JULY 17,2007..St. Jean, Canada

Welcome to Canada. This was the swing bridge as we entered Canada.

We left Plattsburgh and headed for Rouse Point, NY the last US port so as to fuel up and pump out. It was about 20 miles or so. The marina had diesel at $3.89 a gallon...Canada is about $4.30 a gallon so they keep their price up. Burlington was $2.89.

The marina was a disaster, with a wagon for a pumpout. Wonder where they empty it! We were never checked in Champlain or Canada for black water discharge. Some say if you anchor out they do check more often. We were in marinas each night.

The Canadian customs was a pier on the west side of the river that we had to show passports and boat documentation. Firewater was not a problem...they were more interested in firearms...which we don't carry.

We were now in the Richelieu river and cruised up to St. Jean, another 25 miles. No locks and fairly wide so we could maintain 20 kts.

The marina is right before lock 9, a series of 9 locks in a 10 mile stretch. We were given a dock assignment on the outside long dock, which was to short for the boat. Add a three mile current and docking was an experience. They move a couple of boats and we made it in on the second try...thanks to ML line throwing expertise. Electric was another problem...only 30amp service and 200 volts with splitter so we we had trouble keeping power. Blew dock breakers a few times. Generator use would have been better choice.

I got the bike out and toured the village, ML didn't miss much. Empty store fronts and a few restuarants on two different streets. What stores there were had the same junk we had seen in 20 other ports.

Dinner on board and a little TV rounded out the day