We traveled about 75 miles from the town and marina of Sorel downstream (Meaning east) on the St. Lawrence River to the town and Marina of Portneuf. It has rained all day. Part of today’s journey took us across Lake St. Peter, where the St Lawrence River widens for 20 to 30 miles. The wind was strong and the waves were big for a lake. We made it just fine to Portneuf, our next stop for the night.
Making it to Portneuf Harbor was the easy part of our challenges today. Now we are dealing with a 15 foot tide. For most boaters, even in the ocean, they will never face a 15 foot tide. Most tides are just a few feet, or less. And there is no tide on fresh water lakes and rivers.
As we head further east we will encounter tides in the 20 to 35 foot range. Those can make anchoring or tying to a stationary dock very challenging. Imagine having to plan for your boat to go up and down some 20 or 30 feet while tied at a dock.
Some additional thoughts on the effects of the ocean tides and the St Lawrence River: When the Ocean’s Tide and River’s Current Meet
For more information about tides, go to Tides – Wikipedia.
Rained all day
Cargo ship, fully loaded.
Entering Portneuf Harbor, a small but very well protected harbor 35 miles west of Quebec City.
Portneuf Harbor
Portneuf Harbor
Enjoying dinner at the Portneuf Marina
What a fun adventure!!! You both inspire me! SO happy you are well on your way and loving it. I’ve loved reading your posts and seeing were you’ve been and where you’re going. Can’t wait to see you back on the Vineyard!! Safe travels!!
Hi Lisa. SO great to hear from you and to know that you are following along as we go. It’s been an amazing trip so far…and to think we have 8 more weeks and have just done 3 so far! Please give Maybaline a big hug from Cari and me. Please tell Brent that we are excited to have just gotten our call to go to Frankfurt, Germany for 18 months. Cari is a bit overwhelmed with the prospect of having to learn German. She will do great. More later.
Bruno
I’m really enjoying your videos with commentary, as well as your journals of this fabulous trip! You are true adventurers and sharing through the Blog and emails is just delightful!
Thanks Marety. So good to have you along! I agree that the pictures and videos do help to bring it all to life. Can’t wait till Oct. with you at the Vineyard.
Bruno
Great!
If you have a chace to visit Baie St-Paul, don’t miss it. It’s a beautiful town nested in a ancient glacier bay, built on the european model, i.e. with the church in the center and the streets starting from there in a star-like pattern. It’s renowed for it’s art galleries (there’s more than 20, for a 7000 population!), shops and restaurants. People are very friendly; let me know if you stop there (you’ll have to enter/leave the marina at high tide) and I’ll give you some addresses…
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7171599.jpg
From now on, you’ll have to deal with the tides also.
If you ever have a chance, don’t forgot to stop at L’Isle-aux-Coudres, a beautiful island facing Baie St-Paul, my hometown, 60 miles downstream of Quebec city. If you stop there, the Bouchard bakery is a must!
Thanks Steve. My wife says that we now must stop at your home town…so we will see if we can pull that off. It would be fun to find the bakery shop too!
Bruno