Tony M

Tony M

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Richelieu River and Chamby Canal

June 14 &15, 2010 Monday and Tuesday


The 40% chance of showers (thank you, Weather Channel) Monday turned into an all-day soaker with the high temps around 60-chilly to the bone. We kept thinking the black clouds were lightening but we were wishfully thinking. We left the last stop in USA, Rouse Pt, NY, rounded Ft. Montgomery and entered Canadian waters. We found the Canadian customs building, pulled up to the custom's officer, answered two questions and he sent us off. He took our passports but never opened them and never checked Buddy’s papers. That was a whole lot easier than any airport check in!


We motored along the top of Lake Champlain into the Richelieu River. We were motoring along through some narrow channels when we noticed the important information on the GPS charts would run out soon. We scrambled through the other map chips that go with the GPS, but none seem to work. OH, NO, we have to use the paper charts! We limped our way to St. Jean sur Richelieu and decided to stay on their town wall for the night. After working for 3 hours trying to figure out the GPS, Pete called our guru, Bob Hogeman, Tony M’s previous owner. Bob’s knowledge is amazing and within twenty minutes Pete had the charts loaded that we needed for the Richelieu, St. Lawrence and Ottawa. Now the paper one’s are safe in Joanne’s hands. Again, thank you, Bob and Sue!
                                                    Tony M in St. Jean sur Richelieu


Tuesday morning brought the Canadian Parks person to our boat to sign us up for season mooring and locking passes for the parks- $651 later!. She was so accommodating. She would open a bridge and then travel in her car to the next lock, help open it and then on to the next bridge. These locks at this Chambly Canal are made of wood and all but one are hand operated. The lock master takes his crank handle and opens and closes these huge wooden doors and also empties the water out. The Canal runs 10 miles with 9 locks and 7 swing bridges. The tow path is now a bike path used by many (especially Baby Boomers) folks out enjoying this beautiful day.








Bridges to be opened




Leaving the lock                                                                                           Chambly towpath
We’re ending our day at St. Antoine sur Richelieu at their town dock where we’ll spend the night. There’s no power here but our generator gives us the boost we need. We should be comfortable.

St. Antoine sur Richelieu

1 comment:

  1. It seems as though you might want to revise your subheading to your main page!! :) I love the updates!!!

    ReplyDelete