Bollard #3
One, two, three it’s time
Everybody in the boat, so come on, lets ride
To the Eisenhower Lock, let’s be on time!
Words of a familiar song (slightly modified) come to mind as we tie up on Bollard # 3 in the Eisenhower Lock on July 2 at 2:15pm. These are the only locks on the American side of the seaway.
I woke early this morning, still at the home of our son and his family. We have sheet pancakes and fresh berries in the dining shelter, pack up and say some tearful good-byes. There will be another new grandchild by the time we return in the fall. Our daughter drives us to the marina for 12:30 departure.
I have to make way for the Aglosea as she passes the marina channel.
Arriving at the western entrance of the Eisenhower Lock, we nervously approach the wall, knowing there is just 3’ of water at the holding dock. As we attempt to read the lock instructions, once again, the operator comes out in his little golf cart and tells us to go right in “but hurry because there’s a ship coming”.
He is very friendly and understanding after we tell him this is our first visit. No question about country of origin or “innocent passage” and we had passed many pleasure boats travelling up bound, flying Canadian flags.
There is much discussion around the tying of the lines, then we both fend of the wall with what the operator referred to as “push sticks”. A couple of bumps on the anchor and the BBQ - we will use our Newfoundland fenders for the next set of locks.
In just 8 minutes we drop 38 feet - a most interesting experience. Exiting the eastern end of the lock, we wave our thanks and “have a nice weekend”. The commercial vessel we were warned about meets us in the canal: the Alouette Spirit, part of the McKeil Marine Fleet, along with her tug.
Approaching the entrance to the Snell Lock all is quiet. Nobody comes out until after we have secured to bollard #3 again. A quick “you people secure?” And down we go, another 45 feet. We are pros!
By 3:30 we are out the eastern side and finished with locks for today. We whoop and high-five that all the anticipation was for nothing. (Maybe the Seaway management should remove the comment from the website about having to contact American border personnel?)
We pass under the International Bridge at Cornwall, feeling like we’ve really gone nowhere, yet really have accomplished a huge hurdle. We drop the anchor in the very quiet bay off Isle Saint Regis at 5:00, watching a pair of kingfishers on shore.
Yummy spaghetti and Deb’s recommended Calvet Rose, followed by early bed. A very quiet night.
