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!