Re: THE SPANISH DONKEY HAS LANDED!

MONDAY, JULY 30th:
We left Burritts Rapids at 7AM, arrived
at Long Island lock at 4:45PM, an extremely
hot day. Paddled 41kms today, all exhausted
after the a long hot day.

TUESDAY, JULY 31st:
Awoke to another beautiful morning, left Long
Island at 8:30AM; arrived at Hartwells Lock at
12:45PM, 17kms today--a very perfect day!
Romeo arrived with van and trailer at 6:30PM.
We are now about to order our dinner.
The Spanish Donkey has landed and put out to
pasture!

UPDATES FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

FRIDAY, JULY 27th:
We left Chaffey's Lock at 7:30AM got to Col.
By's Island at approx. 1PM; 22kms today.
Very hot but overcast day; we swam and had a
relaxing afternoon.

SATURDAY, JULY 28th:
At 7:30AM we left Col. By's Island paddled to Smith
Falls at approx. 3PM. For the first time we paddled
for one hour in the rain. Did 29kms today. Camped at
at Victoria Park, Smith Falls; had a chinese buffet
dinner at Wong's Restaurant.

SUNDAY, JULY 29th:
This morning, we left Smith Falls at 8:30AM when the
locks opened, paddled to Burritts Rapids Lock. 35kms
today. During that time went through 12 continuous
locks; weather was perfect! Arrived at 5:45PM.
TODATE COMPLETED 1020KMS.

UPDATE FROM THE RIDEAU CANAL:

WED. JULY 25th:
We left Kingston Mills at 8AM, arrived at
Upper Brewer's Mills Lock having done 20kms
today. We pulled in about 1PM, our days now
depends on lock distances. Had beautiful
calm weather.

THURS. JULY 26th:
This morning we left at 7:15AM from Upper
Brewer's Mills and paddled through to Chaffey's
Mills, Lock #37. Completed 28kms today. Again,
a beautiful calm day having gone through Jones Falls,
the nicest of all the locks. Followed by a 3-stage
flight locks, then across the 'turn around basin' into
one more lock. The workmanship of these locks were
amazing and beautiful, built in the late 1820's.
The Rideau Canal (a French word meaning curtin) was
opened in 1832. We were interviewed this evening by
Rick Lyons of Ontario Travel Guides who is promoting
the outdoor use of the canal. Tonight for dinner, we
went to an all-day breakfast at a nearby little restaurant
then ice cream for dessert. TO DATE A TOTAL OF 935KMS.
Tomorrow's plans(Friday 27th) are to paddle a short 22kms
to Colonel By's island where we may camp.

UPDATES FOR MONDAY & TUESDAY:

MONDAY, JULY 22nd:
Another early start, we left Adolphus Town campsite
at 6:15AM, water very calm, like glass most of the
day. We paddled 41kms got to Lighthouse Park near
the town of Amhurst View at approx. 3:00PM. This park
was dedicated by the Loyalist during the American wars.
During our time at this park a man came up in a day
kayak, named Yvon who lived in Amhurst View. Later
that evening he returned bringing a big dinner of
chicken, french fires, soda pop and beer. Was a very
interesting evening!

TUESDAY, JULY 24th:
This morning we left Lighthouse Park at 6:15AM, very
calm winds, overcast skies most of the day, very good
for paddling. Crossed huge waters, Lake Ontario and came
into Kingston at 10AM got to the mariner downtown, another
free night. We had a busy morning until 2PM at the showers,
laundry and grocery shopping. Then continued on to Kingston
Mills Lock #46 having gone through three continous flight
locks; very busy but were only 7kms. Staying here tonight.
Completed today 27kms. TOTAL TO DATE 880KMS.
This lock was the start of our Rideau Canal trip in 2005.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY UPDATES:

SAT. JULY 21st:
Due to high winds we left Trenton CFB yacht
club at 9AM; paddled 41kms to Bert's Camp
Ground, Telegraph Narrows. Camped here
for the night.

SUN. JULY 22nd:
We had an early start this morning, left
Bert's Camp at 6:10AM, a sunny very calm day,
had a 30kms paddle to Adolphus Town Camp Ground
situated on a body of water called Adolphus
Reach; staying here tonight.

Thursday and Friday

Hi everyone
I'm a new grandfather! (4th grandchild)
My son Luke and his wife Sarah had an 8 1/2 lb. baby girl, Anna!

We finished the Trent waterway on Wednesday and camped in Trenton at the municipal park.
Celebrated by going out to the Family restaurant.
However, come Thursday morning the sky was dark and clouded over.
We started out and made it to the Trenton Air Force Base Yaht Club. (about 5 km.)
They welcomed us into the club, gave us a key to the door, for the washrooms, shower and rec hall and we have been here ever since. (Thursday and Friday)
The winds and rain and thunderstorms have been terrible but we are safe, high and dry and living in comfort.
For dinner and breakfast we go to the base mess hall. Excellent food, good price and no security restrictions.
This roughing it out on the water is easy to take.
Tomorrow, Saturday morning we hope to be on our way to Belleville and beyond.
Wish us luck! The Lord keeps blessing us!
We gave info about our trip to one of the commanders of the club and he said he will try to have it published in the local papers, with pictures too!
He also said that he heard a reference to our trip on the CBC radio
Can anyone fill in in any more details?
All the best, JR

TUES. & WED. UPDATES:

TUES. JULY 17th:
We left Campbellford at 7:45AM, had a very good
day's paddle. Got to Island Park on the Trent,
visited friends of Bill & Iris. Went on to Glen
Ross Lock #7. Camped at the lock. Did 26kms today.

WED: JULY 18th:
Left at 7:45AM went through lock at 8:25AM. Today
we went through the last six locks then entered
Lock #1 in Trenton at 2PM. No camping allowed, the
Lock Master recommended we continue on to the
entrance of Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario) to camp at
Robert Patrick mariner. Today completed 23kms. We
had a celebration meal for completing the Trent-Severn!
TOTAL TO DATE 740kms. We are still feeling good!

MONDAY, JULY 16th:

MONDAY:
Left Hastings at 7:30 AM, a beautiful sunny day, no winds;
got to Campbellford Lock #13 at 2:45PM. Completed 30kms
today.
This afternoon clouding over. Tomorrow's plans are to get
to Glen Ross. Hope to complete the Trent-Severn by Wed,
weather permitting, a 26 kms paddle.

Everyone happy and healthy!

The Donkeys are now in Hastings

Up at 5 a.m. this morning to make a run across Rice Lake.
The wind was in our back and we had a good paddle.
Thank the Lord for our safe journey and protection from the weather!
Everyone is feeling well after paddling for more than 650 km.
We arrived in Hasting early afternoon and are now having a bit of a holiday.
Hope to be done the Trent by Wednesday if the weather holds.
There have been more bad wind days on the Trent than on Georgian Bay.
This sure has been a great adventure so far!
Hope to make another post soon.
Hello to everyone. JR

FRIDAY, JULY 13TH & SATURDAY, JULY 14TH:

FRIDAY:
How we spent our day in Peterborough;
laundry early AM, rest of day at canoe museum,
very interesting, followed by grocery shopping
- a 35 min. walk from locks.

SATURDAY:
This morning set off at 6:15AM launch from
Scott's Mills Lock, was very calm but overcast.
Went down the Otonabee River, paddled 30kms by
1PM. Sky got black and winds came up at Rice Lake
{Otonabee River runs into Rice Lake}. We pulled
into Rainbow Cottage, looked deserted but soon
found the owner who allowed us to stay overnight
at a charge. We managed to setup camp just in time
before the down pour, rained constantly from 2PM to
5PM, still very cloudy with little wind. Tomorrow's
plans are to leave early for Hastings, a 30kms day,
weather permitting.
APPROX. 600KMS TO DATE.

WE ARE IN PETERBOROUGH!

WED. JULY 10th:

Left Burleigh Falls at 8:30AM as locks opened hoping

to head for Lakefield.  Winds got up at 10:30AM, in our

faces, had a struggle but continued until 12:45PM pulled

in at Young's Point lock, stayed there for the night, winds

continued very strong.

 

THURS. JULY 11th:

This morning we were up and away by 6:50AM, had a

beautiful morning until 10:30, winds came up again - 

northeast.  Did not stop us we were in the Otonabee

River.  We went through eight locks including the

famous Mills Lock #19, Peterborough.  Staying at

Scott's Lock tonight and tomorrow to visit the museum

and grocery shopping, our first day off.  Dining tonight at

Swiss Chalet!

MONDAY & TUESDAY UPDATES:

MONDAY, JULY 9th:

Left Bobcaygeon 7:30AM very calm

morning then about 10AM suddenly,

southwest winds came up strong, was

hardest day of trip on Pigeon Lake -

only did 10kms.  At 11:45AM was blown

in to Sandy Point.  Stayed here hoping

wind would subside but never did.  Landed

on a beautiful cut lawn with oak trees, found

an old building,  windows and doors were

open. Bill went to investigate knocked but no

one there, showed name of Sandy Point Resort. 

We decided to stay then had a siesta followed by

supper.  During the evening a car drove past,

eventually a couple (caretaker) showed up, now

a private property.  We explained the situation -

very nice man, said we could stay the night.  We

then pitched our tents.

 

TUESDAY, JULY 10th:

This morning we decided to get up early, got

away at 6AM, had a good day's paddle all the

way to Buck Horn.  Stopped here had early

lunch, weather excellent, went through to Love

Sick Lock.  Arrived at Burleigh Falls Lock #28

at 2:45PM, set up camp.  Can hear rumble of

thunder in the distance, black skies!  Did some

repairs to JR's kayak, broken cable, did some

laundry.   Camping here to night.  Hurrying to

collect dry laundry before rains come.

 

UPDATES FOR SATURDAY JULY 7th & SUNDAY JULY 8TH:

SATURDAY:

8:15AM left Bolsover Lock, overcast day,

arrived Fenelon Falls 5:15PM -- a major day,

paddled 38kms!!  For our accomplishment, at campsite

celebrated with a banquet of bought roast chicken, green

salad, tomatoes, and potato salad,  and for dessert

chocolate brownies with strawberry ice cream .  To

complete this fine cuisine we went to Tim Horton's for

coffee.  Bedtime at 10PM, our first late night. 

Camped here for Sat. night.

 

SUNDAY:

Left Fenelon Falls at 9AM, another overcast

day, had light showers at lunchtime.  Arrived

2:15PM at Bobcaygeon.  Completed 25kms

today.  Camping here tonight.

TOTAL TO DATE OF 515 KMS (APPROX.) 

 

POSITION UPDATE FROM SPANISH DONKEY!

FRIDAY, JULY 6TH:

 

Left McCrae Pt at 6:15AM, extremely hard

paddling across Lake Simcoe.  Arrived 3:30PM

at Bolsover Lock, camping here tonight.

 

Latitude 44 degree 30 min. 58 sec. N

Longitude 79 degree 05 min. 22 sec. W

BOLSOVER LOCK #37

3-DAY UPDATE -- DONKEYS GALLOPING ALONG:

TUES. JULY 3rd:

9:00AM, left Port Severn headed for Big Chute Marine

Railway Lock System, #44.  Very interesting, shown how

it works.  Arrived at Swift Rapid Locks at 3:30PM -

weather good all day; camped overnight at SWR locks.

Distance today, 26kms.

 

WED. JULY 4th:

Awoke very early then heavy clouds and rain set in.

Stayed at Swift Rapids Lock,  had an early lunch,

left at noon hour after rain stopped.  Paddled all

afternoon until 5:30PM, arrived at Couchiching Lock,

#42.  Evening was sunny and bright.  Distance today,

25kms.

 

THURS. 5th:

Left Couchiching Lock at 7:45AM, morning heavily

overcast, paddled all the way down Lake Couchiching

3 3/4 hr distance, non-stop.  At noon hour stop at mariner

end of Lake Couchiching had lunch at area

called Attersley Narrows (Orillia).  This afternoon

paddled on into Lake Simcoe, arrived at McCrae

Prov. Park at 2:00PM today, Thurs.  Skies blue

with northwesterly winds - drying laundry in the

blowing winds.  Completed 25kms. today

 

TOTAL OF 417KMS, DAY 16, NO DAYS OFF!!

 

[Tomorrow's plans a big day ahead (weather permitting)

a 2 1/2-hr paddle across Lake Simcoe, HUGE open water

- the last of Big water until Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario).

 

 

 

 

UPDATES FOR SUNDAY & MONDAY

SUNDAY, JULY 1st: 

Left Frying Pan Island about 6:15A.M.

mornings seems to be good paddling weather

then afternoons get quite rough, winds pick up

especially in open water.  Arrived at GO HOME

BAY approx. 3:30PM, camped at Go Home

River.  Did 26kms today, Sunday.

MONDAY, July 2nd:

Very cold night, awoke to thick mist on river

this morning.  Left Go Home River about 6:10AM,

had good weather not much wind until 11:00A.M.

then winds picked up got stronger in afternoon.

Made very good time, got into Port Severn today,

Monday about 3:20PM got through locks by 3:45PM. 

Camping at Locks tonight.

Did 35 kms today - a long day!

In 13 straight days of paddling completed 360kms!!

Weather very much in our favour, no serious

rain.  Going to do laundry then into town for

for a relaxing evening.

 

DONKEYS UPDATES FOR FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

FRI. JUNE 29th:

Left Kill Bear park at 6:45AM headed for

Parry Sound (means huge body of water) - a beautiful

calm morning,  then winds blew up hard in the afternoon

got into P.S. approx 2:00PM.  Had a free night camped at

OPP boat launch area, were very accommodating, good public

washrooms. We were next to the PS Theatre complex and

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.  Had a big night out on the town

at Don Cherry's restaurant -- (what civilization, eh!!)

Very rough on the open water in PS with heavy boat traffic.

 

SAT. JUNE 30th: 

Next morning, bright & early left at 6:45AM, excellent paddling

morning until the winds picked up at lunch time, paddled 26kms

by then.  Northwest winds behind us 2:00PM arrived at FRYING PAN

ISLAND, was an old settlement of SANS SOUCI, no camping allowed.

Headed to next mariner called HENRY'S, another free night's camp. 

Had another 'pig out' dinner of fresh fish & chips (HUGE portions) 

at Frying Pan Island.

Donkeys all fit and fighting, having a wonderful time!