The imposing image of the Royal Dutch Navy's new Supply Vessel, Karel Doorman, looms over the pedestrians in the Old Port this week.
Apparently here to support a trade mission for the Dutch Government, it is hard to imagine her presence does not have any connection to our own efforts to build replacement vessels for the Provider/Protector vessels.
Alongside, a supply vessel of another kind, the Cavalier Maxim provides liquid replenishment to revelers on a pleasant Friday evening in Montreal.
Took another ride up the 'Parc Lineare' at Trois Rivieres this morning as my ship was docked here for only one night.
I have to say it is impressive the efforts expended to make this recreational path accessible and attractive to all users with cyclists and pedestrians each having their own lane.
It is no doubt an indication of the popularity of this path that there is even advertising showing up.
Apparently, this is part of the 'Route Verte #4' though I didn't see any signs indicating this on the section I rode. Doesn't matter; kudos to TR for a great path.
Decided to try a different ride out of Sorel instead of the Sauvagine.
There is a bit of a bike path that meanders through a park just east of the ferry dock but, then, ends suddenly.
So, I doubled back and headed along the closest road that comes out at Chemin du Chenal du Moine, which has a nice shoulder for riding on a fairly quiet road as it ends at a cul-de-sac. It has been entitled 'Voie Cyclable Terre et Eau'.
About 13 km from Sorel, the road crosses a small bridge traversing a small channel.
The road continues for a bit on 'Embarassed' island but it was time to turn around and head back to the ship.
A very pleasant morning ride though I have to wonder how quiet the road actually is when a local campground has to build a pedestrian bridge to cross a two lane road.
Had just enough time before we sailed from Dieppe Park in Windsor to ride down a nice wide bike path to the Ambassador bridge and back as a full moon was setting.
I have to say that downtown Windsor is one of the more depressing examples of urban wasteland but the city has done a wonderful job of beautifying the riverfront with gardens and sculptures.
A shoreline can mask a lot of ills. Downtown Detroit looks positively idyllic in the early morning light.
The sun was just peaking over the horizon as I got back to the ship.
With the ice from this past winter a fading memory, the river has become dotted with fishing boats out to catch the first bass of the season and give headaches to the large ships trying to transit through the waterway.
The Seaway is still in the process of installing a hands-free mooring system in all its locks in the Welland Canal. Our ship has normally been tying up beyond these structures in the lock as they are a pain in the ass for a ship our size if they are not in operation.
Yesterday, we transited up the ditch and actually got to use the system in Lock 3. The system uses a series of 3 double-barreled suction devices although only one set is required to secure our vessel.
When it works, it's pretty amazing that a vacuum can hold a ship in position with all the forces of the water filling the lock.
