Thanks to all who provided the information. Since I grew up on and near
Lake Superior I'm now thinking the best thing to do is stretch the truck
transport portion as far as possible perhaps to Sault Ste. Marie or beyond
and then travel down to the first canal entrance visit down to the Finger
Lakes area at the least and then back up to where I think the maps and
charts show a second canal system entrance and so on to Belle Isle. With
any sort of weather luck and my trusty radar set I should be able to handle
all of that and get far enough South. One other parameter is not going too
far South too soon until the hurricane season is well over. Something good
I noticed along the Atlantic coastline is the multitude of harbors. I don't
think you could go a whole day without some neat place to visit.

Most probably wonder why not take the traditional route through the Panama
Canal. Well for several reasons. I lived there and have over 60 transits.
Like Tahiti it's exotic only once then it pales rapidly. Plus the cost
measured against trucking to the Great Lakes is getting prohibitive,
especially when you add itn wear and tear and time. Finally you miss some
of the greatest scenery in the world


Thanks again.

MST