St. Paul D'Iles aux Noix to Plattsburgh, New York

We pulled Pecan up to U.S. border station floating dock on Lake Champlain at 9:04am today. Quickly checked in and left as we received high wind warnings for Lake Champlain with the approach of a frontal system lifting from the south. We piloted south with the destination of Plattsburgh.


Pecan powering along at 10 knots into 20+ knot southerly in northern Lake Champlain.


U.S. Border Customs dock.


The border agents didn't have this 'announcement board' turned on today. They didn't expect to see anyone entering the US today, although a couple of weekends ago they've had 100+ boats entering the US.


Customs and Immigration operate out of this travel trailer sitting on this spit of land. This trailer, and the floating docks, are pulled out within the next 30 days for the season. If you enter the US after they're gone you'll have to visit them at the offices in Plattsburgh.



Rounded Cumberland Head and made our way to Plattsburgh; we had a lot of rolling with the beam seas for the few miles we were heading west, but the Rosborough handled them nicely albeit with a tad slower speed to make it more comfortable. With Pecan now secured in a slip, we'll be renting a car within the 2 hours. Seeing that our superb fall weather has come dramatically to a close--there's no need to bash south in Lake Champlain and the Hudson river for 300+ miles in inclement weather. And that's just to get to NYC--we'll still have 1,000 miles to go to get to Florida). So, we'll head home and return in about a week with a tow vehicle to truck Pecan south. We don't own a truck...so it'll be an interesting week ahead.

Why the rush? Plattsburgh Boat Basin will be closing for the season on the 15th of October. So we have an extra week as a buffer if we hit a snag finding a truck and returning up here.

St. Marc Sur Richelieu to St. Paul D'Iles aux Noix

Wow, today's the day. Last day in the Canadian heritage canal and lock system--we'll exit the final lock later today and then have a short run down the River Richelieu to the USA. Left the dock at St. Marc Sur Richelieu at 8:44am with cloudy but dry weather; around 50 degrees F. We average 6.4 knots, 2,200 rpm.







We arrived at Fort Chambly around 11:30am. After tying up at the blueline wall on the north side of the lock, we checked in with the lock operator. With the reduced fall season operating hours we had only about 40 minutes before we would have to enter the lock so our passage thru the complete Chambly lock system could be completed today. Normally this would be a good thing, however, we wanted to stop and tour the fort but we didn't have enough time. Schucks.







The Chambly Canal, which has been used for navigation since 1843, played a primary role in the forestry products industry in Quebec, and in the export of lumber to the US. Building for the canal began in 1831; work was halted several times; due to funding problems, the rebellion of the Patriots, and a cholera epidemic. Twenty kms in length, the canal consists of nine locks, eight of which are operated manually, and several swing, slide and lift bridges. The stair locks are the only ones of their kind in Quebec.

Montreal to St. Marc Sur Richelieu

Pecan left Montreal this morning at 9:08am with cool 48 deg F conditions and fog dissipating. We scooted up the St. Lawrence about 40 miles Sorel where we entered the Richelieu river (which'll take us south back to the USA via the Chambly canal and Lake Champlain.)


We have a good 5 to 6 knot current going with us for much of the lower part of our journey on the St. Lawrence River. the Jacques Cartier bridge dead ahead.


Looking back at the Montreal skyline.


A bit dark in the photo, but you can see we are running OpenCPN navigation software with a Canadian Hydrographic Service raster chart showing our position on the St. Lawrence River.

Freighter traffice passing port to port on the river. The PANAGIA was the only large ship we meet the whole day.


Entrance to the Richelieu river is quite non-descript. If you're not looking it'd be easy to pass by the river; what with industrial plants and wharves lining the shore.


Marina/resort along the Richelieu where we tied up for the night.

Montreal

A rarity for us on this trip, we stopped for a whole day to tour around Montreal. After touring a museum in the old town section, we took the subway to the Mont Royale stop and hiked from there thru the park to the top of the mountain. Loads of trails up the mountain--many suitable for mountain and hybrid bikes. Great views from the top, as can be seen from the little video below. After that, we hiked straight down and wound up at McGill University. McGill reminds us of Mike's school at the University of Pennsylvannia in that you have a sizeable university in a city/urban environment. Still walking, we made our way to Chinatown and found a delightful small restaurant. Crowded, and no single tables available, we were offered to sit a large circular table with 3 other couples if we want to be seated now. We did and had nice conversations with our dinner 'partners'.


Port D'Escale marina has a overnight promotion for weekday nights. CAD$1.65/foot/day (up to 65 ft.). I think we lucked out arriving on Thursday since it looks we were charged for two nights at the promo rate. Includes 30 amp power and water and use of laundry. They issue an electronic card key with a CAD$20 deposit so you can come and go thru the main entrance at will.


A bit of laundry in the a.m.


View of downtown from Mont Royale...it's really that close.


Arriving back at the marina at sunset.


Video from the top of Mont Royale.


Video panorama of Port D'Escale marina.

Lachine to Montreal

Clear this morning, about 50 degrees F. Calm winds. Ran the diesel generator about one hour this morning for hot water, a little force-air heating, and battery charging. Left the dock to start the canal at 9am. In the map above, we entered the canal from the west at the lower end of the solid red line.


One of the key reasons we wanted to 'do' the Lachine canal and waterway system is because of the historical significance this canal made not only for Montreal but for Canada. The canal 'bridged' the Lachine rapids which were a severe and dangerous impedement to the exploration and settling of Canada. Opened in 1825, and widened twice in the 1800s, this is the first set of canals leading to the Great Lakes that preceded the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today, the restored canal cuts right thru the center of Montreal, is 12 kilometers long and there are five locks and 23 bridges.



These two photos I took last night where we tied up at the Lachine floating blue line docks. Rain had ended.


Tamara talking with our lock operator. We noticed--since on the Ottawa River--all the operator have a portable wireless device where they punch in our boat name, registration number and lock permit info. I guess we're being tracked!


Converted factories and warehouses are now urban condos and apartments along the canal.


Our first 8 foot bridge up ahead. We slow to about 1 mph--just in case we touch and have to stop. Of course, I trust Canada Parks folks but was perplexed with a diagram they handed out. This diagram, shown below, notes the bridges at 8 feet 0 inches. Well, if we could enter the canal with the maximum air draft of 8 feet 0 inches, wouldn't we then scrap the underside of all these 8 foot bridges? There's clearly some 'fudge factor' in the actual clearance for these low bridges--but they aren't telling us what that is. They did acknowledge this fudge factor: they said two boats passing each other under the bridges could create a bit of pitching. Therefore these bridges are a bit higher than 8 feet 0 inches but it'll remain a mystery.


Lachine bridge and lock diagram


I believe we cleared the bridge underside by 1 to 2 inches.


Stopped at Atwater Market for a bit of grocery shopping. Better know your French.


Official website for the vendors, merchants and growers at "Marche Atwater" here:
http://www.marche-atwater.com/



Final lock on the Lachine; here the lock operator--again--punches our info into his trusty handheld computer.


Exiting the Lachine at around 2:30 or so, we pass by the Habitat 67 housing development that were built for the Montreal expo back in, of course, 1967.


Arriving at the modern Port D'Escale marina in the old town section of Montreal along the St. Lawrence River. As you can see, the season is virtually over...less than a dozen boats here.


We walked around the old town of Montreal on this fine and clear day in September.


Intriguing bikes and bike rental kiosks all over the city. About CAD$5 a usage. The idea is that you ride to another location in the city and drop off the bike in the nearest kiosk there. I think they give you 30 minutes. And if you want to use it longer, you can, but it'll cost you.


Now getting dark in one of the narrow streets in old town.