"We are officially ALIENS"

June 30:  Left "Alex Bay" in the rain for Brockville, Ontario, and our first official stop in Canada.  We arrived and docked in pouring rain.  Donna waited on board while Kapt. Karl cleared three of us (yes, Clio’s papers had to be in order too) through Canadian Customs, which is accomplished via a simple telephone call.

The staff marina staff of Block House Island Marina were welcoming, courteous and helpful; even our phone call to declare entry into Canada with a Canadian Customs official was pleasant and uneventful.  The only unpleasantness was our bow-thruster ... we must have picked-up another piece of debris, so a bit of repair work is needed.

Almost everyone in town wearing red 150th Canada Anniversary tee-shirts, clothing or other red and white attire.  Ironically, over past years when visiting Europe many residents remarked that they thought Donna was "Canadian", so when Donna put on her own red Canadian anniversary shirt, she looked “right at home.”

July 1:  "Happy Canada Day, y'all."   July 1st is Canada’s Fourth of July, and 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of July 1,1867 when Canada became a new federation with its own constitution.  Like Independence Day in the US, Canada celebrates with parades, concerts, festivals and fireworks.  Here in Brockville, the day’s festivities started with bag pipers, a parade, speech by the mayor, the singing of “O Canada” and cutting of the Birthday cake. SANTORINI's dock position in the Park also made it seem as though we were part of the celebration; her unique lines (for this region of the St. Lawrence) made her a real attraction, and we got a lot of questions and compliments about her "Down East" appearance.

Part of the celebration included the 1000 Islands Regatta held river side on the St. Lawrence.  Brockville was host to one of the nation's premier hydroplane boat races.  This event featured high-speed action of Hydroplanes racing on water speeds of up to 170 mph.  The roar of the "blown methanol grand prix" at 1400 horsepower absolutely deafening! 

The day's celebration ended with a fabulous fireworks display.