Rideau Canal

Monday, July 22 - Friday, July 27, 2013

The Rideau Canal links the Ottawa River in Ottawa to Lake Ontario at Kingston. Along this 125+ mile route we locked up in 31 locks from the Ottawa River before descending over 14 lock. That's 45 locks!! There are 22 named locks but some combine 2 to 4 locks and are called a flight. The first 8 we checked off entering Ottawa. From here we continue our adventure reach Lake Ontario with our friends aboard Journey (Cat) and Harmony. Boats drawing more than 5 ft usually opt for the Erie Canal or follow the St. Lawrence Seaway, upstream, from Montreal to Kingston.

Black Rapids Lock

Seaplanes Are Becoming A Common  Sight

Eight locks and 7 hours later our trio of boats pulled into Hurst Marina. After filling our tanks with fuel and pumping out we found a slip for the night. Nice place with a pool but we rarely take advantage of the amenities, except the laundry! Before retiring for the day, everyone gathered to go over the charts. There is only one route so it's a discussion on how far we wish to travel.

Nicholson Lock Station's

You can see why Parks Canada oversees the locks. Every lock is a peaceful park setting as well as a historical site. Today's destination is Merrickville. After 7 locks, we had arrived. This popular stop and wall space had filled up. After speaking with the lock master he allowed us to tie up on the far side of the dam. One condition, our 3 boats had to raft together. We assured him that would work since we were traveling together anyways. We toured the town and got our obligatory ice cream cone. It's a rough life!

Cranking Opening the Gate

Merrickville Lock Trio

Water Rushes in to Fill the Lock

This General Store's Unusual Freezer Section
No Glass but Each Door is Labeled for the Customer's Convenience!

Merrickville Blockhouse Museum  (upper right) Formerly Housed  Military Munitions

Wednesday morning we cut our lines, separating our 'raft'. Six locks on schedule for today. At Kilmarnock Lock the rise was all of 2 ft.! It wins the prize for the shortest transition. A wooden swing bridge followed immediately. Smith Fall's was a destination we considered but it was filled up and still early in the day. The next lock was not far away so we moved on to Poonamalie Lock, choosing to lock through tomorrow. Other boaters were on the dock but they made room for us and caught our lines. An action I now consider a luxury! I have to admit, I have gotten very good at catching a cleat and securing my lines!

We have been experiencing a reoccurring theme, crowds. Not everywhere but around the touristy ports. Since Chambly we have met many boaters from Quebec. It turns out we are at the beginning of a 2 week holiday for the construction industry! In the summer! Prime time! This ramps up the tourism 40%! We learned quickly not to refer to this as a Canadian holiday. It was emphasized (to each of us) that this was only a Quebec holiday only! I'm unsure if it was said with jealousy or regret.

Mike and Margi Pass the Time

Janet Aboard Harmony at Smith's Falls

A Home in the Pines, Deck and Dock on the Water

Another Successful Day

Nine locks ahead today from Poonamalie to Jones Falls. The Narrows is up next but despite its name it was not the narrowest passage of the day. Rideau Lake is the highest point on the Rideau Canal. After the cut to Newboro Lock we begin our descent to Lake Ontario. The hairpin approach to the Jones Falls was the most challenging. Boats locking up may be motor towards us. Boaters are advised to signal their approach to this blind bend. One long blast alerts oncoming traffic.

Good Morning Sunshine!

Our Last Ascent on the Rideau Canal

This is the Deepest Water We Have Seen in a While

Grease Up the Sides Rick!

Busy Chaffeys Lock

Chaffeys Lockhouse

Nice Summer Job

It's Getting Narrow! 90 Degree Bend Ahead!

Danger! Undertow by Jones Falls

We took a deserved break at Jones Falls. It's a rare opportunity to stretch your legs midday! It’s a peaceful place. Four locks here to check out. 

What Beauty Awaited Us Around the Bend at Jones Falls!

Upper and Lower Locks at Jones Falls

Hand Operated Lock Station

Margi, Rick, Mike, Bob and Janet

Words of Warning Visible Above the Water!

Believe Them When They Say, "Lower Your Fenders All the Way."

Morton Bay, 2.5 miles south, is a popular anchorage. Entering was a little nerve racking. Welcome to Canada! Granite and pines line this peaceful, gorgeous setting. Again, welcome to Canada! After settling in we dropped the dinghy, picked up Margi and Rick and headed to Bob and Janet's to admire our surroundings. Returning for dinner, Mike and I chilled aboard Irish Attitude while music whispered from Journey. The peace was momentarily interrupted when Rick caught a fish! That night, without artificial lights to interfere, the sky just sparkled!

Anchorage Entrance - Red to Port, Green to Starboard, Big Rock to Port

Rick Conquers the Obstetrical Course in Their 18.5 ft wide Power Cat

Reflections at  Morton Bay Anchorage

Irish Attitude's Adventurous...... 

Journey, Leads to a.......

'Harmony'ous Anchorage

The only negative to this anchorage was revealed the next morning as we raised the anchor. Three feet of grass and mud snarled our anchor chain. It was like untangling a brush from a child's hair using a boat hook! Once more, welcome to Canada! After 20 minutes we were ready to roll toward Kingston Mills. A large marsh was dredged wide enough for boats to pass each other. This area was a hiccup in the completion of the canal. Construction was delayed due to illness and death as workers were exposed to malaria. More Irish immigrants quickly replaced the fallen securing its completion.

Are We Back On the Atlantic ICW? Marsh Land Begins and Ended the Day

 I continue to be surprised by the lack of wildlife we see as we move along. Margi and I had the same idea when we saw an inflatable whale. Did we spot a whale before Joyce and Bill aboard Carried Away on their down-east loop? I am sure Joyce's pictures were more impressive!

Orca! Inflatable Whale Watching!

The first Upper Brewers Lock was unusual because a highway bridge runs directly over the lock. As we locked down I was glad to see the cross bar was down and the traffic remained behind it. The road curves and I could picture an impatient driver passing only to stumble in to a huge pothole, i.e. the lock! At the second lock at Upper Brewers we passed under a railroad bridge, a beautiful vantage point.

 1st Upper Brewers Lock

Upper Brewers Lock Station

The 2nd Upper Brewers Lock Passes Beneath a Railroad Bridge

First Marshes.... Now Rocks

Scenery

Patience is not only a virtue but a necessity. Nine hours, 7 locks and (only) 23 miles later we had locked through the last lock on the Rideau Canal. Kingston Mills has a flight of 4 locks. We spent the night at the free wall at the bottom of the lock. Before entering the Canadian Canal System we purchased a season pass for locking and another for overnight dockage. They are sold separately since some boaters may choose to anchor out or use marinas. Lock personnel check our pass (sticker) as we lock through. Park employees verify our permit at the lock walls too. For exercise we walked to the top of the flight of locks and back again. Checking out the Lock Station restrooms, collecting informative pamphlets and admiring the lock structures, unchanged for nearly 200 years  Sometimes it to far for Teddy, Margi's Yorkie. Luckily he a light tote.

Kingston Mill Flight of Locks

Our Last Lock on the Rideau Canal 

To date, the days and miles we have traveled through Canada were not planned. Extreme spring rains and flooding damaged portions of the Erie Canal and stalled our progression. After a month on the Hudson River everyone was suffering from wanderlust. It's hard to explain this 'force' that motivates Loopers forward. Fortunately our choice to following this alternate route though Rideau Canal was a blessing. No regrets!! When one lock closes, another one opens!