Travels of Sanctuary – lasherstudios.com

Sanctuary is Back at her home port – Our loop completed

What an awesome surprise awaited us as Sanctuary was happily greeted along the channel in Muskegon by marina friends and family. A group of looper boats followed us into the channel and back to our home marina to help celebrate our completion of the Great Loop and return home. We had a wonderful time sharing our home port with our Looper friends who had not visited Muskegon or Michigan before. Feeling filled to the brim with a sense of overwhelming love and outpouring of shared joy over crossing our wake as we return home. A great ending to a great adventure! It is sad to see our fellow Loopers leave to continue their own great adventure. We wish them blessings and travel mercies as they travel closer to crossing their wakes too.

Loopers lined up on Muskegon Lake

Sanctuary Returns to Muskegon

OUR FLAG

We left one year ago with a crisp, new white AGLCA flag on the bow of Sanctuary. Now that same flag looks faded, soiled, tattered and worn, but that is to be expected after a year of sun, rain, wind, and storms. Our flag has led us over 5778 miles of water ways, 16 states and two countries. It has stood guard on the bow of Sanctuary day and night and never asked for a break. The flag has protected us in calm anchorages and others that were rough, but it never went off duty. One night during strong winds, it was almost swept off the deck when one of its tethers broke loose. Yet, our flag survived by clinging to the remaining attachment. A little rest indoors out of the sun and elements will be in order when the new gold flag takes its place.

In every port and anchorage, our AGLCA flag announced:

“Loopers are Here!”

The flag helped the crew of Sanctuary meet many wonderful people. We think those announcements were one of our flag’s most important jobs—leading us to priceless friendships and memories, and a collection of over 210 boat cards. We are blessed and extremely thankful to have shared Loop sights, sounds, and memories with family, longtime friends and new friends. Each of you contributed in your own way, including those back at home who encouraged, prayed, read and commented on our posts. All y’all helped make our adventure a most remarkable journey. We give credit to God for bringing us through from beginning to end.

This same flag escorted us to sunny shores, through severe down pours, warm and humid temperatures, but never icy or snowy. Our flag has been part of many sunrise and sunset photos along the way. It has shown us remote mangroves, deserted shores, crowded waterways and tall sky scrapers. A few of the trip highlights it led us to: Boot Key Harbor, Baie Fine, dolphin escorts, Egmont Key, manatee sightings, rainbows, the Statue of Liberty, Today Show appearance, Washington DC, and numerous parades and celebrations.

When we return to Muskegon Michigan, our Great Loop adventure will be complete. When someone completes the loop, they graduate and are entitled to a Gold Flag and are now identified as a Gold Looper. Some might say to throw out that old tattered and torn flag. Not so—we plan to place our precious flag in a proper display, honoring it for leading us around the loop safely.

So now when you see Sanctuary with her shiny, crisp new Gold Flag, remember the Gold Flag receives the honor for completion, but the faded, soiled, tattered and worn flag braved the entire loop with us.

To our flag we say;

Thank you for this Great Adventure!

Lake Michigan – Heading South and Home

Back in our home territory and ports we have visited many times, but this time we are travelling with Southern Cross who has never been to this area. It is interesting to see and hear their reactions to the sights of the lake that we have grown accustomed to. For example, all the sand on the beach at Leland, “Did they haul this in to make this beach?”

While on Beaver Island, we docked with 5 other looper boats; one we had not met before. All six were lined up along the docks proudly displaying their Great Loop flag.

Looper boats in a row on Beaver Island

Beaver Island Dalwhinne breakfast

Beaver Island, Fish Town, Point Betsie, the light houses, the color/clearness of the water and much more–things we take for granted, but re-appreciated when viewed through the eyes of someone who has not seen them before. Thank you, Southern Cross! When you visit Beaver Island, you must visit Dalwhinnie’s Bakery & Deli. On the way out of the harbor, we paused long enough to enjoy a delightful breakfast there. Love walking the town of Leland (Fish Town) taking in the dam, buying fresh fish and whitefish pate from Carlson Fisheries fresh off the fishing boats, shopping and walking. Sunsets are spectacular from the marina.

Leland – Fish Town

Sleeping Bear Dunes

We took some extra time and steered our boats nearer the shoreline to witness and share with our Oklahoma friends aboard Southern Cross the vastness of Sleeping Bear Dunes. From there we could see people going up and down the 450’ high face of the dune. Again, witnessing this beauty through new eyes doubled our pleasure as well. When we arrived in Frankfort, we thought it might be a few days before we could continue traveling south based on the weather report. This time the weather report was right, big wind and waves, so we get to hang out in one of our favorite marinas (Jacobson’s, owned by John & Lori) for a while longer. There happened to be an Arts & Craft fair going on in Frankfort: Score! The rolls and swells are so pronounced even at the dock, that we chose to spend the majority of the day off the boat either at the boater’s lounge with our laptop, in town, or walking the beach to watch wild waves and heavy winds.

Big waves at Frankfort Harbor

Light Houses along the way

We plan to head south, stop in Pentwater, and then home to Muskegon. It is with mixed emotions we approach home turf. Part of me longs for home, and another part wishes to enjoy every last minute of the trip savoring sights and remaining precious Looper friendship time. Arriving in Muskegon will complete our Great Loop adventure aboard Sanctuary of almost one year. This is called: Crossing Our Wake.

From Frankfort we stopped in Ludington where our daughter Amanda visited us.

Amanda in Ludington

Badger Leaving Ludington

Badger in channel leaving Ludington

The next BLOG update will complete our trip down Lake Michigan and arrival back home, which is expected to be Friday August 25, 2017.

Back in the USA

We re-entered the USA at Drummond Island and cleared customs there staying at Drummond Island Yacht Haven. Soon after we docked, part of the Amway fleet began to arrive. Their 85’ yacht SunQuest was first, and then Dick and Betsy’s 163’ SeaQuest arrived, followed by a 70’ Hatteras yacht and a couple of large tenders. We were told the family was having an event there. They even had a large party tent set up for the gathering. We left before the affair was under way.

Devos Family Yachts (Of Amway Fame)

Leaving Drummond, we passed through Detour Passage and by the Detour Light house. Moon Shadow rejoined the group there and planned to go all the way to the Mackinaw bridge to complete their wake crossing. The wake crossing is a big deal for Loopers, because it is the location where you started the loop and finish the loop. It is usually the culmination of a year of travel and about 6000 miles via boat.

We were so excited to help them celebrate earning their Gold Flag for completing the loop while docked at St. Ignace. We did the happy dance with them and Steve played the Moon Shadow song on his trumpet as a special tribute. However, the next day it was very sad because that meant they would be heading back to Lake Superior toward their home base.

We did have a couple nice surprises while in St Ignace. One our good friends, Bob and Vicki, stopped by for a visit. We had talked about the possibility, but the last we knew it was not going to be able to happen. We were TOTALLY surprised and HAPPY when they knocked on our door. The next day our nephew Jeremy brought Teresa’s sister and two of her sister’s grandkids for a brief visit. We visited on the boat, went to dinner with them, had ice cream (of course), waded in the cool waters of Lake Michigan. We even found a few rock treasures. Caiden even found a piece of white sea glass. Score!

St Ignace

We were excited to discover Henk & Thressa from Marco Polo at the St. Ignace Municipal Marina. So, them and us and Bob & Vicki and Dan B. enjoyed each other’s company aboard Marco Polo. While in the UP (Upper Peninsula) you must try their signature food: the Pastie. The UPers usually serve gravy with the pasties, but ketchup tastes good too.

From St Ignace, we traveled under the Big Mac bridge and re-entered Lake Michigan. We left Lake Michigan early last September. We saw two freighters which we haven’t seen in a while.

Mackinaw Bridge

Light Houses along the way

The next BLOG update will be about our trip down Lake Michigan heading for home.

Our Visit to The North Channel

Baie Fine Shoreline Panorama

From Killarney, we traveled to Baie Fine which is a spectacular bay to visit. We anchored in the pool at the end of the bay. From the anchorage, you can explore Artists Creek, climb the mountain to see Lake Topaz, and much more. Steve climbed down to the lake for a swim. We were able to build a camp fire on shore and cook s’mores over the open flame. Swimming, kayaking, hiking, and dinghy exploring are just a few of the possibilities available. Be forewarned: the mosquitoes and black flies are active both night and day!

Leaving Baie Fine, we traveled to Little Current. The swing bridge at Little Current only opens on the hour. Getting through there with the current pushing the boat and lots of other boats crowding in was not the most fun experience. While in Little Current, we visited the studio/conference room where the North Channel Cruisers net is broadcast from. We met Roy in person who is the narrator for the cruisers net. Every day in July and August, Roy transmits the weather and news updates on VHF radio channel 71 which is followed up by cruisers calling in from the area with their location. Since that day was our 42^nd anniversary, Roy announced over the net that we were there in person celebrating our anniversary.

While in Little Current, Gary Harkins/Cygnus (a friend of our friends, Bob & Vicki) met with us to share some of the local knowledge of the area. He has been sailing the North Channel for years now and proved a valuable resource for must-see spots.

We left Little Current for Clapperton Island where we were treated by a Loon family (two babies and a pair of adult Loons) swimming and feeding. The adults kept catching small fish and bringing them to the babies. We love hearing the Loons call, but it was even better seeing the Loon family up close. Dave and Collen were there from Minnesota which has the Loon as its state bird. What a treat for us all to watch them in the bay! We did some exploring in the dinghy around Harbor Island where we saw from shore the dilapidation of what was once an exclusive resort. So sad to see the resort in its current state of neglect.

Kagawong has two special landmarks: a chocolate factory and Bridal Veil Falls. We hiked to the water falls and swam in the pool and under the falls. On the way back to town, we stopped at the chocolate factory for a treat. We stayed at the Kagawong Marina in Mudge Bay.

Eagle Island was our next anchorage; followed by Bear Drop Anchorage. Bear Drop was the more spectacular of the two. It has tall rock hills, blueberries for picking, and lots of little islands to explore. We spotted two snakes while on the rocks and reaching down for blueberries. Most of us were not so happy about this sighting and glad the snakes kept their distance for the most part!

Thesssalon Marina – Sanctuary Moon Shadow Southern Cross – Last time all three on same dock……..

Thessalon Post office with Teresa, Colleen, and Cathy

Our last stop in Canada was Thessalon City Marina. We tried to spend the last of our Canadian cash there, but it was a holiday and most things were closed. The girls had exactly 21 minutes before the gift shop closed—hardly enough time to do much damage. A spectacular sunset was our reward in the evening highlighted by a orange moon. Sanctuary performed a 360 degree turn in the water when we hit the USA. Steve played the Star Spangled Banner and all of us were doing a Happy Dance!!! So good to be back home again! A pair of sandhill cranes flew right in front of us soon after entry back in to the US as if to welcome us home again.

Back in the USA track on plotter

We were privileged to travel with Moon Shadow and Southern Cross most of the time through Canada. Collen compiled the list below, which matches our visit, so I borrowed it from their blog.

Thank you, Canada, for a wonderful and memorable six weeks!

June 27- We entered Canada at Prinyers Cove/ Picton area.
Celebrated Canada’s 150th in Trenton,
Entered the Trent Severn Water way. (44 locks)
We have completed about 110 locks on the loop
We enjoyed the fourth of July in Campbellford with red white and blue cupcakes
Enjoyed the hospitality of lock walls
Attended Rib Fest in Peterborough and Scottish festival in Orillia
Traversed the world’s highest lift lock, and rode the only chute railroad lift.
July 20th began exploring Georgian Bay.
July 28th entered Killarney gateway to the North Channel
August 8th crossed to Drummond Island to check back in to the United States Customs.
We traversed over 650 miles in Canada Waters

Baie Fine Canada North Channel

Kagawong

Little Current

Loons in Clapperton Bay

Eagle Island Anchorage sun rise

Georgian Bay – what a beautiful area

From Midland, Ontario we traveled the small boat canal through Georgian Bay. We visited a few of the many anchorages available in the area. Each time we came to a new anchorage, we thought it must be the most beautiful one. Then we visited the next one and thought the same thing. Mike, Manager and Harbor host in Midland at Port of Midland Yachting Center, gave the loopers at the marina a virtual tour of Georgian Bay via slides and charts. This allowed us to have our charts marked up and planned destinations reviewed in advance. He pointed out the best locations and routes to follow. If you are in the area, be sure to stay at Port of Midland Yachting Center which is a very nice facility. Leaving Midland, we are back with our looper group of Moon Shadow (Dave and Colleen), Southern Cross (Pat and Cathy), and us on Sanctuary.

While at anchorage in Longuissa Bay, we toured the area up the river looking for a water fall. The river was very high and fast due to all the recent rain. After running up the first rapids, we decided to skip the water fall and take a break on shore. The girls spent time looking for interesting granite, quartz, and fool’s gold rocks on shore. Longuissa is a pretty bay. There were 12 boats in the bay and still room for a few more. We had fun swimming in the bay and fishing.

From Longuissa, we traveled to 12 Mile Bay and stayed at the Wani Wani Anchorage. We used the Med Mooring style of anchoring in that bay. For Med Mooring style, you drop your anchor and take a line from the stern of your boat to shore and tie it to a tree. This allows you to get close to shore and not swing around the anchor, providing more usable space for other boats to anchor. There are lots of islands and bays to explore in 12 Mile Bay. We discovered a number of beautiful flowers growing along the shore lines.

Snug Harbor/Snug Haven is an anchorage just off the small boat canal waterway near Gilly’s Restaurant—a great place to go for fish. The other advertised place in the area is Henry’s Fish Restaurant, but it was closed since the staff all walked out (don’t go there; go to Gilly’s).

The Bad River Anchorage is found at the end of a long narrow rocky route. It is truly worth the trip traveling back to the anchorage. From the anchorage, you can explore many other rivers, rapids, and waterways. It stormed the second day we were there, so we did not get to explore as much as we would have like to. We did pick blueberries and used the blueberries to make a cobbler and put them on cereal. The wild blueberries are small, but they make up for their size in extra bold flavor.

From Bad River, we passed through Collins Inlet on the way to Killarney. The route is extremely picturesque and well worth the extra mile to take that course.

After a few days at anchor, we arrived in Killarney and stayed at the Sportsman Inn Marina. It is a very nice facility split by the water way going through Killarney. To get to the main lodge and facilities, they provide a water taxi called TinkerBell. Many times in a day you will see float planes going by the marina and stopping in town. The marina has a movie screen on the hill over the docks, and we watched a movie from the upper deck on Moon Shadow. The sound for the movie is broadcast over the FM radio, so it is a like a drive-in movie for boats.

Light Houses of Georgian Bay

Georgian Bay Crossing

Gilley’s at Snug Harbor

Collins Inlet

Georgian Bay Anchorages

Killarney

Sometimes you look at the chart, sometimes it looks at you……..

Killarney begins the North Channel and the next blog will provide details about our experiences there……..

Trent Severn Waterway (TSW) Part 2

Leaving the Peterborough Lock behind, we conquered Locks 23, 24, 25 and 26 and stopped for the night at Burleigh Falls anchorage. The next day we traveled to Bobcaygeon planning to go through Lock 32. Upon our arrival, we learned the lock was broken. We tied up on the wall below the lock and planned to stay the night waiting for it to be fixed. Later when we came back from town, we saw the lock staff manually opening the gate with a rope and letting a house boat through. We asked if we could get through and after a consultation, they said yes. So, we were able to lock through past Lock 32 which allowed us to leave early in the morning. Several people (and our research books) told us about a very large clothing/shoe store in Bobcaygeon called Bigley’s. It has more shoes than we have seen anywhere! Teresa scored on a pinkish-red sweatshirt with the words “Canada 150” and Steve found a “Canada 150” tee shirt in town. Both commemorate the country’s 150^th anniversary. Lock 32, we tied up along the wall just after the lock. Steve was thrilled because just across the street they sold Canada’s ever popular Kawartha at Flo’s Loch Ness Ice Cream and Restaurant.

Lock #35 is the highest point in the TSW (Trent Severn waterway). Balsam Lake is the highest point in the world that a boat can travel to from the ocean under its own power. All the locks up to Lock #35 had been lifting Sanctuary. The next series of locks will lower Sanctuary a total of 260 feet by the time we arrive in Georgian Bay.

Most of the locks are conventional style with opening doors that allow a walled area to fill or drain to move the vessel to the next level. There are three special locks on the TSW: the Peterborough Lock, the Kirkfield Lock and the Big Chute Railway. Both the Kirkfield and Peterborough locks use movable tubs to lift and lower vessels.

The Big Chute loads the boats on a rail car which then travels over a road and down a long hill. We stayed at the Big Chute Marina which is within sight of the Big Chute Railway. It was cool to be able to just walk over to Big Chute and watch other boats motor into the sling and go over the road and down the steep hill back into the water on the other side. We took pictures and observed from a deck above the operation. Still somewhat frightening! We sure hoped they knew what they were doing and wouldn’t drop us the next day when we planned to lock through.

Our daughter Amanda joined us in Orillia where we stayed a few nights at the newly opened Port of Orillia marina. This is a huge marina with new floating docks, boater’s lounge, fancy restrooms-showers, and soon-to-be hooked up state of the art washers and dryers. We were so excited to have Amanda travel with us through the last series of locks, walk through the Farmer’s Market, and experience the trip together. She arrived at o’dark 30 Friday morning braving tumultuous downpouring of rain, lightening, no cell/map service, and customs in a foreign land. Oh, happy day in Canada when she arrived! Thanks to a kind soul in a gas station near the border who let her use the WIFI to call us. Thankfully, she was immediately able to get Verizon international service and let us know her progress. She grabbed a paper map (old school still has its benefits) of Ontario and circled her route to us in Orillia.

It was great fun to be able to show her some locks and complete the last lock of this trip with her on board. She was with us for the very first one in Chicago and the last one at Port Severn Lock #45. For us, we were excited to be done with locks! Now we can enjoy lock free Georgian Bay and the North Channel. At the final Lock #45, we talked with the dock staff and told them this was our last lock. They were very much interested in where we came from and how long we’d been on the trip. Since it was our final lock, we asked them to take pictures of the three of us and the boat while still sitting in the lock. We’ve found the Trent-Severn Waterway staff to be most kind, informative, and extremely helpful. This group was no exception. We felt like we celebrated with them right there!

While we were in Orillia, we participated in a Scottish Festival complete with numerous Scottish clan bands, bagpipes and drums, sheep herding demonstrations, and mini railroad train rides. There are 150 large maple leaf art pieces around town to commemorate the 150-year celebration for Canada. We saw many of them and couldn’t help taking some pictures of the artists’ creativity.

There were a number of loopers at Orillia so we had to have looper docktails.

Looper Docktails

After the locks were completed, we traveled across the bay to Midland Ontario. Steve traveled by car back to Orillia to retrieve Amanda’s car so she would be able to return home. We enjoyed our time with her visiting, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end since need to return for work.

The rest of this trip will be bays and inlets on Georgian Bay, the North Channel, Lake Huron, and finally Lake Michigan. Not all our travels will be in open water. Some of the time we will follow the small boat channel route which is anything but wide-open water. Often the route winds around and through skinny channels making it tricky and wise to keep eyes on the charts and the depths very closely.

Lock 32 Bobcaygeon

Are we entering the twilight zone….

Trent Severn Waterway very narrow in places……

Kirkfield Lift Lock

Orillia Maple Leaves

Orillia Scottish Festival

Lock 42 and Lock 43 Swift Rapids

Big Chute

Last Lock, number 45 of the TSW

The next update will be about Georgian Bay

Trent Severn Waterway (part 1)

After Trent Port Marina at Trenton, we started the Trent Severn Waterway. The water way is over 240 miles long and has 44 locks. The first obstacle after the marina was the second bridge before the first lock. Even though we called and were told “yes” there is 22’ of clearance that is not what we found. We quickly lowered the mast on Sanctuary so we could fit under the bridge. Then we traveled up to the wall and waited for Lock #1—the first of six in a row for the day.

As we entered lock #1, they set up four boats to travel together and raft off each other going through the locks. We locked with Tag Team a friendly looper couple from Texas. We first met them in Clearwater, Florida last year. The other two boats in the lock were Vega and Bucket List. Our two friends, Moon Shadow and Southern Cross, were in the next set of boats to lock through. So, all day long we were being followed by a Moon Shadow and they caught us when we stopped for the day after lock #6 in Frankford. We all ate a nice home-style breakfast at Mama Bears near the lock.

As soon as we tied up on the city wall in Campbellford, we were automatically presented with brightly colored cupcakes by one of the attendants. There is a great park next to the tie-up wall where power is available. We rode our bikes back to lock 11/12 to view the gorge and swing bridge. Due to all the rain and high-water levels, we saw a dramatic show of rapids through the gorge.

We left Campbellford and traveled to a nice anchorage at Steam Mill Island. Since Moon Shadow and Southern Cross stayed another day in Campbellford, we had the anchorage all to ourselves. They later caught up with us in Peterborough for the festivities there.

We scored in Peterborough with a BBQ festival where we thoroughly enjoyed sampling a variety of ribs and chicken. The grills were supported by semi-trucks in very elaborate set ups. Looking at the photos, you can see the signs towering over the crowds announcing the grill master’s menus. The fountain we saw in 2004 is still operating in Little Lake bay next to the marina. In the large park area, next to the marina is a concert stage where we enjoyed a free concert in the park by Tom Cochrane (“Life is a Highway” song).

Peterborough is home to the world’s largest hydraulic lift lock built between 1896 and 1904. Instead of filling a chamber like most locks and then opening the doors to let the boats out, the Peterborough Lift Lock is comprised of a set of gigantic tubs that lift and lower boats. When one tub goes up, the other goes down so they counter balance each other.

We decided to ride our bicycle over to the lock while staying at the marina before doing the lock with our own boat and check it out from the land viewpoint. Other loopers were entering the lock, so we took pictures of them being raised to the higher level. We wanted to watch them on the top side and then exit, so we again hopped on our bicycles heading toward the upper viewing area. Steve made it just fine, but Teresa experienced a crash and burn on the rocky street. My Knight on a Motorcycle (Ed, I found out later was his name) was coming down the hill from the lock. He saw me sprawled out on the pavement, took pity on me, and dismounted his motorcycle to help me up. Ed pulled out a radio from his leather jacket and radioed a gal name Kathleen back up at the lock. Apparently, I fell at the right place because I soon learned that Kathleen was a medic and had the tools to clean and bandage a boo-boo. Just so happened that Ed was also the boss at the lock operation there at Peterborough. I was thankful he was so kind to take the time to assist a damsel in distress. We told them our story of being on the Loop for almost a year now and that we planned to go through this very lock in two days. BONUS: Kathleen would be on duty that day AND she took some awesome pictures from her perch above the lock. We’re also friends on Facebook now!

It is an amazing feat to see the lock in operation, and a little scary when you are at the top and look over the small barrier behind the boat out into open air. We visited the lock in 2004 by motorcycle never imagining then that we would be traveling through the lock on our very own boat.

Kathleen fixes Teresa’s knee at the Peterborough Lock

Peterborough Fountain in Little Lake

Peterborough Festival and sling shot chair

Peterborough Lift Lock

So many locks…………..

Falls and Rapids at Campbellford

Scenes along the water way

Burliegh Falls Anchorage

Part 2 will look at the second half of the trip thru the Trent Severn Waterway.

Canada Day Celebrations

From Prinyers Cove, we traveled a short distance to Picton and docked at Tip of the Bay Marina. There is a lot of flooding on Lake Ontario because the water level is about 3 feet above normal. Many marinas on Lake Ontario are closed because their docks are under water. Picton has a nice shopping district and is where we tasted our first Canadian butter tart. How many of you recognize this cubical glassed in structure with a phone inside? We spotted this booth at the Picton Marina— something we have not seen in a while.

Waiting out rain storm

Rainbow after the storm

High water at Picton

We traveled from Prinyers Cove to Belleville (Crates-Belleville Marina) and then on to Trenton. Trenton has a new marina called Trent Marina and the facilities are fantastic! They have new floating docks and the nicest club house bathrooms we have seen on the trip.

Our Looper peeps did their homework to search out a logical, location to celebrate Canada Day—and we found just the right place! July 1 is Canada Day and we celebrated with the Canadians on their 150-year anniversary with competitions in the park, craft and food vendors, community bands, concert stage, and much more to see and do. Boy, do they know how to celebrate in style with good, clean, family fun! The celebrations included strongman competitions where contestants pulled a huge tow truck and later threw heavy kegs over a tall goal post. There was a fireman competition, where in full gear, they climbed flights of stairs caring a 42-lb. fire hose, then pulled up another hose with a rope, used a sledge hammer to move a heavy weight, ran to hit a target with a full fire hose, then pulled a 165-lb. dummy to the finish line. The celebration was complete with an outstanding display of fireworks over the bay. The fireworks displayed directly in front of the marina, so we watched them from the deck of our boat right at the dock. What a great day of celebrating with the Canadians!

Celebrating Canada Day

Celebrating Canada Day Fire Works at Trent Port Marina – Trenton Canada

Dave and Colleen with Canada flag and all the states from the trip

Kim Russo from AGLCA and Mike from the Perch with Teresa and her book

The Canals

The beginning of the Erie Canal is at Waterford where you leave the Hudson River. The Erie Canal starts with lock #2, because the Federal lock at Troy on the Hudson is not counted as being part of it. The Troy Lock is called the “government” lock and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Locks are like elevators for boats since boats cannot go up a water fall or dam. The locks lift and lower boats as they pass through the canal system. Once we passed the Troy lock, we no longer needed to be concerned with tides and their varying water levels or brackish/salt water. The Flight of 5 locks at Waterford raise/lower boats over 150’ which is the greatest lift in the shortest distance anywhere in the world.

Entering the Troy Lock

The Lower Place (Charlie and Robin) in the Troy Lock

The canal system is celebrating its 200-year anniversary, so there is no charge to use the system this year. Until we get to the Oswego Canal, we are passing by familiar territory and get to visit places we enjoyed on our previous trip through the Erie Canal. Waterford is one of those places, so we made a point to have breakfast at Don and Paul’s which is the local diner. Just like we remembered, it was a unique experience and has good food at inexpensive prices. We explored the park over the river which we missed last time.

Scenes from Waterford

We also made some stops at new places like the town dock at Canajoharie and Isle of the Oneidas Anchorage. Isle of the Oneidas Anchorage is in an oxbow of the river just below a dam and lock #8 on the Erie canal. It was a nice quiet anchorage. Our boats were held straight in the center of the river by the current pushing past. Our looper flotilla was up to five boats in that anchorage. (Moon Shadow, Sandy Gal II, Southern Cross, The Lower Place, and Sanctuary)

Isle of the Oneidas Anchorage

Canajoharie is a free dock provided by the city. The town was celebrating their 150th-year anniversary while we were there. We participated in activities such as a car show, concerts, and chicken barbeque. Over 15 looper boats ended up in that small harbor. The locals said they had not seen that many in their town before at one time. Many folks came down to the docks just to see the “show” and ask,

“What is going on? Why are there so many of you in here now?” Their questions were followed by one of us explaining The Great Loop trail and that this is where boaters on the Loop pass through in order to set ourselves up for the next system of locks.

The town has a very unique stop light mounted on a block of cement in the center of the street in the center of town. The town was once home to Beechnut, but the factory closed leaving an abandoned factory building and lots of lost employment.

Scenes from Canajoharie

Sanctuary at Canajoharie

Scenes from Erie Canal

On our previous trip though the canal, one of our favorite stops was Ilion. There is a very good Italian restaurant there and an Aldi grocery store. Teresa was very excited to visit her first Aldi grocery store on the trip—just like going home again. Crazy to miss a grocery store, but am finding it’s those take-it-for-granted places and people I miss the most. There is also a large Remington factory with a gift shop and museum. Steve loves it because the marina has an ice cream shop right next to the docks.

ILion Marina

When we arrived at Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake, we tied up on the wall in the same location that we used in 2014. We also caught up with Scott and Karen on Last Call. The amusement park was open this year, but not the day we were there so we still did not ride the roller coaster.

Docked at Sylvan Beach

Sylvan Beach

We crossed Oneida Lake and docked at Winter Harbor Marina—the cleanest boat yard any of us has ever seen! Most boat yards tend to have lots of old boat junk around, but not at Winter harbor. We had a cutlass bearing replaced while we were there. They quickly pulled the boat and set about completing the repairs very speedily. Part of our Looper Flotilla decided to stop early. Dave on Moon Shadow was not feeling well and visited the ER while they were docked at Amsterdam, NY. The group was back together at Winter Harbor Marina and celebrated with a Looper potluck. (Moon Shadow, Sandy Gal II, Southern Cross, The Lower Place, Songlines, Seaquest, and Sanctuary)

Looper Potluck

Soon after leaving Winter Harbor Marina, we turned off the Erie Canal and entered the Oswego Canal. This was all new territory again for Sanctuary, even though it seemed very similar. We stopped the first night at the town docks in Phoenix which proved to be one of the nicest free docks we have seen. The docks have power and are all brand-new composite decking. We explored town and had a nice lunch at Duskee’s.

Phoenix Town Dock