Hi All…It’s Ben again - in the Trent-Severn Waterway,
We took the “Izzy R” to Clayton, NY, in the Thousand Islands, to go to the Antique Boat Museum
where they keep a lot of old wooden boats. Jeff spent a long time looking at them.
I hope he’s not thinking of getting a smaller boat like that and leaving me behind just because I don’t know what to do with that rope. Jeff and Izzy took a ride in one of the old boats named “Miss 1000 Islands II”. They took some pictures.
Ever since Sally left I’ve been taking her place standing guard on the bow of the boat when we’re in the locks. I’m not sure what else she did up here, but Jeff keeps trying to get me to do some sort of rope thing.
I sure wish she’d come back so I could get some sleep.
I sure wish she’d come back so I could get some sleep. We took the “Izzy R” to Clayton, NY, in the Thousand Islands, to go to the Antique Boat Museum
where they keep a lot of old wooden boats. Jeff spent a long time looking at them. I hope he’s not thinking of getting a smaller boat like that and leaving me behind just because I don’t know what to do with that rope. Jeff and Izzy took a ride in one of the old boats named “Miss 1000 Islands II”. They took some pictures.
This is Jeff trying to talk the captain into driving really fast.
There are houses on little rock islands. The only way there is by boat. All this water freezes in the winter, so they make roads on the ice and line them with Christmas trees so people can ride their snow mobiles to get around.
All the cottages on the shore have special garages for their boats linning the waterfront. Our garage in Irvine is never under the water like that. 
When their ride was over, they came to the 'Izzy R' and got me so we could go tho the Farmers Market for some vegetables and a berry pie, and then to a music concert in the city park. 
Our first introduction to them was about a month ago on a windy, rainy day when they had to raft to our boat in the 32 ft. tall Saint Catherine Lock near Montreal. Izzy was on the bow holding the skinny nylon line dropped down from the top of the lock and pulled through our front cleat. It was tricky for her to keep the bow of the two rafted boats close to the wall because as the water rose the wind caught our enclosed flybridge. The boats swung out from the side of the wall for a few panicky moments as Izzy dug her heels into the rails on the slippery deck and pulled on the line like she does with my leash when I try to chase after one of those Canadian black squirrels.
She finally got them back close to the wall in the wind. We continued to cross paths with Goose Boots through Ottawa and the Rideau Canal. They keep their boat in Picton, so when we got there, Izzy and Jeff did some tricky mooring twice (wrong ball the first time), in the pretty harbor. Susan and Doug picked them up and they all went for a little trip to the local wineries and dinner at a place called Portabella. I think it was Italian, because they came home raving about the good food, and they smelled like garlic. Murphy and I didn’t get to go…I think Murphy was on watch dog duty too.
We rolled out of bed the next morning and Izzy untied the funky line they rigged on the mooring ball, then we headed to Trenton, Ontario for our preparation to go through the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Frazer Park Marina is the popular spot for most of the loopers and other cruisers in the area, and our boat was tied up right in front of the office and next to the fuel dock, so I had lots of opportunity to practice my watch dog techniques when anyone came by the boat. There was good ice cream in the marina office. (Jeff got some for me every day),and a nice park just steps away from my ramp where I could get some exercise and meet other people and dogs. 
Izzy and Jeff got their exercise walking around the little town and carrying those big wine bottles from the nearby LCBO store.
After we had our barbequed chicken on the boat, we took a walk around the quiet lock and took some pictures.
Before long the mosquitoes came out in full force and we hightailed it back the "Izzy R' and closed the doors. Izzy and Jeff had a "swat fest" that night trying to chase those little buggers out of the boat before bedtime.
There are houses on little rock islands. The only way there is by boat. All this water freezes in the winter, so they make roads on the ice and line them with Christmas trees so people can ride their snow mobiles to get around.All the cottages on the shore have special garages for their boats linning the waterfront. Our garage in Irvine is never under the water like that. When their ride was over, they came to the 'Izzy R' and got me so we could go tho the Farmers Market for some vegetables and a berry pie, and then to a music concert in the city park. There was a fishing tournament going on that weekend, so we were all awakened the next morning at 6 AM by a bullhorn calling off the names of all 200 fast bass boats, and the roar as each one started off from the harbor beside our marina. I just buried my face in the corner and tried to sleep through it.
We crossed back across Lake Ontario to Kingston again for another night then headed west to Picton where our friends Susan and Doug from “Goose Boots” live and keep their boat. Their dog Murphy travels with them.
We crossed back across Lake Ontario to Kingston again for another night then headed west to Picton where our friends Susan and Doug from “Goose Boots” live and keep their boat. Their dog Murphy travels with them. Our first introduction to them was about a month ago on a windy, rainy day when they had to raft to our boat in the 32 ft. tall Saint Catherine Lock near Montreal. Izzy was on the bow holding the skinny nylon line dropped down from the top of the lock and pulled through our front cleat. It was tricky for her to keep the bow of the two rafted boats close to the wall because as the water rose the wind caught our enclosed flybridge. The boats swung out from the side of the wall for a few panicky moments as Izzy dug her heels into the rails on the slippery deck and pulled on the line like she does with my leash when I try to chase after one of those Canadian black squirrels. She finally got them back close to the wall in the wind. We continued to cross paths with Goose Boots through Ottawa and the Rideau Canal. They keep their boat in Picton, so when we got there, Izzy and Jeff did some tricky mooring twice (wrong ball the first time), in the pretty harbor. Susan and Doug picked them up and they all went for a little trip to the local wineries and dinner at a place called Portabella. I think it was Italian, because they came home raving about the good food, and they smelled like garlic. Murphy and I didn’t get to go…I think Murphy was on watch dog duty too.We rolled out of bed the next morning and Izzy untied the funky line they rigged on the mooring ball, then we headed to Trenton, Ontario for our preparation to go through the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Frazer Park Marina is the popular spot for most of the loopers and other cruisers in the area, and our boat was tied up right in front of the office and next to the fuel dock, so I had lots of opportunity to practice my watch dog techniques when anyone came by the boat. There was good ice cream in the marina office. (Jeff got some for me every day),and a nice park just steps away from my ramp where I could get some exercise and meet other people and dogs. Izzy and Jeff got their exercise walking around the little town and carrying those big wine bottles from the nearby LCBO store. They also rode their bikes to the Canadian Air Force Museum. Jeff said he was surprised there was such a thing. They took some pictures there so I could see what I missed...
This is a Halifax plane that was shot down in WWII and recovered from under water then put back together piece by piece. 
The bike ride there and back was a little tiring on the warm day, so when they got back to the boat, Jeff decided to get in the water and wash off some of the dirt on the boat that we couldn't reach from up here on the dry deck. Good way to cool off.
Izzy and I had ice cream and watched.
We said goodbye to the Frazer Marina and went under this bridge to start the Trent -Severn Waterway leg. 
I think everyone takes a picture of this as they go under that bridge.
The first day day we went through 8 locks.
Jeff and Izzy were getting a routine down by the end of the day. They decided that Jeff would ease the boat into the lock and Izzy would tie up on a cable at the mid ship cleat, then got to the back and get the stearn. Then Jeff would come out and tie up the bow with a boat hook if it looked like we needed it.
They wore their headsets so they didn't have to scream at each other. I guess they could still call each other bad names, but no one else would be able to hear them.
This is a Halifax plane that was shot down in WWII and recovered from under water then put back together piece by piece. The bike ride there and back was a little tiring on the warm day, so when they got back to the boat, Jeff decided to get in the water and wash off some of the dirt on the boat that we couldn't reach from up here on the dry deck. Good way to cool off.Izzy and I had ice cream and watched.We said goodbye to the Frazer Marina and went under this bridge to start the Trent -Severn Waterway leg. I think everyone takes a picture of this as they go under that bridge.The first day day we went through 8 locks.
Jeff and Izzy were getting a routine down by the end of the day. They decided that Jeff would ease the boat into the lock and Izzy would tie up on a cable at the mid ship cleat, then got to the back and get the stearn. Then Jeff would come out and tie up the bow with a boat hook if it looked like we needed it.They wore their headsets so they didn't have to scream at each other. I guess they could still call each other bad names, but no one else would be able to hear them.Do you see the kids standing on the railroad bridge beyond the lock gates in the next picture? They were jumping into the canal from up ther and having a lot of fun. 
When we passed, they all jumped in together and tried to splash me!
There are all ages of people swimming in the water as we passed the cottages along the canal. Here's a grandma and grandpa.
and finally stopped at the top of Percy Reach Lock. On our way into the lock we saw this crazy dog barking and barking as he was swimming after a goose in the big lake.
The goose would swim just far enough away from the dog to make him think he might be able to catch it, so eventually the dog was way out in the middle of the lake and getting tired when the goose just flew away. Luckily his owner lived nearby and had a little boat that he put in the water and went out to rescue the dumb dog.
I'm glad he wasn't blonde...we already get enough bad press.
When we passed, they all jumped in together and tried to splash me! There are all ages of people swimming in the water as we passed the cottages along the canal. Here's a grandma and grandpa. and finally stopped at the top of Percy Reach Lock. On our way into the lock we saw this crazy dog barking and barking as he was swimming after a goose in the big lake. The goose would swim just far enough away from the dog to make him think he might be able to catch it, so eventually the dog was way out in the middle of the lake and getting tired when the goose just flew away. Luckily his owner lived nearby and had a little boat that he put in the water and went out to rescue the dumb dog. I'm glad he wasn't blonde...we already get enough bad press.Each of the locks here in Canada seems to have a real nice park beside it with grass, picnic tables and barbecue grills for the people and their dogs in the boats that want to tie up for the night.
The locks close at 7 o'clock, so the water gets still and it's real peaceful.
Usually there aren't any lights, so there are lots of stars to see after dark.
The locks close at 7 o'clock, so the water gets still and it's real peaceful. Usually there aren't any lights, so there are lots of stars to see after dark. After we had our barbequed chicken on the boat, we took a walk around the quiet lock and took some pictures.
Before long the mosquitoes came out in full force and we hightailed it back the "Izzy R' and closed the doors. Izzy and Jeff had a "swat fest" that night trying to chase those little buggers out of the boat before bedtime. It's nice to have Izzy to myself for a few days so she'll snuggle up with me on the flybridge.
Our next stop was in Campbellford where we bought 1,058 liters of fuel for the boat at 90 cents per liter. Jeff says we pay big money for fuel. In the park right down the waterfront from the gas station is this giant "Tooney". I think Jeff is right...it is big money in Canada. 
Jeff needed some cheering up after that. Izzy reminded him that it's just "Canadian", but that didn't help much, so we walked to the Chocolate Factory and bought big bags of goodies to make him feel better.
Then Izzy took him to dinner at a little restaurant in town called Capers. The said it was the best dinner they have had since Vergennes. They must have liked it because I didn't get any leftovers at all.
Our next stop was in Campbellford where we bought 1,058 liters of fuel for the boat at 90 cents per liter. Jeff says we pay big money for fuel. In the park right down the waterfront from the gas station is this giant "Tooney". I think Jeff is right...it is big money in Canada. Jeff needed some cheering up after that. Izzy reminded him that it's just "Canadian", but that didn't help much, so we walked to the Chocolate Factory and bought big bags of goodies to make him feel better. Then Izzy took him to dinner at a little restaurant in town called Capers. The said it was the best dinner they have had since Vergennes. They must have liked it because I didn't get any leftovers at all. A few more days of locks and we arrived in Peterborough where we were going to meet Sandy and Dimitry the next day. There were pirates in the lock with us having a water battle.
This one got me wet with his squirt gun.
They told us there was a free concert in the park in town that night. Sounded like fun, so we planned to go, too.
This one got me wet with his squirt gun.They told us there was a free concert in the park in town that night. Sounded like fun, so we planned to go, too. After we got settled for the rest of the day at the lock wall, the rain started. But Jeff can't sit still for long, so he got ansy and decided to get the bike out and take a ride to a book store about two miles away. He has been looking for some magazine about old engines and thought he might find it there...so off he went in the rain. Here's a picture of "rain man", as Izzy called him, as he came home sopping wet a couple of hours later.
She made him dump the water out of his shoes before he came inside the boat.
She made him dump the water out of his shoes before he came inside the boat.After the rain stopped, the sun cam out for a while so we walked down to the concert area, but it had been called off due to the rain. I was diasappointed that I didn't get to see the pirates again and squirt them back for getting me wet on the boat that afternoon. We came home and had an early night so Jeff and Izzy could get ready for Sandy and Dimitry's arrival.
I went to bed and watched the sunset...red sky at night, sailor's delight! 
Love,
Ben
Love,Ben
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