6/26/14 and 6/27/14 Brewer's Lock to Picton

6 /26/14  After an early start, we had an hour wait at Kingston Mills locks due to two boats coming up through the four locks. We met two couples (on the wall) who winter in Indian Rocks Beach.   Once through though, it was clear sailing (motoring) around Kingston and on to Picton.  We did encounter a few rain showers but no storms.  Picton is a lovely harbor surrounded by land on three sides, making it a really good place to wait out any storm.  We opted for the Picton Town Dock ($1.51 per foot)  and were given a super location on the wall near the building containing restrooms and showers.  We can only stay through Saturday morning because they are expecting a large boat.  When we pulled in to the harbor, we recognized the catamaran, Joint Adventure, we had parked behind in Ottawa.  According to their blog, they had spent a few days in Kingston.  We opted to pass on Kingston since we visited there last August with Ken, Ann, Kenny and Jeanne.

It was a short walk into town, but up a fairly big hill.  Once on the main street, it was about a mile to the grocery store.  We learned later that there is a new laundromant in the same complex.  Dinner was at a Gus' Family Restaurant and the food was OK.  After dinner we were able to catch up on emails and Facebook postings.  With our WIFI booster, the internet access at the marina is good.  A boat (Francesca)  pulled in behind us and their home port said Peoria, Illinois.

 A very small world since that was our home port prior to moving to Florida.  The couple, Chuck and Margaret Stiles are actually from Ohio, IL near Princeton.  We struck up a conversation and realized that Chuck played the guitar, so he and I sat on a picnic table surrounded by mosquitoes and played together.  He has been playing the guitar for 50 years, having learned to play from his mother.  He was very good and was very patient with me as I played along on the dulcimer.  Chuck said there are several jam sessions that he participates in when in Illinois.  Some people walking and some sitting in a car clapped after we played.  Free may not be good, but it is free!

6/27/14  We decided to do laundry and walked  to the Washing Place which was about 1/2 mile closer than the grocery store.  If you are looking for a Laundromat, do not go there.  It was dirty, had broken machines, and was unattended.

 As we waited in the small restaurant next door (probably owned by the same person) we saw a mouse run up to the building.  After the laundry was completed, we went to The Acoustic Grill for lunch.  It had very good burgers.  Weekend nights they have live music beginning at 7 p.m.  Reservations are recommended since it a small place and it fills up fast. 
We went back to the Acoustic Grill to hear the guitarist, Jason Fowler.  He was good, but took long breaks

 

Picton harbor

House overlooking Picton harbor