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September 6 - The Summer is Over (almost)

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The last two weeks on the Patti Ann were spent traveling around Lake Champlain.  We spent four days in Burlington, sometimes in beautiful weather, and sometime bumpy.  One night we rocked from side to side at the dock.  It was as rough as we have had it in a marina.  But mostly it was nice. We watched the sun set every night. And we forgot to mention that the Ethan Allen cruise boat passed about 30 feet in front of the Patti Ann several times each day.  And on each departure they played "Anchors Aweigh" for the tourists on board.  The tourists pointed down at the little cute green boat and took pictures. Just north of Burlington there is a bicycle ferry to carry bicyclists across the gap in the causeway. Ordinarily we only travel on the lake when it is flat, but one day we crossed the lake early in the morning to avoid forecast 2 to 3 foot waves.  It was a little bumpy, but the Patti Ann can go faster when we need it to.  ...
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August 23 - Lake Champlain and Riverside

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The last two weeks have been spent on or around Lake Champlain.  The first week we went to Riverside on the Hudson.  We spent time with family and friends.  From left to right: Steve, Carol, Roger, Megan, MaryLou, Michelle, Barbara, Cameron, Patti, Stephanie, Caden, Claiborn, Alan, Marnie and Joan.  Taking the picture is Scott.  Not bad for a senior citizen. And the rave of Riverside was Cambria.  Her first visit to Riverside and the center of everyone's attention. Port Henry is on the south end of Lake Champlain.  We left the boat in Port Henry while checking out other activities around the New York State and Vermont area. The Essex County Fair (and demolition derby). And the Westport Train Station playhouse - the play was "Forever Plaid". Then we started up the lake to Vergennes, Vermont And then to Burlington to meet up with Larry and Joan. This isn't the last post, but the summer is near an end.  Our plan is t...
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August 6th - Bachelor in Port Henry

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We have made it down Lake Champlain to Port Henry in just four days.  First we tied to a mooring in Deep Bay on Saturday night.  It was a beautiful evening and everyone was out.  Every mooring was taken.  But it was good and the swimming was great. The next night was anchored on Valcour Island.  The sunset on the Adirondack Mountains was beautiful - although the pictures don't capture it. Then dinner with Don and Connie in Westport.  Don and Connie go way back.  They still have their Monk trawler and they are still spending summers on it.  We first met Don and Connie in 2006. Then on to Port Henry.  Patti left me today to stay with her cousin Mary Lou.  So I have plenty of time to blog while the thunderstorms roll through.
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August 2 - St Anne de Bellevue to St Jean, Quebec

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St. Anne de Bellevue is a suburb on the west side on Montreal.  We left after just one night and passed by Montreal.  Next time we will spend more time around Montreal. Our trip required entering the St. Lawrence River and traveling through two large seaway locks.  Each lock costs $30 and usually requires a wait while large ships travel through.  We waited 30 minutes at each lock and were locked through by ourselves.  One little tug boat in a very large lock.  We were lucky. After stopping in Longeueil for the night, we set out east on the St. Lawrence at breakneck speeds.  There was a 4 or 5 knot current pushing us to the Atlantic ocean.  We set our all time speed record of 20.1 miles per hour.  This little tug can get up and move, especially with a current pushing it. Then a right turn onto the Richelieu River and reality set in.  6 or 7 miles per hour was about all we could do (without spending too much on diesel fuel).  ...
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August 1 - Ottawa to St Anne de Bellevue

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After three nights, on July 24th, we left Ottawa.  A beautiful city, but time to move on. But first we needed to go down the famous eight locks in Ottawa.  We arrived at 8:30 in the morning and completed the locks in five and a half hours - we were done at 1:45. But after a long day in the locks, we had a short trip to the Casino Lac Lemy across the Ottawa river in Gatineau.  A free dock plus a $50 credit for food.  Not a bad deal. Following the casino we headed down the Ottawa River to the Chateau Montebello.  This is our second visit to the largest log hotel in North America.  The last time we stayed in the nearby town.  This time we splurged and stayed two nights at the hotel marina.  And they had golf & a great pool. After spending enough time in the lap of luxury (aka Canadian dollars), we headed on to Hawkesberry and then St Anne de Bellevue.  We traveled through the highest lock on our trip - ab...
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July 22 - Ottawa

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Since our last post we traveled from Smiths Falls to Merrickville, then Burritts Rapids, Black Rapids and Ottawa.  Every stop was like a park, with shade and electricity.  This is Merrickville. It was hot in Burritts Rapids (but cooler than Virginia), so we stayed two nights, went swimming and stayed wet.  Our goal is to get to Ottawa when the heat breaks (forecast is for 75 degrees). We are almost through the Rideau Canal.  We are tied the boat up about 200 yards from the last eight locks & across from the Westin where we enjoyed the health club & pools. When we were nearing Ottawa, other boaters were telling us that we needed to be concerned about the Quebec boaters.  It was the same time as the Quebec construction holiday, and the docks could be full.  We found no problem.  We are parked right down town. Ottawa is one of our favorite cities. The canal looks a little different in the winter.  (that's Bonnie tak...
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