Reservations

Carrie Rose is without a home. Though it is not completely true as we have made plans to keep her at Horizon Marine in Alexandria Bay, NY for the winter, but on a day-by-day basis we seek shelter wherever we can find it. Recently it has been on the walls along the locks in the Rideau Canal. A pass to transit and to dock at the locks on the Trent-Severn and Rideau was purchased last winter for approximately six hundred dollars. It has more than paid for itself.

The rub is this does not guarantee us a place. It is first come first serve and no reservation can be made. There are also peculiarities when travelling in the waterways: the locks only operated from 9 to 5, really 9:30 to 4:30, and there is a top and bottom to each lock. Then there is the rhythm. I admit to never figuring it out, thus almost every afternoon leads to a scramble about where to tie up for the night. It always worked out. Sometimes we paid for a marina, sometimes we anchored and mostly we tied to the lock wall whether it was top or bottom. For non-free spirits like me it added to the stress.

We have found it hard to make reservations at Canadian marinas. I am not sure why. Michigan marinas let us do it online, same for Wisconsin. Here online is iffy and calling results in ambiguity.

Carrie Rose left the comforting confines of the Rideau Canal yesterday and cruised to the Gananoque Municipal Marina. Quite a day: 7 locks, a river, a city (Kingston), two chain ferries, three or four island cruise boats and then the congestion of a major cruising destination. I was able to make a reservation for one nights stay after trying for a week and asked to be put on a waiting list for the next night. Waiting lists require one to be pro-active if not pushy.

Marinas are like any other business. Some are run well and others not. Some have all-powerful Harbor Masters and other are run by a bunch of young adults on summer break. Because of this we are never sure if what was promised will be delivered. It stated bluntly that at 9:00AM request to stay must be reported, so at 8:45 I got off my butt and walked to the office. Immediately I could tell the young lady behind the desk was much more intellectually engaged then yesterday’s counterpart.

I announced myself and once recognized was told the plan. Between 11 and 12 we were to move to slip 323 for the night. What if we stayed for two nights more, will I have to get on another waiting list? At that she started searching, clinking on each empty spot to find one open for two more nights. Ah, her friends had left for the islands and will be back Sunday, perfect. I sighed, paid up and went to tell Charlotte that Carrie Rose is not homeless . . . at least for another two days.


Down Time


Morning at the top of Upper Brewer


Voyager Canoes speed out of the lock


All kinds of boats use the canal


Passing through on the way to Kingston, ON


Along the Rideau Canal


Kingston, ON...Not a bad town but needs a new skyline


Chain Ferry 1


Sightseeing boat 1


Chain Ferry 2 (The sign says, Stay Away!)


Sightseeing boat 2


For you muskie lovers


Not beautiful but its home