 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Ottawa to Le Chateau Montebello Page 12
July 19 - We left Dow's Lake at 8:15 to travel 2 miles down the canal
to reach the swing bridge which opens at 9:00 because of morning traffic.
city wall on the canal where boats were tied up in the heart of the city.
We reached the top of the Ottawa flight locks 1-8 just as they began
locking boats up, so we had to wait a little over an hour to lock through.
It was good timing because there was a lot going on above us in the city.
We were tied up under a road bridge, and after climbing up 65 steps to
the road and walking about 100 yards, there was the Parliament Building.
They were getting ready for changing of the guard, and there was a
parade up the street with horns, trumpets, and bagpipes.
We finally got our turn to head down the flight. We locked through with
2 other boats. It took about 1 1/2 hours. As you lower in one lock and
the gates open, you immediately drive into the next lock. Many people
were all watching from the sides of the canal and from the bridge above
us. In the distance was the Ottawa River.
to reach the swing bridge which opens at 9:00 because of morning traffic.
city wall on the canal where boats were tied up in the heart of the city.
We reached the top of the Ottawa flight locks 1-8 just as they began
locking boats up, so we had to wait a little over an hour to lock through.
It was good timing because there was a lot going on above us in the city.
We were tied up under a road bridge, and after climbing up 65 steps to
the road and walking about 100 yards, there was the Parliament Building.
They were getting ready for changing of the guard, and there was a
parade up the street with horns, trumpets, and bagpipes.
We finally got our turn to head down the flight. We locked through with
2 other boats. It took about 1 1/2 hours. As you lower in one lock and
the gates open, you immediately drive into the next lock. Many people
were all watching from the sides of the canal and from the bridge above
us. In the distance was the Ottawa River.
Swing Bridge in the Rideau Canal entering Ottawa Town Wall in heart of Ottawa
View from across the street from the Parliament Parliament
Changing of the Guard Parade View from the top of the Ottawa flight
This is the view of the Ottawa flight, locks 1-8 from the Ottawa River. It was hard to believe we
actually traveled down all these locks from just below the upper bridge!
actually traveled down all these locks from just below the upper bridge!
After we reached the Ottawa River, we tied up at the wall just to the right of this picture to raise the
mast. It took about 15 minutes, and we were off again. The sky became very dark and it began to
drizzle. After an hour, the waves became a little more choppy, but our tug cut through them with ease.
It finally began to POUR!! We stayed nice and dry in our warm pilot house.
It took about 4 hours to reach our destination: Le Chateau Montebello. The log chateau was built in 1930
and is advertised as the largest log structure in the world. It's a gorgeous hotel, absolutely breathtaking
inside. The entrees started at $40, so we decided to make pancakes and eat on the boat tonight!