Yesterday after a peaceful night, we
were up and ready to head across Lake Ontario. The prediction for
waves was less than 1 foot. Perfect!
We had spent the night tied to the wall
above Lock 1 on the Oswego Canal so the first thing to do was to move
on through this lock. It's a short drop down – especially with the
lake still being about 3 feet above normal levels. Once through the
lock we headed out onto the lake.
The lighthouse here is in dire need of
adoption! It's still being used but sadly is in need of a good paint
job. Maybe there is a group somewhere that refurbishes old
lighthouses.
The day was cool but mostly sunny.
Waves really WERE less than one foot (weather prediction sites lie often it was nice that they got it right this time :-) )
Off we went to catch up to Rahn de
Vous. They had spent the night at a marina below the lock to give
the choice of starting off without having to wait to go through the
lock (which opened at 7 am). We figured they had about an hour and a
half head start.
So if boat A traveling at 10 mph leaves
at 7 am and boat B traveling at 18 mph leaves an hour and a half
later, how soon will the boat B catch up to boat A? Sound familiar?!
Oh how I love algebra :-)
It actually took us about 2 hours to
catch them! We waved and continued on with another 20 miles or so to
Kingston.
The timing to Kingston was crazy good –
we arrived at the lift bridge (which lifts only on the hour) five
minutes before the noon opening. Couldn't have done better if we had
tried!
This bridge is very different than most
of the bridges along the intercoastal waterway of the US. There is a
giant weight (left side of the bridge) that serves as the
counterweight to lift the bridge. Kind of fun to see it work.
In theory, this bridge has a clearance
of 13 feet (between the water and the lowest metal on the bridge). Really?? I know the lake is up but 13'
clearance? I don't think that can at all be accurate …..
Kingston Marina is just north of the
main part of town and better protected from the high winds due in for
a couple of days. We've stayed here before but are still again amazed
at the boats they build here. It's just a small place but apparently
well known for their fireboats. The left one is headed to Ft. Lauderdale
with the right one headed for Charleston!
The Canadian geese are around with the
young ones. They seem to be much better parents than Mallard ducks
are. Can't begin to get close to the goslings without taking your
life in your hands. The two duckings swimming around were seemingly on their own
already – no parent in sight. Maybe that's why there are so many
Canadian geese these days :-)
The downtown area is almost flooded.
You can see the sandbags lining the hotel that is right on the
waterfront by the main marina – which has no transient tie-ups due
to the high water.
Steve did spot what appeared to be
professional camera equipment being used downtown. Turns out it's the
filming for a TV show in Quebec! He said it was hard to figure out
what was going on since everyone involved was speaking French :-)
Karen and Craig has spotted a great
breakfast place as they were walking around yesterday so off we went
this morning. It was established in 1929 and has the reputation of
being the best in town.
What? Peameal bacon? It was great on an
egg white sandwich! I see more of those in my future for sure :-)
Karen had predicted that I was going to like the place. No mashed
potatoes but I definitely settled for the peameal!
The market area yesterday was produce.
Today it was more like a flea market. Steve found 5 movies for $4 –
The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, Ghostbusters 1 & 2, and The
Guardian (it's about the Coast Guard rescue swimmers) and involves
terrifying water rescues – perfect!! (One of my favorite movies is
The Perfect Storm :-) )
Finally a bit of history of the area.
Click on the picture to see a larger version.
And the Canadian Pacific engine near
the old train station.
Tomorrow we'll start our trip up the Rideau Canal with the destination being Ottawa. Less than 200 miles away.
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