Crossing our wake at Waterford, NY

Marker #1 at Waterford, NY where Charis crosses our northbound wake completing 800 miles of cruising on some of the most beautiful canals, rivers and lakes in the world.

Lots of water under the keel since our last post. Leaving Ottowa we slipped down a flight of 9 locks taking 2 1/2 hours into the Ottowa River ending the day in Montebello where we tied up at their marina in front of the largest log building (resort hotel) in the world. A really unique and charming place. Then on to Sainte Anne de Beauville and a drop of 65' in a massive lock. Then to Montreal where we stayed 3 days literally right in the center of the charming old town. Our stay was highlighted by a morning at the big city block farmers maket rivaling those of Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Then on to Sorel turning the corner and heading south 60 miles down the Richelieu to Lake Champlain which included about 30 miles on the Chambly Canal, about 20yds wide and truely a unique experience terminating at Sainte-Jean Sur Richelieu at the head of Lake Champlain. There we were treated with a major hot air baloon fly over. Crossing Lake Champlain, we stopped for one night at Wesport NY, a pretty little resort area, from there to the Champlain Canal and 100 miles to Waterford NY completing the triangle.
We have rested up here for three days and will head on down the Hudson River tomorrow, Sunday, begining a three day run to New York City thence onto the the New Jersey Coast and into the Delaware Bay.

We hope to be back in the Chesapeake in about ten days or so and look forward to a few lazy days remembering our summer and cleaning up the 1800 or so miles of grime and nicks and bruises on the boat.

Once again words seem inadequate to tell our tale and we will let the pictures at picasaweb.google.com/lropka do the talking. (Over 400 pictures have been taken and the Admiral has to do some major pruning .... we will put them up in several batches as they get done. The Admiral tends to take a picture and find a second later there is a better shot and then another better shot and .....)

Admiral's note: The Ottawa flight is thrilling as you get into the first lock with the bow of the boat looking out into space. You are certain that this is the edge of the world. A cruise like this is so packed with fun, scenes, interesting people, beauty, etc that it needs to be done at least a couple more times ... Captain are you listening ;-)

The first batch is up @ Montebella - Montreal - Sorel at picasaweb.google.com/lropka

The second batch is up @ Sorel - Waterford Ny at picasaweb.google.com/lropka