We are currently back on Lake Ontario sitting in Navy Bay Marine ($1.50/ft – our first marine charge in a long time) – Sacket’s Harbor, NY a historic battle ground site from the war with British/Canada in 1812. N 43’56.99, W076’ 07.39. It’s a beautiful little tourist town. Our first time seeing N/NE winds and boy does it feel like the crisp mornings on Lake Superior. May use solid fuel fireplace tonight while anchored. Its feels odd to see all these US flags when we were usually the only one we would see in 1K islands anchorages. Life is good! We still love cruising! Thoughts below:
– We brought the borrowed dinghy back to Kingston Yacht Club and stayed for free another night. Did the normal functions when returning after being the in 1K Islands about 1-1/2 weeks. Kingston sure is a pretty city. The tour boat company is denying any fault for their wake and dinghy damage. So our cruising budget has taken a hit. We will wait till we get to the ICW to purchase another since won’t need in the Erie Canal.
– As you may recall, last fall we had a small fire involving the Link 2000R regulator which controls and monitors power input from motor/etc. into the batteries. Xantrex tested modules and sent them back. Since our departure we have had some flaky things happening but would then be fine. Well right before going to Kingston it went out on us and we had no method of having the motor charge our batteries (but we did have the solar and wind generator to somewhat charge the batteries). So we were fine. So had to order new unit to be delivered to Oswego, NY where we will be taking down the mast/etc. So another hit to our cruising budget. Oh well! You try to be ready emotionally for things like this but they still bite!
– Back to the 1K Islands. The Canadians are rafting maniacs and great folks! We were their during a Canadian holiday so that added to the power boats and full anchorages. Its very beautiful but most islands are private but they do have a few St. Lawrence National Park islands to hike. Nice sunsets. I don’t wake early enough to see sunrises anymore!
– I had to finally bake some bread as the loaf spoiled. It sorta worked. I also used my 1970’s Singer sewing machine to repair dodger, modify screens, etc. Childhood memories of Saturday AM on the farm drinking milk/sugar/sugar coffee with sugar toast!
– We went from Kingston, ON, Navy Bay, Bateau Channel, Admiralty Islands, Lake Fleet Islands, Navy Islands, then 1 day we motored around Niddery Islands, Rockport, to US side – Manhattan Island Group, Boldt Castle on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay, then around Wellesley Island back to Kingston.
– We had a great bagpipe sunset and full moon ceremony while anchored. It was very moving!
– Met several Canadians and 1 american couple while anchored. One Canadian couple has went from Toronto to Bahamas the last 4 years so we chatted about their experiences.