August 22, 2010

Our first stop after Montreal was the marina at Sorel, jumping off point to the Richelieu River. We thought we would see large ships since we were actually in the St. Lawrence seaway but it wasn’t to be. Our trip was uneventful. The marina was Ok and we successfully made our way into a slip. We rested a bit then decided to walk into town. However, we were sidetracked by a glowing sign that stated “Ice Cream”. We, of course, stopped for ice cream and made it back to the marina before the rain started. The weather report was calling for more rain so we decided to stay over another night. Took a cab to “Prince Pizzeria” - Bill was happy and the waitresses laughed at his jokes and the pizza wasn’t bad at all. We walked around Sorel, shopped a little (several stores were liquidating their inventory and closing up), even bought some produce from a farmers market. More thunderstorms at night but not so bad.

Left early on August 4th for the trip down the Richelieu and the St. Ours lock. Then we were watching storms moving into our area so we picked up some steam to cross the Chambly towards the series of 3 locks in the Chambly Canal.We made it through the first lock and then tied up in the second lock. Again, the storm clouds were getting closer and rumbles of thunder could be heard. After the locking was over my job was to turn the motor on to leave for the next lock. Well, I pushed the button and nothing happened (Bill installed a new solenoid in Kingston, Ontario and the starter motor was working beautifully until….). The lock doors opened and instead of traveling to the next lock under power the staff towed us with ropes by hand to the lock. When the lock doors opened we found out that the staff moved a boat and were able to tow us to the wall to tie up. As soon as the last line was secured the heavens opened up and all the lock staff was drenched. But once again, Parks Canada chose wisely when they hired the staff. Everyone was in good spirits - except those on board ’Interim’ - and helpful throughout.
Bill fiddled with the starter motor and as of today (August 22) we haven’t had any further trouble with the motor and we only have 1 more lock to go through.

The trip through the Chambly Canal with it’s 6 locks was gorgeous and at times very narrow (often 2 boats couldn’t pass by). However, the staff monitored who was traveling through and no mishaps occurred. We arrived at St. Jean with Wayne and Nancy there to greet us and help us tie up and we shared another fabulous dinner.
We stayed overnight and on Friday, August 6th we cleared customs at Rouse Point and were officially in the USA once again.

The trip through the Chambly Canal with it’s 6 locks was gorgeous and at times very narrow (often 2 boats couldn’t pass by). However, the staff monitored who was traveling through and no mishaps occurred. We arrived at St. Jean with Wayne and Nancy there to greet us and help us tie up. We stayed overnight and on Friday, August 6th we cleared customs at Rouse Point and were officially in the USA once again.

We were now in Lake Champlain. Stopping at different harbors each night was a joy, the scenery gorgeous and even though the mountain ranges on both sides were hazy we still had the vistas of the Adirondacks on the New York side and the Green Mountains on the Vermont side. We finally saw many, many sails up as the wind and weather was perfect for several days. However, the sails were primarily flying the Canadian flag. All along this trip we rarely saw any American boat - sail or power until we were in Waterford, NY at the bottom of Lake Champlain. We stopped at North Hero Island, Pelot’s Bay, Deep Bay, Valcour Island, Shelburne Bay and then Vergennes where we stayed 4 days due to high winds. Then Bulwagga Bay and on August 18th We entered the Champlain Canal System. Both the Erie Canal and the Champlain Canal were markedly different from our experiences in the Rideau, Lachine, and Chambly. The Champlain locks were all automated with a lockmaster who primarily pushed the buttons to fill or empty the water. We missed the parklands above and below the locks and the connection with the students who worked so hard filling and emptying the locks by hand. There were places on the Champlain Canal and the Erie Canal to stop for the night but the towns that were once flourishing are now in a steep economic decline.

We are now in Waterford (the laundromat rates a 10 plus) ,New York where both the Erie and Champlain Canals begin and where we started our canal portion of the trip to Canada. Wayne and Nancy left this morning for their trip back to Trenton, Ontario. We will head toward Kingston, NY tomorrow to retrieve our masts. Our ETA for Mamaroneck may be Friday, August 27 depending upon wind, weather and if I can sneak in a few extra days before returning home.

I seem to have used up most of my storage which limits my photos online. However, I have added several more Albums and will try to do more.

Til next time…..