August 22 – Kingston Mills to Kingston City
44°13′45″ N 76°28′46″ W

We woke up to a pleasant morning. The storms from the night before had moved on & a stiff breeze was drying Santosha off nicely.

Photo below: the crew is ready to cast off for Kingston

There are 4 locks at Kingston Mills – the upper one that is underneath the road & then three step locks down to the river that leads to Kingston.

There were no boats waiting at the lowest lock so we were in luck & began our journey down at 9:00am. Less than an hour later we were through the last lock & on our way to Kingston.

Photo below: the last lock before Kingston

We arrived in Kingston Harbour about 11:30am. I radioed Confederation Basin Marina & arranged for a slip for the next two days.

After getting set up on our dock space we had lunch & then Brent & Rachel headed off to explore the city & to go to Old Fort Henry.

Photos above & below: Old Fort Henry

I stayed behind to do some more research for a marina near Ottawa where I could have Santosha hauled out & stored for the winter. It’s a good thing that I started on this now because the first two marinas that I called for quotes had no space for me. Panic time!

Thankfully the third place I contacted had space & their price quote was the best one I have had yet. I made arrangements to reserve a haul out around September 10 & said that I would stop in to see them on my way back to Ottawa next week. Whew, that was a close one!

Rachel & Brent came back to the boat just in time for cocktails. We had a refreshing drink & a few light appetizers & then went out to explore the downtown some more & to find a restaurant for dinner. Time to give Brent & Rachel a break & let someone else do the cooking!

Photo below: at the park in front of Kingston City Hall.

Cheers!

August 21 – Jones Falls to Kingston Mills
44°17′35″ N 76°26′31″ W

We spent the night before on the “upper” side of the locks at Jones Falls so we had to wait until the Lockstation staff started working at 9:00am before we could get underway.

Photo below: Santosha moored on the blue line at Jones Falls ready to start the trip down the locks.

There are 4 locks at Jones Falls & the routine for the lock staff is usually to bring boats up through the locks before they start taking boats down.

Photo below: three step locks down to Hotel Kenney.

We were in luck as there were no boats in the cue on the lower level so we got to go down right away.

The weather forecast for the day was for rain starting around noon so we hoped to get as far as we could before the showers began. It almost looked like we would make it to Kingston Mills before the rain started but that was not to be.

Photo below: the swing bridge at The Narrows.

Photo below: passing through a narrow channel headed to the Lower Brewers Lock. The shallow water was thick green with algae due to the extended heat wave.

We still had about an hour to go to reach our destination when the rain started falling. By the time we arrived at Kingston Mills it was pouring down & we were all soaked.

The rain continued for most of the afternoon so we stayed inside & Brent & Rachel made quesadillas for lunch.

Photo below: Rachel assembles

Photo below: Brent cooks

These folks are great company & way better in the galley than me! I’ll have to find my Spam recipe book & see what culinary delights they can come up with.

After a late lunch I brought out an old friend of mine & Brent whipped up some awesome Margaritas for the crew using the ice crusher that Catherine’s mom Jeanne gave to me years ago. I’ll never part with it. 🙂

It was just like old times when they were cruising with me on Ananda in 2010.

Photo below: Brent in 2010 on Ananda working the ice crusher to make Margaritas for the crew. He hasn’t lost his touch!

By the time we finished the Margaritas we were in the mood for dinner. More culinary delights courtesy of Rachel & Brent followed by an hour of board games while sipping after dinner drinks. Who cares if it’s raining outside?

Cheers!