Friday, June 30, 2012

Our boat tied to the wall.

Gazebo on this side of the river.

House decorated for Canada Day.

We shopped for a few things today like snacks for the fireworks and charts for the next couple of legs of the canal.  We were visited by two families from across the river at the harbor.  It's been really fun watching people come and go along the wall.  Lots of people stop and talk to us, asking us if we are really from Indiana.  One lady and her small son were walking past and the boy said that our boat looked like a house that you live in.  I told him he was right that we have lived on our boat since 2009.  His mom had a few questions and then they moved on.  I think we lucked out when we chose Hastings Village Marina to hang out in for a few weeks.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Once we had our wits about us this morning, we untied from the dock and headed across the river to the wall outside of the lock.  There was one boat here when we got here, and the man on board grabbed our lines and helped us tie up.  They locked through shortly after that.  We were alone on the wall for maybe and hour or so and then boats started showing up.  Some of the boats stayed briefly, but the ones that are here now, I believe are here for the weekend.  Gina and Claude walked over and visited us and even brought us a gift of alcohol.  Wasn't that nice? 

We met a man named Ray at Sheila's this morning.  He told me about a salve that a friend of his uses (and sells) for sore joints and muscles.  His friend works at the rodeo and needs this to make it through the day.  A little while later, Ray was knocking on the boat.  He brought us a sample of the salve to try.  He said it would help my sciatica if it comes back again.  I certainly hope it never comes back, but I would try the salve if it does come back.

 Hastings Village Marina from our vantage point across the river.

A couple of the boats on the wall behind us.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Today was the perfect day weatherwise.  It was sunny and warm in the 80s with a nice breeze.  We spent most of the day cleaning the boat.  Last night Claude and Gina came over and visited with us on the aft deck until about 2:30 A.M.  (I can't believe we both stayed awake that long.)  At one point, I accidentally kicked over a cintronella candle and the wax spilled all over the carpet.  I am so glad that happened on our boat and not theirs.  John spent a significant amount of time today trying to scrape it up while I cleaned inside the boat. 

We received an email from our friends who are coming here Sunday to watch the fireworks and then we are going to their cottage for a few days.  Only three more days!  We are looking forward to seeing them all.  We have to move our boat out of the harbor Sunday for the fireworks because they shoot them from the marina.  We are hoping to be able to be on the wall across the river.  Tonight there are two boats tied up on the wall.

So, if you don't see anything new written here for awhile, it's because we may not have Internet service.  We were told that  this marina's WI-FI can be accessed across the river on the wall.  So, it may not be an issue until Monday.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

This morning from 10:00 A.M. until noon, the harbor had the media people here to film and take pictures for the upcoming Warefront Festival later this summer.  They had a wooden "car" and an unusual looking monkey.  I thought it was a raccoon, but was told differently.  They had coffee and muffins for free.  Claude and Gina who have a boat on A dock stayed last night and we hung out with them for awhile today.  Claude has a 2002 Corvette and has offered it to us several times in case we need anything.  Everything is within close walking distance, so we have not taken hime up on that.  Another man we met on the day of the WFN fishing presentation gave us his card and said if we need a ride anywhere to call him and he would come get us.  People are all so friendly here. 

Tonight we Skyped with Jeff, Susan, and Kate.  That little Kate is a hoot.  She danced and sang and said her ABCs for us and blew us lots of kisses.

 Gina, John, and Claude.

 The "wooden" car.

The monkey that looks like a raccoon.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

John and I spent the morning scrubbing the aft deck.  It looks so shiny and pretty now.  Then we went out for lunch to a restaurant called Banjo's.  There was a woman in the restaurant wearing the tightest pair of pants I have ever seen.  I don't know how she could sit down.  Every man in the restaurant was staring at her behind as she walked past. 

We played cards on the aft deck for awhile after lunch  with both of us winning an equal number of games.  That's always good.  I spoke to all three of our children today.  Susan told me that Kate (2 years old), said, "I go to Grandma's boat.  I go to Grandma's boat."  Then she said, "I miss Grandma; and Grandpa too."  That squeezes my heart.  I miss those grandchildren sooo much.  I miss our children too, but the grandchildren are at ages where they are changing so much while we are away.  Whenever we can manage it, I am ready to visit at home. 

I'm sorry that we didn't do anything exciting enough for pictures today.  Maybe tomorrow.

Monday, June 25th, 2012

We figured it was going to be very quiet here today since it is Monday.  However, two other boats are occupied on A Dock. It's nice to have people around.  We feel like we belong because everyone is so nice.  I think today is the first day since we have been here that we didn't walk into town.  We just laid low today.  The weather has been cool all day.

I never get tired of the sunsets.

 Sunset

The wall across from the marina where we will have to go on Sunday for the fireworks.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

This is where we ate dinner on our anniversary.

Last Sunday we walked to Church only to find the time and place was changed for Father's Day.  So, we tried again today.  This time we were successful.  There weren't very many people in Church. The music group consisted of two violins and a cello.  The music and the singer's voice were very pleasant.  The stained glass windows in Church are gorgeous.  After Mass, we went out for breakfast.  It was a good morning. 

In the early afternoon, it started to rain.  It has rained the rest of the day.  The rain made everything pretty quiet on the dock.  Next Sunday are the fireworks here.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Canadian Geese are everywhere.  Each morning the workers here have to hose off the sidewalks around the marina.  Sometimes they have to do it several times a day.  Gross!

This morning John and I walked to the Farmer's Market.  A nice lady named Joyce made us a couple of jars of sugar free strawberry jam.  We ordered it last week and picked it up today.  I can't wait to taste it.  Along the opposite shore this morning there were lots of children fishing.  We were told that the police sponsor this fishing tournament for the kids.  They were there for most of the day and then they got their prizes at the gazebo afterwards. 

The rest of the day, John putzed around doing whatever it is men do when they putz ;)  I made new cushion covers for the chairs and sofa on the aft deck.  I've had the material since we were in Sanford.  It took me awhile to get motivated.  Now I need to find a fabric store to get something to cover the pillows in.  They look awful with the seats now.  Oh, well, it will have to wait.  There are no fabric stores within walking distance.

 The little splashes of color are the children fishing.

Farmer's Market. 

 Love the umbrella hat.

 Is it just  me or does it seem really dangerous to be fishing on those "steps" so close to the turbulent water at the dam?

Tonight's awesome sunset.

Good night, all!

Friday, June 22, 2012

John and I walked to the grocery store this morning and bought a week's worth of groceries.  We loaded them into our canvas cart we bought at the boat show in Fort Myers two years ago.  That cart is amazing.  A whole week's worth of groceries or laundry fit in it and it is easy to roll because it has fairly large air tires.  We brought our own bags and that was a good thing since they charge a nickel for each plastic bag you use. 

Since it is our 39th Anniversary today, we went out for dinner to La Gondola restaurant.  We had pizza and then stopped for ice cream on the way back to the boat.  By then there were a few people on the dock to talk with.  Yesterday I baked a cake, so tonight I walked the dock giving people pieces of cake.  (It was sugar free so John could eat it). 

There were two occasions when I wanted to take pictures, but my camera wasn't with me.  Darn.  I know it's been a while since I put any pictures on the blog.  Sorry! 

Today the temperature was in the 70s.  Very comfortable.  We just kind of chilled and enjoyed each other's company.  I'll try to remember to take pictures tomorrow.....

Thursday, June 21, 2012

We spent most of the day inside in the AC.  I made dough pretzels and then a sugar free cake for tomorrow.  Tomorrow is our 39th wedding anniversary.  Where did that time go so fast?  It seems like yesterday. 

It was another scorcher today, at least until after dinner.  All of a sudden it got really windy.  We rolled our shade screens up and then John went to take care of Gordy's canvas that was flapping in the breeze.  There are whitecaps on the water and I am very glad that we are tied to a dock and not cruising or anchored out. I bet John doesn't sleep well tonight if it keeps blowing like that. Tomorrow is supposed to be much cooler, like 20 degrees cooler.  I can handle that. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

What a day!  It is SO HOT!  We walked into town twice and up the street once today.  We ate out both breakfast and dinner.  At dinner time, the restaurant was so crowded that we waited 1 hour 15 minutes for our food.  It was good, but it was uncomfortably hot in the restaurant.  I heard at one point that it was 44 degrees Celsius.  That equals like 111 degrees Fahrenheit.  That can't be, can it?  Maybe that was with the heat index.  All I know is that it is really hot.  We both got some work done today though.  It isn't too bad in the boat. Thank goodness!

We sat on the back deck and played cards this afternoon for an hour or so.  Then we had a show.  Across the water is a boat ramp.  This runabout got back to the marina too late to get his boat out at the ramp on this side of the water.  The ramp closes at 4:00.  So, one person drove the SUV across the bridge to the ramp there.  This person had no idea how to back a trailer down the ramp.  He had traffic tied up while he pulled forward and back trying to get the trailer straight.  At one point, John considered going over and offering to back it in for them. The two guys on shore, started to take the trailer off of the vehicle.  The guy in the boat started yelling to NOT do that. Once the trailer made it to the water edge, it was crooked and not very deep in the water.  The boat pilot gave it lots of gas and pushed it onto to the trailer.  Oh my goodness.  It sounded terrible.  They drove away with the boat captain still in the boat on the trailer.  I think they were very frustrated by the time they were finished. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

It was hot today and it's supposed to be hot until Friday.  Right now it is raining, but that just started a few minutes ago.  Today was the big day for Hastings.  They won the WFN (World Fishing Network) prize for the Ultimate Fishing Town.  They won a check for $25,000 and a rather large silver trophy.  Not bad for a town of 1200 people.  There were probably about 300 people in attendance.  The TV crew was in town most of the day.  They interviewed people walking around in town.  They went for a ride in a pontoon boat, and at 1:00 all of the school children paraded down the street, led by a man named Jamey (minister at the United Church of Christ) playing the bagpipes.  The children all made fish flags and marched waving their flags as they passed by.  Sandi and Eddie, and KC and Scott came to the harbor for the festivities.  The rest of the day we pretty much hibernated and stayed out of the heat.  I am putting a few pictures on from the celebration.

Banner on the side of the marina office. 

 Trophy.

Jamey leading the school children.

 The person from the WFN who made the presentation of the check.

The mayor of Hastings. 

The check. 

Monday, June 18, 2012

First thing this morning, I put a pork roast in the crock pot for dinner.  That always makes me feel so together.  Then, John and I went into town to the grocery store.  It started to rain on our way back.  Oh well, it's a good thing we are waterproof.  The boat that came in yesterday named "Sojourner" is docked right beside us.  We read on the AGLCA blog this morning about the trouble they had in Campbellford.  They were tied to the wall where we had been on Wednesday.  Shortly before midnight, someone picked up a large metal park garbage can and tossed it at the side window of their boat.  It tore the screen and left some green paint from the can behind and trash all over everything.  They called the police who said that never happened before.  The police were nice and picked up all of the trash.  They had intended on staying two nights, but after that they left after only one night.  I felt bad for them.  We are hearing on the blog that there are people who think it's funny to untie your boat from the dock in the middle of the night.  They suggest that you bring your line back to the boat and tie it where no one can reach it from the dock AND drop an anchor just to be sure.  They seem to pick on large trawlers. 

Later this afternoon, I did some repair sewing and made a new cover for our aft TV.  We noticed that "Jet  Stream" arrived this afternoon.  I walked across the bridge to talk with them.  They have been stopping along the way to golf.  "Tarquin" is also on the wall.  Both of them are coming to this marina tomorrow for the big to-do. The presentation begins at 1:00 with free food afterwards.  This morning the park people cut the grass and they brought extra picnic tables over. 

One of the guys from this dock offered us the use of his Corvette this week.  He also found some stainless bolts and nuts that we needed.  He brought them down today because he said he was afraid he'd forget otherwise.  How nice is that? 

This stained glass is outside of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. 

Rice Lake from the dinghy. 

Father's Day, 2012

Happy Father's Day to all of you who are Fathers!  Hope your day was wonderful and full of hugs from your children.  Well, yesterday we called the Catholic Church to see what time the Masses are on Sunday.  The recording said 4:00 on Saturday and 9:00 on Sunday.  So, this morning we walked to Our Lady of  Mt. Carmel, arriving at 8:50.  There was a sign on the door that said today's Mass is at 10:00 at the cemetery.  We didn't know where or how far the cemetery is, so we went out for breakfast.  God knows we made the effort anyway.

The weekend has been great because there are lots of people around.  All of them are nice and we are comfortable here.  Today a Selene boat arrived.  We had met Carolyn and Sue at Ess-Kay Yards a few days ago.  They are only staying a day or two, depending on the weather.  It's supposed to rain tonight.  It smells like rain outside.  I love that smell. 

We went out for a dinghy ride this afternoon onto Rice Lake.  There were a lot of boats on the water, some fishing, some just running around.  It felt good to go fast and feel the breeze blowing on our faces. 

Saturday, June 16, 2012

I almost forgot to go to the Farmer's Market.  There wasn't much produce, but there were jellies, jams, baked goods, wood workers, jewelry, cowboy hats, and herbs.  All of the people working at the booths were really nice and gabby.  We traded a bottle of scotch to have our salon air conditioner charged.  There seems to be something else going on with it.  As long as the staterooms are cool and we can sleep, we can handle it.  On the way back from the liquor store I stopped and had a dish of raspberry thunder ice cream.  The ice cream shop is right next door to the marina.  That could be very dangerous.

Two boats came into the harbor this afternoon.  One was a 50 foot Sea Ray and a 44 foot Tiara.  They are traveling together and are only staying overnight.  We visited with them after dinner and had a nice time until it was "boater's bedtime" and they all went inside. 

It's difficult tonight to stay online.  So, this is it.  Short and sweet.  Til next time.....

Friday, June 15, 2012

We are meeting some friends here in Hastings at the beginning of July.  We opted to stay here at Hastings Village Marina for almost a month because: 1.  they have a daily, weekly, and monthly rate and the monthly rate is relatively inexpensive, 2.  it's a marina where we feel the boat will be safe when we leave it for a few days, 3.  the staff has been kind and helpful,  4.  all of the boaters we have met here seem really nice, and 5.  it has wireless internet service.

 Apparently, Hastings has won $25,000 from the Fishing Network for being the best fishing town.  The television crew is coming to this marina on Tuesday to film and there is going to be free food and a big to-do. 

We are right at the beginning of Rice Lake and are told there is a very nice beach not far from here.  So, we got the dinghy down today and are planning on checking out the beach sometime in the near future.  We need to scrub the dinghy first.  We haven't used it (except for putting it in the water and then taking it right back out when we discovered the fuel line had a leak) for quite some time. 

Today we walked the town.  There is one traffic light and everything is a block from the light in all four directions.  There is a hardware store, a post office, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a laundromat, several restaurants and gift shops, a bowling alley, and a grocery store.  There is supposed to be a Church two blocks from the bridge, but we have not found it yet.

 We are very close to the dam.  Our boat is the one farthest on the right in the background. 

There are beautiful flowers in front of all of the businesses and hanging baskets on the swing bridge. 

 This monument is right at the intersection with the traffic light.



Thursday, June 14, 2012

Even though yesterday I blogged that we were going to stay today and night at Old Mill Park, that didn't happen.  I walked into town around 7:30 this morning, especially to visit the bakery we heard so much about.  John purposely did not walk with me because he wanted to avoid the bakery.  He washed the boat and filled the water tank while I was gone.  Once I was finished walking, we decided to go ahead and move on today.  We locked through Locks #13, #14, #15, #16, 17 and #18.  Locks #16 and #17 are flight locks.  We arrived at Hastings Village Marina at 2:00.  This seems like a really nice place. Today was a beautiful day on the water.  It's sunny with a  nice breeze.  It was pretty windy at the top of the last lock.  The lockmaster called the marina for us before we left the lock.  Everyone we have met has been so nice. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

We left Fraser Park Marina this morning at 8:40.  The locks don't open until 9:00 and close at 4:00 P.M. (until after June 22nd).  We passed through a total of 12 locks.  Lock #11 and #12 are called flight locks because they are in a sequence to handle a large change in water level in a short distance.  When we came out of Lock #11, we were automatically in Lock #12.  These locks are a lot smaller than we are used to using.  This morning there were three boats waiting at Lock #1 at 9:00.  We were second in line.  "Cast Off" was first.  After the two of us were tied up, there was no more room for the third boat and he had to wait.  We passed through all 12 locks with "Cast Off".  We cruised a total of 31.1 miles and 12 locks in 7 1/2 hours.  We are currently docked at Campbellford, Ontario.  As soon as we were tied up, hooked up to electric, and paid for the night, we walked into town and had dinner at the Casual Diner.  We enjoyed our meal outside in their courtyard.  Then after we got back to the boat, there was a Patsy Cline (impersonator) concert in the park right beside our boat.  We put our director's chairs out on the bow and listened to the concert while drinking an adult beverage.  It doesn't get better than that.  Tomorrow we plan to walk across the bridge and check out the rest of the town.  I am hoping to be able to put a couple of pictures on.

 The scenery is beautiful.

Canadian flag at the first lock.

 The lockmaster has to open the gates by hand.  That seems a little antiquated.

John took this picture.  Cool!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

We woke up this morning to rain.  We have decided to leave here tomorrow morning, providing it is no longer raining.  Therefore, at 8:00 A.M., I started walking across the bridge with 2 weeks worth of dirty clothes in the drizzle.  It was only a 10 minute walk to the laundromat and the sign on the door said they are closed on Monday and open from 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday through Thursday.  They were not open when I arrived.  I waited for 10 minutes and then called the phone number on the front of the building.  The woman said she was on her way.  She got there at 8:30.  My clothes were finished at 10:10. That was a very good thing because the power went out on the whole street, even the marina.  The lady working at the laundromat said the last time the power went out, it was out for 3 days.  It was raining quite hard as I walked back to the marina.  John had suggested I bring garbage bags to put down in the "hampers" to keep the clothes dry in case it was still raining when I was ready to come back.  Boy, am I glad I listened to him.  That worked really well.

We spent most of the rest of the day on the boat.  We took one walk into town and visited a music store.  Even though there is no room for any more guitars on board, John can't resist looking.  There are three music stores within about 3 blocks here in Trenton.  The competition among them is fierce.  We played cards for awhile on the aft deck and grilled steaks for dinner.  We were glad that we weren't planning on going out for dinner tonight because it was thunder storming at dinner time.  At any rate, we will most likely be tied to a wall outside of one of the locks tomorrow night.  In that case, I am certain we will not have Internet service.  It may be several days until I can blog again.  Don't give up on us.  We'll blog as soon as we have service again.

This is a lit sign on the bridge next to Fraser Park Marina where we are docked.

June 11, 2012

Yesterday we got up at 4:30 in the morning.  Oh my goodness!  That's the middle of the night as far as I'm concerned.  We left Oswego at 5:15.  It was the perfect day for crossing Lake Ontario.  The waves were nonexistent and the temperature warmed up quite nicely.  About halfwa across the water, we were invaded by flies.  They were small and everywhere.  We cruised 97 miles and arrive at Fraser Park Marina at 3:30 P.M.  We fueled up upon arriving and before we could pump even a liter of diesel, KC and Scott pulled up to the dock.  They left Oswego at 7:00 A.M. Apparently, they cruise faster than we do because they came the same route that we did.  After we both were tied up and hooked up to electric, we had showers and went out for dinner for my birthday.  We just walked across the street and ate at Captain George's Fish and Chips.  We arrived back at the boat at 8:00 P.M.  It had been a really long, but beautiful day.  We vegged out until we went to sleep around 10:00.

Today began with us walking into town.  We exchanged some money at the bank and looked for a prepaid Roger's stick for the computer for Internet.  Eventually, we were told you have to buy them directly from Roger's.  It was farther away than either of us wanted to walk, so that didn't happen.  However, after we returned to the harbor, Craig the harbor master, gave us the instructions for using their Internet.  It works fine as you can see.  Three more looper boats arrived today.  They are all very nice and easy to talk to.  Two of the boats are leaving in the morning.  The other boat is here for 10 days.  As for us, we don't know exactly what our plans are for the near future. 

 Sunrise at 5:00 on June 10th.

 Ferry in the Bay of Quinte.

 Some of the flies on the screen on the bridge.

KC and Scott.  They are on "Jet Stream"

Saturday, June 9, 2012

It was gray and raining when we woke up this morning.  So, we were glad that we had decided to stay here today.  After lunch, KC (a woman we met at the last marina) and I walked into town and did a little window shopping.  I did buy a piece of material to make a TV cover for the small TV on our aft deck.  We scouted out a close place to have dinner tonight.  The place is called Old City Hall and when we visited this afternoon, the owner told us they have music tonight starting at 6:00.  So, the four of us (KC, her husband Scott, John and I) went there for dinner.  John and I stayed to listen to the music for awhile after dinner.  When we were there earlier in the day, there were two little dogs sitting on the bar.  They belonged to the owner and were very cute.  The three pictures I am adding today are all from this bar / restaurant.  We had a good time.

Our plan has changed slightly.  We are leaving here early tomorrow morning because the weather is supposed to be better tomorrow than Monday.  Originally, it was supposed to be the same until Tuesday, but that's how it goes.  We should be in Canada tomorrow.  My blogging may be sporadic depending on how often we can get WI-FI.  So, if you don't see anything new here for several days, don't  be concerned.  I will do the best I can.

Friday, June 8, 2012

We got up with the birds this morning and unhitched our lines at 6:30 A.M.  We arrived at our last lock on the Erie Canal at 7:00.  We locked through with two sailboats "Sirius" and "Nessie".  Then we did all seven locks on the Oswego Canal today. Lock #2 has a bridge halfway across it that is only 5 feet off the water.  You pull in no farther than the bridge and after the lockmaster takes the water level down (18 feet), you can pass under the bridge as you exit the lock. We are currently in Oswego, tied up to the wall.  It's $20 a day with or without electric.  We were fortunate to get one of the few electric hookups on the dock.  We are planning on staying here for the weekend and crossing Lake Ontario on Monday, weather permitting.  It's supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow, 60% chance.  Scott and KC whom we met at Ess-Kay are docked right behind us on the wall.  We walked to a tavern / restaurant named "The Office" for dinner. I love that name.  I imagine there are a few people who, when their spouse calls to see why they aren't home yet, they say that they are still at The Office.

When we first arrived, I went for a hike to the post office.  It's about 1 1/2 miles away from the boat.  I really got exercise today.  Lock #5 was difficult for me.  It only had the ropes that you hold on to fore and aft, no cable or pipe or bollard.  It was very windy and while we were waiting for a boat to get to the lock and tie up, we both had a hard time holding on.  Once the doors were closed and the water started going down, it was a lot easier.  This seems like a nice town and I am looking forward to investigating some more tomorrow.   

 Our last lock on the Erie Canal.

I feel so spoiled! 

John took this picture of me in the lock.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

We stayed at Ess-Kay Yards, Inc. today.  This morning, we borrowed the courtesy car again.  First we went to West Marine, but they didn't have any of the things we were looking for.  We had not been using our good Cannon camera because the software is not compatible with this computer.  The software is too old.  We tried to download what we needed from their website and were told that it is not available for Windows 7.  Besides that, the disk that goes into the camera does not fit into the slot on the computer or on the printer.  So, we went to Staples, and found an adapter that will handle 50 different memory devices and plugs into the USB port.  It was $15 and works like a champ.  Not only that, but it also allowed me to download an image manipulator / editor for free.  Now I can get rid of red eye, crop pictures, brighten them, sharpen them, make them sepia toned, and so much more. I am so excited.  Now the pictures John took in New York harbor with that camera are available for viewing.  I will put a couple of them on the blog tonight.

We had a great Happy Hour tonight.  There were 6 couples around the picnic table.  One couple Dave and Barb have done the Trent Severn a couple of times before and at the end of Happy Hour, they went lock by lock and told us what to expect.  We've got several pages of notes.  One couple here today is Eddie and Sandi on "Tarquin".  This is the third time our paths have crossed. It was nice to see them pull in this afternoon. 

Helicopter. 

Statue of Liberty 

 At first glance, this looks like a psychodelic boat from the 60s, but those are really rust holes.

New York Skyline.