Link to today’s route: https://share.nebo.global/voyage/1e5f051e-a672-4249-9218-3c8e0060eb5f
We successfully got under the east bridge span with a foot or two to spare. It was still nerve wracking, it looks like a lot less when you’re approaching. We had to duck next to the steering wheel.
Video ducking under the bridge: https://photos.app.goo.gl/U3ToCesnxfSjRDdV9
We stopped to get pumped out at a marina on the other side of the bridge. When they found out we were from the U.S., one of the dock hand asked us how we enjoyed our time in Lake America. I told him I apologized on behalf of our government and everyone who voted for them. He immediately said he was just pulling our leg, but I told him that we were so embarrassed that it was why we didn’t have the American flag on our boat, just the courtesy Canadian flag.
We started the first set of locks on the Rideau. The first three were a flight and the fourth was about a hundred yards beyond. They raised us about 50 feet. We were lucky that we were locked through almost immediately because another boat at the top was expected, but they ended up waiting for us.
We enjoyed the picturesque river bank and country side along the way.
The locks are much smaller and older on the Rideau. We have been locking up so far and they fill very quickly. The mechanism to open the lock doors are cranks rather than turnstiles. Everything is manual including the sign that blocks the bridge traffic when we went through.
A lady from a local farm down the street stopped at each of the boats to let us know she had fresh produce and bread and pastries for sale, so we got a zucchini, tomatoes and butter tarts which are a delightful Canadian pastry we’ll be bringing home to a lucky few. We also got some small red peppers which the farmer said she grew in a special spot because she knew boaters didn’t have enough room for big ones. Talk about catering to your market!
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