Toronto to Kingston, ON:
Thoughts below:
– The water on Lake Ontario and especially on the St. Lawrence is very warm.
– We had the strongest winds (20-25kn – not predicted) and seas (7-8’) crossing Lake Ontario to get to Toronto. Fortunately it was only 25nm. We spent 3 nights in Toronto at the National Yacht Club for $15. So the yacht club membership has paid off. This club actually had a free washer/dryer off went the sheets and everything else we could wash. You could walk, bike, take the street car , ferry or subway to wherever you want. It is a nice, clean city with homeless wanting to wash your windows or whatever. Its amazing that when you use the public system vs car you don’t feel so overwhelmed. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and capital of Ontario. Toronto Harbour has many marine terminals to handle full-sized cargo vessels. It has an Inner and Outer harbour and Toronto Islands offer many places to dock or anchor.
– Toronto began and then abandoned many times until 1787 when the info says that British authorities purchased? the land from the Mississauga Indians. A major influx of settlers came around 1820 creating a busy shipping port. So this area has went thru battles with the USA but Canada finally maintained.
– We purchased a weekend pass for $8 total for the street cars and took them everywhere. Rose got her hair cut really short by a Vietnamese woman in the Portugese neighborhood for $9. So this is the first time I have seen my graying head! Now if my peri-menopause would hurry along I wouldn’t feel so bad. We went to China town and Kensington Market. The day we arrived (Saturday) we went to St. Lawrence Market since it is not open Sunday/Monday. Both markets were wonderful with many items to choose from and great people watching! We attempted to find a cheap place with good food to eat in China town but it was raining hard and so ate at 2 different places (neither were great).
– The following day we walked to the CN Tower (world’s tallest free standing structure), went to Genco Marine where we purchased Sojourn’s canvas 6 years ago since they built it in 1985 and to Federal Publications for the Canadian cruising guide “Sailing Directions”. It was cheaper than the Port guide and was recommended by another sailor. It works okay with not as many pretty pictures. We also looked at charts for Sorel/Richeleau River/Chambla Canal since we were trying to figure out whether this could be an alternative to Erie Canal if Lock #10 doesn’t get fixed.
– Northern part of Lake Ontario is hilly with bluffs.
– The SW winds on Lake Ontario never seem to quit so we hope going back to Oswego, NY will not be a struggle.
– Next places we stopped were Port Whitby, Cobourg and Brighton on our way to Murray Canal and Bay of Quinte. (this is where the Trent-Severn empties into from North Channel)
– Member of Whitby Yacht Club brought us around to see town, Whitby Boat works and groceries. We haven’t had any problems getting what we need accomplished when going to a Yacht Club. Whitby Boat Works built the Alberg 37’s (Sojourn) and now build the PDQ Catamaran’s that usually go to FL.
– The Bay of Quinte was definitely worth seeing as the countryside, farms, towns, etc. were quite charming. I think you miss out if you don’t stop and see towns, visit with locals and explore their area. I have gotten around quite abit with my bike while there. Plus we have been able to sail a lot more than what others told us.
– We spoke to a Danish man Johan Sorensen at Picton, ON that owned his second Alberg 22 and spoke about what Picton used to be like in his 40 years there. He immigrated after having a 6 mo. job starting up the cement/stone plant that turned into full time.
– There are a lot of sailboats on Lake Ontario and the sailing schools for youth are everywhere. Most sailboats have full enclosures or biminis and ½ of them have some form of alternative power (solar or wind).
– The worst event so far happened at Kingston Yacht Club. We had just tied up to the dock and were checking in when we saw from a distance our boat rocking 5’. Tom ran over to make sure things were okay and found our dinghy port tube deflated. The sailing school instructors said that it was the tour boat called the Island Bell that created this wake. So we hailed them on VHF to tell them of this incident. The captain stated that he was abit closer to the yacht club than normal but thought that it was another 35-40’ power yacht that created this. We asked for the telephone # and name of this tour operation and asked if he had the name of this power yacht. He said that he didn’t. We spent the entire day and portion of the next dealing with this. Determined from Zodiac repair place that the dinghy is not repairable. We called and created a claim with both the tour operation and our insurance. We obtained witnesses for the tour operation to talk to since the captain of the Island Bell denies that he could have made such a wake. So we will see the outcome. Meanwhile, the club members came up with a spare dinghy that we could use while we continue our journey to the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence. So we will return the dinghy and hopefully get some resolution from the tour operation. You don’t get much from the boat insurance with the depreciation and deductible expenses. We have decided that we might as well wait till we get to the East Coast since we shouldn’t need it until we get to the East Coast. I again say that we have met some very nice Canadians and really enjoy the area regardless of this event.
– We were hot and tired of marinas so anchored 2 nights in Navy Bay (next to Fort Henry, Royal Military College and Kingston, ON). N 44’ 13.87, W 076’ 27.82 We decided to stay since every Wednesday Fort Henry has a parade, gun ceremonies and fireworks. Plus we just needed a day to do misc. things and swim. We visited the College/Museum (telling of the war of 1812 again, etc.) and were told that they are the only remaining Military College of what used to be three.
– Since we have been gone – I think we have eaten dinner out maybe 3-4 times and only if its cheap. So that means a lot of meals and meal planning time. Fortunately Tom is easy and does the dishes.