Thanks to our followers for providing the following revisions. Keep those comments coming!
Frontibus, a microbrasserie
It was incorrectly reported that Frontibus was a meaningless word [conjured up by the owner].
Correction provided by David B., Tonto’s Reward: The term frontibus is taken from a French drinking song titled “De frontibus”; the lyrics include “au frontibus, au nasibus, au mentibus, au ventribus and au sexibus”.
Still a meaningless word, just attributed incorrectly. Thanks, David!
Tribute to Sinead O’Connor
Capt. Rick noted, some may find this tribute and commentary controversial. He’s speaking the truth!
In 2017, Alisha and her cousin Suzanne (both born in AK) battled cancer (correction: Suzanne was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, Alisha was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive breast cancer), causing them both to shave their heads.
2/6/2018; Suzanne Hildebrand and Alisha Silverstein, two powerful women!
Thanks, Mija for the correction
Ray – we are still looking for whale photos!
And Heather, thanks for your never-ending support :-)
Originally called in French the “Grande Anse”, then the “Grande Baie” the resplendent small port made us feel like we just stepped onto a movie set.
Holland America cruise lines started the lovely development back in 2009, assembling an attractive port terminal, information center and tour bus depot.
Within close walking distance is a state-of-the-art pavilion. Perfect for line dancing to country music (in French), the spectator area consists of built-in stair-stepped seating. Two very busy local restaurants (not shown) overlook the energized gathering space.
Now that was fun!
Just one block from the port terminal (within sight) you find photo worthy residential areas. BUT walk one more block and you might feel like you just stepped beyond thelens of the movie camera. Forget finding an ATM, or any form of shopping. Art galleries, boutiques and eateries are notably absent, eliminating the prospects for entrepreneurs.
The shortage of amenities was perplexing – given the expensive looking structures found at the port – until we learned the cruisers are offered one of two options: 1) behold the countryside by bus, or 2) view the fjords on a zodiac boat.
The dancers we saw earlier, they began their festivities well AFTER the cruise ship departed. Concluding the port name Bay of Ha! Ha! is ironic, especially since “HA” is the acronym for Holland America, probably not a coincidence.
Tadoussac
Capt. Rick says this is one of his favorite new spots in Quebec Province, thus far. Yes, we went there twice, both before and after Saguenay.
Funny signs: Don’t walk on the wall.
For John: Last Pub for 240 km, that reminds us of Arkansas!
Le Gibard, a notably pink structure, has an eclectic feel, and it serves a delicious pizza.
Bear pic for Bert and EJ
Ste-Anne-des-Monts
When you name your town after a Saint, it is appropriate to have the most prominent building be a breathtaking cathedral with the same name.
Thanks, Paul for arranging the private marina!
Tonto’s Reward and Exhale, Ste Anne
Drapeau Blanc, Ma Statue de la Liberte, 2008
A phallic collection of driftwood or just the makings of a gigantic bon fire? You decide.
Sunrise departure at 5:33 am
Although I am NOT a morning person, I do love a gorgeous sunrise. For Dave Lubs.
Riviere du Renard
Again, assisted by Paul, we stayed at a well-protected marina as the wind continued to gain in strength. Reminiscent of Homer, AK, we were surrounded by commercial fishing boats.
A Gargantuan Travel Lift
Several years ago, we told the story of our search for a boat yard with a travel lift large enough to hoist Exhale, to repair a busted prop; Capt. Rick says fully loaded she weighs roughly 60,000 pounds (30 tons). Followers of Tonto’s Reward also know about her roundabout route mid-June to Sodus Point, NY; a marina that could lift her beefy mass – weighing in between 44 and 53 tons, depending on her load of fuel, water, and ships stores (including the liquor cabinet).
The travel lift at Marinard is designed to pick up hefty fishing boats, weighing up to 300 tons (imagine 10 Exhales)!
Heave Ho, Bessy! Breaking a Record
With a capacity of 1,120-tons, Bessy broke the record in 2019, reigning as the strongest hoist in the world. Wondering where she is located? Her name is a solid clue. Heather and mOrk know, the BSEMaritime Solutions-Cairns Slipway shipyard is in Cairns, Australia.
Stock Photo, Bessy
An International Competition
Okay followers (especially Commodore Greg and Commodore Gary), do you know the size and location of the world’s largest mobile lift that dethroned Madame Bessy in 2021? It’s okay if you scroll to the end of this post if you are overly curious.
Frontibus, a microbrasserie
Riviere du Renard has one restaurant close to the marina. Fortunately, it is very good! Dominated by images of a red fox, we surmised the translation of Frontibus would be fur-related, but both iTranslate and David B’s Google translator reported the English translation is simply “Frontibus.”
Thinking the apps were flawed, we queried the friendly wait staff, who happily explained Frontibus was a meaningless word (correction provided by David B: the name frontibus is taken from a French drinking song, conjured up by a folk singer, the lyrics include “au frontibus, au nasibus, au mentibus, au ventribus and au sexibus”).
That reminds me of a vanity plate that is tough to decipher, if you are thinking about creating a special plate, here’s a fun link: https://licenseplategame.com/generator/
For example, BTERCUP = Buttercup, and 2N2RWRD = Tonto Reward
The server at Frontibus did shed some light on the significance of the ever-present fox images. This red-hatted fox is for Tony.
Still Reading? Riviere du Renard means River of the Fox, Voila! For Ray, we found a delicious French micro beer, Rousse [translation red, of course]!
Buttercup
Buttercup was more than happy to hold still for an extra day while the wind dies down.
The world’s largest Marine Travel Lift
Here we go. In 2021, the record was broken with the launch of a 1,500-ton mobile lift – now the largest of its kind in the world. The $6.5 million mega-yacht lift can accommodate power and sail vessels measuring up to 250 feet in length. Dimensions of the mammoth lift? 85 feet tall, 73 feet wide and 105 feet long! That’s substantial enough to pick up superyachts, commercial vessels and naval craft.
Manufactured in northern Italy, where is this custom-built hoist now, Commodores? Drum roll please … Derecktor Shipyard, Port of Ft. Pierce, Florida.
Here she is:
Stock Photo
Its recent lift of M/Y Coral Ocean, a 240-foot (73m) Lürssen weighing in at almost 1,300 tons, makes it the largest yacht hauled using strap lift technology, anywhere in the world. That is until a bigger one is built, let the universal competition continue!
IN PASSING
ADVISORY: The following tribute includes personal commentary from this blogger that may be controversial and/or inappropriate for children.
Saddened by the news of Sinead O’Connor, both my daughter and I were big fans.
Sinead O’Connor, SNL stock photo October 1992
In 2017, Alisha and her cousin Suzanne (both born in AK) battled cancer (correction: Suzanne was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, Alisha was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive breast cancer), causing them to shave their heads.
Suzanne Hildebrand, Nov 2017
My daughter, Alisha, remains proud of her resemblance to Sinead, which she embraced with great strength as Mija fought, and won, her battle with Cancer.
Alisha Silverstein, December 2017
In honor of O’Connor here’s an excerpt from The Independent (click to read the full October 2022 article, published after Sinead released her 2021 memoir).
Her green eyes gleaming with determination, Sinéad O’Connor stares into the cameras at the Saturday Night Live studio . . . and holds a photograph in front of her face. The picture is of a Brazilian street child shot dead by police death squads. It’s 3 October 1992 and O’Connor is rehearsing her cover of Bob Marley’s “War” for her performance on SNL that night. The child’s photo is a calculated distraction. For her real appearance, she’ll proffer another image entirely. And the response will be very different.
“I sing ‘War’ a cappella. No one suspects a thing,” O’Connor recalled in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings. “But at the end, I don’t hold up the child’s picture. I hold up John Paul II’s photo and then rip it into pieces. I yell, “Fight the real enemy!’” Her words hung in the air as she blew out the candles set on a table to one side. Darkness descended, in more ways than one.
In this blogger’s opinion, Sinead was a fearless, outspoken woman. I saw that 1992 SNL episode when it first aired. There was total silence as she walked off the stage. It was jaw-dropping.
This week I read about the story behind that defining moment. Sinead’s mother died in a car accident in 1985, when she was 18. Tragically, for most of her life Sinead was badly abused, physically and emotionally, by her alcoholic mother.
The photo of the Pope came from the wall of Marie O’Connor’s home in Dublin, one of the only things Sinead kept from her childhood home. Sinead hid the photo until the last moment of her a capella performance. Tightly focused on the cameraman (who had been told to zoom in during the rehearsal), Sinead dramatically tore up the Pope’s image; it was a VERY personal demonstration.
Celebrating Milestones – July 31, Ann Freedman; August 3, Andrea and Carly, August 4, Weston Wayne Sumpter Straley turns 10!; and August 6, Morgan Wasmuth turns 6!
If you like Montreal, you will LOVE Quebec City. Heather, you are right, this city is magnificent!
We recommend the 2+ hour historic walking tour of Old Quebec. Starting in the Upper Town district, the guided walk is gentle, mostly downhill. Alas, for us, getting to the starting point was grueling since we started at sea level and somebody in the group with bionic hips opted, we should all take the Escalier Casse-Cou (known as the “breakneck” 398-steps), with no leisurely time to enjoy the view. Thanks, Claude and JoAnn for making the trek!
Stock Photo
With even more stair-climbing and general touring throughout the day, Capt. Rick noted we well exceeded the recommended 10,000 steps for the day.
Samuel de Champlain
The Founder of Quebec City, our tour guide referred to the historic statute as “the man who wasn’t the man”.
Apparently, the likeness of Champlain, depicted consistently around the globe, was just an artistic representation; similar to the renderings of a certain religious dude, who was also never photographed.
Now for a few Places of note
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Hotel Fairmont, known to have hosted meetings of FDR and Churchill during the WWII Quebec Conferences in 1943 and 1944. Although built to look like a castle, it has always been a hotel.
Majestic exterior
Magnificent inside
Inside the fairy tale hotel we found a boutique, with a VERY sweet dress – destined to a special person with a birthday in August …
Chapelle des Ursulines – Quebec City Monastery
Located in the heart of the Old City, the Monastery was founded in 1639; it is the oldest institution of learning for women in North America.
The chapel was originally finished in 1722, revitalized in 1902.
The iron gate – separating the main church from the chapel – serves to separate the cloistered nuns from the populace. Originally, heavy drapes kept the nuns from view, reformed over time to allow them to be seen, but still separated.
Although the school continues to thrive, in September of 2018, after 379 years, the last remaining Ursuline Nuns left the monastery. With less than 50 remaining in Quebec, it was reported that the oldest nun was 102, while the average age was 88!
Murals!
Street Art in action.
Music in the Street for Mom
Fun parking spot
Cap-a-l’Aigle – Cape Eagle
Mother Nature – a beautiful garden
Mother Nature
For John
Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
Another photogenic lighthouse.
Baie de Tadoussac – Whale Watching
Take the time to do a little research to find the whale tour that fits your style. Croisieres AML offers several. For example, riding on a Zodiac in foul weather gear (provided) offers an experience that is up close and personal, but plan to get cold and wet. An enclosed pontoon boat also gets close to the marine life – with some protection from the elements; while a 3-hour tour on a multi-level cruiser offers covered viewing decks with a beverage/snack center, BUT you won’t get an up-close photo, unless you have a mega zoom lens.
The scenery was spectacular.
Photo by Rick
Yes, we saw whales, but we have no proof. So, here’s a lovely replica of a white Beluga, with fireweed, from the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre.
A special hello to Ray and Caryl – from Salty Paws
A magnificent sunset for Dave and Holly Lubs
Repeating last week’s Boater’s Tip:When a little bit of poorly spoken French is not enough, just ask a friendly Canadian to interpret, especially when the taxi dispatcher has no idea where you are … But I will let Tonto’s Reward tell that story in Gail’s next blog entry. Stay Tuned!
For those of you who read Tonto’s Blog, you already know about the unexpected encounter at the Black Pepper!
For the rest of you, especially Trevor, here’s the gist. As we were finishing our exquisite meal in Trois Rivieres at the Poivre Noir (Black Pepper), Gail B., David B., Rick and I were approached by a dapper gentleman who introduced himself as “the former Prime Minister, Jean Chretien”. He said he was curious, where was David from? When David said “Florida, but my accent is from Kentucky” the friendly chap smiled as he explained he was the PM while both President Clinton and President Bush were in office {the 20th Prime Minister served from Nov 1993 – Dec 2003}.
David Bernstein and Jean Chretien
When his lady friend returned to the PMs table [I believe it was Senator Diane Bellemare], the former PM introduced David as “an American from Tennessee who is visiting on his boat”, close enough.
Circling back to our boater’s tip.
Unable to convey our pickup location to the French speaking taxi dispatcher, I saw the PM approaching us – where his chauffeur was patiently awaiting. Boldly approaching him one last time I requested his help. Handing him David’s cell phone, after an animated chat in French he secured us a taxi! Voila.
Before parting, as he climbed into a non-descript black minivan, the former PM’s quipped – “You can see, unlike my friend Bill Clinton, who had 6 bodyguards while visiting me in Canada, I am my own bodyguard.” A rather tall [1.83 m] and imposing figure, at age 89 the Right Honorable Jean Chretien was a notable, friendly Canadian.
P.S. It was easy to confirm the identity of the remarkable stranger, and even easier to prove he is still a close friend to Bill Clinton.
P.P.S. Perhaps the accents from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas sound similar, to some. Just Kidding, – for our K. T. and A. originals David B,Dale, Ann, Donna W, Doug B and my cousin John G.
Celebrating Milestones
July 28, birthday Diana Giraldo, feliz cumpleanos,
July 31, Ann Freedman
for Dave and Holly
Next Up: Bay d’ Ha Ha, or something like that – Saguenay
The St. Lawrence Seaway is intimidating, with vicious currents. Boaters MUST pay attention to the tides and should navigate a healthy distance away from the unforgiving seawalls.
Port d’escale Marina – Old Port of Montreal
The Old Port is located in the heart of the city. Take the time to explore the historic buildings, galleries, museums, cathedrals, spacious parks, and boutiques – but wear comfy shoes, it’s a LOT of walking.
Looking for restaurant tips? Follow your nose! There is no shortage of amazing places to eat. This lobster place was fabulous. Sorry, no food photos.
Jardin Nelson.
Thank you again to Ray and Caryl for introducing us to this restaurant gem, Jardin Nelson was worth repeating, with live jazz at lunch and dinner!
Hop-on Hop-Off Red Bus
Sold as a two-day pass, there are lots of stops worth exploring. The bus is supposed to arrive every 15 minutes, but make sure you are at a current pickup spot since construction changes the route on occasion. Unfortunately for us, the bus did NOT stop near the Notre Dame Basilica, although the website stated otherwise. Walking from the marina, the best pickup stop is at the Old Montreal Pointe a Calliere.
The two-hour tour is a great way to see the city.
Although you might end up with a lot of photos of people taking photos.
Photos from the upper level of the Red Bus
Inuksuk
Inuksuks are fascinating. Found in Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, the pile of stones serve as a landmark in the Arctic regions. Depending on how and where they are built, each marker serves a distinct purpose: directions, warning, marking a food cache, or maybe a place of reverence. In northern Alaska tall piles of stones are used to create drift fences for caribou herds, gently guiding the critters towards native hunters who plan to fill up their freezers.
Stock Photo: Wikipedia
The stone piles vary greatly in size and shape, influenced by the purpose of the pile and the availability of stones, of course. The “human-like” or cross-shaped stone pile is uncommon on the tundra, attributed to the arrival of European missionaries and explorers.
Exhale art collection from Alaska and Canada
Shoppers Tip: Symmetrical carved inuksuk are targeted to tourists. Look for something unique and meaningful.
Ferris Wheel Ride – now that’s a view!
Thanks to Gail and David, I got to see more of the city! Capt. Rick is not fond of heights, so he snapped a photo of us on the wheel.
photo by Capt. Rick
Can you see us waving?
View of Old Montreal from above
Cirque du Soleil – Echo
The newest Big Top performance, Echo, recently launched in Montreal. A tale about evolution, the acrobatic magic is reported to be spectacular. The Old Port marina is immediately adjacent to the circus tents, so we were really excited! Can you spot Exhale and Tonto’s Reward in the marina?
Taken from the Ferris wheeeeel
Location Services On
Bravo to T-Mobile. Yes, Emergency Alerts work in Canada. On our final day in Montreal our phones began blaring, “seek shelter, seek shelter”. Within an hour a dramatic storm occurred, aggressive wind, lightning strikes directly overhead, heavy rain and hail pummeled our boat, we later heard a tornado touched down a few miles away.
Plan B
Perhaps you have heard the old adage, “The Show Must Go On”. Except when the outdoor event is cancelled by a massive storm.
Although we missed out on Cirque du Soleil, when the skies cleared, Plan B was to venture out to a beautiful venue.
Great excuse for a yummy dessert
Departing early in the morning to match the tides, Tonto’s Reward navigated the seaway with grace and ease.
Marina Sorel – Parlez-vous francais?
In the Province of Quebec roughly 95% of the populous speak French as the primary language. And more than 70% only speak French (source, Wikipedia).
Don’t Panic travelers. Just a little bit of French can open doors.
Last time we were in Sorel, a place near and dear to Houlegan Again, Sideways got us into the Quebec marinas with his confident French. Inspired by him, I taught myself a useful phrase to get us into the Marina Sorel on friendly terms.
“Je ne parle pas francais, parlez-vous anglais?” If you can say, in French, “I don’t speak French, do you speak English” the response is often a clear “Yes!” Oddly, if you ask the question in English, you might just get crickets.
Boaters: We’ve got an app for that! I like iTranslate, David B uses Google Translate (free). With a little practice, you can learn just enough to be friendly. Surrounded by 7.2 million Canadians speaking French, it’s worth the effort!
Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers) Quebec
Marina Trois Rivieres is situated on an island, the river view is lovely, with well-manicured grounds.
The marina view is not so lovely. Exhale and Tonto were tied up immediately adjacent to the Kruger Paper mill. The mill generates “eco-friendly high-quality products”; perhaps “eco-friendly” just ignores the local environment because running 24-hours a day, it smells nasty. I mean REALLY PUTRID.
We left the smelly island for dinner; thanks to Paul Belisle we had reservations at a trendy waterfront restaurant in picturesque Trois Rivieres. The Le Poivre Noir (Black Pepper) is renowned for its authentic French cuisine. Thanks Paul, that was a memorable evening!
Boater’s Tip: When a little bit of poorly spoken French is not enough, just ask the first friendly Canadian you encounter to interpret, especially when the taxi dispatcher has no idea where you are … But I will let Tonto’s Reward tell that phenomenal story in Gail’s next blog entry. Stay Tuned!
Celebrating Milestones
Birthdays: July 22, Ray Houle (congrats on the boat transaction!); July 28, Diana Giraldo; July 31, Ann Freedman
Anniversary: July 22, Matt and Michele Jackson
Next Up: Quebec City – awaiting the arrival of Claude and JoAnn Welles!
Ottawa is the most spectacular “walkable city” we have ever experienced. Meters and miles of winding trails bordered by thriving parks and immaculate waterways. Although bicyclists are abundant, there is plenty of room for joggers and pedestrians to stroll along the pathways. Amiga, Diana G – a healthy co-existence – in the heart of a bustling city – is achievable!
We found a place to tie up along the wall of the canal, in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Boater’s Tip: Power pedestals are found closest to the locks. A long power cord is a must. Mostly 30 amp, you can ask the parc staff for help. Red zones are reserved for electric tourist boats. BEWARE: Always lock your boat or vagabonds might climb onboard.
Rideau Canal Skateway
Just imagine a 7.8 km (4.8 mile) waterway that transforms into the world’s largest skating rink! Wikipedia says that’s equal to 90 Olympic Ice Hockey rinks. Skating season is weather dependent, typically from January to March. From downtown to Hartwells Lock, the winding skate way is free for all to use, accessible 24 hours per day.
Stock Photo, 2022
On average, the iced-over canal boasts one million visitors per year – that’s a LOT of hot chocolate.
Carefully monitored, the ice must be 30 cm thick before it is open to the public. A historic first, in 2023 the ice conditions were not thick enough to support the masses, so the skatewaydid not open. Global Warming is real, people.
After a lengthy hiatus – hampered by COVID and never-ending renovations at Parliament House – the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony is back!
Arriving early, Gail and I found a strategic viewing spot. It was the hottest day of the summer, so far, as we watched the majestic performance in the full sun. The marching band, in formal pomp and circumstance costume, wore heavy clothes that must have been ridiculously hot.
Gasp! As if to prove the point, a front row sax player suddenly succumbed to the heat. Well trained and prepared for any misstep, a medic appeared – like a moment from Harry Potter – whisking away the overheated musician. Equally impressive, she was immediately replaced by another sax player who stepped forward into formation, as if the switch was scheduled. Watching the medic escort the musician to a nearby ambulance, the gentle departure was clearly not intentional.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Inspired by the French Gothic Revival, the decadent Catholic church spared no expense.
Joseph Eugene Guigues, 1805-1874, the first Catholic Bishop of Bytown (now known as Ottawa)
This is for Tyler Hendry – pictures from Grandpa Rick
A few random photos here
Check out the Canada goose, bird gallery, fossil gallery (superb authentic dinosaur exhibit), and many more; it was worth the walk.
Mega Turtle dinosaur
Superstar of the mammal gallery was the taxidermist who expertly stuffed a plethora of animals, reminding us of the critters who came to life in Ben Stiller’s “Night at the Museum”. Creepy good.
Ptarmigan
With most bird species, males tend to be more colorful than females. Not the case with the ptarmigan. This fair and impartial bird is known for its unisex avian camouflage, designed to evade predators. Shown here in winter and summer attire, both male and female experience three seasonal wardrobe changes. Most unique – willow, rock, and white-tailed ptarmigans are the only birds in the world that go into full ghost mode, turning as white as the snow in winter! Also notice the feathers on the feet, making perfect snow shoes.
Question for Commodore Greg: Do you know why the willow ptarmigan is special to this blogger?
Museum Visit – Boater’s Tip: if you approach the museum and there are three (or more) school buses parked by the door, think twice before entering! The magnificent marble floors and expansive rooms are perfect echo chambers for undisciplined children – screeching like predator birds while running in the hallways. Chaotic disruptions translated into an early departure from a magnificent venue.
With that said, at the Canadian Museum of Nature we also observed several grandparents introducing their offspring to the wonders of the world. Tres Bien!
Stock photo: Dreamstime.com
Thank you to all the grandparents out there who introduce their descendants to galleries and museums. Personal thanks to Grammy and Poppy Silverstein who loved to explore the Met, the MoMA, the Museum of Natural History and many, many more. Nothing compares to spending a day at the museum, followed by ice cream (or New York cheesecake) with your Grandpa!
Spoiled by a French Guide – Merci beaucoup
Friends from Gulf Harbor, Donna and Paul Belisle, achieved a 5-star rating as self-appointed French guides. In addition to the countless travel tips provided by email, in Ottawa we received the royal treatment, including a lovely dinner at a local Thai spot, a private tour of the city, and a scrumptious dinner in their lovely home.
Best of all, on our last day in Ottawa we were assisted in the final Canal Rideaau Canal flight of 8 locks – with Paul handling lines on Tonto’s Reward and Donna on Exhale – making it VERY easy for both boats to navigate side-by-side down the narrow stair-stepped locks.
Thanks to Paul (note, his first language is French!), he secured our reservations throughout the province of Quebec. We hope you join us soon Donna and Paul; we are certain you will find the accommodations on Tonto “acceptable.” Ils n’ont pas de chien.
In the past, translations were handled by our Sorrel-born friend, Sideways. You should be here, Lit’l Houlegan!
La Fin – Canal Rideau Canal
We said goodbye to the Rideau as we completed our final section.
We returned to the Fairmont ChâteauMontebello, another exquisite experience. Five years ago we were there with Ray and Caryl, on Father’s Day weekend. WOW!
Fairmont Montebello
Hello Morgan! David B and Capt Rick enjoying pool time.
Olympic size indoor pool
Turtle encounter
Don’t get too close, Buttercup
Make the time to walk into the town of Montebello where you will discover several restaurants and historic sights.
Montebello Patron
Louis-Joseph Papineau 1786-1871 (sounds like pop-a-new).
Do you feel like you are surrounded by people speaking French when you arrive in Quebec? Why Yes! Thanks to this politician. Radical leader of the reformist movement, he made French the official language of the Quebec region dating back to the early 1800s. The sundial is a bonus. Batteries not required.
Now why is the Ptarmigan so special?
Commodore Greg did you guess correctly? The Willow Ptarmigan is the state bird of … Alaska (this blogger’s home state).
Willow Ptarmigan in the tundra, summer feathers red and brown.
If you like Cornish game hens, you might appreciate how delicious it tastes. Did I just suggest eating a state bird? Yep! Another fun fact, only three states permit hunting the state bird: Alaska (ptarmigan), California (quail) and South Dakota (ring-necked pheasant).
Celebrating Milestones
New Beginnings: Thank you Sarah Owen – Always Listening. It’s time to start a new chapter! XoXoXo
July 7, celebrating Buttercup; 365 days of belly rubs and poop-filled puppy, so far.
Archive Photo: July 2022
July 10, Anniversary: Jamie and David Hendry – celebrating 19 years; July 13, Birthday Laura Jo.
Canada Day is July 1. Celebrating the Canadian Confederation in 1867, Canada was the first independent dominion in the British Empire. 1867 was a very good year for the US as well, do you know why?
Hotel Kenney Rideau, Elgin, Jones Falls
Established in 1877, that’s 10 years after 1867 or 100 years before the birth of Ynot.
This old tree could be 100 years old.
The Hotel Kenney is located directly at the base of lock 42 along the Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage destination. Search for Jones Falls in Southeastern Ontario.
We were thrilled to return to Hotel Kenney. Under new ownership, the 20 waterfront cottages were fully booked for the summer, but the dock is plenty long enough to accommodate any boat. The quaint little lodge is magnificent.
The food at this little lodge is glorious. The worldly menu seemed eclectic, with a touch of Greek souvlaki (skewers of meat), Indian (butter chicken curry), and French (brie and of course Poutine) yet everything is 5-star flavor.
Make reservations for dinner when you reserve your slip – and don’t miss the Sunday brunch, the superb buffet is both sweet and savory. Open Wednesday thru Sunday, dinner starts at 5, the kitchen closes at 8pm
Boater’s tip, call 613.359.5500, or better yet, email: info@hotelkenneyrideau.com
Canal Rideau Canal
The French say Canal Rideau, the English say Rideau Canal; the multilingual signs use both.
Sources differ on the count of total locks, Wikipedia says there are 45 locks at 23 stations along the canal, plus two more if you take a detour.
If the locks were a flight (two or more locks connected together) you might see the same workers multiple times, especially if the parc team was shorthanded. Not a typo, in French it’s parc, not park.
North Pacific Rendezvous, Opinicon Lake
It’s fun to throw in a familiar French word here and there, like “rendezvous”!
Coming downstream from the locks was a nice surprise, a familiar NP45! Say hello to Ms. Proost from Cocoa Beach, FL. Traveling the waterways in the opposite direction of Exhale, they are enjoying the Great American Loop, while they wait for the arrival of their new NP49. Congrats Frank and Sandy de Heer!
Westport
Just a few pictures from this location. Introducing Finn the Bear – for Finny.
Spectacular Flowers
Clean air and long days of sunlight = vivid cheerful colors
While in Westport, we recommend dinner at The Cove. This was our view. Thanks Gary and Sharyn Morgan for spoiling us!
Trash on the Locks
Five years ago, traveling with Houlegan Again and Vagabond, we learned to leave trash on the canal walls. First task: Count the green shirts (even better, ask the first worker you encounter for a headcount). Second task: fill a paper bag with goodies to be left behind. In 2018, Maureen made it easy for us, taking charge of that fun task.
Contents back then were a wide variety, lunchbox snacks, packets of cookies, candy, healthy stuff like carrots and raisins, granola bars, trail mix, plus Halloween candy (that was Penny’s favorite) and Gatorade! The smile on the face of the receiving workers is priceless.
While the workers retrieved the “trash” from the lock, masked by the subtle gesture of a warm handshake, Capt. Rick would artfully hand out those little airplane bottles to the lock master, usually rum, whiskey, bourbon or Crown Royal – this one is from Sharyn .
This summer we continued the tradition with Tonto’s Reward, pooling our efforts so that one boat is in charge each day.
On Tonto’s Reward it was Sharyn Morgan’s assigned task, they also added beef sticks (VERY popular), lollipops, and other fun treats to the mix – until she and Gary abandoned us in Smiths Falls.
Smiths Falls
The expression from 5 years ago still rings in my ears, “Welcome to Shit Falls”, yelled the young girl on the lock wall. That was then.
This is now. We were surprised to discover the well-manicured park augmented by an upgrade of Main Street, introducing new retail and eateries.
Merrickville
Capt. Rick visibly cringes at the mention of Merrickville. It’s understandable, given the dramatic memories of where Exhale severely damaged her prop 5 years ago. The short version was Exhale mistakenly backed into a bed of rocks adjacent to the lock wall. Can you hear the metal twisting and crunching?
From the archives: 2018 bent prop
Attributed to early morning operator error, the crew survey concluded it was an “impaired driver” moment, possibly impacted by a decadent meal, paired with copious quantities of libations from the previous night, participants/witnesses: Craig and MO. We are happy to report the incident was not repeated on this trip.
While in Merrickvile, the Blockhouse Museum is worth the visit!
Hurst Marina, Manotick
Although this is a convenient location by car, the marina is lackluster, at best. Power is a limited and water depth is a bigger challenge.
Hello to Edith and Mike Frazer from SCYC. We had a fabulous meal at Black Dog Bistro in Manotick, ON. Thanks for making the drive! So sorry we did not take pictures.
Canada Day means wearing red, even Buttercup got dressed up!
Gail Bernstein, Canada Day!
The Swan was repeatable – the attitude was precious!
Boater’s Tip – depending on the size and draft of your boat, instead of Hurst Marina we suggest you try Manotick Marina, just up the waterway about 2 miles.
Morgan – this unicorn is for you!
1867 Was also a Very Good Year in the US! Why?
March 1, Nebraska became the 37th US State. Go Big Red!
October 18, Alaska was purchased from Russia for two cents an acre by Secretary William H. Seward. Journalists labeled it Seward’s Folly. So wrong. Not only was it a brilliant, lucrative, land purchase – no natives were annihilated in the process. In 1959, another good year, Alaska would become the 49th US State. And in 1977 (a REALLY great year) someone special was born on Sept. 15, 1977, the same year the graduating class of Seward High School equaled 33 students; 23 boys and 10 girls, including this blog writer.
Celebrating Milestones
July 1, Becky Weaver Browne; July 2, our oldest grandson Leo Perez; July 3, Kathy Avanzino; July 7 Reality Rodger Swink; and July 9 Anders Liljequist, Meanders, is 75!
Exhale on the Water 