SUMMER 2010 June-July-August
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JULY 2 Whitehall, NY, Lock 12 Marina
Before we left Schuyler Yacht Basin, we had a nice visit with Judy and
Phil, owners of the marina. It was so good to see them again to catch up on
things. We love the marina, so quiet, nice country setting, and a huge
bullfrog croaking all night right next to our boat! We left around 8:00 and
arrived at Lock 12 Marina at 2:30 after a beautiful ride on the canal with
a blue sky and cool breeze throug the pilot house, and lush trees alongside.
Jim drove from the bridge when we came to some very low bridges with 17
feet clearance. We had about 1 1/2 feet!! Pretty close!! Jim's brother,
Bob and wife, Donna met us for dinner at Finch and Chubb's here at the
marina. Jim's cousin Leslie and Kitty came also. After dinner Jim and Bob
put up the mast
Schuyler Yacht Basin Highway along the canal Mountain in the distance LOW bridges in Whitehall
JULY 3 Chipman's Point Marina, Orwell, VT
It was good to tie up after a pleasant ride in the Lake Champlain narrows to be greeted by AGLCA
friends, Ginny and Gene, and their new puppy Skipper, along with a whole group of boaters here to catch
out lines. The wind had picked up and was blowing quite hard from the south, creating some huge chop.
The pig roast started around 3:30 and there was lots of food and meeting new people. "Shore Thing"
passed us, heading to an anchorage by Ft. Ticonderoga. The fireworks began around 9:40. Ginny let us
use their car because the fireworks were right next to our boat. We didn't go anywhere, but I sat in
the front seat, Lily in the back, with the radio and air on. She was checking for the cat that had
crossed our path as we headed up to the car. Things worked out fine and we were glad we had the
chance to go to the other side of the marina office as it would have been way too loud for her on the
boat. We watched a gorgeous sunset and at 11:00 sat on the bridge. There are no lights from any
cities, so the Milky Way, Big Dipper, and thousands of stars filled the sky.


< Narrows on Lake Champlain
Our sunset >
JULY 4-6 Westport Marina, Westport, NY
Our looper friends, Jeannette and Charlie, drove here from NH to spend a few days in the inn up the
hill. We had a great visit yesterday and will spend the day with them today as they are leaving
tomorrow. We also had a nice visit with the Bairds aboard "Tranquility Base". The weather is HOT, but
a nice breeze off the lake.
JULY 7-8
We spent July 7 at Willsboro Bay and met up with loopers aboard "Andiamo" who we met coming north
this spring. It was so good to see them and amazing how we keep connecting with people we have met in
our boat travels since doing the loop. We left Willsboro the next day and took the more scenic route to
the west of Valcour Island, then continued north to Cumberland Head in Plattsburgh and Isle La Motte in
VT. We arrived at Marina Lighthouse early afternoon. We met loopers aboard "Heavenly Ours" from FL
who we met at Waterford a few days ago. We met them for dinner for the early bird special at the
restaurant here. Bob and Donna arrived around 8:30 to spend the weekend with us.
Jim was busy in the engine room cleaning out strainers that were filled with weeds and grass and scum.
Our air stopped working in our stateroom and kept freezing up. We are docked right on top of 8 foot
weeds which doesn't help with the strainers.
Cliffs on the lake Split Rock Willsboro Bay
JULY 9
The wind picked up during the night to well above gust of 25 MPH. We rocked and rolled hobby horse
style all day and decided not to leave the marina to head to Chambly. It's one of those days where you
just have the feeling it's not safe. The T storms finally hit around 1:00 in the afternoon, waves picked
up even more on the lake with a south wind, and we rocked more and more...horrible!!! Saturday looks like
the front will have mostly moved through, however, rain is in the forecast for the morning. We plan to
leave for Chambly for just one night, then return Sunday.








JULY 10 Chambly, Quebec / July 11 Rouses Point, Marina Lighthouse
We finally made it to Chambly, Quebec on the 10th. It was sightly overcast which kept the heat down.
We stayed at Marina Chambly and walked over to our favorite Italian restaurant, Tre Colori and had
pizza. There was a drum concert on our way back, so we stopped for ice cream and listened to the
drums. We also met up with "Heavenly Ours" who were docked at the canal wall. It turned out to be a
beautiful, cool evening sitting aboard Golden Lily on the upper deck to enjoy the sunset.
Chambly street, drum concert and gorgeous sunset!
On the 11th, we left the dock at 8:15 for an 8:30 lockage through. However, there oil in the lock, and
we were held up waiting for them to try to get some of it picked up. We finally got through 1/2 later and
were on our way. Today was HOT, but a slight breeze when the boat moved. The tricky part was from
Saint Jeans south when the river was a "raceway" of express cruisers, PWC's, water skiers, and
whatever you could imagine on the water, creating the most serious and uncomfortable wakes ever. There
was no mercy for us!!! Boat would pass on both sides at once going south, some going north, and in a parade
of 2 or more, so turning into a wake was impossible. I finally had to put the table down and stow things
like we were in stormy seas! We finally got to US Customs and were cleared after leaving the boat while
some officers walked into the boat and inspected things. After tying up, Bob and Donna had to leave for
home and we settled in to cool off and relax. Supper tonight: macaroni and cheese!
Pictures of our trip in the Chambly Canal. The last picture is of the last 3 "step" locks into the Chambly Basin.
JULY 19 Burton Island State Park, VT
We left "Golden Lily" on July 12 for a week at Treadwell Marina, Plattsburgh and returned July 18. We
had planned to go to Burlington again on the way back and take the Cumberland Head Ferry as we did
when we left since we wanted to see friends on Grand Isle on vacation and also the scenery is
spectacular. However, when we stopped The Vermont Country Store for a 1/2 way break, Jim thought
about the ride and decided to take the route through Ludlow, VT and into Ticonderoga. He has not been
to the cemetery in Dresden where his parents are buried for several years. We were so close, and it
was a good opportunity to stop. We arrived back to the marina around 6:00, and since Jim cannot lift
things, I had to carry bags down the 33 steps, then load the cart with the rest of the stuff and get it
down the tracks on the steps to the dock. That place sure keeps a person in shape!! Our Nordic friends
from Quebec aboard "Chelma I" keep their boat there, and when they returned from a boat ride,
stopped over for a visit. We met them at Burton Island several years ago and again at the Nordic Tug
rendezvous last summer.
We arrived at Burton Island this afternoon after waiting for the rain to clear. It finally stopped,
however, we had a strong south wind and we rolled for the 3 mile lake crossing. Once in the Inland Sea,
it calmed down a little, and we tied up at the long dock next to the beach. By evening, the front had
moved through and there was a cool breeze, FINALLY! We will be here until July 25.