Overnight at Lower Brewers

44°23′20″ N 76°19′31″ W

I left Confederation Basin Marina at 9:30 so I could catch the 10:00am opening of the Bascule Bridge. This bridge only opens at the top of each hour & during weekdays the opening hours are further restricted between 11:00 & 1:00 & then no openings between 3:00 & 6:00pm to accommodate afternoon rush hour traffic.

The ferry that runs between Wolfe Island & Kingston was just coming in as I was preparing to pass under the bridge.

After passing under the bridge I went to Kingston Marina to fill up with diesel fuel and to pump out the holding tank for the fore & aft toilets.

With those chores completed I headed towards Kingston Mills Locks, with the goal of stopping overnight at Lower or Upper Brewers Lockstations.

The lower lock gates at Kingston Mills were closed so that meant some boats were coming down, therefore I would have to wait for a bit before I could “lock up”.

As I pulled in to the waiting dock a lady on a boat that was already tied up came & helped me with my lines.

I noticed that her boat had a (US State of) Georgia registration so I asked where they were from & she said the Atlanta area.

Once I was securely tied up on the dock I had some time before I could go through the locks so I had a chat with Meredith and her husband Scotty on board their boat named “Thunderbolt”.

They are doing the great loop this year & told me that they normally kept the boat on Lake Lanier in Georgia. They are from Milton, Georgia. I told them that I was involved in a modest way in the creation of the City of Milton back in 2006. Scotty said that he worked in an office building close to where CH2M HILL had their offices.

They said they love living in Milton and that the city is very well run. It’s a nice coincidence to meet someone from so far away compared to where I live & to discover something we have in common.

After our visit it was time for me to get ready to enter the first lock.

After locking up, I headed towards Lower Brewers Lockstation. Another beautiful day to be on the water.

By the time I arrived there the Lockmaster told me that there were no mooring spaces left at Upper Brewers so I tied up right where I was.

I had a relaxing afternoon & took a long nap. This boating life can take a lot out of you.

Cheers!