Our son David and his girls Callista and Esther joined us on the boat Friday evening with plans to visit Upper Canada Village on Saturday.What fun to step back in time and see how the wood was milled in the sawmills of that era,and how the wool mill, grist mill , the taverns , schools and farming all operated in the late 1800s. The special feature for the week was the 'riding/travelling'means of that era . All the horse and buggies and carriages were out for tourist to experience the ways one travelled in those days. We enjoyed the period clothing and were entertained by some actors and musicians. That afternoon it was back to the boat to pack up to go to Ottawa to David and Melissa's for the Sunday with their family and the Ottawa congregation. Sunday eve David and Marika brought us back to Adriana1. Thanks again for a great time together. Monday afternoon Bill and I were able to get tickets from the marina again to go back to 'The Village'.It was fun speaking with a lot of the people that work there and portray the life and work of the people who used to farm and work from the homes they moved to the village.
Tuesday, [July 30] we worked our way to the Iroquois Lock where Janet and her Aunt Shirley waved us on.We made it to the beautiful 1000 Islands and found a great anchorage. Not until we were around the islands and trees did we see the spot [that looked good to us on the charts] and did we realize how popular and protected a spot it was.Swimming in fresh water was great too.
Wednesday we arrived in Kingston about noon at one of the many marinas there. That afternoon we made plans to rent a car and go home for a weekend of family camping at Point Farms.So good to see everyone and enjoy the Lake Huron beach and waters
Tuesday morning we drove back to Adriana1. At about 10:30a.m.we were back on the waters to do the first of our 3 overnighters.- from Kingston to Port Dalhousie.We had good weather and winds and were able to sail and motorsail most of the way. We arrived at Port about 9:30 Thursday morning.We had just finished breakfast when we received a call. 'you have company. Can you open the gate?'Elissa and her boys were at the marina gate. Her husband ,Ryan ,had seen us come in since he and his dad were working on a house overlooking the marina area and called her right away. what fun! After a short visit she took my grocery list and came back around 5:30 to pick us up for supper at their home. Back to the boat[ with the groceries] in the eve. with plans to do the Welland canal and locks in the morning with Ryans help.
Thursday, Left 'Port' at 7:30 and headed for Port Weller. Making arrangements and paying when we arrived there-- we were told we would have a few hours to wait. The call came just before 1 p.m..The 8 locks we had to lock thru went smoothly. With each lock we went a bit higher on the escarpment . By the 5th and 6th lock when we were brought up- the view back was spectacular .With the long motoring between 7 and 8 lock we were contacted by Lydia and Adam that the were on their way to meet us in Port Colbourne too. We arrived around 7:15. It wasn't long and we were enjoying Pizza and salad with the 2 families and their little ones!
Friday to Monday , we rented a car again and spent time at home. Tuesday -back to do Lake Erie. Another overnigther.We left Port Colbourne at noon setting our direction for Leamington. The weather was warm but mostly overcast.As the afternoon progressed the wind and waves kept building so we sailed with reefed sails . Later during the night we took the sails down . there was not a lot of rhyme or system to the waves . They seemed to be confused as to where they wanted to roll.A good thing we have a strong motor. So for a better part of the night we motored. We were glad to see the morning light and calmer seas.We arrived in the well run and pretty port of Leamington midday.Wednesday.Later that afternoon Chris and Juanita and 3 of their children arrived. We enjoyed a nice dinner outing and after a good nights sleep said good-bye to Juanita and Ella and Nora..
it was Wiarton here we come. Chris and Michael[his 4 year old son] stayed with us.Thursday was sunny and no wind so we motored from Leamington to Detroit River on thru Lake St. Claire and river . As dark set in the lights along the St. Claire River lite up the night. About 10:30p.m. we were well on our way into Lake Huron waters. Chris took the first watch. Michael fell asleep in the cockpit area.At 3a.m. Bill took over and Chris and Michael could sleep comfortably in one of the cabin beds. Friday was a sunny calm day as we covered the big lake. About 5 p.m. we motored around exploring Tobemory. Pretty harbour with lots of small ferries and tour boats going out to the islands. We were excited to motor on to Wingfield Basin a protected bay on the north east side of the Bruce Penninsula. We had supper on the way since the waters were smooth plus Michael was promised his long awaited dingy ride when we got there. Not long after we dropped the anchor the dingy was dropped into the water and father and son were off to see the sunset and motor around the many boats in this great basin.Michael enjoyed every minute. Bill and I enjoyed a nice swim and meeting the close neighbours.
August 17th has arrived . We do our last leg---destination Wiarton. Juanita plans to meet us there around
1p.m.. We are well into Colpoys Bay when we realize we will be arriving in Wiarton near 12noon. So the decision is made to find a good spot to anchor for lunch and a swim. What clear water!!Good to be in home waters.After circling around outside the marina we noticed Juanita pull in so with cameras set on shore we made our way in.What a delight to be in our home port with familiar faces and docks. with our mission accomplished . We thank God who let us see so much of His amazing creation -the wind and waters , land and new skies all the time not forgetting the sea life.
That afternoon Malcolm , Naomi , Callum and Art[his father in law] joined us too, What a celebration!!
So ends the Adventures of Adriana1..
Until we get some help you will have to wait for us to post a series of pictures. We may receive that help on Monday
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Tadoussac to Wiarton[home port]
Three weeks ago on August 17th we arrived back in our home port, Wiarton.We crossed our wake . Ajourney started on August 15, 2011.And a great adventure it has been.As you know we took last winter off, leaving the boat in Lunnenberg, Nova Scotia.We resumed our journey the beginning of June.From there to Rimouski, Quebec took about 6 weeks. The next 4 weeks were really put on fast forward doing three overnighters [over 24 hour stints]. I will try to summerize and highlight this part.
Still working with currents on the mighty St. Lawrence. We were on a mission to arrive before the ebb tide affected us crossing the river to Tadoussac, a town at the mouth of the Saguenay River.Except for fog until the last hour we had the current in our favour.So amazing to see the fog lift and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The mouth of the Saguenay is one of the world's best places to watch whales. Because of the cold deep waters the whales spend a lot of time here feeding on krill [plentiful here].We saw Beluga[white] whales also a Fin whale and a Pilot whale, seals and porpoises. After our stay at the marina we headed for Cap L'Aigle seeing more Belugas on our way out.It was good motoring again with the current.At this marina we met Curtis who single-handed had come all the way from Duluth, Minnesota.We were able to give him some charts we didn't need any more since he was heading down river.
Quebec City here we come. With high winds and rain off and on we did deal with surprising high waves for the river. We were thankful the rain held off while we were looking for our entrance into our marina. We were excited to meet with Malcolm and Cindy and family here. They too had had a lot of wind on their drive from Ottawa. After meeting up and sharing dinner at the marina restaurant the weekend was planned.4 of the girls slept on board.Sat. we explored this romantic historical city. What fun to share this with Mal. and Cindy family. One of the highlights was touring the museum that was commemorating the 'Filles du Roi' [daughters of the King].Many can trace their heritage back to these young women arriving in New France in the 1670s to help populate the colony. Sunday was also special worshipping with the L'Eglise Reformee du Quebec in Quebec city.Monday was birthday time for Anna and I. After a lovely breakfast together we had to say our goodbyes. Since Quebec city still has a 15-19 foot tide varience a lock controls the water levels in the marina. While going thru the lock we on Adriana 1 received another send off from our family.
From Quebec City it was up the river to Port Neuf, from there thru the Richelieu rapids[nice current]to Sable Is. We anchored here in a nice little channel. With a big day ahead we had an early start. We headed for the Montreal part of the seaway and the locks there. We ended up doing 4 locks. We thought we would only be doing 3 but then the lock master let us pleasure boaters lock in behind a big freighter. This allowed us thru but made the move slower and by the time we were thru and motoring on to an anchorage it was getting late and dark. We were thankful that John, captain on a sailboat[that rafted along side of us thru the locks] told us where to find a good spot.It was good to get to this anchorage at St. Francis Lake] safe and sound after a 18 hour day. 2 more locks the next day and we were on our way to Ontario waters and Chrysler Park Marina near Iroquois and Upper Canada Village.Arriving here around 5p.m.soon to be greeted by our friend ,Janet McKay[secretary with RCR real estate since 1975]. She shares a family cottage near here. So good to see her. The next a.m. it was out for breakfast with Janet. She also took us to the grocery store and showed us her cottage on the St. Lawrence. That evening our other son from Ottawa, David and 2 of his girls arrived. Tomorrow we hope to finish the rest of the story and photos. good bye for now.
Still working with currents on the mighty St. Lawrence. We were on a mission to arrive before the ebb tide affected us crossing the river to Tadoussac, a town at the mouth of the Saguenay River.Except for fog until the last hour we had the current in our favour.So amazing to see the fog lift and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The mouth of the Saguenay is one of the world's best places to watch whales. Because of the cold deep waters the whales spend a lot of time here feeding on krill [plentiful here].We saw Beluga[white] whales also a Fin whale and a Pilot whale, seals and porpoises. After our stay at the marina we headed for Cap L'Aigle seeing more Belugas on our way out.It was good motoring again with the current.At this marina we met Curtis who single-handed had come all the way from Duluth, Minnesota.We were able to give him some charts we didn't need any more since he was heading down river.
Quebec City here we come. With high winds and rain off and on we did deal with surprising high waves for the river. We were thankful the rain held off while we were looking for our entrance into our marina. We were excited to meet with Malcolm and Cindy and family here. They too had had a lot of wind on their drive from Ottawa. After meeting up and sharing dinner at the marina restaurant the weekend was planned.4 of the girls slept on board.Sat. we explored this romantic historical city. What fun to share this with Mal. and Cindy family. One of the highlights was touring the museum that was commemorating the 'Filles du Roi' [daughters of the King].Many can trace their heritage back to these young women arriving in New France in the 1670s to help populate the colony. Sunday was also special worshipping with the L'Eglise Reformee du Quebec in Quebec city.Monday was birthday time for Anna and I. After a lovely breakfast together we had to say our goodbyes. Since Quebec city still has a 15-19 foot tide varience a lock controls the water levels in the marina. While going thru the lock we on Adriana 1 received another send off from our family.
From Quebec City it was up the river to Port Neuf, from there thru the Richelieu rapids[nice current]to Sable Is. We anchored here in a nice little channel. With a big day ahead we had an early start. We headed for the Montreal part of the seaway and the locks there. We ended up doing 4 locks. We thought we would only be doing 3 but then the lock master let us pleasure boaters lock in behind a big freighter. This allowed us thru but made the move slower and by the time we were thru and motoring on to an anchorage it was getting late and dark. We were thankful that John, captain on a sailboat[that rafted along side of us thru the locks] told us where to find a good spot.It was good to get to this anchorage at St. Francis Lake] safe and sound after a 18 hour day. 2 more locks the next day and we were on our way to Ontario waters and Chrysler Park Marina near Iroquois and Upper Canada Village.Arriving here around 5p.m.soon to be greeted by our friend ,Janet McKay[secretary with RCR real estate since 1975]. She shares a family cottage near here. So good to see her. The next a.m. it was out for breakfast with Janet. She also took us to the grocery store and showed us her cottage on the St. Lawrence. That evening our other son from Ottawa, David and 2 of his girls arrived. Tomorrow we hope to finish the rest of the story and photos. good bye for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)