Sunday, July 31

Hello from Kingston, ON (100,000+ and as Mark says it's the largest city Catrina has been in since Chicago) and what a happening weekend here with the 3-day holiday.   Very busy marina at the Confederation Basin and the streets are full of people.   There was a big triathlon going on, plus families with kiddies and oh so many activities everywhere!   It's a very pretty day - warmer than yesterday.    I have never seen so many outdoor cafes anywhere....they are everywhere and all look so inviting with their pretty flowers, canopy covers, etc.    We chose Zappa's for lunch (very good) - sat outside (I had a wonderful white sangria) and watched the end of the runners come past as we were close to the finish line.   And right next door was Mia Gelato - oh my, that stuff is sooo yummy!    Walked to Princess Street (shops galore) and that's when Mark and I parted ways - he wanted to go back to the boat and do some jobs (when we left Picton this morning, we had planned to drive from the lower station and run the air conditioning; however, the generator shut down shortly after we were underway).   I had some serious browsing to do.    Unfortunately,the sign of the times is evident here, too, with many empty stores.    But there were many nice shops and of course all the restaurants!

Mark worked on the generator and found that the impeller had gone bad so he replaced it with a spare he had on hand!   It's fun watching all the comings and goings of so many BIG yachts here.    Kingston is 1/2 way between Toronto and Montreal and the start of the Thousand Islands which we plan to scope out tomorrow.

Hard to believe it's the end of July!!!   Mark is grilling out brats...........we are on "holiday" like the Canadians!

Saturday, July 30

A picture-perfect day in Picton with lots of sunshine and temps in the 70's.    Sooo delightful to be out and about, starting with exercising, breakfast and then Mark was off to get a few groceries and I went to Miss Lily's to check e-mail.   This is such a popular spot with people coming and going all day long and along with their laptops, enjoying a great beverage or tasty treats.

There was an abundance of folks on the streets (3-day holiday for most Canadians) and I enjoyed all the cute shops  vendors on the sidewalks, and music playing.    Even the library was having a big book sale and I got a  Maeve Binchy book for $1.

Met Mark at "Portabella" for delicious lunch - neat place in an old building!    We went to 5:00 Mass at

 St. Gregory the Great

Sat on top of Catrina's bridge and enjoyed this very pretty evening with a few munchies (still full from lunch)!     Tomorrow we are off to Kingston (40 miles) and will have some yummy pastries from Miss Lily for breakfast along the way!

Friday, July 29

We left Trenton at 7:20 AM after getting fuel and a pump-out. It was dreary, hazy and looked like rain was coming. 

Mark and Craig (friendly harbor master) just before leaving Fraser Park Marina

in Trenton

 We traveled 40 miles (3 hours) today to Picton and about the last 1/3 of the trip was in fog and rain (heavy at times). Picton is a nice little town with some cute shops….they do not have internet at the marina, but Miss Lily’s is a cute internet cafe connected to a neat bookstore (old and new), gifts, etc. There are a lot of used book stores in Canada. So, that’s where we’ve been off and on – been raining all day, but supposed to clear and be a nice weekend. We plan to stay till Sunday.

Ryan’s ship has left San Diego and he’s on his way……..my heart aches along with all the moms and dads whose sons and daughters are with him….God bless and please pray for their safe return!

Proud Dad

My Dad was released from the hospital and glad to be back at the nursing home and they were glad to have him back!!! My brother Bob called with a full report.  Dad wonders why he keeps going back and forth to the hospital and asked me “what are we going to do about that”???

The sun came out about 4:30 and it was hot! We took off up the steep hill with our cart full of laundry and 4 loads and ice cream cones later, we are done! Nothing like having an ice cream shop right beside

 “The Wash Tub” !

Thursday, July 28

Today started out nice and then turned cloudy, then a little rain and finally SUNSHINE!     We exercised and then walked downtown - Mark needed a Tim Horton fix and of course, I tagged right along behind!    Their maple frosted donuts are sooo delish!    I browsed a few shops and Ryan called.    Someone stole his cell phone!    AAAARRRRGHHHHHH!!!!!   All those numbers - what a nightmare and just before he leaves for 7 months!    Back to Catrina and read, then had lunch and off on our bikes.   Trying to offset all the donuts and ice cream we've been enjoying!!!    Think the treats are winning out...

This is bridge here at the marina we came thru yesterday....sign is lit up in dark blue at night - neat!

Mark pedaling across the bridge behind a jogger this morning in hunt of a laundromat which he found, but too far away for all we have to do, so.....hopefully, tomorrow we can get that task done.

Dad he may go back to nursing home tomorrow?   Liam is doing great!!!

We went to Tomasso's for wonderful bruschetta, Chianti and jambalaya (Mark) and chicken cacciatore (me).    Such a neat place and packed - glad we had reservations (this place was recommended by the lockmaster at #1 - Trenton).

Tomasso's

Back to Ryan....tonight received an e-mail from Kristen in California whose husband is in Ryan's squadron and leaving tomorrow, too.   Since Ryan does not have a spouse, Kristen has taken him under her wing and sends on pictures and whatever I give to her for "Ryan's board" - full of friendly, familiar, fun and family stuff!    Kristen did this last time the guys were deployed and now again....can't imagine what she is going thru as this go-round, Kristen and Joel have 5-month old twin sons.    She's a gem!!!  As she says, our hearts are aching  but we know God will take care of our guys and that is a great comfort!!!

More pretty flowers

Tomorrow we are off to Picton (about 40 miles)  - no more locks for

awhile!.

Wednesday, July 27

Yeah.............we have completed the Trent-Severn Waterway in 9 days with 43 locks, 240 miles and so much beauty "locked" away making for very special memories!    We did 12 locks and 31 miles in 7 hours today!    Should've opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but don't have any on board, so ice cream treats tasted even better!

It was a gorgeous day with blue skies and big puffy clouds and much calmer than yesterday.    We are in Trenton and planning to stay here for 2 days!   Walked downtown and checked out the area a bit.

Here's what we saw along the way today...

Very marshy area along the Trent River

Hilly areas after lots of flat terrain

An osprey in his nest

For the most part, the lockmasters and lock staff were friendly, helpful and just very pleasant to chat with - we remember only 3 who must've been having a bad day???

Lockmaster and college student - 2 of the good ones!!!   Quick picture as we were going down.

The Trenton Lock - #1 as you start the Trent-Severn IF you are going the "normal" route (counter clockwise); but this was #43 for we Nomads who did it clockwise - hurray!!!!

An update on those with health issues...

Liam came thru his surgery just fine - he's been resting at home with Mommy and Daddy and getting plenty of attention, I'm sure!!!!   Yeah Liam!!!

Talked to my Dad this afternoon - he was feeling better and expecting to receive another blood transfusion tonight.    He has no idea how long he'll be in the hospital  - "Nobody tells me anything"!

Nite nite from Trenton, Ontario

July 26

What a day…..lots of gloomy, sad news starting with my Dad being admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and internal bleeding (needs a blood transfusion); a long-time friend died (I did cross stitch with Celia for many years and have so many happy memories of all the craft shows we did together) and then got an e-mail from my friend Missy in AZ that her Mom is dying….such a sweet lady. Storming the heavens with prayers….

Very windy and some strong current today (especially in Lock 14 – Crowe Bay) and coming into Hastings! Yikes…..we traveled 59 miles and went thru 7 locks. Tonight we are tied up to the town wall in Campbellford.

Entrance to Campbellford

We walked downtown and got a chicken quesadilla and small pizza to go….both very good. We have 31 miles and 12 locks to go!

Good luck to Liam tomorrow..... always thinking of Ryan....and praying lots..

Sunday, Monday, July 24-25

SUNDAY - Beautiful sunny day with pleasant temps and we are ready to get back to cruising and locking thru . We left Bobcaygeon at 7:50 and had a great day on the water – busy Sunday traffic of jet skiers, pontoons, houseboats and even 2 sailboats sailing (first we’ve seen). We went 43 miles and thru 8 locks (that puts us at 21 with 22 to go). There were 4 today that were very close together and since Kirkfield we have been coming in at the top of the lock and come out at the bottom.  This was 12 locks ago (just in case you’re keeping track!!!)

Cruised past some gorgeous terrain today and parts of it (Clear Lake) reminded us so much of Georgian Bay.

Sure could be Georgian Bay

Burleigh Falls

We stopped at Young’s Point for lunch. All of the locks have nice park-like areas to tie up (at the top or bottom) with picnic tables, benches, etc. When we arrived, there were several folks walking along the locks   taking our picture. We tied up, had lunch and then walked to the Lakeside Trading Post which was a neat store of clothing, gifts, etc., and ice cream. We enjoyed our Kawartha treats and then were on our way. Lots of people browsing this neat store who came by car to shop on a lovely Sunday afternoon.

These signs are at each lock.

Fun stop

Mark standing at the lock with no railings (folks can stroll up very close).  They expect people to be responsible for their own actions.

The Kawartha Lakes area is big favorite area of cruising the Trent-Severn. We agree!!!! Very pretty country with sooooo many cottages and many lovely, large homes and so picturesque (the Adirondack chairs are still everywhere)!!!

We are spending the night tied down stream of the Otonabee Lock. We enjoyed a very refreshing dip in the water with our noodles and then went for a bike ride (1st time since Parry Sound which was eons ago)!!! Mark grilled out burgers and we are the only boat here tonight – all is calm and peaceful!

MONDAY - Started raining around 1:30 AM - nice and gentle, then picked up later, along with thunder and lightning and off and on showers most of the day. These folks really need it! We exercised, had breakfast, got out the rain gear and were good to go!   Passed thru 3 locks including the big Peterborough Lift which is the highest hydraulic lift in the world.   Pictures can't do this justice, but here's what I got...

Entrance to the Peterborough Lift (where is the water going)???

We had been way up at the top

Hydraulic cylinder which pushes the tub of water up or slowly lets it down (there was an identical cylinder under our tub of water).   There are 228,000 gallons of water in each "bath tub"!!!

Centennial Falls

 (Canada's highest waterfall at 250') at entrance to

the Peterborough Marina.

Along the way we've been given wildlife cards and stickers from the staff at the locks - we have quite a selection for our grandsons!

Some friends from home are thinking about doing the Trent-Severn some time in the fall;    I can only imagine the beauty of this area when the colors change; however, the boating season pretty much winds down Labor  Day weekend as fuel is no longer available and the locks close October 12th.

Yesterday while riding our bikes, we came upon Trent University and today, passed by more of the campus on Catrina.

We are at the Peterborough Marina which is in the heart of downtown - cruised 6 miles and went thru 3 locks today.     Walked to Tim Horton's for lunch.    Getting brighter out.

We locked in with this kayaker from Trenton who was in his "tiny" kayak and all his possessions stored underneath and out of the rain

Doing some long-distance traveling....we were together in Lock #22 at Nassau Mills

Wednesday is eventful for our family.....Ryan will be deployed on the USS Stennis to the Persian Gulf near Afghanistan for 7 months (of course, this Mama will worry and anxiously await his safe return.    Please keep all our military in your prayers).   And...

Liam will be having his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears.   Grandma wishes she could be there, but prayers for successful surgery and quick recovery for my little Sweetie...

Turned out to be a beautiful afternoon/evening.  Ron and Lois who live near Peterborough came to visit on Catrina.   I was in Exchange Club with Ron several years ago - sooo much fun catching up and then enjoying a delicious dinner at Roland's.   

Lois and Ron

July 23

Beautiful day here in Bobcaygeon, with  90 (32) for the temp!    We exercised this morning,I hosed down Catrina, had breakfast, and walked downtown.    Watched all the boats passing thru the locks (busy weekend traffic), checked out a few more shops and got an iced coffee.  Mark was hoping to find a good bargain on shoes at Bigley's too, but didn't happen (of course shopping is not his thing so I'm thinking he just didn't search hard enough)???

Next to the lock is this little house which was a lockmaster watch house and these were all over the Trent-Severn in the 1800's.   They provided shelter for the lockmaster.   This is apparently the last one which was restored and now houses other bits of interesting facts about the waterway with a large map showing all the little towns, lakes, canals, rivers, etc. along the way...

Lockmaster Watch House

Security at the locks is certainly different than the US.    Here whenever the gates are closed, anyone can walk across as I'm doing here in my new shoes.

And now....the flowers...

Near the lockmaster house

On the lamp posts

 Several of these were on the wall outside Foodland

Outside a store front

While we were downtown, the 42nd annual Ontario Step and Fiddle contest was going on outside the drug store.   This a big event and participants come from all over.   I talked to a lady who said Bobcaygeon has some sort of entertainment almost every weekend!

The quaint Kawartha Coffee Co. 

Bigley's Resort Wear celebrating Bigley's 100th Anniversary!

 Our Lady Queen of Peace

Went to 6:00 Mass here and we were given a very warm welcome and blessing by Father Sebastian for our first visit (2 other families, also).   Had a nice dinner at Donatella's and ate outside on this lovely evening!

Friday, July 22

 What a difference a day makes….yesterday we were sweltering, sticky and sweaty! Today, was much more pleasant. Sounds like it’s to keep getting better each day with temps dropping to a real comfort level!!! As one of the locals said, “We can finally breathe again”!

RV Park coming into Bobcaygeon

We went thru 3 locks today and covered 20 miles. We had planned to stay at the Viamede Resort tonight because Boycaygeon was full; however, when we arrived here and tied up before going thru the lock, Mark turned me loose for a shopping fix, and he walked to Gordon Marina and they had a slip for us for the next 2 nights. YEAH…..this is a very charming little town full of cute shops and restaurants. The lock is right in the heart of town with lots of folks watching all the boats “locking thru”. After settling in our slip, we walked to “Just for the Halibut” for a wonderful lunch (very fresh fish). Afterwards, I walked Bolton Street and oh-so-much-fun! Bigley’s is famous in Canada for their HUGE shoe selection (I have never seen so many pairs of shoes under one roof), along with cute clothes, jewelry, purses, etc. And around the corner, is Bigley’s Resort Wear – swimsuits out the ying yang! I did buy a pair of New Balance “Rock and Tone” tennies on sale for $40 from $129 (am I a good shopper or what??) This place is incredible! Wish all my “shoeaholic” friends were here!

Great place to eat!

My Favorite Things - home decor and gift shop (GREAT) across the street from

"Just for the Halibut"

and finally...

Bigley's - WOW.....never saw anything quite like it!!!

Just a small section in this photo

Also picked up some Chelsea buns (sticky, cinnamon rolls) – came across 2 bakeries. So, Catrina’s First Mate is a happy camper! We have so enjoyed our first 4 days on the Trent-Severn – the Canadians have been so friendly, we’re seeing beautiful country and just having fun cruising on Catrina in all new territory!    Of course, the flowers are just gorgeous and Bobcaygeon has so many overflowing window boxes - the Canadians sure have green thumbs!

Tomorrow, we plan to explore on our bikes and soak up some history. They desperately need rain here – grass is so yellowish/brown.

 Hope it cools off VERY soon wherever you are....enjoy your weekend!

 

P.S. in case you're wondering it's pronounced  "Bob Cajun"   (this is from Mark)

Thursday, July 21

Helllo from the Rosedale Marina.  We wimped out today and only cruised 3 hours and decided it was too hot and buggie (big ole flies).   We have thoroughly enjoyed the air conditioning, our laptops, Nooks, etc.   Only went thru one lock today and it was a hydraulic lift lock which was 2 tubs of water (one at the bottom and one at top).  The tub at the top adds another foot of water which gives it added weight to push it down forcing the one at the bottom to the top.   Definitely the most interesting lock so far...

Picture borrowed from friends, Bob and Liz who were on their PDQ 4 years ago

Here's Catrina in the top tub (see the water way back there)

We have one more of this type coming up in Peterborough which is the highest (today at Kirkfield was the 2nd highest)..    There are only 9 locks like this ever built and the others are in England, France and Belgium.

We've passed under several bridges (some fixed, some swing) and this interesting one built in 1905

Appropriately named "Hole in the Wall"

First sailboat we've seen (must take masts down cause of bridges), but this one was quite unique?

And so many narrow passages where you absolutely did not want to meet another boat (space for one only), so Mark would call on the radio "Securite, Securite" that we were coming thru.

Narrow passage

Pretty evergreens up close and personal

We needed some exercise, so despite the heat, took a little jaunt for some yummy Kawartha ice cream

  

AND...100% Canadian ice cream

Pretty catails and maybe fireweed (native to Alaska) - not sure, but very similar with the flower part not reaching the top of stem (when that happens, there are 6 more weeks until winter).

Tuesday, Wednesday - July 19-20

Time to catch up the blog - no internet last night, so here's an update of the past 2 days...

Tuesday - we left Midland at 8:40 and went thru our first lock (Port Severn) at 9:30 meeting “Moonstruck” and crew, Judy and Doug from Port Charlotte, FL. We met them in the winter of 2010 in FL and they have a PDQ same as Catrina. The Loopers were out today (probably passed around a dozen all going counter clockwise to our clockwise).  We've been asked more than once "WHY" we're going this way instead of the normal....so give the "short" version and then we are off again.

America's Great Loop Cruisers Association

The Trent Severn Waterway is beautiful and today was just Day 1…..cottages, cottages and more cottages along with moderate homes and some very palatial homes. We saw it all. And the adirondack chairs in every color were everywhere!

Neat chairs

We navigated thru some very narrow passages appropriately named “The Narrows” and went thru 4 locks with the Big chute, the most interesting. We saw this by land with Drew and Davis in ’07 and the boats are completely lifted out of the water and put on a railway system.

Big Chute lock

Pretty view along the way...

After locking thru Couchiching, we are tied up along the dock and will spend the night along with 3 other boats, one of which are setting up their tent. Very pleasant temps as we were cruising (drove from upper station), but when we stopped or were in a lock, HOT!!!   We went thru 4 locks and covered 42 miles today.    So sad to hear about the sailors who died in the Lake Michigan/Mackinac Island race.

Wednesday - left at 8:40 today and saw some scenic farm country, went thru 6 locks and did 33 miles.   We crossed Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe (both like glass) and it was so pleasant, but as soon as we slowed down or went thru a lock, oh my.......HOT!!!    Decided we wanted air conditioning tonight, so are at the Sunset Cove Marina in Bolsover.   As we chatted with the lock masters today, the HOT weather was the big topic.  We know how hot it is back home, but unusually hot weather here, too, and tomorrow, they are expecting record-breaking temps of 43 (that's 115 with the heat index)!!!!!!!

Here are some highlights of our day...

Cows hanging out along the canal

Farmer and tractor coming down the road

Bales of hay 

Lots of bottle brush along the way

Stay cool!   Happy Birthday to my friend, Allie and Karen (Mark's sister)