Christmas Day 2009

This year the Calumet was able to layup in Sarnia. They arrived Christmas Eve night and worked through the night to get the girl put to bed for the winter. Jay was able to get off the boat around 9 am Christmas morning.

A Very Special Christmas Present for Daniel

Daniel got a very special present from Santa for Christmas this year. It all started with....well, I'll let you read Daniel's letter to Santa. That explains it all.

Dear Santa,

I have been very bad this year and do not deserve any presents. You see, there is this game called Farmville and I have my own farm to maintain. To earn more points and get to the higher levels, I need to have neighbors. I asked my Aunt Carrie to be my neighbor over and over again until she agreed. Now she is my neighbor and has her own farm. SHE'S HOOKED!!!! On top getting her hooked on this game she didn't want to play, I no longer send her any gifts for her farm like she sends me.I have not been a good neighbor to her, especially after I made her start playing and got her hooked. I don't need any presents this year Santa, I have been very bad. I'm sorry, I will try to be better next year, but there will probably be a new game I want her to play with me. I can't make any promises. Merry Christmas.

Daniel

Santa left a special letter and present for Daniel. Here he is opening it up.

Dear Daniel,

I received your letter recently regarding Christmas this year. Due to the whole Farmville fiasco, I have chosen your gift accordingly. Please enjoy my gift to you. I look forward to hearing from you next year and will expect that there will not be another Farmville-type fiasco. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Be good, I'm always watching.

Santa

Calumet Layup (December 24, 2009)

Coming up to the Bluewater Bridges Turning around to head towards the dock
Pulling up to the dock.

Calumet's First Trip Through the Welland Canal (December 18-19, 2009)

In December, the Calumet made it's first trip through the Welland Canal. They had a load of ore from Duluth, MN to take to Hamilton, ON. It was something most of the crew had never experienced before. It took them about 36 hours to transit the canal, unload in Hamilton, then transit the canal again. It was a longgggggg day/night for a lot of the deck crew.

Approaching the first bridge at Port Colborne. Now the fun begins.
Coming through the bridge at Port Colborne

What a bunch of characters. Notice the smiles. They weren't smiling like that at the end of the locks.

Heading into Lock 8

In Lock 8

At Port Robinson

Coming out of Lock 7

Coming out of Lock 1 upbound

The guys working....hard?

Approaching Lock 2

The guys working hard again

Heading into Lock 2

Gates closing

Ship Schedule inside Lock 3 Visitor's Center

Empty Lock 3

Approaching Lock 3

Heading into Lock 3

In Lock 3

Gates closing

Jay, Dom, and Scott working hard.

Up they go!!!

Leaving Lock 3

Other boats in the canal

Richelieu at Port Colborne

Algorail downbound at Port Colborne

Canadian Progress upbound at Port Colborne

CSL Tadoussac upbound in Lock 3

Algorail in downbound in Lock 3

CSL Tadoussac in Lock 6

CSL Assiniboine in the Port Weller dry dock having some repairs done after running aground.

After leaving the canal, I made a quick stop in Niagara Falls.

Rainbow Bridge

Christmas decorations

Pictures some of the crew took