Montreal & Trenton (6/25-6/28)
When contemplating what to do with a week off the boat, Pete signed us up for a seminar. We belong to a support group. (Shouldn’t everyone?) America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association. Often referred to as “the Home Team,” this organization offers education and resources, negotiates discounts on services and marina fees, provides a member discussion forum, coordinates rendezvous and reunions, and will advocate for boaters on a legislative level where the Great Loop Route is affected.
The seminar we attended was a route briefing on the Trent-Severn Waterway, Georgian Bay, and the North Channel. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
From Baie Saint-Catherine to Trenton, Ontario, the location of the seminar, it is about 525 miles (8+ hours). We chose to break up the drive and land somewhere in Montreal for the night. Our immediate goal was not tourism so we found a convenient hotel with a good rate. Auberge Royal Versailles met our needs, with a mall and several restaurants across the street. We had a nice meal at a sports bar while watching Women’s World Cup Soccer Semi-Finals. (Go Team USA!)
By Wednesday afternoon, we made it to Trenton. After checking in to a Ramada, we made good use of our time by doing two weeks worth of laundry before locating a dinner spot. The locals and visitors rave about Tomasso’s Italian Grill, so we had to go there! The patio overlooked the water, the very beginning of the Trenton-Severn route we intend to take. The service was impeccable, the food delicious, and the ambiance was romantic. We discussed which locks we would visit on Thursday and mapped out a plan.
Thursday morning, starting with Lock #1, we chatted with the Lock Master. He was an older man, training a young man, and happy to share his wisdom with us. He was expecting the first two boats in the next few minutes. I ran back to the car to get my cell phone to photograph the event. (Note to self: Always carry a boat card!)
Sure enough, two large trawlers rounded the bend and both were sporting AGLCA burgees, just like ours! They were “Loopers!” We wanted to know: “What’s your air draft?” “What’s your beam?” “Where are you from?” “Why are you leaving Trenton before the seminar?” “What was your best/least favorite thing on this loop, so far?” and the questions kept coming. The Captains and First Mates were cheerful, patient, and full of great information. We got their boat cards, and, at Lock #2, I gave them ours.
Our new friends are Sandy and Judie Queen on m/v BIG, and Mike and JoAnne Konczal on m/v C U Later. Both crews are from Florida.
We skipped by several locks, making our way to the Peterborough Lock. Knowing that this is the tallest lift lock in the world, it was worth researching ahead of our boat encounter. When I saw it, my jaw dropped and my heart skipped a beat. Pete and I wanted to see a boat lock through. We climbed the long stairway to the top and met the Lock Master. He clearly loves his job! He was well versed on lock history, stats, entertaining boaters and visitors with his humor and practical tips for a successful passage.
Soon enough, boats were approaching from upstream. The lock gate folded down, receding into the base of the canal so as to be flush with the rest of the surface. Two pleasure boats and houseboat moved in, and the gate rose up, sealing the chamber. At the same time, two boats entered the lower chamber. We witnessed the amazing transfer of boats in this century-old lift lock. Once the looky-loos departed, we lingered with a few more questions. Rob, the Lock Master, offered a closer look at the control room. We walked gingerly across the lift gate and into the heart of the beast! Ryan gave me the mic and Rob snapped the perfect photo! The kindness of these two gentlemen put me at ease. Now I won’t be so intimidated when we get to this lock.
On our way back to Trenton we passed by Gilligan’s Pub. “Wait, stop! We need this photo!” One beer and a few chicken wings later, our server obliged and took our photo under the pub sign.
The route-briefing seminar was time well spent. Attendees included current Loopers, accomplished Loopers, and several planning their Loop. Pete took several pages of notes, I mingled with attendees and presenters, and we both enjoyed chatting with folks at the catered lunch. We will be adding some stops to our route through this part of our voyage! At the conclusion, rather than join the “Looper Crawl” (an open house and cocktail hour on several boats), we drove the six hours back to our boat in Shelburne.
Boat repairs were completed while we were away. We used our last weekend of June to provision and organize. Last year we were anxious to be in Canada by July 1, Canada Day. This year, we were content to take our time and enjoy one more special highlight before beginning Great Loop Phase II.
You’ll find out why in our next post!