I have not physically traveled much in the past three years, but have certainly read and planned future adventures. This February, when entering Lisai’s in Bellows Falls, on the shelf where newspapers are left was a copy of the March 2023 SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE. The subscriber had clipped the address label and left it to share – most likely for me. Once home, on page 82, I read a small ad from the St. Lawrence Cruises Lines. Having never heard of them before, I immediately went on line and read about their small ship and trips. Next day some emails back and forth, and the next day my check was “in the mail” for their Canadian Connection Cruise from 6-12 July.

The planning fun began, but soon, so did extreme pain in walking return. Figuring that again I had nerves cut off in my spine, I was able to get an appointment with my back surgeon who said I eventually will need a third lumbar fusion. But, my MRI showed a cyst on my spine that most likely was cutting off the nerves causing the pain and walking problems. I was offered a “temporary fix” – rupture the cyst, and that is what I had done on 21 June. Hours later walking without pain, and two weeks later in the car to Canada to sail the St. Lawrence Seaway and River from Kingston, Ontario, to Quebec City. Once done I will have been through all locks on the Seaway, and have traveled completely by water from Chicago to Southampton, England.

This adventure I will write about in three segments to remember and share. This post will be my positioning on 5 July on the Canadian border, and my return home after the cruise. The cruise itself I am going to split into two segments: 1-the stops along the river; and 2-traversing the seven locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. I had several options to drive and stay close to the Thousand Islands bridge to Ivy Lea. I decided to find a B&B in Sackets Harbor. Here goes.

NY Thruway to Utica (sorry) and back roads working over to Route 3 along the shore of Lake Ontario. I have now driven just about the complete shoreline. In this area there are many creeks emptying into the lake, and the surroundings are dotted with fishing camps and businesses to support those sportsmen. I had selected an overnight in Sackets Harbor because I need to learn more about the War of 1812, and this was a key spot.

This monument in the center of the battlefield park reads “In memory of the officers in men who served on this frontier during the war of 1812 and to mark the battlefield of Sackets Harbor May 29, 1813.”

Looking from the park north to Canada.

This is the commandant’s house and now a museum.

Of course, the day I arrived, village founder Augustus Sacket’s historic home, now the Sackets Harbor Visitor Center, was closed. Reason for a return visit.

The main street is amazing with inviting restaurants and shops.

I did not realize when booking that my B&B was right downtown. Located just across the street from the building with a red roof, I will continue to carry my drone with me.

For all of $95 – yes $95 USD — best B&B I have had – THE SACKETS HARBOR B&B, Mary and her husband were great. Plan a visit soon. I will be going back. Remember you can click on an image in my galleries for larger views.

On July 6th I crossed the border, drove to the Kingston, Ontario, Via Rail station to park my car for a week. Five hours later I was aboard the Canadian Empress and leaving the dock. But I will separate the next six days into two tales, soon to be linked below:

SAILING the ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY and RIVER
from KINGSTON TO QUEBEC CITY

SAILING THROUGH THE LOCKS ON THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY

So, now to 12 July, and heading back to Kingston from Quebec City by Via Rail. I had several train schedule options. A 3PM train could be tight (ends up I could have made it), and the 8 or 9 AM the next day would mean overnight in Quebec City (I have visited four times), but a later arrival to Kingston and home. The 5PM train to Montreal staying overnight there seemed the best plan, and best option to travel business class and be “wined and dined.” A short cab ride to the station, I checked in and then headed to the business class lounge. Here is the main station room, and then a gallery (which you can click) showing my train and business class car – this is my single seat on the right.

Goodbye QC – I will be back. Below looking east over the harbor.

On the Canadian Empress I should have documented all my amazing meals including soups, salads, and deserts with a photo essay. Sadly I did not – next time. VIA RAIL meals alright, institutional, and I chose the pasta over the fish. Wine and drinks flow, and time nicely passes for three plus hours.

scenery not like out west, but I had fun following the route on the VIA RAIL website, tracking location, time between stations, and speed – up to 160 KM/H (100 MPH). Outside QC the tracks cross the St. Lawrence, and run along the southern shore (inland) until crossing back into downtown Montreal and the central station. I captured the sun setting.

Arriving in Montreal after 9PM, and with a 9AM departure to Kingston, I decided to stay close to the station. My best option was the Hotel Bonadventure. Most I have ever paid (I think) for a room ($285 USD), but a six minute walk away, so no cab rides and lost time. Hey, I was only “buying” the room to sleep in for about ten hours.

I walk in and find the elevator – it says to lobby, but:
Lobby on 10th floor – elevator only goes there
Confused, arriving there someone on the floor says I was in the right place, go that way
I check in, and am told my room is on the first floor.
“But wait,” I say, “the elevator did not stop on a first floor
“No,” the receptionist says, “the next floor down is the first floor with a different elevator.”
I find the elevator and push 1 to go down one floor – intuitively it should be the 9th floor
Addition to confusion, the room numbers on the “first floor” which I think should be the 9th, are in the 1100s and 1400s
My room, 1434 at furthest end – and you would think should be on the 14th floor starting with 14.

You still with me? Getting up hours later, here is the view outside my 1st, 9th or 14th floor window. I Guess to justify $285 — “GO FIGURE.”

Less than eleven hours after arrival in Montreal I was back at the station at 8:16 AM.

this time riding “economy class” since not meal time, and what should have been just under three hours. Seats smaller, tray table in armrest and smaller. but I did have the space to myself the whole way.

The train was a half hour late, and it took almost a half hour in line at the border. That did not happen on the way up. I encourage you to study a NY state map and learn about the area bordering Lake Ontario and routes to get there. So many fun roads for me through Vermont. But while I had no rain on this holiday, Vermont was devastated, and watching websites of road closures I had to come up with new ideas for the journey home. I decided to visit Alexandria Bay, and then back road down to Utica, and cheat the rest of the way across NY state to Vermont. Glad I did. Alexandria Bay is a vacation spot, on the Lake, but unlike classier Sackets Bay is full of younger crowd restaurants and shops. And, then I saw this on the water — the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum – 1866 stone building housing a museum focusing on local settlers, early trade and commerce – you know I stopped.

I feel qualified to judge small museums, and this is one of the best I have visited – well maybe since it had so many of my interests including summer resorts, early commerce, vacation souvenirs, a Western Town amusement park, defunct, but I did not know of it, and more. And, the museum looks out to the BOLDT CASTLE in this gateway area to the Thousand Islands – another stellar reason to return.

the above is the castle through the museum’s back window. When cruising on the river, you are so focused on the castle – check out the story and history of it – you do not even realize Alexandria Bay is on the south shore – well it is small. Road trip anyone?

And, this area also saw War of 1812 action. You do not have to click and enlarge these panels, remember I do this so I can remember, and these are for me, and the books I have ordered on the war since I returned home. But you may wish to see this YouTube video I found of the Battle of Cranberry Creek. The narrator says this is the only instance of US soldiers killed on US soil during battle.

Two interesting remaining features in this 1866 store are the elevator and the bank vault which was built into the bedrock below the building serving as an anchor for the structure. At times the store also served as the local bank.

This display was fun. Here are two panels (remember you can click to enlarge). Shared here for Mr. Wrench (or Mr. Spanner depending upon which side of the pond – (aka David C.) to plan a similar event at “West West.”

and some views around the museum.

I complimented the docent, left a donation, but liking to “vote with my dollars” should join the historical society there — I shall return.

I then followed NY 12 to Utica – new to me route, and not much along the way. BUT WAIT, and curses I did not have time to turn around. The road above Boonville divided around a flight of locks. Thank you Google for the image.

And, then in Boonville there is the Black River Canal Museum – did I say repeat visit?

well, this has been a to and from tale, and the first long adventure in years. Do stop back for the rest of this adventure which will be linked from the below — stay safe and well, luv, RAY

COMING SOONEST

SAILING the ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY and RIVER
from KINGSTON TO QUEBEC CITY

SAILING THROUGH THE LOCKS ON THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY