May 31 - June 7, 2016: Brewerton NY to Trenton, Ontario CA

Prologue: We left Sun City AZ on May 2 and took the long way around to get to the boat in Brewerton. Chicago area to see our two youngest children, Adam and Carrie, and families; South Bend Indiana to see Ger's sister Chris and husband Bill; Annandale VA to see oldest son Gary and family. Then after getting to Brewerton NY on May 16 and the boat out of winter storage and readied for the season, we drove the car to Homosassa FL to Ger's sister Cathy to leave it while we traveled on R Island. Then rented a one-way car to get back to the boat and brought Cathy back with us to join the first few weeks of cruising. Total actual miles for the 2,400 mile trip - 6,000 miles.

Brewerton to Oswego: Up at 6:00 and we took our time getting ready. Even got out our old checklists to make certain we followed all the steps and our procedures. We traveled thru 8 locks and went 33 miles before settling into the Oswego Marina. Our friends on Why Knot followed us into our slips. It took all 3 of us (Judie, Cathy and Ger) to get the mast up-righted and back to it's normal position after lowering it to clear bridges on the Erie canal. Success! Judie and Cathy went to dinner while Ger worked on charts for the next two legs of the trip. We did not get to see much of Oswego NY, but is was great to be moving again and getting back into the routine.

All is quiet in the early morning.

Cathy doing a great job at her first lock.

Gates opening!

The Oswego lighthouse in the early morning sun.

Kingston, Ontario CA: The trip over from Oswego, 51 miles across lake Ontario and six and a half hours; was pretty exciting as we ran into four foot waves on our nose immediately past the breakwater, and it was that way for the first two hours before gradually tapering off to no waves at all by the time we got to Kingston. Needless to say it took a little time to get things back into the proper places after all the rough seas. Safely into our slip after becoming acquainted with  hundreds of May Flies that joined the crew and stayed for a few days. Luckily the May Flies did not like land and did not follow us into town; but what a pain when at the boat. Had to raise our yellow Quarantine Flag until Ger checked in with Canadian Customs officials and got the boat and crew cleared. This was only a 20 minute process - actually conducted over the phone - and we were given our visitor number to post in the front window of the boat. The rest of the crew could then leave the boat and enjoy the docks.

Kingston was the first capitol of Canada - later moved around to Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City until settling in Ottawa to be safe, far from the Americans. Kingston is located at the junction of Lake Ontario, The St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Rideau Canal, making it a strategic transportation hub in colonial time.Lots of history and a downtown that is doing a good job of transitioning to tourism. The crews of R Island and Why Knot went to dinner together for the last time as Why Knot was headed northeast on the Rideau while we were headed west. Good friends!

Next day we walked around town and toured the City Hall which was originally built as the nation's capitol before it was moved. Also took a 75 minute "Trolley" ride to see the area and plan the next days sightseeing. Last day in town we visited Fort Henry, naturally on the highest point in the city, and had lunch at their bistro. The fort was most unusual in design as it was unlike other forts we have visited that were built in a star configuration. this fort is a broad spear shaped structure with a broad base behind it. Hard to describe but worth looking up on Google. Also visited Bellevue House, one home of Canada's first Prime Minister - Sir John Alexander Macdonald - also responsible for helping to bring the provinces of Canada into a confederation. The Italianate architectural design was a bit unusual for the area, but made for a lovely home. Queens University (first CA university to offer a degree) and the Canadian Penitentiary (the first in CA) were also on our route.

Bad photo of Judie and Cathy at Kingston's transportation Hub.

The original Nation's Capitol, now city Hall.

Cannon were mounted in hear to defend the area.

Fire Arms practice.

Officer's quarters.

View from the fort overlooking the CA Military Academy (their "West Point") and the City of Kingston.

Getting ready to tour the Macdonald house.

Tour Guides at Macdonald home!

Many limestone homes built by Scottish masons who came to build Rideau Canal Locks and the Capitol.

Picton and Trenton. We left Kingston on the third morning and headed for Picton. Our 34 mile journey thru the Adolphus Reach and Bay of Quinte were picture perfect. Mostly sunny day and no waves - Awesome! We stopped at the "Tip of the Bay" marina and instantly all our little maddening May Flies vanished! Heavy rain that evening and we stayed a extra day to wait out more rain the next morning. Went to the "Cheese Festival" in town during the afternoon for some great samples of beer and cheese.

Next morning we headed for Trenton - the beginning of the "Trent-Severn Waterway". the trip was great for the first 2-3 hours and the wind was from behind us and the sun felt warm. then we turned to the SW and the wind picked up and waves grew quickly to 2 feet. the last hour will go down as a low spot in the trip for the crew. But - great new marina with free laundry, a boaters lounge and showers that remind us of home. Stayed an extra day to use the free laundry, grocery shop, do some generator maintenance and write this blogg.

Picton Harbor

A Picton home.

Another Picton Home!

"Rosebud"