Ottawa to Clayton, NY - 6/28/12 - 7/3/12

This posting covers our adventure from Chateau Montebello, QC thru Ottawa and on down the Rideau Canal to Kingston, ON and back to the USA at Clayton, NY.  We traveled 5 days, 209 miles and 52 locks during this period and did not have access to WiFi except in Westport, ON and not only did it crash but it took our computer with it so we had to get it fixed here in NY before we could post anything.

6/28/12
On the river at 7:10 a.m. for the 43 mile trip to Ottawa along with Marc & Michelle.

Ottawa River

Following Marc's Ark

Along the way we saw some amazing houses and scenery.  This picture is out of place but is the dam for the Rideau River which we will enter in Ottawa.

Ottawa

Just before noon we started seeing the sights of the city.  It is impossible to show you how clean the water has become since entering Canada.  We have been told that a serious fine is levied if you are caught even flicking a cigarette butt into it.  Part of the reason it is so clean is the mussels that have called it home.  During one of our tours we learned that the water in the St. Lawrence is completely filtered by these critters every 72 hours.

Parliament Building

As we made our turn toward the Rideau we spotted the Parliament Building.

Flight of 8 Locks

And then these things came into view.  There were already a couple of boats tied to the blue line and as we made our way over to it the lock master motioned for Marc's Ark & Quest to position themselves to enter the lock first with the other 3 boats rafted behind us so we took the port wall and Marc tied to the starboard wall.  This would be our positions in each lock as we moved up.

Inside the lock

This is the way we were raised in each lock.  All the locks on the Rideau are opened and closed this way with only a couple of exceptions.

As we went up at each lock the crowd watching got bigger.

This is our view in each of the 8 locks. Each lock is filled by the water from the lock above it.

Another picture out of place.  This is entering the first lock.

Finally out of the locks

It took 2 1/2 hours to move through all eight locks and then the lock master told us that the starboard wall would normally be opened at 5 p.m. for mooring but that we could go ahead and tie up there when we left the locks.  That was a good thing because boats were already everywhere for the Canada Day celebrations that were forth coming.

Quest pulled in behind Marc's Ark

As soon as our ropes hit the ground the wall became full of other boaters.

Right next to us was a Jazz Festival scheduled to start that evening.

Downtown Ottawa

Ricki & I were only going to be here one night since we needed to get to NY by 7/2 to meet the girls so we decided to walk around town a little before dinner.

War Memorial Guard

Afternoon Refreshments

Pedestrian Mall

Kids Activities in the mall

This doesn't need a caption.  Check out the hand washing station beside it.

Canadian Boaters relaxing

These folks were tied a couple boats behind us and had this bird with them.

Decorated for the occasion 

Marc & Michelle

We made reservations at a restaurant a few steps away for dinner.  This will be the last time we will be with them unless we can hook up again after NY.

Position N 45  25.375  W 075  41.421

Our view back toward the locks

Leaving Ottawa

The locks and bridges on the Rideau open at 8:30 so we were on our way toward the first lift bridge which was about a mile away. The canal has concrete sides for several miles with bike and walking paths on both sides.

Under one and wait on the second.  

This bridge was supposed to open at 9 a.m but the bridge tender told us that it would be a little late due to traffic.

#9 on the Rideau

Nice homes

We passed many BIG homes along the canal after we got out of town.  One has to wonder how much money it would take to build these things considering the very high tax rate in this country.

Party time

We passed many parties on our way to Merrickville.  The day trip was only 46 miles but included 15 locks.

"Edith Ann"

Rideau

Many areas along the canal was carved out of rock and very narrow.  Didn't see any signs for prop repair shops but bet that many got torn up by not staying in the center.

Nice Toys

Sunset at Merrickville

We arrived at Merrickville at 6:30 p.m. and took a spot on the lock wall.  These moorings are covered in our season pass we purchased when we first entered Canada.  We pay $20 for electric (or Hydro as it is known in Canada) on the walls when it is available.  Our position was N45  55.050  W 075  50.254

Downtown Merrickville

When we walked around last night and had dinner in a local pub, we ran into the lock master and he told us we were missing the town if we didn't stay a little longer tomorrow ... so we did.

Breakfast - Canadian Bacon?

We found a really neat restaurant for breakfast then toured the town.  Canadians party late into the night and then don't get started very early next day.  The local shops didn't open until 10 a.m.

Downtown

Christmas Shop

Of course .... another ornament for the travel tree.

Newly Weds

Some of the local artists had a display on an open lot downtown.  These folks were originally from the Georgian Bay area and moved here and got married.

Mayor Doug of Merrickville and his wife 

After breakfast I ran an errand to the LCBO (Liquor Store) while Ricki wandered around town and when I came back she was talking to the mayor.  He rewarded her with a Merrickville tote bag which she proudly carries.

How close to the rocks

We untied and left at 11:20 and headed for Westport, ON a run of 43 miles and 12 more locks.

More nice houses

Downtown Westport

We arrived at 6:05 and tied up at the Westport Marina.  We were told they had strong WiFi so as we were logging on it crashed and took our computer down with it.  Now it won't even load Windows so we will have to get it looked at and hope we haven't lost everything again.  A couple other loopers are here that we haven't seen since Norfolk last year.  W 44 40.683  W 076  23.595

Decorated Locks

Handy Stop

Neat

Swing Bridge at the Lock

Hard at Work

So was Ricki

Ship Bell - before cleaning

Second of 3 flight locks

Rickshaw!!!!

We talked to Jim & Belinda last night and made arrangements as they were coming toward us on the canal that we would meet at Davis lock for lunch.  It was so great to see them again.

Another Swing Bridge

Happy Canada Day

We arrived at the Upper Brewers Lock at 3:45 p.m. and decided to spend the night there since the lock was a series of 4 locks and there wasn't anyplace to stay beyond it without going another 28 miles to Kingston.  We met some neat Canadian folks on 2 boats tied to the wall and were entertained by a flotilla of decorated boats going by.

No Comment

One of our dock friends.
 Our position was N 44  24.832  W o76  18.769

Ships Bell - after cleaning

Empty Lock

Next morning the lock master told us we would be first going down the locks and at 8:40 we entered lock and headed for the series of 4 locks at Kingston Mills. We entered the first lock at 12:30 and was in the second lock going down when the lock master told us the bad news .... lock #3 had malfunctioned and the doors that let the water out would not close so they filled us up and we backed out of lock #2, went back through lock #1 and tied up on the blue line again.

Broken Doors

Working Again

A few hours later they got it fixed and boats could enter the lower lock as they filled the upper chambers.

Filling lock #2

Going Down

We were in the first lockage of 4 boats followed by another 2 boats in the lock behind us. We finally got through all the locks at 5:15 p.m. which was a very long day.

Confederation Basin

We arrived in Kingston at 7:15 having traveled only 28 miles but going through 11 locks.  We stopped and got Fuel and pump out just before Confederation Basin for the night. 691 litters for only $1,051 ... ouch!

Downtown Kingston

N 44  13.626  W 076  28.695

Lake Ontario

We left Kingston early (6:50 a.m.) for the short run of 21 miles into the USA to meet Dianne & Christine who would arrive later today and spend a few days with us.  The lake and St. Lawrence River was like glass and we got to Clayton, NY at 9 a.m.  On the dock waiting for us were Moor Stuff & Next Endeavor who had been here a couple days and were leaving next morning.

The Gang

Of course we all got together again for adult beverages and chatted until late in the evening.

Tomorrow we make like tourist and plan to take the tour boat through the 1,000 Islands and visit Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

Our NY position is N 44  14.230  W 076  05.442

Here are some pics that didn't load in the right place:

Repairing the Lock Doors

Wolfe Island Light - Lake Ontario

Sunset - Clayton, NY