Great Loop "Just Do It"

May 31 Kingston to Picton   I had to use the WIFI at the office to get the posting done as the phone service sure sucks for speed.     So today trying the purchased plan of 5 dallars a day to get high speed service which seems a lot better but we will see when it comes time to post stuff.   After dinner last night went for a walk in the inner harbor of Kingston.   The first thing we noticed was fairly well developed homeless camp about 5 tents in tight circle with a fire ring in the center and some shopping carts spread around the area.   Next was a gigantic flock of greets that required extra care where you put your feet.   Finally there was large half mile wall that encouraged street painting that fully covered.   Then off to bed. I got a response from Ranger Tug on how to fix the stern truster it is “not a fun job”.   Turn out we were on the right track for sure just have to be more persistent in our attack of the bolts.   Off to an e...

May 30 Well today I made some progress on the Stern thruster.   It still does not work but at least I have a lot better idea of how tough of a problem it will be.   The problem is there is very little room to work and lots reach is very long.   Apparently there is special tool used to reach down into the nuts to pop them off. Then the fix is still a little tough but doable.   So after playing on repair work with two guy that knew what they were doing we did a trolley tour.   Kingston has a lot of History.   I forgot that here are two world class Universities here the Royal Canadian MilitaryCollege and Queens University.   Also two forts one that was originally built in 1650s Fort Fredrick and   another build in 1830s to stop the lousy Yankees from invading the kindly polite and gentle Canadians. Both forts are still standing and and used for tourist attractions.   Then there is Kingston Prison which I forgot about it is the now the biggest dr...

 May 29 Again.  Pictures Last sight of Line Leaving Oswego Sunrise over Lake Ontario View as we crossed

May 29 Oswego NY to Kingston Ontario Canada 54 miles WE DID IT.   Arose early and started out as soon as possible as we knew it would be a long ride across the lake.   After 7 hours we arrived in the Harbor in Kingston.   Several small problems like: Logs floating in the lake.   Odd are really small that we would hit one but if not paying attention today we would have hit 2. The Harbor we needed to check in with was miss marked on the charts.   So we had to call for directions Trash in the lake also requiring us to dodge. Last night somehow the locals in Oswego   found out I was leaving the USA for a couple of months and put up a huge fireworks display to celebrate.   This occurred just off the docking site so I could not think of any other reason for it.   Things seen today: 1 big lake 1 cruiser on the lake 3 pieces of trash 9 sailboats in Kingston Harbor 3 ferries in Kingston Harbor 2 lights 3 buoys 1 fish jump A ton of mosquitos (had to close t...

  May 28 Brewton NY to Oswego NY 28 miles 8 locks We dug down deep and called Canadian immigration, boarder service and COVID reporting on ArrivecCan app.   Finally after 3 hours we did complete the app and submitted it for review.   Set the date to cross in Canada as May 29 tomorrow.   So we had to get here to be in position to make the attempt.   Weather still looks good so we will start early and go like tortoise slow and steady.   It rained steady all morning during the first 5 locks.   About lock 6 we could see a little blue and by the time we arrived here it was all blue skies.   the route followed down to the Oswego river where it split off to the Erie canal or to Lake Ontario.   The Canal looked pretty nice but we stayed the course.   Once we arrived I filled with diesel.   Just for cost reasons only needed our tank was pretty full and is showing full.   In the 8 locks had no problems in docking for fuel no problems. ...

May 27 NO move today I might be even more grumpy today than yesterday what a wasted day.   So we spent all day yesterday rushing to get here and this morning they did lift the boat.   Then they spent time looking in the boat at the stern thruster then they said “too hard to get too and with the boat age might have to replace some piping and exhaust stuff it is a 3 week job so just leave.   Learn how to prop wash instead of fixing the problem.   Then they charge me $700 just to add insult to the news.   While these mechanics were pretending to work on the boat, Dianne and I did our grocery shopping.   Found a small problem on the air breather on the transmission that may account for the problem, hung added new fenders on the bow to be sure if bump I bump a fender, checked the oil levels and repairs water strainer.   After that Dianne wanted to fix entry into Canada.   So we spend 3 hours investigating how to enter properly.   After calling 3 d...

May 26 Little Falls to Brewerton NY on Lake Oneida 61 miles 5 locks This will be short as it is already after 9 pm and I am very tried.   We drove 61 miles which was more than 11 hours of moving stopping only when we came to locks.   The one good thing about a boat is that it is a moving house so we can switch out and keep on tracking all day.   The logic was if we got here today they will at least try to fix it.   Otherwise we would not have it fixed till somewhere in Canada or we would have to wait till Monday here. The good new is with some practice I did learn how to drive and dock without a stern thruster so it was not as scary as I thought it would be.   Seen 6 loopers (note we travel in Packs so these are the same people we have been seeing) 3 trees in the water 5 buggies with 13 Amish people fishing 2 jet skis 1 fire boat going out to recovery someone in the water with lights on 5 other people fishing 5 fishing boats we could clearly see (about 12 more t...

May 24 From Waterford NY (just north of Albany to Amsterdam Ny (Mohawk River) 35 miles Short post today because it was a long day and 2nd because I am tried after a long day. We jumped out of bed at 6 so to be in the first locked up river this morning.   That plan worked.   From Waterford there is a step of 5 lock all very high walls.   Then we did another 5 locks over the next 30 miles of river.   The locks are strange to me as I can keep the boat running and need only grab the front rope then hold the boat onto the wall with the thrusters.   Normally Dianne and I would grab a rope each me through the front window and Dianne through over the back.   But all locks were easy and we had little problems.   Only one lock had a lot of debris floating at the entrance and strong currents and a narrow entrance.   However this tug handled all well and we had no problems.   Once past the last lock we tied up to a free wall.   Meet a nice couple ou...

May 24 From Waterford NY (just north of Albany to Amsterdam Ny (Mohawk River) 35 miles Short post today because it was a long day and 2nd because I am tried after a long day. We jumped out of bed at 6 so to be in the first locked up river this morning.   That plan worked.   From Waterford there is a step of 5 lock all very high walls.   Then we did another 5 locks over the next 30 miles of river.   The locks are strange to me as I can keep the boat running and need only grab the front rope then hold the boat onto the wall with the thrusters.   Normally Dianne and I would grab a rope each me through the front window and Dianne through over the back.   But all locks were easy and we had little problems.   Only one lock had a lot of debris floating at the entrance and strong currents and a narrow entrance.   However this tug handled all well and we had no problems.   Once past the last lock we tied up to a free wall.   Meet a nice couple ou...

May 23 Shady Harbor Marina to Waterford NY (Just north of Albany) 22 have to quick as I did not shut down computer this morning and the computer used up power looking for WiFi. The drive was easy just stay in the channel. I was nervous as route included the first lock.   I was concern about missing it and going over a dam.   Then I realized that was impossible as I am going up river I would have to see the dam first and I could not go over.   Then I realized that the all I had to do was zone in more when the dam appeared the approach was clearly marked and felt better.   We stopped just below the first of the next five locks up the Erie Canal and are tied to the free dock for 5 dollars a night.   But the power is not on because it is not hooked up.   That is way the charge is low.   Weather today is much improved Friday and Saturday were very hot.   We did use the air conditioner and it works somewhat but not great.   Then last night the stor...

May 22 2022 Athens NY to Shady Harbor Marina 18 miles It was very short ride today as I was tried and thought an easy day would be a good choice Tomorrow will be a much longer day 22 miles to the lock system.   I figure we are about 4 days from Lake Ontario and 7 days from Canada entrance.   This trip requires time and rushing will cause mistakes. There is a ton of debris in the river people are all saying it is normal after opening the locks.   Lots of people gave advice to wait a week.   We are dodging it   so I think we are OK but I guess we will see in a day or so. Today a weird thing happened as I could see a light marked on the map and could see a light structure down the way.   It just did not match up well to the chart.   I kept changing my mind as to where the light was as I could see several lights in the area as there was a ton of turns.   Finally at the last turn my light moved into the channel.   DUH it was tall tug boat pushing ...