Les bicyclettes

 

 

We are thoroughly enjoying the bikes. Yesterday, a sailboat sailed across the north channel from Bath. They tied to the public dock for a picnic lunch. As we were untying the bicyclettes, buddy asked if we'd been to the local beaches. We said "no". He gave us directions to their preferred beach. 5 miles away, all flat terrain. Well, we pedaled and pedaled. And yes, there were hills. I cursed the fellow. No water in line of sight. Liar! With the mid day sun beating down on us, we kept pedaling determined to experience this beach. We were chased by dogs, dodged snakes and frogs along with the occasional bug. And finally we reached the water... only to realize that we were in Amherst Bay, an all to familiar anchorage. Yes, it is a beautiful beach. As it is exposed to the open lake, whenever the winds are favourable we head to this bay.

There's a shallow ledge that connects Amherst Island to Nut Island. With water up to the knees or so, one can wade across the 1 km ledge. It's a must when anchored in Amherst Bay.

The shallow ledge to Nut Island

Well, having been there, done that... we pedaled back to Stella looking forward to floating in the cool water of the bay.

Why is it that a trip to an unknown destination take so long?

Inching our way East

The Thousand Islands in June

We have a family engagement in the Laurentians on July 16. My nephew, Chad, and his partner, Marilou, are expecting a baby. My sister is organizing a shower to celebrate the event. We decide to go by boat! Why not?! Time is on our side.

The things you do while underway!

June 27: We leave Waupoos for Deadman's Bay and grab a mooring ball at the CFB Kingston YC.

Deadman's Bay CFBKYC

June 28 - July 6

How fortunate we are to head to the Thousand Islands before the masses descend. I am really looking forward to having the best all to ourselves. We head down the Bateau Channel towards Gananoque. We hope to secure a spot on the municipal dock to do laundry at the marina. And we do! With our clothes hanging to dry in the pilot house, we head to Endymion Island. There's a lovely anchorage between Endymion and a No Name private island. It has room for less than a handful of boats. Along the way, we keep a look out to see if many boats occupy anchorages. We're amazed at how desolate the river is. It makes us happy. Peace and quiet! A chance to really enjoy the beauty of these precious gems that are the Thousand Islands. We drop the hook in 8' of water and tether the stern to a dead fallen tree to keep the boat from turning into the shallows. Our tether is precarious but the calm conditions reassure us. Dinner: Pizza a.k.a. Not Pizza as we use tortillas for the base. They quickly come together and cook in no time on the grill. Yum!

We spot a deer crossing in the water from No Name island to Endymion. With such agility it climbs onto the steep rocks and disappears into the woods. Thank you! We feel blessed to witness such beauty!

SO! happy with our anchorage, we stay two days. We float and read. Paddle in the kayak. Enjoy a dinghy ride to the south side of Endymion. Dinner: Fondue, salad and a rich zinfandel -- in Ruby's cockpit! Does it get any better than this!

On June 30, we decide to cross over to the states to escape the Canada Day crowds. Falling on a weekend, this holiday will be busy with boaters. Cape Vincent, NY here we come. Conditions are overcast but calm. The journey is a mere 16.3 NM, approximately 2.5 hours. With the current pushing us along, we make good time. (Picture of castle ruins, video of deer crossing, Dennis kayaking, loon video, Cape Vincent, Tibbett's Lighthouse). We tie up to the NY Fisheries' dock to check in, grateful for the CBP Roam app which allows one to clear custom from the comfort of the boat. All cleared, we head to The Coal Docks restaurant for their delicious burgers! Back at the fisheries dock, we check out a newly arrived Mainship, Red Pearl. They are flying the American Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) burgee. We swap boat cards and chat a bit. 

Before leaving the dock to anchor in the basin, we unload the bikes and lock them to the dock rails. Dinner: still full from lunch, we enjoy a pop corn dinner!

Our Canada Day in the US of eh! sees us biking 5 km to Tibbett's Lighthouse, where lake and river meet. We're enjoying the bikes. They are making us stronger. Core, balance, legs and cardio! It's all good. Dinner: Chicken Curry on rice.

The next day, we head to Clayton NY, 13.5 NM up river. We manage to squeeze in close to shore on the municipal dock. We explore Clayton for a bit before enjoying a great lunch at Bella's: yellow fin tuna on rice noodles and a Thai peanut sauce. Happy with his burger, Dennis's memory of Bella's is experiencing the world's worst Bloody Caesar. After all, it is a Canadian cocktail... After exploring Clayton for the afternoon, we decide to head to an anchorage off Picton Island (it must be noted here that this is where I found Ruby Tuesday on a rainy Sunday morning in the summer of 2019). Overshadowed by the 4th of July, this anchorage proves to be a bad choice. With its proximity to Clayton, the swell from the constant boat traffic make for a very uncomfortable stay. 

We had purchased tickets to visit Clayton's Antique Boat Museum for the next day at 1.15 pm along with a boat ride on the Miss 1000 Islands III, a replica of a circa 1930 Hacker Craft 30', a three cockpit runabout (yes, we chose to sit in the rear cockpit!). 

Back onboard Ruby Tuesday, we untie her dock lines and head back to Canada towards Ninette Island. We re-provision in Gananoque the next day and anchor off Beaurivage as we plan to start our trip towards Montreal. It is July 6. We have 10 days to get there.

Oh Waupoos how we love thee!

What's a bookstore without a cat?

Warm morning in Stella. We raise the anchor at 10 and head to the municipal dock to pick up our bicyclettes. Just one other SB in the bay. He comes to shore with his dog. He’s heading to Halifax. Our paths may cross as we head down the St. Lawrence.

After topping up fuel, water and pumping out in Collins Bay, we head to Waupoos in Prince Edward Bay. Lots of rain in the forecast. PEB is a preferred place to plug in and plug in we will need. No sunlight + No solar = Unhappy house batteries!

Looking back: We stayed anchored off Waupoos Island for three days. All storms kept going west or east of us! The sun was splitting rocks! We came into the marina on our fourth day as they were calling for some serious weather. We took advantage of the day in to provision. A cool cab ride into Picton for groceries and to pick up our LCBO online order (a game changer)!

Stella Bay

 

Stella sunrise

Enjoying Stella today after a quiet night. Dennis went for a paddle. He was stocked by one of the resident loons. Watched it dive. The water is so clear that he was able  to observe it swim (underwater). On the east side of the bay, he spotted two deer walking on the limestone ledge, looking to get back on terra ferma. Meanwhile back at the ranch, I floated and read. Water is a chilly 18℃. It’s not stopping the local from his morning swim in the bay.

Bev and Richard

Bev (Jimmy’s sister) and Richard (Jimmy’s favourite bro in law) stopped by today while we were still at the dock at Prince Edward Yacht Club. It meant so much to see them. Thanks for going out of your way you two. And thank you for the great hugs and your support of our “togetherness”.

Summer solstice today — the longest day of the year! It certainly does feel like summer at last. We’re off to Stella Bay on Amherst Island. We’ll drop off the bikes at the municipal dock, lock ‘em up and go to the anchorage. Tomorrow we’ll explore on our dandy bicyclettes!

An aside — On Tuesday they laid Jim’s grave marker. You are deeply missed by all. Forever you will be in our hearts.

As we slowly make our way east at a cruising speed of 7 nautical miles per hour (approximately 13 km/hr), life slows down. We look out for other boats and navigational buoys. We read, write, cook, eat, clean or simply gaze at the watery horizon. Life is good on a boat 😎.

Never a dull moment!

Very quiet night anchored in the Cobourg basin. After our morning coffee we raise the anchor which needs a little convincing (a good thing). It surfaces filled with mud and we get to try out the new raw lake water system to rinse it off! It's pleasing to see things working as they should. Thank you for changing the pump Dennis!

Kayak ice run - Cobourg Basin

The lake is calm with wind lines here and there. Perfect conditions. Today's sail plan will take us to Presqu'Île, the Murray Canal, a stop at Myer's Marina in Belleville for garbage drop off and to buy ice. Our final destination is Sandy Cove off Massasauga Point where we'll anchor overnight.

The lake it still very cold so, no swimming yet. No point in rushing our journey to favourite anchorages so, we'll gunk hole our way through the Bay of Quinte. 

A little later that day...

We came to the aid of an American Sailboat. Coming out of the Moira River in Belleville, we noticed that our Amerian friends (they had been travelling in our wake since Cobourg so... they felt like friends 🤗) were on the wrong side of the markers and appeared to be aground. We hailed them on the radio and they confirmed this to be so. They weren't sure how to proceed. We suggested that they issue a Pan-Pan on channel 16 and that a auxiliary Coast Guard would be dispatched to come to their aid. Never a dull moment. We listened to the rescue communication. It ended well and for certain, our American friends enjoyed a nice dinner on shore.

In the winter, we took a radio course to get our VHF certificate. It was interesting to listen to the proper protocol at work between the auxiliary Coast Guard and Prescott Coast Guard.

We enjoyed a very quiet night in Sandy Cove along with a simple nachos dinner. In the morning, after coffee, we took turns exploring on the kayak and tidying up the boat. 

Even warm enough to float in Sandy cove!

Simple nachos topped with greek yogurt and guacamole!

 

Elated!

 Rain, wind and a few chores — boat oil change and a sink rough in for the club — kept us tied to the dock. Having moved in June 1, we were more than ready to leave. Ruby is laden like the Clampett’s roadster. Bikes tied to the rail at the bow, kayak secured to the swim platform and the good ol’ dingher in the cockpit.

We’re heading to Cobourg but had a quick stop at Wiggers to talk fall haul out at their yard for some winter boat work. Their channel is so shallow that some poor soul had to stand on the rocky pier to guide us in with arm signals. To the right. To the left. Both arms up for “you’re in the channel”. Depth readings of less than 2 feet 😳!! We made it in fine.  We now have an October haul out date set with them. Ruby will be getting some work done.
 

2.45 p.m. We’re 45 minutes away from Cobourg just about to pass Port Hope. It’s a quiet passage although Environment Canada is forecasting possible heavy rain and thunderstorms for this afternoon and evening. 

Cobourg and the copolla of Victoria Hall