Last winter Shabu spent the winter in Kingston, Ontario and spent this summer cruising the locks and canals of the Thousand Island, Trent Severn, and Georgian Bay area. She is now again resting for the winter - her captain and crew safe and home in Ivoryton. We will get the maps updated soon.
Here are the "log" entries from Admiral Bev Astles as Shabu made her way. It should be noted that the "log" entries are in chronological order, but the dates stated represent when they were received by me, not necessarily the dates they were written. Since access to the Internet was fairly limited, lots of details about the trip are not posted. I'm hoping there will be more details available to post later.
June 18, 2004 - Shabu's crew returned to Kingston May 04 and is taking a
side trip from the Loop thru the 1000 Islands. Actually there are 1864 islands.
This
first set of pictures shows you the Admiralty Is group, the islands in the
International Bridge area (CA side), Boldt Castle on
Heart Is (US side) and the main channel east at Singer Castle, Dark Is (US
side).
July 5, 2004 - This group of pictures starts at our most eastern stop in the Thousand Islands at Singer Castle. The castle was built with the fortune made from selling Singer sewing machines for $1 per week. As we headed back to Kingston we stopped at Camelot Is, saw Zavikon and Yeo Islands, and passed the town of Rockport. We picked up mail, fuel and water in Kingston, then headed past its waterfront up the inside passage to Hay Bay. We unstepped the mast in Belleville, then entered the Trent Severn Waterway. We are now at Lock 18, having completed about 50 of the 240 mile waterway.
July 19, 2004 - Peterborough Lift Lock had its 100th birthday July 9th. Shabu was in first group to celebrate the day. Lock has 2 steel pans 140ft long, filled with 228K gallons (wt 1700 tons). Two cylinders (rams) support pans and lift each 65 ft. Any movement in one forces an equal and opposite movement of the other. The ride feels like a high-speed elevator. See the pictures. Pictures 09-15 show the American Great Loop Cruise Assoc rendezvous (38 power, 2 sail) at Peterborough where there was also an antique boat show. In 16-23 we move towards Lake Simcoe. For those with NYC experience, note Hell Gate - but here there is a church nearby.
August 5, 2004 - Here are the locks and sights near the end of the Trent-Severn. At Kirkfield Lift Lock we had the pan all to ourselves; the view at the top was breath-taking. At Big Chute we were at the front of the carriage and caught the ride over the hill and down to the low side with camcorder. Just wish we had a camera on the ground so we could see ourselves. Watching other do the ride was great fun. See the pictures from this section of the trip.
August 28,2004 - Shabu left Penetang with our friends the Simpsons aboard their Truant and cruised along Georgian Bay's western shore to Tobermory (images 01 to 07). We headed up North Channel as far as Croker Island, then back to Baie Fine and Kilarney (iamges 08 to 15). Returned along the islands of Georgian Bay's eastern shore (images16 to 22). We have lots more to see of Georgian Bay's 30,000 islands.
October 6, 2004 - As we cruised it was apparent we would not get across Georgian Bay, through North Channel and down Lake Michigan by early Sept., so we cruised in the 30,000 islands along Georgian Bay's eastern shore. We got as far north on the small craft route as Parry Sound before returning to Midland in late Sept. This town tells its history with murals painted on its buildings. Shabu is currently hauled out in Penetang and we'll return next May to continue the Great Loop Cruise. Here are the final set of photos.
October 7, 2004 - A call to Ivoryton confirms that Captain and Admiral are home, warm and safe. The cruise continues next summer!