retraced our earlier route back to Kingston, with the exception that we did not stop in Prinyers Cove – the other places we visited were much nicer and had more to offer. When we arrived in Napanee the first day out we were met by the Mayor and the Director of Parks & Recreation along with a couple of reporters and our friend, Kenn, who had encouraged us to visit Napanee in the first place. The Mayor was interested in our trip up the river, why we visited, and what they might be able to do to get more boaters to visit.
We had a great dinner with fresh vegetables and two different kinds of pork tenderloin in the park that evening.
The next day (the 6th of July) we returned to Picton and had a nice berth at the Picton Marina and Park a short walk to the downtown shops; the 7th we departed at 0700 (Andrew and Rebecca were awakened by the bow thruster) and had a beautiful, sunny cruise back to Kingston.
This morning, July 8th, Judy drove Andrew, Rebecca, Alyssa and Avery to Syracuse where they’re catching an Amtrak train to New York City around noon, and will then be in Baltimore this evening where their vacation will continue at the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Judy and I are going to stay in Kingston thru Saturday, July 9th, to do some shopping at the well-stocked grocery store nearby and see some of the local site, and on Sunday will head into the Rideau Canal system heading for Ottawa.
Before I forget mention this – the Canadians we’ve met on this cruise are about the friendliest people you could ever hope to find, anywhere. They willingly share their knowledge of cruising and places to visit, and are extremely helpful in ways that are difficult to describe. We’re really looking forward to the rest of our summer in Canada!
Totals to date: 344H50M – 2275.9SM