The morning arrives to start across Lake Ontario…finally. NOAA forecast for near-shore waves and wind are good. We clear Lock 8 in the Oswego Canal at 7:30 a.m. and we’re on the lake! Pretty rough, but we expect it to get better after we clear the jetty. It didn’t get better. We were taking 2-3-foot waves on our beam and without sails to help stabilize us, we were rolling side to side all the way to Sackets Harbor…for 6 hours. The carnage inside the boat was the worst we have ever experienced. Dishes and toiletries fell off the shelves, spices flew off the rack, plates came over the cabinet ledge and landed in the sink, water jugs in the floor even turned over! Outside wasn’t any better with jerry cans on their sides and sun showers sliding off the cabin top.
By the time we arrived at Navy Point Marina in Sackets Harbor, the wind had picked up. Thank goodness the staff were at our slip to help us get in and tie to the dock. We stayed 2 nights in Sackets Harbor learning its history and visiting battle sights from the War of 1812. Worked hard to reduce our wine stock to the limit of 2 bottles per person and clear our pantry of fresh fruits and veggies before crossing into Canadian waters.
Our next leg on Lake Ontario was much smoother; we checked in to Confederation Basin Marina in Kingston 5 ½ hours later. We were directed to clear customs by phone before exiting the marina, so we headed to the gate with our passports and Storm’s vaccination papers in hand. After 5 minutes on hold, a young lady answered and took our boat registration and passport information. She asked if we had firearms or cannabis aboard (not interested in the fruit I threw out in Canadian waters). Jim told her we had a cat aboard to which she responded, “Oh, you have a kitty!”, (not interested in the manufacturer & lot # of his rabies vaccine we were instructed to have). Ok, we’re in.
Kingston, the first capital of Canada, is a wonderful old walking city. Lots of limestone buildings and tons of history. We took the Hop-on, Hop-off trolley tour (some of their trolleys came from Charleston!) visiting the Royal Military Academy (equivalent to our West Point), Fort Henry (built to protect the city and waterways from the aggressive Americans), Wardens house at the Kingston Penitentiary, Maritime museum, Queens University, St. Mary’s Cathedral, City Hall and St. George’s Cathedral.
Heading west toward the Trent Severn Waterway, our next stop was Picton. Known for their wineries, we thought we might visit a couple and re-stock. Jim wasn’t up for a bike ride, so we decided to walk through town to the closest one. Let’s just say the map wasn’t to scale. After 1.8 miles in the blistering heat, we arrived at Black Prince Winery. Did a tasting, bought a couple bottles and called a cab to get back!
Last stop before entering the waterway, the lovely Trent-Port Marina in Trenton, Ontario. First-class facility, experienced dockhands, shower facilities rivaled a 5-star resort and FREE washers and dryers. Almost too good to be true! We arrived on a festival weekend; while the street festival was more akin to a flea market, the free Big Band concerts and fireworks were awesome! We dined al fresco on pizza while enjoying the Toronto All-Star Big Band, a group of 16 to 22-year old’s in black & white formal attire playing big band music from the 40’s and 50’s. Their talent was matched only by their energy; they were having a blast! Afterwards, we returned to the boat for a front-row seat to some of the best fireworks we have seen in years.
Spent our final day in Trenton re-provisioning at the farmers market, grocery and LCBO (Liquor Control Board Ontario). Couldn’t purchase a 6-pack or 12-pack of my Bud Light Orange; paid $2.90 Canadian EACH for 16 oz cans. Ouch! Did our part to help subsidize Canada’s healthcare!
For many years we have listened to other Loopers debate who has the best Butter Tarts in Canada. They are a small pastry similar to a miniature pecan pie. So, while at the farmers market, we purchased our first (of what we expected to be many) Canadian Butter Tarts. You will find me at the ice cream counters in the future!!