Trip Planning

This is a rough chart of the planned trip. The route will be west on Long Island Sound, up the Hudson River to the Erie Canal, onto Lake Ontario to Kingston, Ontario, north through the Rideau Canal to Ottawa, then to Montreal, and onto Lake Champlain and home again via the Hudson River. If weather, health, will, and boat cooperate, it should be about a six week trip, but who knows.

The Blog has been tricked into displaying the pages in the order of start to finish, the only problem is that at the end of set, you click on the "Older Links" to get to the newer page... confusing, yes, but click on the link and you'll see they now flow in sequence.

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle
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July 14, 2011 - Pre-Departure

The plan is to leave Waquoit Bay early on Saturday morning, July 16, 2011. The boat is about 2/3 loaded but the challenge is to get the last 1/3 on and keeping the boat afloat!

Biggest question now is to bring the inflatable dinghy and motor or not. The dinghy, though nice to have about 3 times during the trip is usually a hassle and "captain" and "first mate" are at odds as to whether to bring it or not.

I'll leave it to you to decide who is who, and who's view is likely to carry the day...

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 16, 2011 - July 17 Waquoit Bay to "The Gulf", Milford, Ct to Haverstraw, NY.

We left the dock at the Waquoit Bay yacht Club at 9:00 am after last minute loading of additional clothes and food,...and the dinghy (was there ever any doubt?). Leaving the bay there was a pretty strong SW wind blowing down Nantucket Sound and the tide was running as always, against us. We bypassed the Woods Hole Passage and took the run through Quicks Hole and it was a good choice. From there on it was choppy and rolling seas to Pt. Judith pond for a quick lunch.

Pt Judith Light

Typical house in Milford, Ct

We then continued on to The Gulf at Milford, Ct., arriving at 4:30 pm. We have stopped here before and it has always been a bit rolly because of boat wakes until dark when the boater's wakes calm down. Tonight was the exception in that we rocked and rolled all night. Very unpleasant.

Low Tide walking to Charles Island

High Tide walking to Charles Island

Sunrise at The Gulf, Milford, Ct

We got underway around 9:00 am, destination Haverstraw, NY.The day started out as a continuation of the day before with banging into strong SW winds as we headed to "the City" (for our Boston readers, that's "New York City...). Beautiful clear day as we passed under the Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges and headed up the Harlem River passing Margaret's summer playground (the oil yards where her uncle worked and let the kids play.)

Piloting through Hell's Gate, NY onto the Harlem River

NYC Skyline

Got rings? Derek Jeter, paging Debbie Maher...Got 3000!

The trip up the Hudson was even more beautiful than we remembered, passing our old boat mooring at the Nyack Boat Club and eventually arriving at the Haverstraw Marina in 90 degree temperatures. We discussed continuing on to Cornwall Yacht Club, another hour north, but while we were drifting  along realized how hot it was and decided to pull into Haverstraw marina to assure we would have power and AC tonight. After docking, and a quick dip in the marina pool where any doubt the USA is a melting pot has been erased we went to dinner at the marina restaurant where we meet TJ (Thomas Joseph). It is hot but calm and the AC is working fine, and after last night, a welcome change.

Tomorrow, north toward Troy, and the Erie Canal, how far we get will depend on how early we get going and right now smart money is on a late start...

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 18, 2011 - Haverstraw, NY to Waterford, NY

Another long day, 7 1/2 hours from Haverstraw, NY to Waterford, NY, the crossroads of the route to the Erie canal and the route to Lake Champlain. Mixed weather coming up the Hudson with intermittent rain and wind behind us, but of course against the current. We decided rather than sit in a marina in the rain we'd press on to the entrance to the Erie Canal. The past three days have been grueling, 21 running hours, almost as much as the drive to Florida.

West Point

Tomorrow we will get set up for the Erie lock system which means getting the fender boards set up. We had to go through the only Federal lock to get here today but did it with "naked" fenders, sounds sexier than it was...

The Federal Lock at Troy, NY - 1 of 100

We stopped for fuel in Coeyman, NY, and ran into some people coming back from the Lake Champlain Lake and the Champlain Canal who hit debris in the canal and destroyed a propeller, and another guy who ran aground near Champlain Lock 4 where it was supposed to be 12 feet deep and bent two propeller shafts. Both major repairs before heading for NYC. They said there was still a great number of floating objects in the Champlain canal after the lake was over flood stage this spring. Many marinas and state parks were under water in May and we're hoping that a month from now when we come through Lake Champlain and the lock system back home, things will be back to normal. The lake was back under flood level last week but  people said the water was so high during the flood stage that houses were underwater and doors and all kinds of debris were floating around.

"Blue Belle" at the Waterford, NY wall for the night

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 19, 2011 - Waterford to Amsterdam, NY

Short day, 5:15 hrs but many locks. We started out with 5 in a row within a mile or two and then "conquered 5 more before stopping in Amsterdam, NY. We left Waterford with "Seafari", about a 47' cruiser,  so each lock there only our two boats locked through together. Beautiful country along the canal in this region with nice homes and no waves, no threat of running aground, and lots of wildlife,... doesn't get much better than this.

Seafari headed to Lock 7

Waterfalls next to Lock 7

Homes along the canal

'Captain" at the helm

Cross on the hill

We arrived at Amsterdam, NY, Riverlink Marina, just past 3:30pm and met "Bob" who runs the marina. We pulled up and found the rate was $1/ft ($33) which inlcuded overnight dockage, electrical power for A/C, pump out if needed, modern showers (VERY uncommon these days), laundry facilities, and water on the dock, a bargain at many times the price on LI Sound.

"Seafari" questioned the rate and what was included and decided to go to the wall at lock 11 which was free. However had no amenities and to run their A/C meant running their generator all night at at least $1/hour... and it was not thought to be a safe place to stay with young adults (yoots) in a playground next to the dock.  At more than $4 per gallon and a gallon an hour to run the generator, it is tough to work the math but they decided it made sense for them... (Roy) must be parsimonious.

Weather is hot but while we are moving it is not too bad. Locks have a lot of slime on them but the fender boards absorb most of the grunge and it all washes off with a hose.
Probably try and early start tomorrow to try to get to Brewerton by Thursday where there is a pool for the 95 degree anticipated weather.

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 20, 2011 - Amsterdam, NY to Illion, NY

A 50 mile day which sounds short and easy but the temperatures touched 90 again with little wind and there were many locks in between.

We stopped at Canajohari, former home of Beechnut to see their Arkell Art Museum. It was well worth the stop with great art depicting the history of NYS in this region during the 1800s.

Lock 17, the largest in the NY system had a problem operating their gate system and we had to hold up before the lock for about a half hour. Met a guy single handing a brand new Back Cove 30 from Portland Maine to Toronto, quite a feat getting through these locks single handed.

Lock 17

Illion Marina

We are now at Illion, a very nice canalside marina with nice facilities and a cafe right by the dock. Met a very nice Canadian couple aboard a small trawler that they purchased through a foreclosure in Florida and are taking it home to Canada. The boat needs much work but they got it for a steal and this is going to be his "project."

We're looking forward to getting out of the locks for a spell onto Lake Oneida. One of the AC units has stopped pumping water, hopefully it is something clogged in the strainer but may have to get in the water to see if anything is on the outside. Since it may hit 100 today, sounds like a good idea. Fortunately the AC in the sleeping area is working like a champ.

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 21, 2011 - Illion, NY to Brewerton,NY

Looong day on the canal. The most boring stretch after we left Illion and hit several long stretches of 100 yard wide waterway, one as long as 18 miles, with a 10 mph speed limit in 90 degree temps, do the math, not a pleasant run. Only thing that made it remotely bearable was a 15 knot wind from the west.



Finally reached Oneida lake and the west wind that was a blessing inthe canal became a concern as we entered the Lake. There was a lot of room along the town wall at Sylvan Beach but no power, which would mean sleeping without AC, no way Kemo Sabe.
We needed to head west across the 20 miles of open lake with the wind right on the nose with slight whitecaps. First mate not happy camper. Got the boat onto a high plane at 17 mph and rode through it and as we approached Brewerton on the western shore, the water was protected by the land and we decided to throw out the hook and go for a swim,... best move of the day. The heat has really been oppressive, and the Lake waters were a great relief.
Stopped at Ess-Kay marina and borrowed a loaner car. Choice was automatic without air, or stick shift with air... air wins! A five mile drive to "real" stores for supplies and some light tees and dinner on the way back.

Hopefully will get a mechanic to check out the salon AC on Friday morning. The sleeping quarters are cooled nicely by the other AC but the salon was at 100 degrees when we got back from dinner.

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 22, 2011 - Brewerton, NY, to Oswego,NY

A moment of decision at Three Rivers Junction - Finger Lakes or Oswego... Finger Lakes meant tacking well over 100 more miles onto an already long trip and with the OPPRESSIVE heat, the choice was head ruther north in search of cooler climes.

We hung around Ess-Kay Marina for a mechanic to show up to look at our AC unit. He looked at it around 9:40am and was off the boat at 10:00 am declaring it either a vapor lock or a failing impeller. Either way it was working at 100%. We agreed it would be wise to buy an extra impeller since replacing one is a job EVEN I COULD DO! (quite a statement).

Anyway, the office manager spoke with the mechanic and tells me she located what I needed but it was at a West Marine about 10 miles out of town. Back in the rental car, this time the one without AC, to get the extra impeller. I arrive (windows all open!) to find the West Marine clerk has an entire AC pump, not an impeller. They claim the manufacturer doesn't sell impellers, just full units... B.S.! Back to the marina, check out and we're on our way.
Decision is made to head to Oswego since the route on the canal to the Finger Lakes is all slow speed and I'm going NUTS playing trawler! We go through lock 23 and seven locks on the Oswego Canal with "The Walrus" a 1976 Egg Harbor two guys are bringing home to Clayton, NY from Maryland. We pull into the lock wall at Oswego and they continue on for a night run to Clayton on calm seas.

Lock 2 Phoenix

Quiet but very warm night in Oswego after another "TJ" serves us an a neat restaurant in downtown Oswego. Hand written quotes and compliments on the walls like "Five out of Four people have trouble with fractions".

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 23, 2011 - Oswego, NY to Clayton, NY

Leave Oswego around 9:00 am and by the lock wall there is barely a breath of air. Into the harbor and out onto Lake Ontario, the winds are a brisk 15+ out of the west with white caps. Fortunately the course is a beam reach (the course that would have killed the trawler!) so it wasn't too bad. Passed on Sacketts Harbor and decided to head to Clayton, NY on the St Lawrence River. Once we get to the river it is a nice trip up the river.

Windmills on Wolfe Island, Ontario - 87, second largest in Canada

Got Chairs, need elevator

Clayton, NY

French Bay Marina has a slip which tests the bow and stern thrusters to get into but is well protected for the night with power. Clayton is a very nice small town built around the Wooden Boat Museum which is something to go out of your way to see.

Tomorrow into the Thousand Islands for overnight and then to the "Big City", Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Incredible sunset over the St Lawrence River

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 24, 2011 Clayton, NY to McDonald Island, Ont.

We left Clayton around mid day and took the trawler speed route to Alexandria Bay to top off fuel before heading into Canada. Fuel in Canada is reported to be $5.50 per gallon for diesel... Got bargain fuel at $4.49! Oh well, only go around once.

The Bistro restaurant in Clayton, where we had dinner

Redneck houseboat at Alexandria Bay, NY

Boldt Castle

We met a guy while fueling who gave us a lot of good information about Kingston, Ontario, our last stop before heading north on the Rideau canal, for things to do and places to eat. He also gave us a number to check into Canadian customs by cell phone. I called the first time from the marina in Alexandria Bay and the operator told me I had to call as we entered canadian waters. I thold him we were leaving the fuel dock now and the Canadian border line was a mile away. His response was to call when we were in Canadian waters. So we headed into the islands and put down the anchor off a small island in a nicely protected area since all island docks were taken.

I then called customs, got a different operator, who after explaining we dropped a hook off a few miles from Gananoque, Ont. This time the operator says we need to IMMEDIATELY proceed to Gananoque to check in that it could not be done over the cell phone. We lift the hook and head into Gananoque (5:30 PM now) and after a 10 minute walk after tieing to the municipal dock, I call and of course get a different operator. After giving the basic information, he say he can book us in and asks if I am calling from a call phone or land line. I tell him land line and he says OK, but next time, you can save time by calling from a cell phone... ARRRRRRG!
Anyway we head back out and this time we find an open dock near the previous anchorage and pull in for the night. McDonald Island is a very nice, well protected with friendly people. one guy from Montreal gives us ideas for where to go when we are there.

Sunrise at McDonald Island

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 25, 2011 McDonald Island to Camelot Island, Ontario, Thousand islands

Lot of rain last night but the good news is the heat broke and it is now in the low seventies. Rain cleared late morning and we headed to Camelot Island. Picked up a mooring ball in the small harbor at Camelot Island and rode out some more rain and cool weather. We'd looked forward to swimming in the harbor but was not to be.

Camelot Island as the rain clears

For "Seven roads to hell" fans, after Marge won a squeeker in a tie breaker for the first win, the second round went to the captain in a landslide so the series is tied at 1:1 with momentum on the side of the captain... stay tuned...:).

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 26, 2011 Camelot Island to Kingston, Ontario

Got up early and left for Kingston, a short run but the wind was picking up out of the west. We took the inside channel to minimize open water and arrived at Confederation Harbor, kingston, around 10 am. Confederation Harbor has interesting booking rules requiring making reservations via internet only, 48 hours ahead of time. Otherwise, first come first served. By getting here early they let us book for two nights. Around 3 pm all hell breaks loose as everyone shows up without reservations maneuvering for spots, a good spectator sport.

Monk 36 behind us at Kingston, Ont., named...

Which means, "The Ultimate Pig"

We took the Kingston Trolley ride to see what was in Kingston. The captain gets a little shut eye along the way... It turns into a beautiful day and after the tour of kingston head back to the boat. Dinner tonight in town at Casa Delmonico. The guy in Alexandria Bay recommended a lunch place called  "Chez Piggy", and I saw a tee shirt from there today that is a "must have."
Holy Crap Batman... If I lived up here I'd be a tea tottler! We just got back from dinner, nice restaurant, ordered the usual martini (Rob Roy for the initiated) and the glass comes out with 2 oz., about the amount you'd be considering if you wanted a second. Life goes on and after dinner we stopped at a liquor store and grocery store for supplies. I now understand why the dinner cocktail was so small. Priced a 1.75 L bottle of the cheapest gin in the store, and it was (drum roll please...)... $52.90!! Had I known I would have stocked a few cases from Kappy's and sold them off the swim platform and made enought to pay for the fuel for the trip! Prices up here in Canada are very high for most things, and then on top of the price they tack on a 13% tax. Wine prices are about 30% higher than at home so it appears it will be the adult beverage of choice.

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 27, 2011 - Kingston, Ontario

A  few observations from"the crew"  The Lord may have rested on the 7th day, but it's been 12 days for Blue Belle before a two-day stop.  We're here in Kingston, Ont. on a beautiful sunny day making plans to do "touristy" things before entering the Rideau Canal which will be a 170 mile slow speed run.  (Is "slow speed run" an oxymoron?) 

The trip has had some ups and downs but fortunately more of the former than the latter.  The low points were the seven straight days of unbearable heat with heat indexes often in the 100 - 105 degree range.  We stood on the decks sweltering outside Lock 17 on the Erie (which happens to be one of the deepest in the world at 41 feet) waiting for the lock door to be repaired.  The lock master came on the VHF and said "I don't want you folks to get stuck down there and then I can't get you out."  Good Lord, get me a gun!  A virtual 41 foot grave in 100+ temps. with no escape surrounded by slimy walls.  Yikes.  Compared to that, having a seagull crap right on my shoulder yesterday from about four feet up was nothing.
On the plus side, the scenery never gets old.  While most of the towns along the Erie Canal are depressed, the people are friendly and helpful.  the Thousand Islands make your head spin.....natural beauty everywhere, and so much of it.  As we approached Canada and travelled throughout the Thousand Islands, we encountered more and more French-speaking boaters.  I had three years of French, but remember very little of what I learned.  I do observe that the French Canadiens might be saying dastardly things, but it almost always sounds nice.  We have noticed that there are very few boats like ours (down east style) up in this area.  Most are fiberglass cruisers and Blue Belle draws a lot of attention, all of it positive.  However, I was not heartened moments ago when a guy came by to tell me how much he loved our boat and had seen one just recently owned by a couple also in their 70s because it's so easy to handle.  Seventies!!!!

So, perhaps it is true that while we started this trip in our 60s, we now look like 70-year olds.  I had worried the other day that I was taking on the look of a two-week-old Chiquita banana, bruised all over with lots of spots on it.  I have bumped into every available corner of this boat. 

With the unrelenting heat, we have also compromised any semblance of a dress code.  I have become one of those old women that I used to make snide remarks about.  "Does she have a mirror in her house?"  Well, frankly, no.  We have a 1' x 2' mirror in the head that is not big enough to scream back at me:  "Take that oufit off!  My God, you are in your 70s!!!"  Shut up.  It's cool....although not cool-looking.  I don't care.

It occurs to me that I am now rambling.  The cell phone rates here in Canada are through the roof so I should reserve this chatter for a time on the phone with a patient friend (i.e. sister) when the rates come down.  At a later date, I'll vent on the situation with the refrigeration (or lack thereof) on the boat.   We are off to Kingston Town!

Old Railroad Station, now the tourist office

Railroads used to run here,... this one got stuck

Kingston Town Hall

Kingston Town Hall

Kingston from the fort

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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July 28, 2011 - Kingston, Ontario to Jones Falls, Ontario (Kenny Hotel dock)

The day before we spent walking around Kingston and taking a very interesting tour of Kingston City Hall. This whole area started as a fortress against the evil agressors the Americans in the mid 1800s. Last night we went to Fort Henry to see their sunset ceremonies, which was much more impressive than the ones we saw at Ticonderoga in 2009.

Kingston City Hall

Fort Henry, Kingston, Ontari 

I'm the tallest so I lead the parade

Fort Henry mascot, a freakin' goat

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Up early to get the first opening of the railroad bridge to get to the first lock (#46-49) on the Rideau Canal. We arrive at the railroad bridge just after 9:00 am to find it closing and that it is on an hourly opening schedule. We then saw there was a low bridge opening to get under the railroad which had an 18' clearance according to the nautical charts and 14; according to a flyer about the Rideau. I think (still not really sure) the antenna is between 12-13' so we give it a shot. Marge is watching as we crawl under it and they clear by less than a foot. Saves us an hour waiting.

"Grumpy" waiting patiently

The channel leaving the bridge is VERY narrow. The charts say there is 2 feet of water on either side of a channel marked about 150' between red and green bouys. This continues for long stretches until we reach the first Rideau canal locks. The Rideau Locks are very different than the NY State Erie canal locks in that they are shorter, only 100' long and probably 40' wide, whereas the NY locks are 300' by 45'.

Biggest difference is they use manual labor to let the water in and out of the locks, and to open the doors. They hire college kids who work like slaves running the locks at the direction of the lockmaster. They open and close the doors and other mechanism by devices that look like grinders on Americas Cup boats. Bottom line, you quickly get to appreciate the speed we entered and left the Erie Locks which have all been modernized along the way, whereas the Rideau is basically the way it was when completed in 1832.

We are coming out of one of the last locks we traveled today into the canal that is no more than 100' wide and into a sharp right turn, when a 52' Powerboat comes around the corner in the middle of the channel. Disaster avoided we were able to back off to a slightly wider spot where we could pass each other safely.

The trip though the Rideau so far is literally a series of small lakes connected by canals to join them. People tell us that before we get to Ottawa there is a stretch they call the ditch where it is extremely narrow for miles before getting to the city.

Tomorrow up early hopefully to get early entry into a series of four locks right in front of our dockage in front of the Kenny Hotel.  They start operating at 8:30 so we are hoping they start with the going up side.

Set of four locks for tomorrow

Full set of pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/golphinut/201107BlueBelle02?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Click on any of the photos above to enlarge them.