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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
All too soon our time on the Rideau Canal comes to an end as we descend the nine flight of locks to the Ottowa river below.
We are in Montreal, our first Wifi hot spot since the Westport about mid Rideau canal. The canal continued to be a joy and we serendipitously found ourselves in the heart of Ottowa for the celebration of the designation of the Rideau as a World Heritage site, rather like a modern version of the Seven Wonders of the world. The canal is most deserving and is truly a world class treasure. As usual we will let the pictures tell the story. Just too difficult to describe in words.
We will post Montreal later, a magnificent old world city where we are parked a stones throw from the heart of old town with all of it's charm and history.
Except for the almost daily rain the cruise continues to exceed our expectations and most of the more technical challenges behind us.
Tomorrow, 08/10 we will head for Sorel 40 miles down (Northeast) the St Lswrence Seaway where we turn south on the Richelieu Canal headed for Lake Champlain, 100 miles further south.
We should be back in daily internet range by next week. You will again find the pictures on picasaweb.google.com/lropka
God has given us this magnificent and unique Rideau Canal area and then failed to give us words or cameras capable of adequately portraying it's stunning beauty. It must be seen to be appreciated!
We have been moving along slowly, about ten miles and 4 up locks a day since leaving Kingston trying to soak up the beauty. The canal is quite shallow (6') in many areas and very narrow and twisted in others. The locks are groomed like a golf course and the lock masters and workers are more than courteous and helpful. Cruising along is like a slow motion ballet with new vistas of high rock cliffs and tree lined banks close at hand everywhere. Quaint "cottages" and villages dot the shore for color and the entire area seems to have been cleaned and tended.
We are in Westport Ontario about sixty miles west of Ottowa and plan about a week getting there. Then down the Ottowa and St Lawrence rivers to Sorel and the Richelieu Canals into Lake Champlain.
We should be back in the US around the the end of August and then move fairly quickly onto the
Chesapeake.
Joan has gone shutter happy with numerous pictures at our picasaweb.google.com/lropka site portraying what we are seeing and doing. No camera can do it justice.
Will post again when we can find the next wifi locale.
Admiral's note: We are just plain having a fine time ;-
Kingston, Ontario on the bow!
A lot of water and good times since our last blog.
The last few miles of the Erie and the Oswego Canals were a delight and the 60 mile crossing of
Lake Ontario could not have been better. After 29 locks and moving most days our aging bones were a bit weary so we holed up in Clayton, NY for three days to recharge and get some welcome rest. Clayton is a neat little town with a magnificent maritime museum dedicated to classic boats primarily wooden.
We went to a nice little Baptist Church Sunday which recharged our spiritual batteries as well.
Monday we took a three hour tour of the Thousand Islands on a small but fast pontoon boat and got to see (with narration) what would have taken us several days and many gallons of $5+ diesel for $12 each. The TI lived up to and exceeded their reputation and it was very special and rewarding to see how grand "Old Money" lived. It really makes the nouveau crowd look tacky.
Tuesday on to Kingston, an absolutely charming small city reminiscent of Victoria B.C. set with many ancient buildings downtown and flowers everwhere it has a true old world charm and populated with ever friendly Canadians, a marked difference in atmosphere from nearby states that will remain unnamed.
Tonight We are going to a tattoo at Fort Henry and then tomorrow up the Rideau Canal 125 miles and 44 locks to Ottawa. We will have spotty internet only at wifi hot spots for the next few weeks so reporting and pictures may be thin.
As usual the latest batch of pics is at Picasaweb.google.com/lriopka with the details of our adventure.
Downtown Little Falls NY, a charming hilly town along the Erie canal
Acute cruiser syndrome has taken over and we have rarely moved more than 15 miles a day as we poke along the Erie Canal, a150 mile mosaic of heartbreak (industrial towns in decay) and heaven (small villages spruced up and carrying on proudly). The trek has been made all the more interesting by our encounter each evening with other cruisers and the sharing of cruising and life's experiences. As our friend Wayne Flatt says, " dueling with nature strips away the false veneer most of us display" (an unworthy paraphrase on my part). Most of the cruisers we have met are dynamic, highly interesting and within minutes seem like old friends. The anticipation of our next stop includes wondering who we will meet.
The highlights this week were Little Falls with a very neat and welcoming little park/marina, and Joan's three day visit in Utica with her good friend from the 1970's at AAA.
Once again too many pictures tell the story better than words at picasaweb.google.com/lropka.
Deep smooth water, large old growth hardwood trees, hill and mountain vistas, very little boat traffic, fun new friends, sensory overload. How good can it get?
We finally got into "prime time" on the Hudson and the Erie canal with a number of great evenings swapping stories with fellow cruisers on the dock or wall and short day runs of 3-4 hours to delightful new spots. We continue to have a "storm of the day" but we have gotten used to them and they present little problem in this sheltered water.
It is difficult to describe in words all of the emotions encompassed in our days afloat. Highs, lows, fatigue, exhilaration, fear and many other emotions cycle by in a kaleidoscopic blur. Our usual overly large batch of pictures tell the story better than we can. picasaweb.google.com/lropka
Fuel prices have clearly impacted boaters and today for example from lock 7 on the Erie for 30 miles to Amsterdam NY we virtually had the Mohawk River to ourselves. We were the only boat in the four locks that lifted us.
Perhaps the biggest "downer" is to walk the streets of these old industrial towns and see the huge number of empty homes, store fronts and factories. They are struggling and most have cared for parks and public areas but the surrounding decay is truly sad.
We are really slowing down with about 100 miles to go to lake Ontario and up to two weeks to get there. Top priority now is to find a haven from the Fourth of July water madness.
Sorry to be so long, too much going on to take time to blog.
To catch up, we had a beautiful outside (in the Atlantic) 5 hour run from Atlantic City to Manasquan Inlet and a restful night at anchor. Then onto Great Kills harbor in fine conditions for the worst stop since leaving the Solomons. Great Kills is a man made (WPA) harbor on the SE shore of Staten Island with 4 marinas and other services. On arrival we were informed that all shore facilities were private and we could not land our dinghy anywhere.
The Captain dinghyed into a small marina to beg for mercy which failed so he told the proprietor that Great Kills was a disgrace to the boating community. Must have hit a nerve and he offered a slip at a discount ($30) on the fuel dock. We got to stroll around town and found if full of hyper New Jersey'ns.
Onward the next day for our long awaited leg through the heart of New York City. It is hard to describe the emotions of awe and anxiety swirling around in a mix of fast current , ferries and ships. Actually it went quite smoothly and nobody ran over us. We had a rather long day continuing 50 miles up the Hudson to an anchorage 3 miles north of West Point.
Somewhat worn by the trek through NJ we threw out the anchor and decided to just hang out the next day. We were anchored by one of the most unusual "castles" ever seen and smooth river conditions allowed us to scoot in the dinghy down to Cold Springs, a really charming small town and up to Newburgh a not so charming city. The pictures at picsaweb.google.com/lropka in album Hudson River tell the story of these adventures.
Onward (upward?) on Sunday 22nd to the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club for a very warm welcome and a delightful evening of boat talk and conversation. Further on Monday to the neat little village of Catskill where the main street is lined with 4' cat statues in every conceivable decor. The Admiral wheedled a free dock out of a restaurant owner and we had a great time strolling the streets. (Adrmiral's Note: Had to buy a dinner ....;-) smart bargain huh!)
The tide (current) in contrary so we are going to stay here today and catch the current north at 5 am tomorrow for Troy and the entrance to the Erie Canal system, about 500 miles since leaving the Solomons.
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.
