9 - the photos Oswego

8 - Cape Vincent to Sackets Harbor - Tibbetts Point Again

Cape Vincent to Sackets Harbor - Tibbetts Point Again

When we woke up we checked the weather. There were several thunderstorms we were watching and it was very hard to tell the way the storms were going to pass. We decided to wait for an hour and check again. Very dark clouds passed over our heads, and the sky behind it looked pretty good. Wayne checked and it looked like the storm we were watching was passing to the south and we would miss it, so we headed out. The strong storm did however hit Livonia; I have to wonder how our house faired. The wind and waves were pretty strong. We had no choice but to motor with the wind right on the nose. We bucked and sloshed into the wind and waves and SLOWLY made progress out of the river. We motored past the green buoy just off the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse and tried to raise the main sail to give us some more horse power. It seemed like we were crawling. We tried raising the Genoa but the wind was too gusty which caused us to lurch uncomfortably. So we were back to motoring. We did leave the mail up to steady the boat so at least we had a more comfortable ride than we got in the river.

The trick with getting out of the Saint Lawrence is to get out into the lake far enough to clear Grenadier Island before turning to port. The Island has a long shoal way out into the lake so you have give it a very wide margin. This is also a lee shore (the wind is blowing toward shore) and a rocky shoreline so safety demands an extra bit of margin. You are also in the shipping lane for a lot of that time.

So with the Foster luck, of course we encounter a freighter as we exited the river. So we had to tack off course to let the freighter pass by. But the engine continued to run this time, so there was no tacking back and forth to claw our way out into the lake against wind and river current like we had to do the last time we came this way.

It seemed like it took us forever before we actually cleared Grenadier and could turn for home. Once we made the turn, Wayne put up the sails and the ride got a lot more comfortable. The rest of the trip was pretty easy and we were very happy to see home port coming into view!

We landed at the marina and tied up the boat. Home again! A few hours later and very ugly thunderstorm went through. We were VERY glad to be back at the dock. Lots of Thunder and lightning, hail and then afterwards a double full arch rainbow! Beautiful! We have seen double arch rainbows before but never two full arches from horizon to horizon. The color was so intense; I hope the photos capture some of the beauty.

So we are now spending a few days relaxing at camp and decommissioning the boat. It was a great trip with lots of firsts and personal bests. The only objective we didn’t attain was anchoring out. Thunderstorm threats kept us tied to the marinas. That will have to be for another day.

We hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventures. Until next year!
B&W

7 - Gananoque to Cape Vincent - Dead Calm

7 - Gananoque to Cape Vincent - Dead Calm

We left Gananoque about 8 am. No wind, not a whisper! We had to motor the whole way - another first. We took an easier route out of the Admiralty Islands which took us along the north shore. It was still a little tricky navigating, but was much easier than going - directly through the heart of the islands as we did on the way in. We saw some more nice places to anchor and definitely want to come back and try it!

The trip was uneventful overall. We did see a strange vertical cloud formation that would have sent us into the storm cellar if we had been in Kansas. Very odd! It was kind of scary, but in the end harmless.

Cape Vincent has a couple of free places to dock. There is the town dock and the DEC Dock. The DEC dock has rest rooms and showers, while the town docks just have a porta-john. No choice there - we went to the DEC dock.

When we arrived in Cape Vincent there were no other boats at the DEC research center dock. We tied up, went to check in with customs at the ferry landing. We found the in person check in to be a lot easier than the video phone. One of the agents was really pleasant and he was the one to check us through. It was a pretty easy process.

As the afternoon progressed, all the docks had filled up and the last two boats had to anchor out because the docks were full. We met a nice couple from Hamilton Ontario on a Nonsuch sailboat name Jake - Aloo. Nonsuch They were coming from Gananoque and leaving for Henderson Harbor in the morning. We also shared the dock with a group of young couples traveling in several big power boats from Quebec province. They unloaded their generators and ran long electric cords to power their air conditioners and refrigerators. Traveling in the lap of luxury!

We went out for supper at Captain Jacks, Wayne was disappointed because they were not serving the wonderful calm chowder we so enjoyed when we were here with our mothers in June. Being from Massachusetts, Wayne does not take calm chowder lightly! Back to the dock for a G&T and bit more conversation with the couple from Jake - Aloo (some very interesting insights into Universal Health Care) then off to bed for a restful night.

Hugs all around
Wayne and Brenda aboard the s/v Wander’n By, Cape Vincent NY

6 - Kingston to Gananoque – Follow the Leader

Kingston to Gananoque – Follow the Leader
We slept in a bit, prepped the boat, took a shower and got ready to leave Kingston. As we were starting our engine, the Canadian Border Patrol paid us a visit. We learned we are supposed to put the check in number in the window of our boat closest to the boarding area. They were stern, but pretty nice about it so no big deal. Notes for next time!

We headed north east up the St. Lawrence River. Sailing was easy; again wind at our backs and sailing on only the Genoa. We noticed a very pretty yellow and orange spinnaker on a sail boat sailing in the same direction. We took some pictures. We passed them and later they passed us. We had a chance to hail them, say hello and ask them the type of boat they were sailing. He told us a Union 36. Very pretty boat with classic lines and a big bow sprit out in front (Basically a long pole sticking out the front that they mount additional sails.) Wayne asked them where they were going and they said they were also going to Gananoque. We said it was our first time there, and they said they would see us there.

The wind was picking up as we had expected about the time we got to the Admiralty Islands which we either had to go through or around to get to Gananoque. We were glad to get out of the main lake and into more a sheltered area. We rolled up our sail and followed the Union 36 through some very picturesque islands winding in and through some very close islands and rocks. We saw a very nice place several boats were anchored in a small cove behind Aubrey Island. We will have to come back and anchor here one of these days!

After several twists and turns we noticed the union 36 had someone on deck we guessed to watch for rocks, so Brenda went forward to check it out. It was absolutely gorgeous in there! Right out of a picture post card. We never could have attempted it if we had not had our guide in front of us. Wayne did a great job maneuvering the boat through some very tight channels (I think he has a few more gray hairs though!). We exited the channel and there was Gananoque!

We made our way to the dock and a very nice gentleman from Ottawa assisted us in docking. It was quite windy and a challenge docking. Wayne did a great job of getting us in. After we were all tied up and settled, we assisted several other boats in docking. Everyone was very happy to have some help given the windy conditions.

We took a walk and checked out the public beach which is very close by. There is also a public dock for daytime tie up, and a group of shops and a marine museum just past the beach. Later we walked up to King Street (Main) and had supper in the “Old English Pub”. Very interesting décor and the food was fantastic! Wayne had Sheppard’s pie with lamb, and Brenda had Guinness marinated steak pie. We split a seafood chowder which was excellent as well. Very highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

We are supposed to get rain tonight and more tomorrow morning, so we will have some time to relax and see some more of the town tomorrow afternoon. Our next stop will be Cape Vincent to check in with US Customs.

5 - Picton to Kingston, Best and Worst

Picton to Kingston – Our best and worst sail so far

We left Picton at 6 am. Beautiful sunrise! The air was cool, but not so cool as to need long sleeves. Once again the wind was at our backs, so we were sailing with the wind. I don’t know how that keeps happening, downhill both ways? Our winds started out pretty light, but after we got out into the Adolphus Reach the wind picked up and the sailing was spectacular. Easy sailing on just the genoa and we were clipping along at 5.5 knots! Amazing.

We had several hours of wonderful sailing. When we got close to the channel between Simco Island and Amhurst Island, the winds started to pick up considerably. Crossing the channel the waves got big enough to get your attention. It was quite a ride and the biggest waves we have seen to date. We thought the waves would diminish as we entered Kingston Harbor, but boy were we wrong! The harbor was bedlam with a bunch of idiots out to brave the waves. Wind surfers, Kite surfers, mini sail boats, a ferry, a tour boat and a whole bunch of us trying to get OUT of the weather.

Two young, maybe 8-9 years old were out in a mini sail boat paddling with the sail up trying to turn the boat. They succeeded – right in front of us. We had to turn left and had to go between the ferry and the tour boat. We were ¼ mile away from each boat, so not up close and personal, but close enough people on the ferry were taking our picture. We were bucking the waves trying to roll our sail in, and trying to get a dock assignment all at the same time. It made for a pretty exciting few minutes.

We finally got inside the marina, got docked and breathed a big sigh of relief! The tour boat turned around and aborted their tour. Another bottle of Mike’s bit the dust. We tidied up the boat and went to get some lunch before the BIG storm hit.

The clouds were looking really dark, so we battened down and went below. Suddenly a gust of wind hit the side of the boat and heeled the boat quite a lot for sitting at the dock. Next thing we knew it was raining like crazy and it started to hail. The hail was the size of jaw breakers. The water looked like it was boiling at one point. I scrambled to get the camera but by the time I got it, the worst was over. I took a couple of pictures, then switched over to video mode. There was a huge flash of lighting followed immediately by really loud crack of thunder. I about jumped out of my skin! We’ll see how that video comes out!

Later in the evening, one of the boaters in the marina told us his wind speed indicator recorded 35 knot winds. We think the winds were about 25 knots when we were coming into port. One more for the record books!

It’s off to Gananoque tomorrow.

4 - The sailboat race

Kingston to Picton Ontario – The sailboat Race
We left Kingston at 8:30, right after the morning ritual of “God Save the Queen” on the bagpipes. There was not a breath of wind so we motored west through the North Channel. Even though we had left early, it was getting awfully hot again. The heat was really starting to get to Brenda.

We stopped in Bath Ontario, Loyalist Cove Marina, for fuel, ice, a pump out, and a bit of a stay in some AC to cool down. As we came back out we discovered a wonderful breeze had come up while we were in the marina. Oh, to sail again! The majesty of a boat moving under nothing but the power of the wind is beautiful to behold! We unfurled the sails and off we went! Yeehaa!

We were coiling the dock lines and getting in the fenders when we noticed the smoke stacks we had been using as land marks no longer had bases. The bottom ½ was obscured by fog and that is the direction we were heading. We didn’t know how large the fog was or how dense. We saw several boats come out of the fog so we decided to stay on course. This happened between Amhurst Island and Indian point which is the boundary between the North Channel and the Adolphus Reach. As we got past the boundary we came out of the fog. When looked back the fog was dissipating and the smoke stack was nearly clear of fog. It turns out it was a weather anomaly we think caused by the sudden wind change.

The Adolphus Reach is a long narrow body of water rather like one of the Finger Lakes. As we came around one of the points two other sailboats came close to us. We were all headed in the same direction, all about the same size, and about the same speed. Cruising sailors like to use their boats to explore new places and rather shun the idea of racing with the boat, however some times we just can’t help ourselves. We started the race behind the other boats but upwind (which is sometimes an advantage). We quickly passed the Catalina 30 and got quite close to the C&C 33. We stayed neck and neck with the C&C for a long time, sometimes getting right up along side sometimes falling back a few boat lengths. Then the wind started to fade and our large sails gave us the advantage and we pulled ahead. By the time we turned south into Picton Harbor we were a good mile ahead. She’s a good old boat by golly!

As we came into Picton Harbor we could easily believe we were in New England. The town and harbor are very picturesque. We tidied up the boat, inhaled a Mike’s Lemonade, and walked into town to get some supper. While we were in the restaurant we overheard the conversation at a table on the other side of the restaurant was all about sailing so I went over and introduced myself. It turns out these were the sailors we had been “racing” earlier! It turns out they are from Toronto Yacht Club and are out on the Club’s annual three week cruise. Brenda said to the C&C owner “We thought you had dropped back to let us lead into the harbor. He said ‘No … but let’s go with that!” They were very nice and we enjoyed a glass of wine with them after dinner.

Next day we enjoyed a relaxing morning then spent the afternoon acquainting ourselves with downtown Picton. A lovely little village that actually has an old time main street! We found a fish and chips restaurant and had some of the best clam chowder we have had this side of Massachusetts. Charlie would be so proud of us!

Given the weather forecast it is back to Kingston next. Wayne thinks it is a good idea to be in a safe harbor by early afternoon, so we are setting the alarm for 5AM. Ugh! At least it will be cool at that hour and hey, it’s a ½ hour later than our normal alarm clock so guess we still are “sleeping in!”

Wayne and Brenda aboard the sailing vessel Wander’n By
N 44º 00.90
W 77º 07.94

3 - Tuesday in Kingston - Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Tuesday in Kingston - Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We woke early this morning to an overcast sky and spent a couple hours reading and enjoying the cool of the morning. I made a potato salad, Wayne washed up the dishes. He very cleverly used a folding colander as a dish drainer! No room for all the amenities of life. Make due with what you’ve got!

At 8 am we heard a wailing noise. What the heck? It’s a bagpiper! - in a complete kit including kilt and sporran! What an alarm clock! He is quite a site marching up and down the docks playing God Save the Queen! Probably a few who imbibed too heartily the night before were ready to cold cock the guy. Wayne and I thought it was pretty cool and raced to find the camera to take a picture.

It turned out to be another very hot day. We wandered around Kingston a bit, went shopping (more on that below) and hit the farmers market which was very expensive - corn: 75 cents per ear, $3.75 for a small cup of raspberries or blueberries! Holy cow! There were some interesting things there, but expensive so we didn’t stick around long. After We went for lunch at the Prince George Hotel and had Fish and Chips with Vinegar and Dungloe Sauce. We were very curious about the Dungloe Sauce and asked the waitress (who had a very lovely English accent by the way); Horseradish, Mayo, Yogurt, Capers, Peppers and a “few other things”. We liked it very much.

On the trip from Sackets to Oswego, we had peaches, oranges, apples and bananas. They took a bit of a beating, so on the trip from Oswego to Kingston, we tried tying them in bags from the hand rails in the main salon (i.e. where we do everything except sleep, brush our teeth and pee!). The onions had a nice mesh bag, but since we didn’t have anything else we used plastic shopping bags for the rest. The fact that they were hanging was great, but the plastic - not so good! Lucky it was only one day, but even at that the heat turned our oranges into a white fur ball! So we were looking for something we could use to hang the fruit. Originally I was thinking a toy hammock, or maybe a hank of fabric, table cloth or lace curtain. After much searching we finally found mesh laundry bags. Zippered top, nice soft mesh. Perfect!

After lunch we toured a redoubt where a swivel cannon was mounted to defend Kingston. ( http://www.kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/murney.html ) The center is a massive column of stonework to support the weight of the cannon. The design and engineering is very impressive and quite a work of art too. We also found a Maritime Museum, a public beach, and some wonderful parks. The heat finally chased us back and we sat in the Marina lounge to cool off some before we headed back to the boat. Supper was cold turkey, salad, and just a bit of 75 cents an ear corn. Way too hot to try and cook. We took some of those extravagantly expensive raspberries and put them on top of some vanilla yogurt. A treat to die for!

We finally had a cold front come through that gave us a blessed cool breeze that dropped the temperature to about 80 degrees. A nasty thunderstorm passed just north of us but we were lucky and never even saw a drop of rain. Nice and cool sleeping - finally!