Canada - Trent Severn Waterway
Wednesday, July 17. After a pump-out from Keewayden State Park we cruised across the St. Lawrence River to Gananoque, Ontario Canada to check in and clear customs. They instantly welcomed us in. The Gananoque marina was full, however, the dock attendant let us stay at the Customs dock while we walked to town for provisions. Although Canada let us in, there are food and beverage restrictions that are not to be tested. Food in excess of $20, for example, may be subject to duty rates and very little alchohol is allowed. We have a small boat so there never is excess of either—but we needed Canadian currency, food and beverages. When walking back to the boat a couple stopped and shared some local knowledge of nearby docks we could stay at.
Before entering Canada we purchased two seasonal passes. One to lock through certain canals and historic waterways and one that includes mooring on approved dock walls and parks. When we returned to our boat, fellow Ranger Tug owners, (not looping), stopped by and pointed us to a lovely spot on McDonald Island.
On the way to McDonald Island—a gazebo on a rock island.
And a house on a rock island.
Our spot on McDonald Isand.
We went for a walk on this little island—both of us wearing sandals. This sign was after we walked across to the other side. Eeks!
Thursday, July 18. Cruised to Kingston, ON only 15NM away.
Ferry boat along the way.
After docking, Bernie a fellow looper and Ranger Tug owner, (River Rat), joined us for the Kingston Trolley hop on/off city tour. Quick fact learned on this tour: Kingston was originally named Kings Town in honor of King George III (until it was shortened to Kingston in 1788).
St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was completed in 1848—the tour guide said it was the tallest building in Kingston.
Queen’s University—beautiful buildings.
Would love to see the inside of this old home.
We enjoyed the tour—topped it off with ice cream and prepared for a long cruise the next day to make our way to begin the Trent Severn Waterway.
Friday, July 19. We left early and cruised 50NM to Sand Cove near Belleville, ON to anchor for the night.
Saturday, July 20. Trent Port Marina was only 13NM away it was nice to arrive by noon as we planned to stay for two days. The marina was one of the nicest marinas we have stayed at so far. They invited all the boaters to the pavillion for fellowship, $5 drinks, and music by a local artist. This was unexpected and enjoyed with several loopers. Extra fun for us was meeting up with a couple we met at Joe Wheeler State Park back in November. Mark and Jacqui (Aurora).
Had to take a photo of the lovely showers. Also the marina had free laundry.
The town was having dragon boat races.
The Canadian Geese are EVERYWHERE! According to google:
Canada geese get their name from their range and from the Latin word canadensis, which means "from Canada".
Some say that the geese are also named after John Canada, an ornithologist who separated the species from other geese, but this is debated.
If I were John Canada I would not want to be connected to the poopiest birds ever.
Sunday, July 21. We provisioned, fueled, watered, pumped out, defrosted the refrigerator—ready for the Trent Severn Waterway beginning tomorrow.
Monday, July 22. Early morning sunrise. We left at 6:20am to stay at the bottom of Lock 1 to await the opening at 9:00am.
The bridge says Welcome to the Trent Severn Waterway.
The doors are hand cranked open. The lock hands are local students and we enjoyed chatting. They always ask where we are headed and will say if they have room for moorage if they know. If they don’t know they phone ahead and find out.
Sometimes its necessary to raft to the larger boats instead of locking up on the oppisite wall. This day we locked up 6 locks with Katie and Darryl (Bella Rumore) and enjoyed getting to know them throughout the day.
We stopped after lock 6—mainly because there was ice cream.
The boys parents were sitting right by the boat. We were relieved not to be responsible. It was hard to watch—-but fun to listen to them enjoying.
There were 6 boats staying the night—all loopers. It was nice meeting new faces and seeing some we had met before.
This completes our first day on the Trent Severn. More to come.