July 25 - 26, 2011

Cruise Ship Docking in Smith Falls - Seems to be Elderly Passengers
Ella Looks Pretty Serious
No Fear - Evan Jumping off the Boat
Ella and Evan Warming Up after there Swim in the Lake - There is a Playground Structure in the Background
No Dukes of Hazard Here - Did not Quite make the Jump
Smith Falls - It rained most of the night and it rained off and on for the rest of day. We picked up a rental car to go to Ottawa and pick up our daughter Lori, and the grand kids Ella and Evan. After the weekend in Ottawa, Danny drove Tony to the airport and kids came with us to have their boat holiday. Since we had the car we did some running around, Danny filled the propane tanks and I stalked up on some groceries. Stopped at Costco and Lori bought snow suits for the kids, did I mention it was 80 F. We were visited by the Brian and Yvonne Hewson and I visited Dorthy and Ralph in their seniors apartment. They are from our home town of Schreiber. Kids did lots of swimming and jumping off the boat. Smith Falls has a beautiful park, right downtown with easy access to everything. We did have some excitement in the park, someone tried to jump a bridge with their car and did not make it.

July 24, 2011

This Fisherman Must be Sure Footed as One Slip and He Falls 20 Feet
Another Narrow Area
The Old Triple Lock Going into Smith Falls - In 1973 a New Modern Lock Replaced It
Merrickville, Ontario to Smith Falls, Ontario - Another very hot day, Allan and Carole kept us posted on room at the marina as it is a first come, first serve marina ran by the city of Smith Falls. I got started on laundry as we had plenty of power and water. We arranged for a car rental to drive into Ottawa to pick up Lori, Ella and Evan who are going to spend sometime with us.

July 22 - 23, 2011

Opening the Bridge for Us
In this Area the Chanel is so Narrow and Curvy that you have to Blow the Horn so They Know you are in the Area
Closing the Lock - These Kids Don't have to go to the Gym after Work
Is There a Boat Behind the Weeds?
Answer: Yes There is a Boat Behind the Grass - This Mass of Grass and Bull Rushes Floated in During the Night
Burrett's Rapids, Ontario (Lock 17)to Merrickville, Ontario (Lock 21, 22, & 23) - We thought we would get away early to beat the heat, but had to wait until 8.30 a.m. so that the lock staff could swing the bridge. We decided to stay another day here due to the extreme heat, we had a great place on the dock with good power to run the air. We spent lots of time in the water even though there was sign that said no swimming. Only place to cool down. Merrickville has great restaurants and many are located in refurbished old, historic buildings. Things get pretty quiet here in the evening.

July 21, 2011

This Old Steel Boat is Just Anchored in the Canal - Never Seen Anyone and it was not Near any Homes
Seems to be Cattle Farms in the Area
Lots of Swamp Areas in this Part of the Canal
Black Rapids, Lock 13 to Burrett's Falls, Lock 17 - It was a very, very hot day today but thank goodness we had a strong wind all day. We tied up above the lock and had to run 3 extension cords to get power, we also had to run the generator to keep all three air conditioners going. In Ottawa they closed the step locks for 3 hours because of the heat. Danny made the comment that it was too hot to drink beer. I immediately called 911.

July 20, 2011

The Karen Anne Going through the Lift Bridge - When Down it is Only has a 10 Foot Clearance
This Modern House Sure Does Not Fit in with the Rest of the Houses in the Area
Were Coming Through - They Sure Scattered Fast
Along the Bike Path there is Uprooted Trees from the Wind Storm
The Canal Goes Through Carleton University Grounds
Kids Pirate Adventure - Complete with Walking the Plank
Sitting Around Lock 13, Trying to Keep Cool
Ottawa, Ontario to Black Rapids (Lock 13) - It was a hot and humid day. Left Ottawa at 8.00 a.m., we had one bridge to contend with which did not open until 8.30 a.m. which we timed perfectly. Our timing was good all day, no waiting at any locks. We tied up with power above the lock, beautiful park setting. Lots of people picnicking as it is cooler under the trees. Apparently you can go swimming here, too weedy for us. Everyone had a nap, the heat really wears you out.

July 18 - 19, 2011

Better View of the Eight Step Locks into Ottawa
The Laser Light Show on the Parliament Buildings - Well Worth Seeing
The Changing of the Guards - I Would Hate to be Wearing Those Fur Hats - I Noticed that People When Walking Beside Them also Kept in Step
The Chateau Laurier
Ottawa - I think Ottawa is one of the most beautiful cities, and it should be as it is the capital of Canada. We did do some tourist things but for the most part just walked around. We went to the Byward Market, and is one of Canada's oldest public markets. It actually was designed with wide streets to allow the horse drawn carriages that brought the foodstuffs to the market each day. What foresight! We went to the Parliament Building to watch the laser light show. Which I don't think anyone should miss. Danny went to a boat store to purchase some new fenders for the boat. Roger and Karen went on a double bus tour, we did not go this time as we have been before as our daughter Danielle went to university here, so we have been to many of the museums etc. in the five years she was here. Every morning they had the changing of the guards. I did get to go roller blading down the bike paths on the canal. Our nephews Rye and Alex came for a visit and we took them out for dinner. It was nice to see them.

July 17, 2011

The Montebello Marina - No Wonder we could not Get In
Line up to get on the Ferry as there are Few Bridges on the Ottawa River
Tour Boat on the Ottawa River Putting its Nose in the Canal Spillway
View of the Parliament Buildings from the Ottawa River
In One of the Eight Step Locks that takes you from the Ottawa River to the Rideau Canal - These Locks are all Manuel so these Kids are Really Working Hard - Chateau Laurier in the Background
Newly Renovated Dock Space in Ottawa
Lots of Boats on the Wall - This is the Power Section it Costs $10.00/Day and is Well Worth It - The Modern Building is the New Convention Centre and the Chateau Laurier is in the Background
Montebello, Quebec to Ottawa, Ontario - We left the dock at Montebello at 8.00 a.m. for the 42 mile run. It was fortunate we had a good breeze all day as the temperature soared with high humidity. It is Sunday and everything that floated was on the water. One incident that did not impress me was when a guy put his boat in neutral and then bailed into the water while the boat was still moving, by the way the wind was taking the boat away from him, another boater had to pick him up and bring him to his boat. We decided to do the 8 step locks into Ottawa in the horrendous heat (100 F) with 3 other boats. We had to shuffle boats around to make room on the newly renovated docks in Ottawa complete with power. We did have a surprise thunderstorm around 7.00 p.m. with wild rain and wind. The stage collapsed at Bluesfest hurting 4 people and lots of trees were blown down. Everyone went to bed early, dog tired from the heat and humidity.

July 16, 2011

The Chateau Montebello - Originally was a CP Rail Resort - Boasts as the Largest Log Structure in the World - Built in 1930 but was Enlarged over the Years - It is Beautiful and Worth Seeing
Inside the Chateau
The Wood Fireplace Chimney at the Chateau
It is a Busy Day at the Pool Due to the Temperature
Hawkesbury, Ontario to Montebello, Quebec - It is another hot, sunny day. It was quite a nice cruise to the town docks in Montebello. The Ottawa River is split in half, if you dock on one side you are in Ontario and the other you are in Quebec. It is Saturday and there is a lot of boat traffic on the river. We stayed in Montebello on the town dock as we could not get into the resort. We did walk over to the resort. We are very happy to have power as is 33 degrees C.

July 15, 2011

Quebec Hydro Dam at Carillon
The Carillon Lock is Unique as the Gate is Lifted not Swung
Its a Long Way Up - 65 Feet to be Exact
Crowded into the Lock at Carillion like Sardines
Looks Like a Mouse - Made from Hay Bails at the Dock in Hawkesbury, Ontario
St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec to Hawkesbury, Ontario - It was a very nice day, hot, sunny with a light wind. We went through the first lock at St. Anne to get onto the Ottawa River. It was a full load with many people purchasing their lock passes so it was very slow. We arrived at the Carillon Lock which is a 65' lift at a perfect time, no waiting. The lock master does not use a radio for some strange reason, only yells his commands in French and then you let him know that you are English and then he tells you in English. It worked out okay. We arrived in Hawkesbury, where Wayne Asslay happened to see our Looper Flag so he stopped in on his way home from work. He brought us to his beautiful home on the Ottawa River to see Francine and have a visit, offered us a car but we had no need for one. We have met wonderful people on this trip.

July 13 -14, 2011

Getting out of the Marina we had to Dodge these Kids Learning how to Kayak - Watched a Couple of them Tip
Coast Guard Jet Boat Installing Buoys
Homemade Wooden Boat
Busy Canal Wall at St. Anne de Bellevue - Looks Quiet Here but they Kept Coming and Going - Hooting and Hollering until around 2.30 a.m.
Montreal, Quebec to St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec - It was very nice when we left, but we arrived in a thunder storm, which did not last long. The sun came out and so did the people. We docked on the park side as not to be to close to the action. Lots of restaurants along the canal, with lots of day trippers coming and going. Most come for lunch and dinner and do not stay the night. There was a concert in the park with local entertainment. Very enjoyable, even sang songs in English. We did stay here an extra day and it was beautiful. Too bad they have part of main street torn up for construction, but like the rest of Canada the construction season does not last long. This is one of our favourite stops.

July 11 - 12, 2011

We are off to Old Port Through the Lachine Canal - We can not Take the Large Boats due to Air Draft
Nancy Taking a Lesson - The Lock Keeper Could Tie the Boats While Standing - Nancy Did Not Come Close to Mastering it
Modern Downtown Montreal
Ted and Danny on a Old Port Street
The Gang having Lunch - Danny was the Only One with a French Menu - He Could Not Figure Out Why the Rest of Us Knew What to Order so Fast
Notre Dame Basilica
The Alter in Notre Dame Basilica
Hotel d' Ville or City Hall
A Typical Street in Old Port
The Cirque du Soleil Tents in Old Port
For a Fee You Too Could Practice with Some of the Performers of Cirque du Soleil
The Marina at Old Port, Montreal - We Chose Not to Stay in This Marina as we Would of had to go Through Two More Seaway Locks
Montreal - The gang of us took the dinghies to down the Lachine Canal to old port Montreal. We had a great trip through the canal and it took 3 hours. We tied to the dinghy dock between Lock 1 and 2 and then we were off to explore the city and have lunch. On the way back we stopped at the historic Atwood Market to pick up a few things. This market has vegetable and fruit vendors, flowers, cheese market, fish market, with all the finer things in life. We did get a little wet due to a thunder storm but then it warmed up again. Sort of like throwing water on the rocks in a sauna. Back at the marina we met up with a couple (Carole and Allan) we met the first time we did the Rideau System, this is their home port. Danny and I went back into the old port the next day, this time by taxi, to walk around and go for dinner. We went to Gibby's which is a steak house in the old port, it also is in a very old building. Very quaint.