July 31, Day 48 - In Kingston

First thing this morning we went to the Food Basics grocery store to get a few provisions. It was really quite convenient – only a couple of blocks away. After picking up what we needed (actually probably more than what we needed) we headed back to the boat and put everything away. I think we are still in the mindset that we better get plenty of food in case we don’t come across another town for the next 40 days. I haven’t even begun to use what I packed on the boat about 8 weeks ago.

We did a few chores and then headed out for our Thousand Island Tour. Since we weren’t planning on cruising through that area of the country, we decided it would be nice to take the tour and get an idea of what it was like. It was a 3 hour tour and traveled through the Admiralty group of Islands along with some historic sights of Kingston. It was really quite enjoyable to just kick back, have a couple of drinks and let someone else do the driving. We’ll post a few pictures of the sights we saw.

Once we were back ashore we wandered the streets for awhile and ended up at Staples. Gerry has had his eye on a new notebook computer. We have two laptops on board: one for navigation and one we use for e-mails and blogging. The latter one SUCKS …. So he has been doing research on something that might work a little better. Found a couple of possibilities, but decided to think about it for awhile.

After dinner Gerry decided he’d thought about it long enough and we headed to Staples to pick up the new computer. That should keep him occupied for the next several days trying to get everything set up and stuff copied over from the old one, etc. He also spoke with the guy on a sailboat docked next to us who told him about another system to help boost his internet capabilities …. So he is also researching that. We may get all of this connectivity stuff figured out by the time we are though with the loop.

We plan on heading out early in the morning on our way to Trenton to start the Trent-Severn Waterway. We are planning on 2 days to make it to Trenton. The weather is supposed to be nice.


Ft Henry and one of the Martella towers as seen from the water

This, and several of the pictures below are some of the islands known as The Thousand Islands. The St. Lawrence River begins at the Thousands Islands. Actually numbering more than 1,8o0 they cover an area 15 miles wide at the Lake Ontario end and run downstream about 50 miles. Legend has it that thousands of years ago, the Indians living in this part of the country were fighting amongst themselves. The Great Spirit came to them in a dream and told the various tribes that if they could learn to live together, he would make a Paradise for them. They lived in peace for several years in Paradise, but eventually they started fighting amongst themselves again. The Great Spirit was very upset with them and took Paradise away from them in a bear skin bag. As it was ascending into heaven, the bag broke and "pieces of Paradise" fell into the water. These pieces of Paradise became the Thousand Islands.

There are no less than 5 separate islands in this picture

Napoleon's Hat House on an island

Two islands linked by a bridge

There are hundreds of limestone buildings in the city of Kingston. However, I thought this one was unique .... It has a wine theme. The picture isn't all that clear, but there is a wine keg and a wine press towards the top of the building.

July 30, Day 47 - In Kingston

This morning Gerry decided we had had so much fun in Burlington trying to find the West Marine that we should do it again in Kingston. We needed to get another fender. We had lost one when pulling away from the dock in Newboro. We tried to retrieve it, but it floated to shallow water where we were unable to follow. This time Gerry did check his map more thoroughly and estimated it was 2 ½ miles to West Marine. We had a “hearty” breakfast because you just never know how long these walks might take. Fortunately, there was a nice breeze and lots to see (and buy) along the way. Gerry got an extender for the USB network card so we could hang it high and use it in the salon and some more business card blanks – he got the word today that his captains license was being issued for a 100 ton Inland Masters License with Sail and Towing endorsements and is going to add that to our Boat Cards. We also stopped in an outdoor sporting goods store and Linda bought some new sandals.

We did find the West Marine and took a taxi back to the marina with our loot (fenders and adjusters).

After resting up a bit, Linda put on her new Keen sandals and we headed out to get lunch (Texas Steakhouse) and then took the Trolley tour of Kingston. The tour was very interesting.
We got back to the boat to see if the USB extension would work and it does, so we hope to update the blog. Linda did laundry (on the boat, since we have electricity and water).

While on our walk last night, we noticed a German restaurant named Amadeus Cafe. After living in Germany for many years, we are always on the lookout for German food. Decided that is where we would eat tonight. After the weather cooled down (wow, a week ago never thought we’d say that), we took a short walk to the restaurant. It was yummy. Some of the best food we’ve had so far. After that it was back to the boat. Gerry went to bed and Linda tried to update a few more days of the blog …. Then off to bed.


City Hall (in daylight this time)



Ft. Henry, Martella tower and sailboats. The towers were built to defend the town against American invasion. Lots of sailboats out in the bay as it was a pretty breezy day.

The Royal Military College of Canada. Equivalent to West Point, The Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy in the U. S.

Another Martella Tower

More of the grounds on the Military College

A piece of "artwork" along the banks of Lake Ontario

The Canadian Penitentiary (similar to Alcatraz) but this one is still in use.

One of the homes of John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister

Frontenac County Court House (still finding courthouses, no matter where I travel)

Monk's Vineyard at the Marina

July 29, Day 46 - Upper Brewers Mills to Kingston

We got up relatively early this morning so we would be ready for the first lockage at 8:30. However, they had the first lock empty so we figured they would lock boats through from the other direction first. However, they started filling the lock so then we decided they were going to lock us through so we pulled off the wall and got in position to enter the lock. Then they decided to empty it …. It was a little confusing, but finally they were ready for us and we locked through with one other boat. We proceeded to Lower Brewers Mills where they put us in the lock, but then told us we would have to wait approximately ½ hour for another boat. It was a very pleasant setting so we just roamed the grounds waiting for the other boat. It was a beautiful day. Warm, slight breeze and sunny.

After locking through we proceeded on our way. We were hoping to time it right for the last 4 locks at Kingston. They are step locks, so they must all be done right after another …. like the beginning (the flight of 8 in Ottawa), but only half the number.

When we arrived around 11:00 the lock was closed so we tied up on the blue line. The lockmaster came down and told us they had just started a boat through so our wait would probably be a couple of hours. We had a quick lunch and Linda roamed around getting steps and taking pictures. They had a bit of a problem with the last lock gate and had to bring out the maintenance crew. They seem to fix everything with a hammer, wood, wire and, who knows, maybe duct tape. Soon all was well and the single boat proceeded out the last lock.

After the boats at the bottom locked up, we finally got into the locks around 1:30. The last 4 locks went pretty smoothly. We were with 4 other boats. After that it was a short run, through a narrow channel, into Kingston. We had finished the Rideau Canal!! We arrived at our marina around 2:30 and topped off with fuel, got a pumpout and settled into our slip. It is an older marina, but quiet, and they did have diesel and pumpout which the bigger Confederation Basin Marina did not have.

We had received a phone call earlier in the day from another Monk owner, Dick Guckel. He and his wife Suzi were currently in Kingston on their way to the Rideau Canal. They invited us to join them for drinks at a local pub. There was also another couple they were traveling with, Greg and Donna Howard on an American Tug. We had a couple of drinks and swapped stories.
Later we explored the city a bit and then back to the boat and to bed. We decided we would stay in Kingston through Saturday morning.



Leaving Upper Brewers Mills early in the morning. Notice the tent on the grass. Some people that have kids on board with them put up tents for the night for the kids to sleep in.

Monk's Vineyard (and Gerry) waiting in the Lower Brewers Mills lock

.... and Linda hanging out at the lock

A heron we saw along the way

Waiting our turn at the last 4 locks (Kingston Mills)

The turning basin at Kingston Mills

Flowers on the grounds ... seen while taking a stroll

The lockhouse at Kingston

Locking down at Kingston

Our last lock on the Rideau Canal

Approaching our marina in Kingston

The old train station in Kingston that now serves as an Information Center

An old train that sits behind the Information Center

City Hall (all these last pictures are a little dark as it was dusk while we were strolling around)

July 28, Day 45 - Newboro to Upper Brewers Mills

What a great day!! We woke up to bright sun and a little breeze and headed up to town to get some breakfast. It was yummy. We also bought cinnamon buns for tomorrow morning.
We left about 9:30 with no real idea where we would end up. The Rideau Lake was just incredible. There were lots of cute cabins and homes along the shore and the lake was huge. There were islands everywhere, some with cabins and many without. The water is crystal clear and fish are jumping everywhere. This is a really neat place. You could spend a couple years up here and never see all the interesting places.

We were reminded by one of the folks we met up here that we should start to hustle because we need to be off of Lake Michigan before labor day if we want to avoid some nasty weather. Otherwise, we may have fooled around a bit more in this area. We can’t imagine a prettier place, but folks we were with last night indicated that the Georgian Bay area will blow our socks off. So, we will continue to press on to Kingston tomorrow and do a bit of re-provisioning and pick up a new fender (lost one while departing this morning and we couldn’t get into the shallows where it floated.).

We arrived here at the upper locks at Brewers Mills around 2:00. It was so pretty here that we just decided to stop for the day. This whole area reminds us of the lakes in the Uinta Mountains, but they are much bigger and there are no mountains sticking up into the clouds. The water is crystal clear and the fish finder keeps alarming with big fish showing up. Here at the lock, they are like piranha – throw in a piece of bread and they swarm it. These fish are the smaller perch and sunfish, but we have seen a couple of largemouth bass show up as well. One of the lady’s from a boat next to us put her finger in the water and was rewarded with a pretty good bite (at least it made her scream).

We bought a roast in Ottawa and Linda is working her pressure cooker magic on it tonight. It is called “Mushroom Smothered Beef Roast”. She just added the wine to the concoction and it sure smells yummy. We will be eating this for a couple of days. With the warm weather, pressure cooking sort of seems out of place, but that’s what we had planned, so that’s what we’re having. We figured we’re the only boat on the Rideau Canal that isn’t BBQing tonight.

We are only about 15 miles from Kingston and we have reservations at a marina there for the next two days.


At Chaffeys Lock. The couple next to us lived in the Georgian Bay area for many years so they had many recommendations for us while we are in that area.

At Davis Lock - the lockmaster house

The house on Big Island .... that is the actual name of the Island. Talk about getting away from it all.

... and this is a tiny island

Guess which way the prevailing wind blows ....

A narrow passage (one of MANY)

Directional signs so you don't get lost

Many canoes out enjoying the day

Houses along the water's edge

This house is even CLOSER to the water's edge

Kids having a great time in the water

Lock at Brewers Mills

Grounds at Brewers Mills

More of the grounds .... picnic tables by the water. Perfect setting.

Monk's Vineyard at the dock at Brewers Mills

Flowers and butterfly

A path that Linda took for a walk down by the river

Grassy stuff .... you can sort of make it out. This is at the bottom, but the water is very clear

The fish are hungry here. These are mostly sunfish and perch, but a large catfish, snapping turtle, and bass also came for a snack. We also spotted a very large (30 plus inches), but we don't know what it was - too large for a pike or muskie.