Wednesday June 30 Location: Smith Falls on the Rideau Canal

This is an awesome ride!! This Canal is a series of lakes joined by man-made canals and 8-12 foot locks. If the height to be raised is greater than this, then 3 or 4 locks are combined as a "stair case" or "step locks".  You're raised a short distance in one, then at the top of that lock you proceed directly in the the next chamber, and continue the same way to the top.  These locks are operated by hand - summer jobs for high school kids. 

The 0830 lock opening awaits.  Hopefully, will have wifi again soon to expand on above and update you with photos.

Sunday, June 27, 2010 Location: Kingston Ontario

We arrived Friday afternoon about 400pm to the Confederation Basin Marina in Kingston Ontario CANADA.  It was a long, unpleasant crossing the crews of both TADPOLE and BLUE MAX.
We were all so glad to see it behind us.  Just a little too rough.  Will attach a photo of Blue Max as she was making it across.

We spent yesterday enjoying the city, got our WIFI working, and were able to get a pay as you go phone.  So with all that and using skype, we will be able to stay connected - hopefully.

We leave this morning around 0830 and begin our journey up the Rideau Canal...and more locks....
and on our way to Ottawa where we will be met by Richard's brother, Doug, who will stay the week.
Hurrah! a deck slave!!!!! (He thinks he's here for a vacation.)

The weather today is perfect - as it was predicted to have been for the crossing.

Friday, June 25 0925 Location:lat 43 28 / lon 76 30 Leaving Oswego

We left our free dock at 0645, just a short while ago and passed through the remaining last 4 locks on the Oswego Canal.  Didn't really take too long at all as they were all located within about 10 miles.

I took a photo of all the locks we went through since we started in Troy, when we left the Hudson River and traveled through the Erie and Oswego Canals.  Unfortunately, the map does not include the height and depth of the locks.  You will see, however, how busy we have been.  Whew!

We are now on Lake Ontario and the crossing is not going to be as smooth as we had hoped.  There are chops and I have closed all hatches and made sure things are secure.  It should take us about 4 hours to get to Kingston.

Bear and Barbie are a little wide eyed at the moment, but they will settle in and deal with it. Richard has his saltines just in case and I'll get mine shortly.

June 24, 2010 Friday Location: Minetta, NY

We passed thru three of the Oswego Canal locks Wednesday morning and stopped at a free dock in Minetta, NY, located right alongside a park. This is a very small, quiet community and a pleasant place to stop to wait out yet another expected storm and high winds. We stayed an extra day and will leave early tomorrow morning and be ready for the 0700 lock opening. We have 3 more locks to pass through before reaching Oswego. Then we will cross Lake Ontario to Kingston, Ontario.

It’s going to be a long day for us as the lake crossing will take time and passing through each lock takes about 45 minute to an hour to complete.  Today we will reach another  "milestone" day when we cruise Tadpole into Canada on our journey that began in Tampa.

We are improving our skills at locking up. However, either way we have to be careful maneuvering into the lock on either port side or starboard side. That is sometimes determined by the lockmaster and other times by choice and/or availability. The fenders have to be in right place to protect Tadpole from banging into the walls of the lock or other boats. The boat is secured to the wall by holding either a rope around a cable or catching and holding on to ropes that descend the wall. This takes our full attention as one does not have much time to correct any mistakes, especially if there’s current running and other boats in the lock with you. We find it less stressful going down in a lock than rising up, it seems to go smoother and easier. Maybe we’re just getting better. Am I’m sure we will as there are many locks ahead as we continue this wonderful voyage.

FYI…..We checked with our internet provider for the cost of service while in Canada. We have decided to use WIFI whenever and wherever possible, so we may have some delay in updating the blog. But we will do our very best to keep you in touch with us. Thanks for all the emails and the comments you enter. Miss you all. We’re having a good time and feel so lucky to be able to make this trip.

June 22 Location: Brewerton NY near Erie Canal Lock 23

We have been traveling the New York State Erie Canal System beginning at the Waterford, NY Visitor’s Center, located between the Federal Lock (formerly Lock 1) and Lock 2. This began our 160 mile journey westward. We will have passed through 24 locks when we reach Three River Junction tomorrow and are soon to be “lock” professionals. We made it through 9 locks one day, which was too many and made for quite a tiring experience. Most of the locks lifted us around 20 feet; Lock 17 is the exception and the highest on the canal system at 40 feet. From Three Rivers Junction, we will head northward on the Oswego Canal for an additional 26 miles and 7 locks to the city of Oswego and from there we will cross Lake Ontario and point Tadpole to Kingston, Ontario.

Several days ago while traveling through the locks, some debris entered the bow thruster and damaged it. I dressed in proper attire and made an attempt to check it out and possibly make the repairs. We made arrangements for repair here, in Brewerton, NY. I have used the time, without the bow thruster, to sharpen my “ helmsmanship” skills– a single engine, plus some wind, then add several other boats can add to the challenge.

We had been a flotilla of four boats for the past week and when we were not being challenged by the locks, we had time for plenty of conversation and laughter, meals together, walks and exploring our surroundings. However, yesterday, Tadpole and Blue Max IV broke off for a much needed day of R and R and stayed in Little Falls, NY for an extra day.

Will add photos tomorrow.

June 15, 2010 Location: Schodack Creek, NY

Since leaving New York City, our last several days... Since leaving New York City, our last several days of travel have taken us to upstate New York on the Hudson River. The scenery along the river is beautiful. However, it is so sad that industrial pollution prohibits eating any of the fish caught on the river. The weather is an awesome change from the record heats back home from what we hear from you. Sorry, folks. We sleep under a lightweight comforter at night, start off with a jacket, and change to shorts in the afternoon. The Tadpole crew loves it!


We have been traveling with two boats taking the same route for now, “ Recovery Room” from Jacksonville, Fl and “ Blue Max IV” from Val d’Or Quebec and we will stay together across the Erie Canal.

We celebrated Richard’s “?” birthday eating both lunch and dinner out while at the Kingston NY City Marina and touring the town by foot, uphill and down. He thanks you for all his good wishes and says that this is the absolutely best birthday ever!!! We’re also spending some evenings with our traveling partners playing cards, and visiting while sipping wine or coffee. Once, for a special treat, I made flan for the gang. I think it was a hit as It was gone in a minute.

Our trip today will take us about 26 nautical miles (a short travel day – yeah!) to Watertown, NY, where we will catch up on our laundry and do some grocery shopping and , of course, sightseeing, the ”funnest” of all. We can and may stay for up to 48 hrs at their free dock. From there, we will begin our trip west on the Eric Canal.

..attached is a photo of our anchorage in Schodack Creek....





I failed to mention in my previous post that we did not get to visit with our nephews, Mike and Don, when we passed through the New York/New Jersey area as they are in Italy and won’t be back until the end of June. We had hoped it would all work out – next time.

Friday, June 11 Location: Haverstraw Bay lat 41.11/ lon 73.53

What an exciting day today was for us as we cruised Tadpole into New York harbor!

Richard's Mom arrived here by boat from Scotland at age 16 after the death of her mother to join her father who had come to look for work. Now, several years later, we return to relive her experience of traveling under the bridge and being greeted by the Statue of Liberty.  A totally remarkable sight!  America - a place where dreams do come true!

After seeing so much of New York from the river front, we headed north again up the Hudson River, and watched the landscape change from buildings to mountains.  We sit here now, anchored in a cove at Haverstraw Bay ( a short distance north of Sing Sing prison ).

The next several days will find us continuing our journey up the Hudson River 150 miles to Troy, then westward on the Erie Canal.

Thursday, June 10 Location: Sandy Hook NJ lat 40 26 /lon 73 59

Left Trump Marina in Atlantic City NJ very early (again) 600 am where we stayed 2 nights at $3.00 a ft (ouch!) to travel up the coast in the Atlantic Ocean . Decided to continue on to Sandy Hook NJ – only about 5 miles south of the Verrazano Bridge. It was an extremely long “saltine” day with the swell’s making travel quite uncomfortable. We anchored at 600pm – 12 hours later and glad to see this day behind us.

While we settled down and relaxed, we watched the ferry travel back and forth between Staten Island and NYC.

Wednesday, June 9 , 2010 Atlantic City, NJ

While at anchorage in Veazey Cove, Richard took a swim and cleaned the waterline of Tadpole.

The next day we entered the C and D (Chesapeake and Delaware) canal and docked in Chesapeake City to wait out a change in the weather due to an approaching storm. While there we visited a museum showing the history of the construction of the canal that connects Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River. Once again we were forced to dine on more fresh shrimp and crab meat. Someone has to do it!

After staying an additional day to wait for the front to move through, we reentered the canal and proceeded across the canal and down the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey. There, we docked at yet another a marina, unloaded the bicycles and were off to tour the city . Great place for bike riding and beautiful architecture .

Early the next morning , we headed out to the Atlantic and cruised north up to Atlantic City. It was a beautiful day and we had a very pleasant cruise about three miles offshore arriving here in Atlantic City early enough to visit the Bogato Casino. Had a wonderful time visiting the Casino, (did not play the slot machines. We met a couple that had decided to leave early and offered us their Comedy Show tickets which we accepted. .It was a great show featuring Joey Cola; lots of laughter. How fortunate for us!

Today, Wed 09, we remained at the marina as yet another front is forecasted to move through this afternoon with winds gusting 25-30 mph. We headed out before the storm and took the Jitney down to the Boardwalk and walked the famous wooden dock visiting Caesar’s Palace and Trumps famous Taj Mahal casino and the Tropicana. What an experience! We were fascinated with all the glamour and glitz and gambling going on – so many senior women sitting at the machines (probably pouring in their late husband’s money).

Tomorrow we plan to get underway for Barnegat Inlet approximately 40 miles up the coast where

we will anchor for the night before cruising Tadpole and crew northward to NEW YORK CITY.\

It is hard to believe we have been so successful on our journey coming this far away from home in Tampa

We’re having a quiet evening whilte the storm is passing, watching some TV, making brownies and cookies after eating dinner and will again sleep under a light weight comforter as it is somewhat chilly. Feels good knowing how hot it is back home.

Friday, 04 June Location: "Veazey Cove" on the Bohemia River

lat 39 -28/ lon 75 57

Tonight we are anchored near the westside entrance to the 19 mile  C & D Canal (Chesapeake and Delaware canal ). After completing our crossing tomorrow, we will begin our trip down the Delaware Canal in to the Delaware Bay to Cape May on the southern New Jersy coast. There, we will wait out an expected sunday / monday forecasted storm to move through.
The Chesapeake Bay is such a large body of water and has so many places to visit.  We choose a few and had a wonderful time.  Navigating along the various shipping channels and around several commercial ships has been challenging at times, but Tadpole traveled on with ease - safely bringing us to this haven and on our approach to New York Harbor.

Thurs 03 June Richard’s Confession

In the town of Oxford, we anchored in a very limited space between a channel marker, a private dock, and a sail boat at anchor. This only permitted us to let out a minimum amount of anchor chain, which was fine. But, later in the evening after dark, the wind became stronger and required additional anchor chain be let out. So, against Tiki’s wishes but with her reluctant help, I lowered the dinghy and rowed over to a private piling and secured a line. This took place around 1100pm. But, I slept without worry and there was no swing on Tadpole. I was back in the dinghy at 0530 and removed my line from the piling . “Rules are made to be broken.”

Thurs 03 June Annapolis

Today, we are tied to the wall (bulkhead) at the city marina in the very heart of Annapolis (electric and water provided $80.00). Nothing is too good for the Lady aboard. We had lunch, then walked the one block to the Naval Academy and toured the campus and wonderful museum. Tonight is more walking through the city and another crab cake for dinner at Buddy’s (recommended by the dockmaster).

This was a heartfelt day for me as I declined the Navy’s invitation “ several” years ago to attend the Academy.

Wednesday, Jun 02 Solomons MD and Oxford MD

It’s 0800 am and we are departing Solomons MD where we have spent the last 3 days, enjoying the area. We had the luxury of enjoying the marina’s Mercedes courtesy automobile with only 222,000 miles. Chesapeake Bay is the home of delicious crab meat and we have ordered crab cakes the last 3 times we’ve eaten out.

We crossed over to the east side of the bay and are anchored in Oxford, a small historic community. We arrived early this afternoon and used the dingy to go ashore; walked the town, enjoyed the museum and treated ourselves to ice cream. Dinner was steaks on the grill cooked by the captain. That and a salad with a glass of wine….and Viola!