Please note that the frequency of postings will get sparse as we travel further on our journey. We are visiting remote areas and it is difficult to obtain adequate connectivity.

We were thankful to be free from Lock 24 on the Erie Canal last Wednesday. As of Monday, Lock 24 and canals in the Finger Lakes were closed again. With the additional rain, the estimated opening is in another two weeks.

The Arkansas Traveler was free and she headed north to Oswego, a New York port on Lake Ontario’s south shore. Our goal on Thursday was to take a NNW heading directly across the lake and enter the Bay of Quinte through the pass just west of Amherst Island. The passage was uneventful with variable winds less than 10 knots. It was overcast and in the 60s for the entire trip and as we cruised west through the bay, a soft rain descended on us.

After three hours of rain and drizzle we found a quiet cove near Northport, Ontario to drop our anchor and stay the night. It was an 82-mile day and all hands were delighted with the progress. The sun came out from behind the clouds just enough to give us a grand sunset celebrating our first night in Canada. A loon serenaded across the water.

Our first Canadian sunset.

I must admit that it is cold here. Yes, it’s the north and cold should be expected, it’s just a bit difficult to grasp when the folks at home are hoping for days in the 80s rather than the 90s. The cloudy skies here and intermittent rains add to the chill.  Another fact that won’t surprise you is that there are Canadian Geese everywhere!

But it is also beautiful in this area of Canada. The people are very friendly and go out of their way to be helpful. And, they love their water sports.

Fishermen are omnipresent, through rain or shine.

The lakes and bays make excellent sailing grounds.

The rivers provide stellar kayaking adventures.

On Friday we officially entered Canada and passed through Customs and Immigration. There were no questions about our wine stores, but I had to kill my basil and mint plants.

By noon we were in the Trent-Severn Canal. We think that it will take ten days to make the 250-mile passage through 44 Locks, a railway chute, and countless lakes.

Seven locks and 45 miles later, we tied up on the wall of the lower end of Lock 8. Day two on the canal, we traveled through eleven locks and put 35 miles behind our keel. We anchored in Rice Lake in the lee of Margaret Island to wait out the forecast storms on Sunday. I was ready for a weather day to rest. It is hard work and constant mindfulness traveling through that many locks in one day.

The first 36 locks heading west take us upstream over the rising land. The last set of locks will lower us down into Georgian Bay, and the northern section of Lake Huron.

Some of the locks are double locks. The first one raises you to the lower level of the second one. When the gates open from the first, you travel directly into the upper lock and are raised additionally from there. It’s tough going, but much easier than leaping up the rapids like the salmon do.

The canal takes a route through a string of beautiful inland lakes. These are prime fishing grounds and have been since the Native Americans first discovered them.   On Monday morning we raised the anchor and cruised through seven locks over 39 miles to Lakefield, Ontario. We are now tied to the wall at the municipal marina and when the rain stops, we hope to go another 22 miles.

Lakefield is a lovely town that is easy to walk through. The food is excellent and the Wi-Fi is very special!

Happy Canada Day to all!

A cloudy day on the water.

Everyone fishes along the banks!