CANADIAN CUSTOMS to RICE LAKE / June 20-28 (Days 172-180)

After an uneventful crossing of Lake Ontario, we entered the Bay of Quinte and headed to Picton to pass through Customs.

We had heard through the Loopers' grapevine that Customs was a non-event ~ a quick phone call from the port of entry, a few questions asked and answered and you're on your way.  That was exactly the case for the boat we were traveling with, but Phase II was quarantined for two hours while Customs officers came from 50 miles away to question us both, separately!!  We thought we got "special attention" because of Dave's answer of 36 bottles of home made wine.  After an "interesting" session, it was obvious that it was a different DAVE MARTIN they were looking for!  Yes, it was the name, not the exessive wine!  The next day we shared Customs stories over docktails with several other Loopers at the Trent Port Marina.

We spent a couple of days in Trenton provisioning and enjoying the local restaurants.  We also converted our US dollars to Canadian cash, which was really exciting as we got $1.25 Canadian for each US dollar.  Then on Thursday, June 23rd, we entered the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW), which is the 240 mile long waterway that would snake us through Ontario and into the Georgian Bay.

The TSW starts in Trenton at 243 feet above sea level.   About two miles later, we hit the first of 43 locks that we would have to pass through.

This lock was the first of 37 conventional locks in the system, which acts as steps in a water staircase raising boats up 597 feet from Trenton to Balsam Lake and then lowering them down 263 feet to the Georgian Bay.  We tied up to the blue line and walked up to see how the lock operates.

While at the top of the lock, we got to help open the gates to allow boats at the top to enter the chamber by manually operating the turnstile.  We also got an idea of the distances we were going to travel to get to several of the quaint towns on the TSW.

 

We easily passed through this lock and continued on

through a total of seven locks.

We arrived at our home for the night, Blue Hole anchorage, where the sky and Rowe Boat reflected off the smooth water.

As soon as we dropped the anchor, Dave cracked open a beer and cast a line.  Check out the reflection of the clouds in the water.

Following a beautiful sunset . . . . 

and a great night's sleep, the very happy captains set out for some early morning fishing before we weighed anchor.

That day we experienced the first set of flight locks.  In flight locks when the boat comes out of one lock it is actually entering the next lock.  These are typically constructed where a large lift must be achieved in a short distance, 48 feet lift in this case.

Many of the towns along the TSW have "walls" for boaters to tie to for the night.  In Campbellford, we were one of many boats stopping to explore the town.

Again we gathered with fellow Loopers to share stories and compare crusing plans (and to eat and drink, of course!)

We even got "dressed up" and dined at a local restaurant.

Traveling through locks is not difficult, but it does make for a long day.  It takes an average of 30 minutes from start to finish, depending on how many boats are waiting and how much of a lift/drop it is.  Leaving Campbellford we passed through six more locks.

When you enter a lock, you never know what to expect on the other side of the lock.  It never fails ~ it is always so beautiful, as you can see here looking forward while exiting the lock . . . .

and looking back.

There are a lot of stretches where there is nothing but water and trees.  And then there are areas where the TSW is lined with homes and summer cottages.  Many of the homes have boat houses to store their boats.

Our next stop was a beautiful anchorage on Rice Lake, where our good buddies Ann & Mel on Morningstar II joined us.  We hadn't seen them since the Chesapeake Bay & were so excited they caught up with us!

Another picturesque sunset!

THE ERIE & OSWEGO CANALS / June 15-19 (Days 167-171)

From Little Falls it was on to Sylvan Beach, which was about 50 miles east of Syracuse, NY.   What was interesting about this stretch was the Erie Canal ran right along Rt. 90, so close so we could see semi trucks and cars.

There were a lot more bridges in this area, strange looking bridges,

and many railroad bridges.  We were thinking .... "this rusty old bridge bettter hold that heavy train!"

On the whole Erie Canal we only saw one barge and it was a small one.  We still had to move over for it, they always have the right-of-way.

It was a calm, beautiful day which made passing through the locks easy, allowing for casual conversations with Rowe Boat.

This very unique looking vessel named Grande Mariner is a pleasure cruise that runs from Chicago to Rhode Island in 16 days.  It has to be low profile because there is a fixed bridge on the western end of the Erie Canal that is only 15' high.  Phase II being 17.5' tall can't fit under that bridge, which is why we couldn't get to Lake Erie via the Erie Canal.

Lock 21 at New London was the first lock going down when heading west.  It seemed strange pulling into the chamber at the top . . . .

and dropping 25' to exit at the bottom of the lock.

After five locks and 49 miles we arrived at the wall at Sylvan Beach and quickly jumped into docktails.  Another great day on The Loop!

On Thursday, June 16th we took off early to take advantage of the good weather report for a smooth crossing of Oneida Lake.  Oneida Lake is the largest body of water on the Erie Canal.

Lucky for us, the "weather guessers" were right and the 20 mile crossing was sunny and smooth!

We arrived at Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton, NY to find about a dozen power catamarans and several other Loopers . . . it was a full house and great fun!

This marina was also a boatyard where you can have work done on your boat, if necessary.  In the boating world, there is always work to be done!

Just like at home, Dave loves sharing new tools or new products with fellow Loopers, as you can see him behind the flag with his miracle gel for cleaning the stainless steel grills.

From Winter Harbor Marina, we rented a car and took a quick trip to the Finger Lakes with the crew of Rowe Boat.  In two days we hit 16 winerys, all on Seneca Lake.

The weather was perfect and the views of the vineyards overlooking the lake were spectacular!

It was back to the boat and off to the Oswego Canal to finish our cruise of the New York Canal System.  On Sunday, June 19th we exited the last lock on the 24 mile long Oswego Canal and spent the night at one last NY marina.  From the start of the Erie Canal, we traveled 184 miles and passed through 29 locks in 10 days . . . what an adventure!!

GOOD BYE USA, CANADA HERE WE COME!!!!

THE ERIE CANAL / June 10-14 (Days 162-166)

To get from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario to cross into Canada, we had to travel the Erie & Oswego Canals.  The Erie Canal was a real engineering marvel in its day.  Construction of the canal began in 1817 & finished in 1825 & is 363 miles long running all the way to Buffalo, NY.  It connects the Hudson River with Lake Erie & the other Great Lakes.  Our route would take us 160 miles up the Erie Canal, through 29 locks, raising us to an elevation of 420' above sea level!  From there we would take the Oswego Canal through 7 locks & 24 miles, dropping to an elevation of 245' to cross Lake Ontario.  It was truly an amazing ride!

To get to the start of the Erie Canal we had to pass through the Troy Lock just north of Albany on the Hudson River.  Next to each lock is a dam (look closely to the left of the lock).  We hadn't passed through a lock since Lake Okeechobee in Florida, so we were a little apprehensive.  

 When you pass through a lock, you have to either tie a line from the boat around a cable on the lock wall or grab a line tied to the wall & hold it while the water level is either raised or lowered.  It is usually uneventful, but if you are not careful & a line gets stuck around a cleat, disaster can happen!

 

On Friday, June 10th (our 24th wedding anniversary!) we entered the Erie Canal.

Here we turned left (aka port) & came to the Waterford Welcome Center.  Waterford is the oldest incorporated village in the US & is about 15' above sea level.  There we met up with about 10 other Loopers, where we all gathered for docktails to talk about our journey up the canal beginning the following day.

Dave took the opportunity to drop the dinghy & explore the nearby islands.

The next day our adventure began at the first of five locks collectively known as the Waterford Flight.  An engineering wonder, the Flight features five locks where vessels are lifted or lowered the greatest height in the shortest distance of any canal in the world ~ 169' in elevation in less than two miles.  It took about two hours to complete, which was like a two hour workout!!  We were travelling with our buddies on Rowe Boat (Mike & Leann), who took this picture of us in the first lock.

This was our view leaving the lock after being raised 34'.

Nine locks & 37 miles later, we arrived in Amsterdam, where we tied to a wall to spend the night.  Our view at dinner was spectacular!

After a brief stay the next day at Canajoharie Riverfront Park, on Monday, June 13th we continued up the canal on a COLD, windy day.  Yes, that is a ski cap on my head!

The weather did not dampen the beauty of the cruise.  We followed Rowe Boat 20 miles to our next destination, Little Falls, NY.

The last lock of the day was Lock 17, which provides the largest lift in the canal system - 40.5'.  Most noticeable was the lock's lower guillotine door that raises & lowers rather than hinges like all of the other locks.

Home for the night, Little Falls, NY with other Loopers,

including our Longboat Key Club Moorings dock mates, Bob & Jeanne on Grayling.  We had a great dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

Little Falls had two golf courses so we took the opportunity to get in a round of golf.  We were marvelled by the beauty of the course & the fact that we were 420' above sea level & WE GOT THERE BY BOAT!!