Day 271 - June 12: Bay of Quinte and Picton, Ontario

Some days involve challenging decisions. With the weather reports showing relatively high winds swinging from the southeast to the south and towards the southwest during the day, we knew that cruising west into and through the Bay of Quinte, where there are sizable openings to Lake Ontario, would put sizable waves on the beam. In addition, there was a reasonably high probability for rain and thunderstorms. Should we go or stay?

Doppler radar is widely available to supplement weather reporting, and I use it extensively to give me real-time information about the location and movement of storm systems. A weather report that says 90% chance of rain means little if the Doppler shows your location is likely to be in the 10% that will be missed. After some analysis, I concluded that the winds would be under 13 mph and we were in a pocket of safety from lightning and thunder.

As we departed, we passed Fort Henry which was built by the British after the War of 1812 to protect the entrance to the Rideau Canal. It includes a series of distinctive Martello Towers as a part of the defensive system. These towers are well preserved and available for the public to tour.

Martello Tower at Fort Henry

The Bay of Quinte provides a relatively protected 36 mile passage over to Trent, the entrance to the Trent-Severn Canal. There are no bridges to the islands for inhabitants along the way. Instead, a series of submerged cables pull car ferries back and forth. These ferries transit frequently and can unexpectedly move out just as you are passing by, so it is important to be alert.

Car ferry on cables

Picton, Ontario, is the largest town in Prince Edward County and is noted for its local artisans and their crafts. It is also close to Canada’s wine country which draws many tourists. We took a slip at the Tip of the Bay Marina and walked into town to see the sights and take advantage of free secure wifi at a local coffee shop.

On the way, I spotted a most unusual red steel pilot-house trawler. I learned a local school principal had the hull made and then finished the interior and mechanicals by himself. What a great job! Doesn’t it tug at your heart?

Steel-hulled tug named "Rosebud"