MV Summer School is on the move again this Summer.

Cruising the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Rideau Canal, Ottawa River,
St. Lawrence Seaway and Saguenay Fjord, the Summer of 2006

We are presently on the Rideau Canal @ the top of Jones Falls.
We started in 93 degree weather From our Home Port of Winter Harbor on the
Erie Canal, and had a few great runs across Lake Ontario, it was like glass to
1' heights. Weather has turned with the arrival of a cold front and the
addition of rain for a few days. The amount of boat traffic along the Rideau so far
is low, but looking at the marinas, almost all of the boats that were dry
docked are in the water. We will continue to move north to Ottawa, then down the
Ottawa River to Montreal, then to Quebec City and outward to Saguenay Fjord. Our
return will be along the St. Lawrence Seaway to Lake Ontario. Cruise a bit
than back to Winter Harbor. Well, the water level is high, and we are relatively
healthy, unfortunately we will be unable to respond to questions daily as we
are finding Internet connection a bit sparse.

Regards,
Capt. James Clausen, MV Summer School
Cruising the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Rideau Canal, Ottawa River,
St. Lawrence Seaway and Saguenay Fjord, the Summer of 2006

"At sea a fellow comes out.
Salt water is like wine, in that respect."

• Herman Melville

Our boating website:
http://www.maxumowners.org/MVSS.html

Today we transited the upper Hudson R from downtown Albany to the canal
welcome center at Waterford.  Current from heavy rains was from 3 to 5 mph
in the Hudson, highest just below the Troy Federal lock.  The turbulance
made entering and leaving the lock a bit sporty.  Erie canal locks eight
thru thirteen are closed for a few days due to the height of the water.
I've never seen the water so high here in Waterford.  We're tied to the
"high wall" at the eastern end, but for now we have to step down to the top
of the wall from Pooh's deck.  The floating docks are only about 1' below
the wall.

Every space is taken here, as no one has been able to leave westbound since
Friday, when the locks closed.  Fortunately, there are two local pizzarias
and a great breakfast cafe just a couple of blocks away.  Time for an oil
change, and to install that extra midship cleat on the port side I've been
meaning to get to.

Mark and Joyce, m/v Winnie the Pooh
Bound for Fonda, Baldwinsville, Oswego, Thousand Islands, Kingston,
Ottowa,Montreal, Sorrel, Richelieu Canal, Lake Champlain, Waterford, NYC,
Baltimore, Washington, and home to Ortona in November.