New friends and new waters to paddle

(Sorry if I misspell anyone's names!)

Wow, what a trip across the lake. After Erieau we had one calm day where the calm lasted for the entire day, but otherwise we were fighting waves by one in the afternoon or sitting the day out on shore...or getting a lift from some amazing people. When people say Canadians are friendly, that is an understatement. We met some of the most helpful, generous and hospitable people I have ever known, and we owe all of them more than we can give.

We got a ride in a boat owned by an awesome guy named Jim Paterson (who we were introduced to by two young ladies at the Port Glasgow marina, Tanya and Courtney). He took us on a late night boat ride, saving us a day of paddling on the next day that was sure to be a rough one. We got into the port very late and couldn't find anyplace to stay, so the four of us (counting Jim's dog) bunked in his nice, classic boat for the night. Another helpful couple a ways down the coast, several days after Port Glasgow, also gave us a lift, which saved us from being hit by a big storm. Their names were Rick and Deb and they were most definitely in the right place at the right time in order to help us out. That night we stayed at a marine park in St. Williams, camped out in our tent in the yard of an older couple, Margy and Bill aka " Willy". They fed us banana bread and cookies and milk, and the four of us sat on their patio looking out over Long Point Bay in the beautiful evening light. The next day was the fateful day of losing the camera on our way to Selkirk. I'll let Jay give the gory details if he so pleases in his post. As usual, the lake blew up and we were forced to make for shore before our destination and ended up at Haldimand Conservation Area, a most fortunate place to have ended up it turned out.

We had a nice campsite near to showers and bathrooms. Only a mile or so down the road was Peacock Point, which became our hangout for the time we spent in the area. We met the local crowd at the variety store and ate some amazing food cooked up by Ed. We played softball in the park with kids from the town and played bingo one evening. Our stay was rather extended due to weather, but we had a good time for most of the days we were there. Being far behind schedule and most definitely not going to get to New Jersey in time, we found an great guy in the campsite named Bruce who gave us a ride to Fort Erie, saving us a few days paddle time and just about getting us back on track.

Then came the crossing back into the US. I am rather surprised border patrol didn't nab us as we struggled across the Niagara river just as a wicked wind blew up (Lake Erie's last farewell). We were forced to abandon our hopes of getting into the Black Rock Canal at it's proper entrance, and so ended up carrying our boats and all of our gear over the canal wall, a feat that was not as difficult as it sounds. Nonetheless, we were sure border patrol was going to have something to say about our desperate struggle over the wall and into the canal, but we had no issues of that sort and were able to check in at the designated marina just fine.

We went through our first lock today at the north side of the Black Rock Canal, and then paddled our way up the Niagara River to the Erie Canal. We're now a mile or so in on the canal in the yard of another awesome couple, Nick and Renee. They also have an adorable dog named Eve, who was a welcome site to us two dog deprived Raus.

We're happy to be out of the lake. After Erie, 338 miles of calm canal waters sounds glorious indeed.