June 20, 2004 -
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You haven’t heard from us lately. We’re in Canada and my
Verizon isn’t in network thus no internet and no journal
entries. We missed Clayton, NY. We started from Sackets Harbor
in decreasing visibility. By the time we were 15 minutes out
of the harbor the fog was so thick we couldn’t see the front
of the boat. I exerted my opinion as First Mate and insisted
we turn around and go back to Sackets Harbor. I could not
understand running in zero visibility radar or not (not to
mention all the scenery we would miss). Of course the fog was
gone by 2 pm but by then it was too late to make our run. I
tried to point out that we could just go the next day but Bob
(being temporarily calendar impaired) decided as Captain we
move on to Kingston, Ontario. (Somewhere he lost an entire
week and had us flying home for Fourth of July in a few days
hence.)
Our Lake Ontario crossing was beautiful. I was glad to see the
islands and the lighthouses and the flat water. It was a short
trip to Kingston. We stayed at the Confederation Basin right
in the downtown area. It is a very large transient marina (300
slips). No services but a great spot. We took on fuel and
pumped out at the Kingston Yacht Club and moved into
Confederation Basin.
We checked in with Customs by phone, got our number and were
official enough to remove the quarantine flag and put up the
Canadian Maple Leaf.
Kingston is a big city. Their downtown waterfront is very nice
and well used. Lots of good people watching! We did some
shopping/browsing. Bob was so overwhelmed (HA! HA!) He took a
2+ hour nap.
Thursday we moved on to Trenton, Ontario. The passage was on
the north of Lake Ontario around the Bay of Quinte. The water
was flat and wide. We were one of the few boats on the water.
Everything was calm and green. If you live here and don’t have
a boat you miss a great part of the beauty of this area.
It started to rain as we approached Trenton. The rain stopped
just long enough for us to tie up and walk 10 steps and the
sprinkles started again. We did a couple of errands then back
to the boat to zip in till the showers passed. I decided to
clean some inside (one of my favorite tasks). There are white
cotton balls floating in the air from the Carolina Poplars.
The little cotton puffs are making bigger puffs and collecting
like dust bunnies. I had to get them vacuumed up before my
allergy medicine is totally ineffective.
On Friday we left Trenton and started our way up the Trent
Severn Waterway. The locks open at 9 am so I am in heaven. No
early wake up calls for awhile!
We were at the lock by 9:04 am but there was a southbound
cruiser coming south so we waited at the “Blue Line” until it
was clear. We met 3 sailboats and a Sea Ray cruiser that were
going north together. We locked together all morning. They
stopped at Frankford for the weekend. What a fun group! We
moved on through lock 12 to Cambellford, Ontario, but have met
them again to visit over the lock wall.
The Trent Severn reminds me of the Erie. The water is clear.
The river is narrow and the landscape is green and beautiful.
The locks are old with wooden doors. The gates are operated by
hand and each lock is tended by its own lock tender. The
flowers are beautiful and the locks are well cared for.
We decided to stop in Campbellford for the weekend since we
found a whole week. We can finally enjoy the countryside.
There are a few Loop tips I’ve picked up along the way you
might find helpful:
When you’re on the Erie ask for a “Vacation Pass”. It’s good
for 10 days and its $50. It is a better option for stops and
sightseeing.
For customs get an I-68 to come back in the country. You can
get the form online on the government site for forms or go to
the Customs office in person. It takes 3-6 weeks. Bob did it
online and we got the decal in the mail in about a week.
Check your cell service coverage in Canada if you plan to
cruise there. Bob and I each have a different cell provider.
It has given us good in network coverage. I did not check
about the Canada coverage before I did the mobil office. I
find out now I won’t be able to use my internet while we’re in
Canada since I’ll be on Roam.
In my last journal I misnamed the Seaway Trail. It runs along
the water way in New York and part of Pennsylvania. It can be
done by water or land. It would be a great trip.
We have found several historical sites that are closed on
Mondays and/or Tuesdays. If you’re planning to sightsee check
ahead.
“Ports Cruising Guides” are great for Canada.
I’ll send this when we return to Eddyville for the July
festivities. We still have a week to cruise. We’ll keep you
posted.
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