We're In Canada, Eh!

We were up at dawn and left Oswego NY at 7a.m. on Friday July 4th along with two other "loopers", Southern Comfort and Sunshine. The 3 of us headed out to cross Lake Ontario in near perfect seas. Aside from the thousands of flies, it was a very nice cruising day. When we crossed the imaginary line in the water into Canada Chip sang the first chorus of Oh Canada, and I cried. Earlier in the day he put up our Canadian flag up on the radar mast- it was a proud and moving moment for both of us to be on Ithaka with both flags waving simultaneously.
Our two travelling buddies continued on to Picton as we headed into a beautiful little harbor called Prinyer's Cove. Checking into customs was so easy. Chip called from a payphone at the little general store at the marina. The authorities asked him several questions: Name and ID # of the vessel? Name and birth date of all passengers? Any tobacco or alcohol? Any guns? Pets on board? That's it!
We had a terrible phone connection, but still managed a garbled message to "Uncle Bill" who showed up at the boat a short time later...we were about 4 minutes from his house...he let us use his car to drive into Picton...sweet little town...nice art galleries and antique shops. We ended up spending all day Saturday at the boat...some cleaning (there's always something that needs to be polished)...it was a magnificent day~the weather has been amazing! At about 5 p.m. Bill's brother John and his son Blair along with his wife Lisa came to the boat to pick us up for dinner at Bill's. We gave them the tour of Ithaka...Lisa sat up on the fly bridge in the captain's chair and declared it her favorite spot on whole the boat! We had a very special evening with Bill and his family. His home is warm and comfortable and filled with many treasures from all around the world. Possibly his most precious, a framed picture of him on the farm done by Joscelyn when she was only 12 years old which he proudly shared with me. Thank you Bill for a wonderful night which we will consider one of the highlights of our entire trip. We hope to see you in Naples this Winter!
This morning we left Prinyer's Cove by 6 a.m. deeply inhaling the majestic sunrise--Not only because it is Sunday, but with all our hearts, we felt it...God is present in every moment, but in that moment--we had attended service in that breath. Thank you God for another blessed day.
We arrived in Trenton at about 1 p.m. after a picture perfect day travelling through the Bay of Quinte.
I am now sitting outside the Trenton Public Library (WiFi). My battery is getting low so I may not have time to download any photos...But, try to picture it...it's quite a sight...me, on the ground, outside the front door of the library, next to the book drop, typing away! What I won't do to keep all my blog readers happy! Anyway, tomorrow we head into the Trent Severn Waterway...and another adventure begins.

Next post I'll fill you in on some of the history of the area...