I’m feeling poetic today. So what will it be? Haiku? Sonnet? Ode? Nah. How about a limerick?
Some worry about Monkey Pox
While others are selling their stocks
Inflation is high
Elections are nigh
But OUR world at this moment is LOCKS!
We are currently in Kingston, Ontario, a little more than halfway through the Canadian canal systems that are on our planned route. The map above highlights navigable waterways that can carry a boat long distances. When you look at most maps, these “water highways” are so small, they virtually disappear. It is hard to imagine that a boat can travel effectively in these areas. But indeed they can!
Most of the locks have been small, historic, and hand operated.
But some were gigantic and intended for commercial traffic. Pleasure craft are definitely not the priority. It is weird to be in such a cavernous chamber.
Locking through is a slow process, alternately tedious and interesting. The procedure is fairly generic.
Adjust the fenders to accommodate the high and low levels of the lock, enter the lock, captain and first mate each grab one of the vertical cables on the lock wall, put a rope around the cable, turn off the engine, and hold the boat in position while the water level raises or lowers.
If there are lots of boats in the lock together, “rafting” may be required, meaning you tie your boat to another boat and take the ride together. Your “lock mates” can be lots of fun. This French speaking woman knew lots of tourist tips and tricks!
When the lock water reaches its final level, reel in the ropes, start your engine, and vacate the lock. Easy peasy.
The waterways between locks are usually picturesque, and often very narrow, requiring boats to travel at “no wake” speed. It is an exercise in patience, appreciation of the world around you, and taking life as it comes.
The rewards are numerous. Locks are located in some really interesting places, and most of them have free (with purchase of a Canada Parks mooring pass) docks and/or walls to stay on. Most have picnic tables and restrooms, some have showers/ice/water, and some even have shore power! Such a deal.
In Ottawa the locks are spectacular. Eight “stairstep” locks, connected by the lock gates, one right after the other. It took almost 3 hours to get through.
We moored right downtown, on a wall alongside the Canadian Senate building. Unbelievable! Did I mention it was free?
We stayed for the weekend, walking and biking, enjoying the busy street scene (many weddings were going on), looking at the fantastic historical/governmental architecture, and marveling at all of the art strewn about the city.
And, we had our first butter tarts and Beavertails! I definitely want more butter tarts! They are like mini pecan pies without the pecans. If you get the good ones, the pastry is light and flaky and the filling is a cross between custard and caramel. So yummy…. And Beavertails… what’s not to like? Fried dough with cinnamon and sugar. Kind of like an elephant ear at the county fair.
Most of the locks are not in big cities. Some are in little villages, with restaurants and parks alongside the waterway. A slower pace of life is easy to adapt to!
Some are in remote, beautiful, quiet, green places. We often had the entire dock to ourselves. Ahhhhh…. So relaxing….
The locks have been good to us so far. Very enjoyable.
Next up is a set of 47 locks between Trenton and Port Severn. After that we will have a respite from locking for a while. We will be able to cruise around the Georgian Bay in Lake Huron and all the way down Lake Michigan without needing our gloves and locking lines!
But the fun will pick back up again South of Chicago on the river system. There will be another round of locks, locks, and more locks.
To see our current voyage path with Gary’s photos, click on this: G&P Voyage Map