We departed Alexandria Bay and proceeded East to Deer Island cut and then North into the Canadian channel of the St. Lawrence . . . then West under the Canadian Thousand Island Bridge.
On the say to Gananoque we passed through the Gananoque Narrows; do not want to meet other vessels here.
The Gananoque Marina the bikes came out and we were off to town.
One of the attractions to Gananoque was the Playhouse. Over by bikes we attended a terrific performance of musical FOREVER PLAID by Stuart Ross.
From Gananoque to the Singer Castle we pass still more private residences, this one on the Canadian channel near Rockport, Canada.
Singer Castle, another 100 year old structure, this one has been maintained. Built by Frederick G. Bourne, the fourth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. See: www.singercastle.com
Shortly after we docked two tour boats docked and all of us gathered for a tour of the castle.
While there have been no horses on the island, we walked the horse trail from the dock to the SouthWest Entrance.
The South side of the castle.
The West side with the grass tennis court and tunnel under the court for servants to move without being seen by guests.
The kitchen windows, and access to the underground tunnels. Bourne did not want the servants to be seen by guests . . . he did not want guest to know how many persons were waiting on his needs.
The Library. To the left of the fireplace is a tunnel behind the walls that was hidden by a closing book case.
The Singer, the reason, support, for the Castle.
Breakfast room with windows on three sides.
The men's cigar and game room. The outside walls had little booths where they could in groups of four play cards, board games, or talk in private.
Singer Castle as SONATA pulls away off to our next stop.
Current in this portion of the St. Lawrence runs from 3-5 knots.
With the assistance of the current in the St. Lawrence SONATA speeds along at 11.8 knots instead of its normal speed of 8.5 knots. Great "gas" (diesel) milage.
The Iroquois Lock and Dam primarily serves as a block of the river current and water level. The drop we experience here is only about eight inches . . . did not even tie up in the lock.
Following the some 45 foot drop in the Eisenhower lock we traveled a short distance to the Snell lock for another 45 foot drop.
To reach the Beauharnois Locks there were two unmanned bridges. They were highway bridges and remotely operated by persons watching (not-watching) the bridge TV cameras. Used almost every radio channel we had . . . finally the Canadian coast guard came to our assistance, and after about an hour we were able to get the bridges to open . . . and, in reality, only because a commercial vessel approached. We then went through the locks with the CANADIAN EXPRESS and cruise vessel.
A backward look as we depart the St. Lambert Lock, our last lock on this trip. We will now go West on the St. Lawrence to our marina in Montreal.
Montreal in view. Going against the current.
Pay back time, against the current SONATA's 8.5 becomes only 2.3 knots.
SONATA at the marina, this is a week day view . . . the week end will be different.
Our priceless bikes. They are parked at the Atwater Market which is about three miles west of our marina location.
Just a little lunch selection.
The produce available is terrific and the prices are comparable with what we would pay in Virginia.
Plenty of beautiful flowers.
A new food, FIDDLE HEADS. Boil for about 10 minutes, then place in the skillet for a few minutes with some oil and garlic. Terrific!!
An abundance of fruit for the taking. Great market!
But then, before we return to SONATA there must be a desert.
Surprise, Surprise! We returned to SONATA and after a short period of time there were shouts from the dock. Michel and Carole Mailloux noticed our LOOPER flag. The had their boat out for the first time this year, EMOTION3, and were visiting the marina we were in. They came aboard and we had a wonderful visit talking about the LOOP and on the water experiences. They are starting the LOOP at the end of the month. There are only three others in the Quebec providence that have experienced the LOOP. Michel and Carole met other LOOPERS in about 2003 and have wanted to make the trip ever since . . . now they will.
The very next day we had another surprise. David and Anne Scott from Fredricksburg, Virginia, aboard TRAVELLER are making the LOOP. Another great evening of "boat-talk" and LOOP experiences.
Cirque Du Soleil is here and waiting for Granddaughter Taylor's arrival . . . we will attend the show on Friday afternoon. More about this later.
In the mean time, SONATA waits in the Marina Port d'Escale in Jacques Cartier Basin with Old Montreal in the background.
Bonnie and Taylor arrived late Thursday evening . . . now Friday morning and we are off for breakfast, or lunch with Bonnie and Taylor biking down the pier to leave the marina.
Off the pier, across the railroad tracks, the street . . . now up the hill to eat.
We are now ready for breakfast . . . lunch . . . whatever you want to call it.
A ten page menu . . . so many decisions . . . .
Do you think she is having a good time?
Taylor and her mime.
Montreal Notre-Dame.
Time to leave Montreal and saying good-bye is bitter sweet. Two more of Charlie's girls. On his right is Sarah . . . she was so very helpful to us, where to go, what to do. What a wonderful stay at Port D'Escale!
