Butterflies and Dinosaurs

I wake with butterflies June 28, anticipating a stressful transit through the Iroquois Canal - our first of seven locks as we head down bound on the St. Lawrence River. The lock schedule is only posted at 7:40am with the only morning transit published to be at 9:30, however we are to arrive an hour ahead. So glad we are only 1/2 a mile from the entrance, we raise the anchor and arrive at the canal at the scheduled time. There are no other boats as we dock at the pleasure boat landing dock, watch the light system and await the green light.

In just moments the lock operator approaches and tells us he’s going to let us through earlier than scheduled. The light turns green and we approach the lock, heading toward the wall on starboard and declaring to the operator that this is our first visit. He tells me to stay at low speed and in the middle of the channel. No lines? No fender adjustments? We cruise right through between the lock walls and out the eastern side, along side the Iroquois Dam. The operator is quick to tell me it won’t be this easy at any of the upcoming locks.

It’s now July 1 and we are enjoying family time onshore at the home of our son and daughter-in-law and 16 month old grandson. Daughter and her family are camping at Crysler Park, just 5 minutes from the marina, but today we are all together celebrating family, Canada and our upcoming journey. We’ve only been 2 weeks on the water, but already the boat is “home”.

After four days in the presence of family, visiting Prehistoric World, the beach, having campfires and eating too many great meals, (and s’mores) we know we could be in for some fun tomorrow when we depart Crysler Park and head to the American Eisenhower-Snell Locks.

As suggested on the Seaway website, I made contact with American Homeland Security on Tuesday, speaking to three different individuals in three different security departments and offices. Basically the message was “unless you are essential travellers, you can not transit the lock or enter USA waters.” My heart skips a few beats and I am on the brink of tears, remembering all the months of chart work, calculating mileages, reviewing harbours and services, dehydrating food and preparing the boat. We are not going to end our journey in Cornwall.

Contact with the local MP’s office brings the good advice to contact the RCMP. A very brief visit with the constable sets our minds at ease. We are provided with the number of the person to contact if we have any trouble as he assures us we can transit without difficulty.

So it is with some anxiety that we head to bed tonight. We are happy to be living in Canada. We are happy that all of our children are friends and that their children are happy and healthy and live in a safe country. We will miss all of you as we slip our lines and point Seabiscuit east again to continue our exploration of this beautiful country we call home.