Rideau Canal

 The Rideau Canal runs from The Ottawa river in Ottawa to Kingston on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It was opened in 1832 and built to insure commerce could continue in the event those pesky Americans to the south decided to shut down the St. Lawrence river. There are 45 locks over a distance of about 125 miles. We took 2 and a half weeks traveling this waterway.

As seen in the last post we started the trip by going up a flight of 8 locks which puts us on a Parc Canada wall right in downtown. Unfortunately just as we started up the locks the remnants of Tropical System Beryl decided to arrive and stayed for our 2 day visit. We still had a good time but didn't get many pictures.

Canal Wall

Leaving Ottawa

All but 2 of the locks are still hand operated so the process can take a bit of time but the staff is very efficient, Below is a short video of opening the lock gates.

In many areas the desired depth for the canal was reached by building dams to raise the water level versus having to dig or blast a channel through solid rock. Considering that these dams were built in the early 1800's they are truly impressive. You can see the boat below tied up to the wall with the entrance to the lock on the far left.

We had bought two passes before the season that cover locking and mooring. The mooring pass becomes a better deal the more you use it and we used it a bunch. I'll give you a cost per night at the end of the season when Jill gives me the numbers. They usually limit you to 2 nights at each stop to make room for others. Below is a picture of us below the lock at Burritts Rapids where we were able to stay a 3rd night. 

We didn't stay because it was so nice but because we really wanted to stop in the next town of Merrickville. The lock wall there had been closed due to high water since Beryl came through. We're glad we waited the extra day as the town was very nice. Below is a video of the spillway and dock. I don't think I'd want to be there with it flowing more!

A couple of shots of the town.

The next town is the "largest" along the waterway between Ottawa and Kingston but still a pretty small town. We paid for a slip at the town run marina as it was a weekend and this is a very popular stop.

The town also has a very nice, small railroad museum worth an hour or two. Smith Falls was a railroad hub when the railroad replaced the canal as a major form of transport. They have 3 caboose's that you can spend the night in.

Up until the early 70's CP rail had a traveling dental car that made yearly visits to small towns that didn't have one. 

The long time president of the railroad had a 47 Cadi transformed into a rail car so he could tour the line in comfort.

Up until Smith Falls the waterway is mostly a combination of canal and narrow river. 

It was at Smith Falls that we first saw the tour boat Kawartha Voyager. This boat is not one you want to meet in a narrow pass.

After Smith Falls the Rideau becomes more a series of larger lakes connected by narrow canals.

Next stop was near the town of Perth which is reached via the Tay canal. We decided to stay below the locks and ride our bikes into town. Below is Chasing 80 tied up below the lock as seen from the bridge. Keep the lake in the background in mind...

These locks don't get as much use as the Rideau so can take on a bit of a swamp monster persona.

That evening after coming back from town we received the following....

We went up to the stone lockhouse incase we needed to take cover and were able to watch the tornado pass from right to left out in the lake...too close (again).

We spent an extra day at this lock to let the weather calm down and then went to the very nice town of Westport. Its small but has many shops and even a brewery close to the town marina.

After Westport we had a few more stays at lock walls before reaching the town of Kingston. One example of Parc Canada lock walls is actually the floating docks we found occasionally.

Just before the above dock we passed through one of the more narrow places and someplace you don't want to be surprised by the Voyager. Another plus for AIS.

 Luckily the  tour boat happened to be just behind us when we traveled this stretch. We were safely tied up when they passed by in "short lock mode".

Next we were on to Kingston. When we started the trip this year we didn't really know if we would be able to get there or would have to make a big U-turn. The lift bridge just before town had broken in the spring during some maintenance. It took them some time to determine it couldn't be repaired and they would have to remove it. Look up LaSalle Causeway removal for a good video. Below is how we found it.

 We spent a few days in Kingston to restock and hit a couple of breweries before moving on to Trenton where we are now. This beautiful 1929 Commuter stopped by the marina while we were there.

The plan had been to spend a week in Trenton and get some waxing done on the boat. Well, it turns out I picked up something else in Kingston...Canadian covid...I didn't loose my tastebuds but now everything tastes like maple! I guess my luck ran out after successfully dodging it for 4 years. So far Jill is clear and I'm on the upswing but there hasn't been any waxing done. We'll stay here for another week and see if we can catch up. 

So that's how you get 2 blog updates in the same week...you're welcome bro! Probably won't get another one out till we get home as I plan to return to having fun soon!

Burlington, VT. to Ottawa, ON 2024

 After our extended stay in Burlington we were able to get underway with new bikes on June 25. We went to the last town before the Canadian border (Rouses Point, NY.) so we could get an early start the next morning. We arrived at customs about 20 minutes after they opened and the door was still locked...guess we were their first customers. It was an incredibly easy process and we were shut down for only 4 minutes!

Customs

Once underway I was able to take down our yellow quarantine flag and replace it with the Canadian courtesy flag.

We had finally made it after all the delays and were feeling pretty good about our short day to St.-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. Have I ever mentioned how much Murphy loves boating?? A few miles up the river we came to a railroad bridge that was closed. No problem, I see people on the bridge...Toot-Toot...we'd like you to open please. After about 40 minutes we went to the marina next to the tracks (thankfully it was there) and asked about the bridge. It had apparently broken the day before and they were working on it. Just tie up and it should be open in a few hours.

2 days later...

With the delay we had to bypass St-Jean and head straight up the Chambly Canal to the town of Chambly. The Canal is narrow and bypasses the Richelieu rapids for several miles.

Chambly is a lovely town and has everything a boater needs in easy walking distance. This was the first use of our Parc Canada mooring pass where tying up is free and we only pay for power. 

Right as we leave the town there is a flight of 3 locks to lower us to the lake. These locks are also tight but they usually squeeze several boats in if the demand is there. The park setting makes it fun for people to come watch the excitement.

You never know what you will see along the way. Here is an example of a unique 1 whistle pass...

After Chambly we stopped at a marina/campground after the St Ours lock so we could get an early start for Montreal. Unfortunately I stayed up most of the night waiting to see Rufus....

 The approach to Montreal is fun as you see the Olympic stadium, city and Mt. Royal come into view.

 Traveling on the St. Lawrence river reminds us that we're not the big boat anymore.

The last mile into town we were faced with an incredible current and were making only 2.5 miles an hour for the last bit before the marina. Once inside and tied up the view was worth it.

Montreal is a fun town and we did the hop-on-hop-off bus tour to see more of the city. The tour took us up Mt. Royal past a cathedral and to an overlook where we could see back down the river where we had come from. Keep the cathedral in mind as you'll see it again when we leave the city.

The area near the marina is Old Town and there are many walking and shopping streets.

Too soon it was time to leave but we hope to get back next year. We have to transit 2 of the big ship locks when leaving the city. They have 2 pleasure craft locking's per day so we made the early one with several other boats.

These 2 locks are connected by a canal that again, bypasses the rapids. This is an area where we were glad to have AIS to eliminate any surprises.

 

Once out of the locks we made a turn off the St. Lawrence river into the Ottawa river. This picture was taken about 7 hours after we left the marina but very few miles. Remember the cathedral? Here it is from the other side of town.

We stopped in St.-Anne-de-Bellevue for the night on another lock wall. 

The next day was a short run to the Carillon lock. This is the largest lift we will see all year and has a guillotine door that lifts for you to pass under. It also has a floating dock inside that you tie up to and simply ride up without having to tend your lines.

From the top of the lock

Inside

 Next was a stop in the town of Montebello to see what is reported to be the largest log structure in the world. The Chateau Montebello is indeed impressive.

 

It was even more impressive the next day as we passed by on the river. You could really see the size of it.

This day we traveled to Marina du Hull across from Ottawa. We wanted to spend a couple of days and get a look at the flight of 8 locks we would transit to get into Ottawa and the Rideau canal. (2 are on the same level so you pass through and only lock 7 times).   Just before town we passed a rather large home flying the American flag which surprised us until I looked it up and found it was Lornado, the US ambassador's house. Must be a great job!

We next passed the Rideau Falls and the reason we have to take the flight of 8 locks.

Once in the marina I walked up to see the locks from this side.

And the next day we rode our bikes over to get a better view.

So that's the trip to Ottawa in a (long) nutshell. We are currently in Trenton, ON. and I will try to get another update out on how we got here.

I know that I mention to check the bar on the right of the page to get updates on our location between blogs. I was just informed that this bar doesn't show up if you are on a mobile device. It looks like you need to switch to desktop view to see our map and satellite tracker links. Sorry.