Judy returned from her quick trip to Syracuse where she dropped Andrew, Rebecca, Alyssa and Avery at the Amtrak station, did some shopping for items we wanted but cannot find in Canada (diet red mountain dew, for example), and returned, then we did the laundry (three loads). The next day (Saturday, July 9) we shopped for groceries in the morning while we still had a rental car, then toured the Maritime Museum and Pump House Museum in the afternoon.

July 10, 2011 found us departing the marina in Kingston for the Rideau Waterway and Ottawa. We cleared through the causeway bridge at 1100 and then proceeded north along the lower swampy area of the Rideau. When we encountered our first set of locks there were already some boats locking through so we tied up at the “blue line” along with two smaller boats who had followed us through the causeway. The crews of the smaller boats became our cruising friends through the next sets of locks and we had a good time together as we waited to lock through and then spent time in the locks themselves while we were lifted to higher levels. After the Upper Brewers lock they took off ahead of us at their much faster speed to make it to Jones Falls where they were going to spend the night.

We, on the other hand, stopped just short of Jones Falls in a spectacularly beautiful and small bay, Morton Bay, where we navigated through a very narrow opening to enter the bay, and then were presented with an incredible view of high granite cliffs surrounding the water. We anchored in about 15 feet of water near the western end of the bay about 1920, had leftovers for dinner, and turned in early after a long day. Just after anchoring we heard the loons calling, and one loon actually moved past Sanderling at about 25 yards while preening and calling. We also saw a wild turkey on shore, as well as a number of black squirrels. The night was quiet, as the high granite walls blocked any breeze that might have been blowing past.

This morning (July 11) while raising anchor and about 100 feet of chain, we had to deal with huge clumps of grass that had become entangled in the anchor line. We’d never seen anything like it, and Bob worried that if he didn’t remove the grass as it came up on the chain the weight would be too much for the windlass eventually. So he raised the anchor 25 feet at a time then used the boat hook to remove as much grass as possible, then raised the next 25 feet, etc. As the anchor came out of the water there was a huge clump of grass wadded around the chain and the anchor, to the point that the anchor itself was barely visible. As Judy drove Sanderling back out through the narrow entrance, Bob worked to remove the remaining grass and get the anchor back up to it’s stowed position on the bow.

Another 2 miles brought us to Kenney Inn and Marina at the lower side of Jones Falls locks where we were meeting a friend from Toronto, Georgs, for lunch. We tied to their dock and confirmed that it was OK to tie up for lunch. After a nice lunch and chatting with our friend who has traveled this area in his own boat, Georgs departed for some business in Picton and on to his home. Judy and I decided to remain on the dock for the night, so had an afternoon working on various projects and connected to WiFi from the hotel. Bob checked out some floating docks above the next flight of locks at Jones Falls, and talked to the lockmaster about locking up tomorrow morning in the first lift.

We’ll start ascending the locks at Jones Falls about 0830 on July 12th, and hopefully an hour or so later we’ll emerge in the lake above the four locks and find space on the floating docks near the dam which was built in the 1840s.

The Rideau is spectacular! Here is a link to more information about it and the surrounding area: Rideau Info

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

June 11, 2011 Liverpool, NY (Onandaga Lake State Marina)

After shopping at a small grocery store about four blocks from the marina, we departed this nice marina at 1140, entered the Erie Canal and headed west for Seneca Falls. This part of the Erie Canal is very rural, with both very modest “campsites” with manufactured homes as well as newer modern homes along the way. We turned into the Cayuga Seneca Canal at 1735 and went through the “mud” lock, and then thru two stair-step locks and into the pool just before Seneca Falls. There were four other boats along the free wall with electricity and water at Seneca Falls, but there was still room for us at the eastern end. We ate dinner aboard that evening, and stayed the next day in order to explore the town and see the Women’s Rights Museum.

Trip: 288H 45M – 1903.2SM

June 13, 2011 (Seneca Falls, NY)

We departed at 0900 to head toward Lake Ontario and the main objective of this summer’s cruise! We tied up for the night on the west wall (upriver side) of Lock #24 at Baldwinsville. There was an ACE Hardware, Duncan Donuts, and Rite Aid within walking distance so we were able to get a few non-grocery supplies.

We departed the next morning (June 14) at 0930 heading east and entered the Oswego Canal (leading to Lake Ontario) at 1125. We stopped about 1145 for half an hour to take advantage of the free holding tank pumpout at Phoenix, and then continued on to the wall between locks #7 and #8 in the town of Oswego, just before entering Lake Ontario. We ate dinner at a very good Thai restaurant that evening and did some shopping. The next morning we checked the lake and it was rougher than we wanted for our crossing to the St. Lawrence Rive, so stayed another day. Andrew, Avery and Bob toured the fort, and that evening Andrew and Avery took in a movie, while Judy and I found a Cold Stone Creamery!

Trip: 295H 40M – 1937.9SM

June 16, 2011 (Oswego, NY)

After exiting lock #8 we stopped for fuel just before entering Lake Ontario. We were underway by 0825 and crossed the relatively calm Lake Ontario heading north-northeast and into a bay that lead to Sackets Harbor, New York. I was surprised at the lack of commercial vessels – I had expected to see a line of them entering the St. Lawrence Seaway, but there were none in sight and none showed up on my phone’s AIS app. We anchored just outside the channel leading into the town, then Avery, Judy and I took the dinghy to the town dock to explore some of the museums and the battlefield (War of 1812). Most of the museums turned out to be closed that day, but we did walk the battlefield, find an ice cream shop, and make dinner reservations at a very nice restaurant “Tin Pan Galley.” We then returned to Sanderling where Avery and Andrew went swimming off the boat and we got ready for dinner. The four of us then returned to the dock and went to the restaurant for dinner – dining al fresco with nicely prepared and presented meals.

Trip: 301H 35M – 1980.7SM

June 17-21, 2011 (Sackets Harbor, NY)

We departed at 0850, headed around the headland and into the St. Lawrence Seaway. Again, I was surprised by the lack of ship traffic, but after arriving at Clayton, New York, which sits right off the seaway, we did see (and feel) several commercial freighters pass heading both up and down river. We stayed at the town dock at Cayton for a day in order to explore the town and the Antique Boat Museum – a spectacular collection of early run-abouts, sail boats, and “speed” boats built for racing.

This photo doesn’t begin to show all the boats in the multi-building museum.

The next day we headed across the river to Heart Island and Boldt’s Castle (Boldt’s Castle) where we tied up at the free dock while we explored the castle and grounds. The island was purchased in the early 1900s by a wealthy hotel magnate and the castle was a gift to his wife; unfortunately, his wife died at a relatively early age before the castle was completed; all work stopped at that point and the castle was abandoned and fell into ruin until it was given to a trust which has maintained it since and is undertaking a mamouth restoration project. We took our time walking through the castle and grounds, and after lunch on Sanderling took the pontoon shuttle boat to the boat house (which housed a few of the approximately 60 boats owned by Mr. Boldt, some of the exhibits were on loan from the Antique Boat Museum). The castle did not permit boats to be tied up to the docks overnight, so early in the evening we moved a few hundred yards off the dock, near the boat house, and anchored for the night.

We were underway at 1010 the next morning (Monday, June 20th) and at 1040 crossed the boarder running through the St. Lawrence River into Canada and hoisted the quarantine flag (indicates we had not yet cleared immigration/customs) and then tied to a dock at Rockport, Ontario, and used the free phone to call Canadian Customs and clear in by phone. All that was required was for me to provide information about Sanderling, myself, and the three other passengers; I had our passports with me, but it wasn’t necessary to show them to anyone. While we were at the dock we pumped out the holding tanks (not free this time), bought ice, and then were on our way eastward through the small boat channel along the north side of Grenadier Island to Mallorytown Park, operated by the Canadian Park service, where we bought a season pass for the Canadian Parks which permits us to stay without additional charge at any of the Canadian Parks (along the St. Lawrence River as well as all the Canadian Canals). We stayed at Mallorytown Park for one night, and on the 21st cruised 9.7SM around the eastern end of Grenadier Island and west down the main shipping channel to Grenadier Island Central Park.

We met a Canadian couple who had tied up their 32 foot Carver on the “T” head of the series of slips; when it became obvious that Sanderling wouldn’t fit any of the remaining slips (we could only get about 1/2 the boat length into the slip), they offered to move their boat into one of the slips so we could take the “T” head where there was plenty of room for Sanderling. As it turned out, they had met another couple we know (who are cruising in a DeFever 40) a few nights earlier and had dinner with them in Ganonoque, Ontario, just a few miles to the west and a town we anticipate visiting in a few days. Small world! Another boat came in last night with a young couple from Montreal who promptly placed a gasoline powered generator on the dock near the land-side and ran a long extension cord from it to their boat; the young man provided us with a sample of some local port produced in a Vinyard near Montreal and showed me some areas of the Rideau Canal to visit on that part of our cruise.

We are staying here for an extra day since it’s a beautiful spot, in a small bay protected from the river current, with rest room and picnic facilities in the park. Avery has been rowing the dinghy around the area, Andrew and Avery have been swimming (in the cold water), and this morning Andrew showed Avery how to operate the outboard (Avery already knew how to row the dinghy from his Boy Scout training).

Trip: 312H 10M – 2057.8SM

Photos to follow once we have a WiFi connection.