July 21, Day 38 - Upper Duck Island to Ottawa

Well, we made it through the “lock of eight”. We arrived at the lock entry at 8:00 and started locking through at 10:30. We finally made it through all eight around 2:30 in the afternoon. It was a very pretty setting, but a lot of work to get through all the locks. We were one of the lead boats in our group and had to deal with the strong currents at each lock. This didn’t do Gerry’s shoulder much good. It was also sunny and quite warm today so we really worked up a sweat.

After finishing the locks we cruised down the canal looking for a place to tie up. Unfortunately, there were none to be found in the regular mooring area, so we went under the bridge and past the designated area and tied up there. Harmonie II had told us the day before that was where they had to stay …. A sort of an overflow area. While having a quick lunch, we noticed a boat leave and so untied from where we were at and went back and took that spot … so we were with all the other boats.

Stephanie picked us up around 4:30 and drove us out to her place in Gatineau (while giving us a running tour of Ottawa). We picked up Emily, her daughter at daycare, and met Chris, her husband, and Ian, her son, at the house. Chris cooked up a terrific chicken dinner and Ian had picked out a great dessert for us. Steph and Ian drove us back to the boat after dinner (again with additional guidance on points of interest for us tourists.)

We took a short walk around the area when we got back. Everything is basically right here within a few blocks. The buildings here are old and beautiful. Pictures to follow. Then it was off to bed. It had been a very busy day.

A quick history lesson about the Rideau Canal: It was constructed by the British between 1826 and 1832 and was designed as an alternative supply line between Lake Ontario and Montreal in the event the United States threatened the St. Lawrence passage. The construction was supervised by Lt.Col. John By of the British Royal Engineers. Thousands of Irish immigrants, French Canadians and Scottish stonemasons were among the laborers who pushed the canal through the bush, swamps, lakes and rivers some 125 miles. It is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. In 2007 the canal was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO (Unite d Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).





Beautiful morning in the anchorage ---- SUN ! ! ! ! !




Departing for Ottawa

The skyline of Ottawa just before hanging a left into the Rideau Canal

Rideau Falls

The 8 Ottawa staircase locks. The Ottawa river level is 134 feet and the 8 locks raise you to 213 ft above sea level.

Boats qued up to enter the lock. Notice Monk's Vineyard in the back. We ended up being the first boat in the third group.

Manual lock operation

The cranks

Looking down from the top of the 8th lock.

Looking up at the buildings while locking .... it's a long way up

Our "locking" compadres

Some spectators

... and more spectators. There were many children there on field trips. Teachers were explaining the process to them.

This is what the lock walls look like .... grassy, slimmy, and covered with "stuff"

Gerry fending off the lock wall

The last lock ..............yippeeeeee. This was hard work ....... and the warmest day we've had. Where are the clouds when you really need them.

Moored on the canal wall. Monk's Vineyard is at the back.

Rush hour on the bridge. There are lots of commuter buses in Ottawa