• betty staugler
  • betty staugler

Molly’s Great American Loop

We’re Betty & James, along with Luna cat and Moki dog we are cruising America’s Great Loop aboard our boat the Molly Brown. She is a 24’ C-Dory TomCat. We expect it will take us 8 or so months to complete 😀. Leggi altro
  • Montreal

    28 giugno 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    We are in Montreal for the next couple days. It was a 59 mile trek to get here but a great day for doing the St. Lawrence. Lots of current but no waves. We mostly were on plane. Surprisingly little traffic until we got close to Montreal. When we arrived James saw a couple guys cleaning another boat and hired them to do the outside of ours. It really needed some love. Looks pretty now. Not shiny… she is 22 yrs old but clean. We are staying in the Old Port which is close to everything! Lots of good sightseeing. Tomorrow is supposed to rain so we did allot of walking today.Leggi altro

  • Montreal Day Two

    29 giugno 2024, Canada ⋅ 🌧 68 °F

    Today was cool and rainy… and slippery as evidenced by my phone that is now 40 foot down under our boat. Not me this time. James was trying to take a photo of the Royal Canadian Navy ship and slipped stepping out onto the wet dock…. He’s fine. Fortunately Best Buy is only a mile away and I am back in business. If you’re counting… this is cell phone number two for this trip. On a good note I got a picture of the Royal Canadian Navy ship before it went under the bridge by our marina from James phone and saw it docked later on our walk. We head out tomorrow to do the Lachine locks. May not go all the way thru as July 1 is the Canadian Independence Day and there will be fireworks.Leggi altro

  • Lachine

    30 giugno 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Today we did the Lachine Canal which runs thru Montreal. There are five locks that take about 3.5 hours without stopping. We stopped so it took us 6 hours. The Lachine has an air draft restriction of 8’ so large boats have to take a different route. There are bike and walking paths along the canal and many people out enjoying them ! It’s really nice to see so much activity. All of the Lachine locks have floating docks that rise with the water level. We were able to get out on the dock while locking thru. Moki and I even went up top twice. Just past lock three there is a large market with many vendors. We stopped on the park dock outside the lock and loaded up on some goods. Went thru our last two locks and are now tied up on the park dock just outside the last lock in Lachine. There is a large park here with plenty of places to walk Moki. Even Princess Luna got a chance to stretch her legs on shore. Tomorrow we are back in the St. Lawrence River for a short spell.Leggi altro

  • Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

    1 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We had a nice quiet night last night tied up on the Lachine canal dock … which was good because today was busy busy !! Canada Day is a big boating day. Locks were free today and they were packed. We only went thru the St. Anne de Bellevue lock this morning and tonight we are outside the Carillon Lock. We considered locking thru and tying up on the upstream side but the lock tender said downstream was better due to the current. This lock has a park associated with it that’s huge. Lots of green space for the animals to enjoy. The Carillon lock and dam also generates the most power on the Ottawa River. 40 miles today.Leggi altro

  • Montebello

    2 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Today we reached two new milestones. We have traveled 3000 miles (3007 to be exact) and we went thru our 50th lock. That lock (Carillon) happens to raise and lower 65 feet… the most of any in Canada. We were the first lock of the day and while we knew going up would take some time… it was slow slow. Then we learned it was not working! They had a problem with the valve and it was only operating at 13%. We had to wait for someone to come from another lock. No worries they got it going but then couldn’t open the door to let us out… some kind of electrical issue. Enjoyed our chat with the lock tender while we waited. We learned while Carillon has the greatest water level change in Canada the St. Anne de Bellevue is the busiest (that’s the one we went thru yesterday). After about 1.5 hours we made it out of the lock to find our twin motors have decided they don’t want to be twins anymore and are not tracking together. James is going to try bleeding the hydrologic lines tomorrow. If that doesn’t work then we’ll try replacing the liquid tie bar…If we can find one. Motors have been working flawlessly for four years. Tonight we are in the Montebello Municipal Marina. It’s more of a campground so few boaters actually staying onboard. Moki and I strolled into town this evening and met some very nice locals. We got the lay of the land.Leggi altro

  • Welcome to Ontario… and Ottawa!!

    3 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    We got a late start today leaving Montebello at 11am which didn’t get us to Ottawa until almost 5pm… too late for locking. So we are outside the first Rideau Lock on the dock and will lock thru in the morning. The first locks are eight in succession so it will take some time. We are currently the only boat on the lock dock…. At least on the blue line for private vessels. There’s a water taxi and tour boats that are on the red line just beyond us. I have the next four days off…yay!! Looking forward to taking in some sights as we start the Rideau tomorrow. Ottawa is the Capital of Canada and all the parliament buildings are a stones throw from the boat. I took lots of pictures on our evening walk. Very cool place ! BTW Boat still having issues with the motors tracking. James will look for parts while we’re here in Ottawa. Worst case scenario we hire a mobile mechanic. We have a water fall right out the back door tonight. Nice ambient noise for sleeping tonight.Leggi altro

  • Ottawa day two & Happy 4th of July!!

    4 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    This morning we lock thru the first 8 Rideau locks with four other boats. We were paired with a very nice couple from Quebec. We only travelled one mile as we tied up on the dock upstream of the locks. We plan to stay here two nights. Today we strolled to a market square and got a baguette 🥖 for 🫕 fondue tonight. It was excellent !! Tomorrow we have a helm steering kit coming from Amazon… our first time using Amazon locker.Leggi altro

  • Ottawa day three

    5 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Today was mostly a down day for us. We received our Amazon order so we can bleed steering but it didn’t come until late in the day so we’ll do it in the morning. Highlight of today was seeing the marching band for the Changing of the Guard. They marched passed us on the other side of the canal. The Changing of the Guard happens everyday at 10:00 from June thru August followed by a free concert from 10-10:30 then the marching band marches back… so may get another opportunity tomorrow.Leggi altro

  • Rideau lock 13 Black Rapids

    6 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Didn’t take much for pictures but we went thru 5 locks and are on the lock dock at Black Rapids where we have power. It rained a little this evening and we got a nice rainbow. 🌈

  • Osgoode

    8 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Actually Osgoode day two. We are at Hurst Marina hoping to get this steering issue resolved. Today James worked with their mechanic to rebleed the system using a power bleeder. Our test run was promising until it wasn’t. Now we are waiting on a steering cylinder to arrive. Parts are much more expensive here. Fortunately we benefit in the exchange rate but the cost is still much more than in the states. Had a nice dinner with some other loopers. We met Bill and Lynn aboard Summer Drees back on the Chambley and have been hopscotching them since.Leggi altro

  • Osgoode day 4

    10 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ 🌧 70 °F

    Well the cylinder arrived this afternoon and is installed. Just waiting to bleed the system again. Likely won’t happen until tomorrow. Lots of rain today… remnants of Beryl. Fingers crossed 🤞 !!

  • Burritts Rapids

    11 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    We are on the move again ! AND the motors are tracking together like they should ! 🙌🙌 It was a short day for us leaving the marina after lunch and cruising 2.5 hours for 17 miles. It was also a busy work day for me so fortunately James was paying attention and taking pictures. We are now on the lock dock with power. It rained much of today with temps reaching the mid 70s. James and I celebrated tonight at a small cafe across from the lock. Light dinner fare with ice cream for dessert… and we brought back scones for breakfast tomorrow. Moki and I found a trail this evening. We walked some of it and will revisit in the morning before we leave.Leggi altro

  • Kilmarnock

    12 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Today we left in the first lock but when we docked at 1pm we’d only gone 13 miles. That said we did go thru 8 locks! This lock has power on the downstream side but the dock was full. So we locked thru and are tied up on the lock wall. We are able to run our generator until 11pm which is good because it was hot today. Well hot relative. It’s 8pm now and we just shut it down. With the sun down it’s actually quite nice. Moki and I met some very nice locals (two couples). They were very interested in our trip and each relayed their favorite part of the Rideau. Looking forward to visiting those sections. Moki and Luna both are enjoying having grass right next to the boat… although Luna is inside as I write.Leggi altro

  • The Narrows

    13 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Today we went through six locks (traveling 26 miles) and are now well over halfway (82 of 121 miles) through the Rideau. The brochure says typical travel time is 3-5 days… We are on day 10 🤣. We are now at the Narrows which bisects Big Rideau Lake. We are on the lower lake with power and will need to lock thru in the morning. This lock is quite the party place. Lots of boat and people swimming… The water here is really clear (today’s secchi 2.7 in 3.2M) and the water temp is 77. This lock has one of four Block Houses which were built during the canal construction (1824-32) to defend from an attack of the Americans. The Block House is now the restrooms. Today Moki was the escape artist, jumping off the boat when we arrived. Took 15 minutes to catch him because he did not want to be caught. The princess was an angel…. Mostly.Leggi altro

  • Westport

    14 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Today we went a whole 5 miles to Westport, a small town off the Rideau. It was recommended by several people we met. There’s a city marina right in the heart of downtown which is very quaint. I love all the flower boxes, planters and gardens around town. We’ve seen that a lot on this trip as we’ve hit the northern latitudes. We’re just here one night and tomorrow will meander south some more. May even stay on the hook!Leggi altro

  • Upper Brewers

    16 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Today we went thru Davis lock (where we spent the night) and then the flight of four locks at Jones Falls. We reached the Summit of the Rideau yesterday so now we’re going down in all the locks. The four Jones locks have a total decent of 70 feet which is quite impressive. After passing thru we tied up long enough for Moki and I to walk up to the Stone Arch Dam. This Dam was constructed between 1831-32 during the Rideau Canal construction to flood a series of rapids and falls. It uses interlocking vertical stones that press against each other and the rock ledge to stay in place. Workers are said to have called it the “Seventh Wonder of the World”. Stone Arch Dam is also known as the Whispering Dam because the arch shape allows sound to travel along its face so that someone speaking at one end and be heard on the other side. We are now one lock south for the night and arrived just as it was getting ready to rain. There was a weather advisory that called for toonie sized hail but most of the heavy rain went to the south of us. This lock has power AND showers. Site is nice too. Lots of grass for Moki and paths for walking. Water very clear with Secchi on bottom in 2.3M.Leggi altro

  • Kingston Mills

    17 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    7 locks and we are sitting at the bottom of the last lock of the Rideau Canal. Kingston Mills was a flight of four locks 55’ total. We’re now in the valley and on the edge of Kingston proper. This dock does not have power but it’s going down to 58 tonight! There’s some beautiful rock ledges around us and outside of fishers (a lot) we are the only ones on the dock… in a boat anyways. Moki and I of course did some exploring around the grounds. We learned the name Kingston Mills refers to ‘The King’s Mills’ a saw mill and a grist mill built in 1784 to supply boards and flour for the loyalist settlers arriving the following year. At the time Kingston was called Cataraqui. Tomorrow we will pass thru Kingston on our way to the Thousand Islands. We are really enjoying our time in Canada. The Parks Canada Pass has more than paid for itself and I can’t say enough great things about the Parks Canada staff. They are all awesome!! Great experience !!Leggi altro

  • Beau Rivage

    18 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today we made a quick stop in Kingston and then set out to explore the Thousand Islands. The water here is amazingly clear. There are 18 park islands that allow docking or anchoring. We settled on Beau Rivage, one in a cluster of Park islands. This one allows generator use between 8am and 10pm which will be needed tomorrow to run the Starlink so I can work. There are several docks located around the island and a trail that runs thru and around the island. Moki, Luna and I kayaked around the island after work. Luna wanted to go but then didn’t and meowed most of the way. The water temp is 73 and the high air temp today was 74. A little chilly but I still jumped in. This evening we went on a family hike. Luna was so tired at the end she let James carry her a bit. She’s now on the Princess helm for the night. We plan to stay here two nights.Leggi altro

  • Gananoque

    19 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Writing Day 131 on day 132 because we went out on the town last night! Had planned to stay on the island but we met some locals who said there was a waterfront concert in Gananoque 2 miles away. So we went over in the afternoon and hung out on the day dock. Gananoque has a really nice boat museum which apparently started out with a high school boat building class. The concert 🎶 is every Friday and Saturday thru summer in a band shell at a park adjacent the day dock. While on the dock we got a visit from the Canadian Border Patrol. He was nice. Checked our passports, asked how our trip was going, and told us to have a great day. Today we’re off to find a new island 🏝️.Leggi altro

  • Camelot Island

    20 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    We visited two more islands today. The first (Gordon Island) Moki and I walked the trail while James scrubbed the boat. While we were walking a fawn walked out of the bushes and stopped right in front of us. It would have been a great photo but we were swimming before coming to shore so I didn’t have my phone. Camelot Island has a large dock which is full. Luna is a huge hit on the dock which is good because she has no respect for personal space !Leggi altro

  • Georgina Island

    21 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Today we are over at Georgina at the recommendation of some of the folks we met yesterday. There’s strong current here and the water is super clear. This area is locally known as the aquarium. Our destination was somewhere between Georgia and Constance islands. As we arrived and were tooling around looking to see where we might want to dock or anchor we spotted a C-Dory on a park dock with an open spot behind so of course we docked there! Dale and Carol on See-Ya are making their way thru the 1000 Island and will also be doing the Trent. We enjoyed docktails with them this evening. I forgot to take a picture 🤦🏼‍♀️.Leggi altro

  • Beau Rivage - part 2

    23 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    After visiting several islands we returned to Beau Rivage yesterday. This is our favorite of the four that allow generators and probably our favorite period. Today Dale and Carol joined us on the dock. Luna and Smokey are adapting to not being the only cat on the dock. No swimming for me today but I did get a nice paddle in. James took a quick dip before dinner. Tomorrow we are headed back to Kingston to reprovision and get ready to take on the Trent Severn. We’ve really enjoyed the Thousand Islands. Very few miles logged and lots of fun and relaxation accomplished.Leggi altro

  • Kingston

    24 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    We are in Kingston at the Confederation Basin Marina for a couple days. Today we resupplied and James defrosted the refrigerator. Domestic stuff!! This evening Moki and I went for our walk and stumbled upon Jazz music. 🎶 Turns out it was a mix of music with some high energy dancing. Lots of fun watching. James joined us and then we went for ice cream. It was windy today and will be tomorrow also. Our miles have really come down the last few weeks… 12 miles today. Including idle days our average is 25/day.Leggi altro

  • Kingston day 2

    25 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Busy work day for me but Moki and I got a good walk this evening. Last night was swinging music in the market square and tonight is movie night… and there were lots of people set up to watch ‘The Italian Job’. Love that there so much outside activity. Gets dark too late for me to watch a movie though. Tomorrow we are headed towards the Trent.Leggi altro

  • Massassauga Point Conservation Area

    26 luglio 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Big day for Molly Brown… 🥁🥁🥁… We went 55 miles!! We haven’t done miles like that for a good month. Some of it was on plane. We are now anchored off Massassauga Point Conservation Area. This place has good protection and nice trails. Tomorrow we are headed into Trenton for a couple days. It has a farmers market on Saturdays! 🤞🥦🥒🥕🍅🥬Leggi altro