Left Morton's Bay about 7:45 this morning, after a peaceful night tied to a government dock, because we just couldn't get the anchors to hold. :-( This is the very narrow gap for getting into and out of Morton's Bay.
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Just after leaving Morton's Bay, we met the Kawartha Voyager, a tour boat which plies the Trent Severn and the Rideau, and points between with about 45 passengers - 5 days at a time. It is a very popular family made and operated boat, with reservations for at least a year ahead. The front of this boat raises hydrolically to shorten it enough to go in the locks.
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Our first task of the day was to go throught the 4 locks at Jones Falls - this is the fourth one. The 123mile long system was supervised by Colonel By and passed through 16 lakes, 2 rivers, has 47 locks, and a 350 foot long, 60 foot high curved dam at Jones Falls. Since we arrived too early for the first lockage, I went looking for the dam, but it can't be seen at this time of year. The whole system was completed in 6 years, from Ottawa (Bytown) to Lake Ontario, begun in 1826, completed in 1832. I find that amazing! It would take that long to get all the permits these days!
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This blacksmith shop was built on this site to fulfill the needs of the builders, and is still used for demonstration purposes today.
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On the highest point of this site sits the lockmaster's home, which has live demos in period costumes etc. now.
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This is Chaffey's lock - a popular one to overnight at, proudly flying the the Canadian flag!
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We planned to stay at Colonel By Island, on the Big Rideau Lake tonight, but it was so windy, we didn't feel comfortable there, so went on to the Lower Rideau to the Beveridge Lock, which has the added advantage of having power. :-) the 2 Beveridge locks are on the Tay Canal, which leads to Perth. We often dinghy to Perth, but don't have a dinghy with us this year. Unfortunately, Perth foolishly put in a bridge that only small boats can get under, limiting the boat traffic into Perth, even though they have a beautiful basin right downtown. We have had a bit of rain this evening, but as in most places around here, they could sure do with a lot more. Maybe later.
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Just after leaving Morton's Bay, we met the Kawartha Voyager, a tour boat which plies the Trent Severn and the Rideau, and points between with about 45 passengers - 5 days at a time. It is a very popular family made and operated boat, with reservations for at least a year ahead. The front of this boat raises hydrolically to shorten it enough to go in the locks..jpg)
Our first task of the day was to go throught the 4 locks at Jones Falls - this is the fourth one. The 123mile long system was supervised by Colonel By and passed through 16 lakes, 2 rivers, has 47 locks, and a 350 foot long, 60 foot high curved dam at Jones Falls. Since we arrived too early for the first lockage, I went looking for the dam, but it can't be seen at this time of year. The whole system was completed in 6 years, from Ottawa (Bytown) to Lake Ontario, begun in 1826, completed in 1832. I find that amazing! It would take that long to get all the permits these days!.jpg)
This blacksmith shop was built on this site to fulfill the needs of the builders, and is still used for demonstration purposes today..jpg)
On the highest point of this site sits the lockmaster's home, which has live demos in period costumes etc. now..jpg)
This is Chaffey's lock - a popular one to overnight at, proudly flying the the Canadian flag!.jpg)
We planned to stay at Colonel By Island, on the Big Rideau Lake tonight, but it was so windy, we didn't feel comfortable there, so went on to the Lower Rideau to the Beveridge Lock, which has the added advantage of having power. :-) the 2 Beveridge locks are on the Tay Canal, which leads to Perth. We often dinghy to Perth, but don't have a dinghy with us this year. Unfortunately, Perth foolishly put in a bridge that only small boats can get under, limiting the boat traffic into Perth, even though they have a beautiful basin right downtown. We have had a bit of rain this evening, but as in most places around here, they could sure do with a lot more. Maybe later.