The rain looks like it’s back. We are just getting ready to head out and Rick has picked an anchorage just outside Picton, high winds and rain expected all day and night.
I am rushing so I have uploaded photos to a flickr account. The screen name is entertainerswake.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Great night sleep last night, everyone got a good 9 hrs. Nice family travelling with two boats let us use their internet last night. Finally able to get on line. Able to connect fairly often but never long enough to accomplish anything. Ray made breakfast while Rick and I checked boat fluids and tightened the belts.
Rick got us off the dock at Burleigh Falls just around 8am. Once we got up to Horseshoe Is. he handed it over to me and let me take it through Hell’s Gate. Lots of very large cottages (componds as rick likes to call them) and it was very strange to see a church sitting by itself on a private island in what felt like the middle of no where. Anything that could be built some how managed to be built on every island we passed. Everything from old rotten bridges to 40foot aluminum bridges go to private guest homes, brick homes on private islands where all materials would have to be boated in since the island doesn’t even have a tree on it, and than the full 3 boat garage built into the side of the rock wall.
After hell’s gate we had 3-4 miles of easy boating across Clear Lk on our way to our first locks of the day at Young’s Pt. This is the start of 6 locks before noon (23 miles) but after lunch we will only get through the peterborough locks + two more, than we can travel as far as we feel before anchoring for the night.
10:04am cleared the Young’s Point Lock #27 (7.3ft drop) entering into Katchewanooka Lake. 6 miles to our next lock system.
11:13am cleared the LakeField Lock #26 (15.7ft drop) Best one yet, lots of pictures to show. The entry was a long canal with rapids next to us and a large dam and than the locks were the first manual ones that I have experienced. Longer wait it these types of locks so we will see how our progress is (4 more supposed manual ones in the next 4.4 miles)
11:45am cleared the Sawer Creek Lock #25 (10.0ft drop) Less than a mile to the next lock and we have a rental house boat with two retired couples and no neutral sharing the locks with us so we are trying to let them pass so that the attendants can get them secured first, they can than only hit the wall and not us.
Waiting for the manual lifts can take some time, we have let the houseboat pass and they can take the lock first, a large boat is exciting. All the factors making hard to judge what your progress will be. You can even tell the attendants are getting tired as the day passes.
12:19pm cleared the Douro Lock #24 (12ft drop) Turns out the couples on the house boat are from england and the other from Bedford, NS.
1:01pm cleared the Otonabee Lock #23 (12ft drop) Sun is out, we started the morning in shorts and a sweater, now we are in t-shirts finally. Something we never seemed to be able to get to yesturday. Once you are in the locks and the gates close there is no wind and the warm concrete feels great. Must really get hot on the extreme days. Saw a newly hatched dragon fly drying his wings at the top of the locks as we started our descent.
1:24pm cleared the Nassau Mills Lock #22 (14ft drop) As soon as we clear the locks I quickly jump on the computer and add what I have time for so take note of above.
As we entered the lock it got overcast, by the time we exited we are now wet, everyone is in raincoats including the attendants, and the boat is wet and slippery again. (23 minutes and 0.5 miles apart)
We are now passing Trent University. Incredibly narrow canal, got a great photo of us passing a catamaran in a rediculous spot. Spotters on both boats watching all sides, we almost rubbed the wall with our dighy, and the picture tells how close we were to one another. Glad I wasn’t driving. Finally time for lunch (chef Ray again)
2:45pm cleared the Peterborough Locks #21 (65ft drop) Biggest drop in the waterway. Pictures will tell how cool this was. The canal cruise ship was on board with us. We will make our way to the marina and stop for a few supplies. Than push on.
3:09pm cleared the Ashburnham Lock #20 (12ft drop) We have decided to skip the marina since the supplies needed can wait a few more days. Plus the attendant at ashburnham didn’t recomend achoring in the river nor did he think it would be a good idea to travel rice lake at night so we must get out of the river and hopefully find an anchorage.
3:31pm cleared the Scott Mills Lock #19 (8ft drop) Time to study the charts to find a spot for the night. Ray is at the helm and we don’t have the charts so Rick is studying the gps. 19.7 miles to Rice lk.
1st Random Captains Notes
Well hello there all you landlubbers…I have been given the great honor of making some high level captainy comments….I don’t know what to say except that my crew is top notch…the meals are great and we have not hit anything….we are in the midst of our greatest challenge, a fly and mosquito infested 20 mile stretch of river leading to a fly and mosquito infested 20 mile lake, with no place to anchor for the night except fly infested swamps….so now you know why they invented RUM…..will talk to you soon with more of my insights….and….I love you.
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We are now pushing down the Otonabee River. Not many cottages here just overgrown banks and marsh lands. Ray has begun dinner preperations and Rick and I are are trying to make another 5 miles to with luck find a spot for the night. Most of the bays have more weeds than Rick would be happy with so we are crossing our fingers that Kent Creek will work, if not, we eat on the run and push to Rice Lk. Some more rain showers but again back to sun, water is warm so freshin up in the river before dinner may still have a chance.
Approx 39 miles today.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
8:40am we have just left the Campbelltown Gov’t wharf. We got lucky, we had 10ft of water and a great neighbourhood. Lots of fisherman pulling in and out catching bass and pickeral.
First topic of concern for the day began with #1 (Ray) questioning the protocol of #2 (washroom use). The captain has informed us that we must follow #1 written instructions for #2 and that we must keep a running tally of how often. #1 wrote the instructions but doesn’t agree with them. I’m just concerned that it’s day three and they are just showing me the instructions this morning.
Anyways captain would like you all to write this down and to not question it if you are coming aboard.
Toilet Operating Instructions
1) check valve closed
2) check some waterin bowl. if low add a cupful from the sink.
3) execute one’s business
4) pump about 4-6 times to evacuate bowl
5) open valve. pump 10 times (this is the step someone missed causing a plug on thier first use – never used the toilet again)
6) close valve. pump 4 times (this is where #1 is concerned)
7) leave happy
Back to the trip, I had a quick dive under the boat last night and had to pull a few river weeds off the prop. Water is warming nicely.
#1 had made a very nice supper which we have now come to expect. However he has started to settle into the wine drinking as he cooks so we are eating later and later. As Ray cooked I loaded our pictures for the two days to the computer and we had a little slid show with dinner. It has been decided that the captain will help #1 in the locks and I should take more pictures.
Today’s trip has a lot less locks, we will travel 23 miles before our first. Yesturday we went through 8 in the same distance.
9:30am we are still crossing Rice Lk. Shallow lk with lots of fishing activity. Rick has decided to give the boat a wash, I think he is happy to hand over the controls and enjoy the sun. Ray and I have taken turns at the wheel and tried to figure our route. We are two charts short, but we only need to cross rice lk and get through the hastings swing bridge and lock before we have charts again. This afternoons voyage is looking like yesturdays morning.
I have predicted we will make it to lock #10 hagues reach, Ray thinks we can make it to lock #8 percy reach.
Approx: we cleared the Hastings swing bridge and Hastings Lock #18 (9.0ft drop) Once through the locks we tied up and took a walk into town to stretch our legs and grab a few supplies (more wine and groceries/ice) Next stop Healey Falls, 3 locks and a swing bridge in 0.3 miles with a drop of 75.8ft. After that we have 5 more locks in 7 miles.. If my guess is correct as to where we may stop tonight we will have dropped 180.8ft today, 216.4ft if Ray was right. We have just enjoyed another incredible lunch prepared by #1.
Finally arrived at the Healey Falls at 2:20pm.
Cleared Locks #17 and #16 at 2:53. As we exited #16 the doors closed behind us and we were already in #17 with a combined drop of 54.0ft. At the bottom we were in a massive chamber.
Cleared the third of the Healey Falls locks #15 at 3:25 (21.8ft drop). The first two locks were hydraulic and half the time of the last. The large power plant next to these locks was under construction and the swing bridge seperating the two sets of locks was busy with cement trucks, at least 5 trucks plus smaller vehicles must have passed as we waited for the locks to refill. A small, faster boat had sped past and made the locks before the attendants knew we were on our way.
4:04pm cleared the Crowe Bay Lock #14 (26.0ft drop) the attendants now know we are on our way and that we would like to make the bottom before the 6:30pm cut off.
Zebra mussels are covering the locks the further down we get, little bastards spit on you while you wait to exit.
4:32pm cleared the Campbellford Lock #13 (23.0ft drop) Watching the locks close behind you is like watching the gates of a medival castle, 23ft wooden doors.
5:25pm cleared the Ranney Falls Locks #11 and #12 (48.0ft drop) coming up to the locks is a long canal that bi passes the river and takes you through town, parks on both sides and traffic. Feels like you are boating through a subdivision. These double locks I find more impressive than the lift lock in peterborough.
5:53pm cleared the Hagues Reach Lock #10 (24.0ft drop). Trying to make it to the bottom of lock 8 so we can have a good anchorage is making these locks feel like work, they take forever and we are rushing rather than enjoying. Must be time for a beer, cap’t already cracked his.
6:21pm cleared the Meyers Lock #9 (16.0ft) They are now holding the locks for us and gates are open and waiting when we arrive.
6:47pm cleared the Percy Reach Lock #8 (19.6ft drop)
7:20pm we have reached our goal. Ray was bang on, we are at mile marker 22 ‘The Blue Hole’. Anchoring took a matter of seconds, the generator is being started and the dinghy is going in the water, shortly followed by Rick and I. Long tiring day but fun and worth every second. #1 has already started dinner and it’s time to settle the ship.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Last night Rick and I lowered the tender so that we could cook on the bbq. The blue hole is a small piece of paradise, the mosquitoes didn’t come until we were finished with our dinner, the water is 15 ft deep, the island next to us has 2 large bald eagles in an old dead stick. Rick and I were able to convince Ray to go for a swim. Sausages for dinner followed by some more strawberry/rhubarb pie and sambuca and chocolate cake. Latest night to eat yet.
This morning the captain ordered a leisurly get out of bed and we got up to #1 preparing frittata for breakfast. Rick handed the fishing rod overand and I was able to draw a 10-15lb muskie out from under the boat.
10:00am boat is warming up and all maintenance is done and we got a morning swim in.
11:44am cleared the Glen Ross Swing Bridge and Lock #7 (10.0ft). It’s a beautiful day, must be 25-30 already. Lake Ontario by 4 is the guess.
12:59pm cleared the Frankford Lock #6 (16.0ft drop)
1:23pm cleared the Trent Lock #5 (18.0ft drop) They must have a regular maintenance and cleanin of the locks, we haven’t been sprayed by the symphony of spitters (cap’ts description of the zebra mussels. Enjoying a snacking plate of fresh strawberries, bread and cheese with a few deli meats put together by #1 to get us through the last 6 locks which are only a mile apart each and than we will be into the Bay of Quinte.
1:51pm cleared the Batawa Lock #4 (18.0ft drop) The sunscreen has finally had to come out.
2:16pm cleared the Glen Miller Lock #3 (27.0ft drop) 2 more locks to go and than we will resupply. Rick has heard of some unfaverable winds for tonight so we are going to stop and pick up our new charts for the next leg, get a marine report and maybe decide to pay for a safe place to tie up for the evening.
2:46pm cleared the Sidney Lock #2 and passed under the hwy.401 (20.0ft drop)
3:06pm cleared the last lock Trenton #1 (17.6ft drop)
6:00pm we are tide up at the trenton marina. We have scrubbed the boat from top to bottom, the mast and radar are back in place and Ray has done some shopping. We are tide next to the public park gazebo and there is a free concert in the park just beginnig. Good thing it is cocktail hour. Not quit sure what’s for dinner but no doubt we will be going to bed full. Unfortuntly there will not be any swimming here to cool us down and of course it is the hottest day we have experienced.
Rick and I spent the night aboard last night and Ray joined us at about 7:46am.
8:12am left coboconk public dock heading for Rosedale marina for a pump out and water refill. 1st locks of the day are in rosedale (mile marker 157.2). Rick has spent the last 10 days at the gov’t dock and is very happy with the way the boat is running. Lots of boat maintenance done in the last 10 days. This is my first time on ‘The Entertainer’ and I must say Rick has made it a very impressive vessel. The first wager has begun: Based on information Rick has given me I have calculated we should get through the Lovesick Lock #30. Ray has the advantage since he has been on the boat before. He predicts we can make it through to Lock #27 Young’s Point. Raining to start the trip of course, wouldn’t have it any other way. But we may push on resulting in a win for Ray.
Crossing over the Highest Point on the Waterway. 256.3m (841.0ft) The Rosedale Bridge.
10:09am cleared the Rosedale Lock #35 (4ft drop) and entered into Cameron Lake.
10:58am cleared the Fenelon Falls Lock # 34 (24ft drop) and entered into Sturgeon Lake. Very impressive and dropping happens very quickly.
1:33pm cleared the Bobcaygeon Lock #32 (5.4ft) and entered Pigeon Lake. First locks to be built on the waterway. First time to share the locks with other boaters. Very impressive waterway here in Bobcaygen, with lots of tourists watching. First swing bridge opening for us. The weather is still overcast but with a little luck the sun will shine by dinner time.
4:05pm cleared the Buckhorn Lock #31 (11.5ft drop) and entered into Lower Buckhorn lake. Very nice afternoon with a long trip across Pigeon Lake and through the Gannon Narrows into Buckhorn Lk. We had some fairly dark clouds but we have missed the rain and now that we are through the locks we finally have the blue skies that we have been hopeing for. Lock attendants have been great so far, offering advice on where to spend the night and helping with the lines (Not that captain rick needs help).
5:0p1m cleared the Lovesick Lock #30 (3.5ft drop) and entered Lovesick lk. with only 2 miles to the next locks and some tight passage to get there, no time to type.
5:38pm cleared the Burleigh Falls Lock #28 (24ft drop) There is no #29 lock??? Very nice lock, we will be spending the night here, docked up at the base of the falls. Drinks for all….then boat maint. dinner and a walk around the area to stretch. Of course the rain came back as soon as we enter the locks so all hands on deck and get soaked (captain rick is dry) Finishing the day at mile marker 113.0. 44.2 miles for day 1.
First day is coming to an end and the trip has started off perfectly. After docking we were entertained by the local kids as they jumped the 24 ft lock drop. Funny, the dock attendants left and the kids must have been hiding in the bushes waiting. We are now finishing the day with a delicious stew from our master chef Ray, and for dessert – sambuca and strawberry/rhubarb pie. Tomorrow we will hit Hell’s Gate to begin the day and by noon we should be going through the Peterbourough Locks (biggest drop in waterway). We have also come to find out that staying at the locks for the night is not worth the money, from here on we will spend more time at anchorage. Weather as you have read, for you that know, is a lot like being at home in Nova Scotia. Completely annoying and changing every 10 minutes. Evening/dinner time was perfect weather and I was able to enjoy a swim in the river, however we do expect snow by morning.
This will have many spelling errors as I am under the gun in a library.
We made it to Port Severn and thru the fist Lock in 4 days. All well fairly well, but water entered the starboard tank and then the engine. It took Al and I 5 hrs to start her one morning. The trip was beautiful with lovely meals cooked by Christine and Ann (galley slaves!!!!)
Ray (Louise’s brother) arrived on the Monday and we were in Coboconk by Wednesday. The entainer needed a major refit…oil/filters/hydralycs/transmission fluids/new alternator/water pump, had to pump out 300 litres of deisel oil…..but she is ready and raring to go….Louise and Jean joined us for a family reunion and have now gone home…….Dennis has arrived from Nova Scotia and we leave tomorrow at 8 am.