Loop Dreams

Loop Dreams

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Ottawa


June 26, Ottawa Staircase Locks

 In order to make it in time to do Ottawa Staircase Locks we left at 6:15AM.  Ken fought the current leaving Hawkesbury, it kept us pen to wall while he tried to pull away.  We cruised 60 miles up the Ottawa River.  The Ottawa River portion of the Loop is 97 statute miles long and runs south east from Ottawa to the lock at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.  The scenery was gorgeous, and we admired the beautiful cottages, farms and churches along the way.  On the north shore we came across Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, reportedly the largest log structure in the world.  The Log Chateau was built in 1930 and enlarged over the years.

Rain was forecasted, but it turned out to be a fantastic day to travel.  We arrived at the 8 staircase locks and they just started to lock a boat down.  We waited for 1 ½ hour tied to the blue line before they were ready for us.

We locked with another boat and the sightseers were asking us questions.  This is one of the top attractions in Ottawa.  The lockmasters were helpful and we successfully completed another goal. 

We took a spot on the city wall and there was an electric plug, but no power.  We were told that they hope to have the power on in 24 hours. 

Ottawa is the Capital of Canada and we are looking forward to visiting the city.
Our first venture will be the Changing of the Guards at the Parliament Building.


Le Chateau Montebello reportedly the largest log structure in the world.


An 18 wheeler on a ferry crossing!
 








Eight Stair Case Locks, the beginning of the Rideau Canal!





Col. By watching over the Rideau Canal,  his engineering marvel!


June 25, Hawkesbury


June 25, Hawkesbury

Last night we discovered that the restaurant, Dundees, offers free Wi Fi.  So we moved the boat to the other side of the wall this morning.  Wow, we were connected back to the world for a few hours.  Our Canadian AT&T plan is so expensive.  It just makes sense to take advantage of any free Wi Fi service when we have a chance.

We did a quick grocery run which was only a few blocks away.  Ken’s sister, Diane and his brother-in-law, Larry, will be arriving Friday.

We bade farewell to St. Anne de Bellevue, a beautiful stop, and headed to St. Anne’s lock just in front of us.  With 50% chance of rain we entered  Baie De Saint-Placide which is part of the Ottawa River and it started raining. 

We were in the rain for about two hours and kept watching a huge storm west of us.  We turned to approach the Carillon Lock which is 65 feet high and the rain stopped. 

The Carillon Lock was impressive.  It was built between 1960 and 1963 and we were amazed while we watch the lock door shut like a guillotine.  We were locking up 65 feet and the water filled the chamber quickly.  We were the only boat in the lock.

We turned into Hawkesbury and the channel was not marked.  Ken approached slowly and we tied up to the wall as we fought the current.  Unfortunately, the town was a few miles away and it started raining, so we enjoyed pork chops and a movie on the boat.



 

 

June 24, St. Anne-de-Bellevue


June 24, St. Anne-de Bellevue

Our goal was to leave early in the morning so we could be one of the first to lock through Saint Lambert Lock.  We were only traveling 23 actual miles but with all of the crooks and turns we cruised over 42 miles to St. Anne de Bellevue. While we were entering the South Canal we enjoyed the skyline of Montreal.

The two locks that we went through did not honor the Canadian Lock pass that we purchased for this trip. There was a $30 charge for each lock.   We arrived at the lock and tied up at the courtesy dock and went up to the cage to purchase a ticket.  Called the lockmaster from the cage, and he informed us that we will not be able to enter the lock until 11:30AM.  A three hour wait.  By the time we locked through there were 10 other boats in the lock and this was the first time they had us raft up to boats. The lock masters were directing everyone in French…we just followed the group. The next lock was Saint Catherine with a 32 ft. wall.  The lockmasters threw lines from above the wall and you secured it to a cleat.  Both of these locks were intimidating with the tall walls.

Lac Ste Luis was choppy and had tons of boaters, we followed the charts because there were so many shallow areas on that lake.  We were entertained by a number of kite boarders on the lake.  Looks like fun!!!  Monday was a Canadian holiday and this was the most boat traffic we have experienced in Canada.

We arrived at St. Anne de Bellevue and tied up to the city wall.  There was a festival all along the town promenade and once secured it was time to find a nice cafĂ© and relax! 

Montreal Skyline







Kite Boarding looks like fun!  There were dozens of them on the water!
 We approached the old lock walls filled with boat traffic and a swift current as we traveled to Saint-Anne-de Bellevue.
 Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue promenade with a festival in full swing.

Nice way to end an evening of boating!
 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013


June 22, Saint Lawrence River

Time to leave Marina de’ Chambly and head up the Richelieu River.  After listening to all of the warnings about the bridge at Point Beloeil, Ken approached it with care.  It was a very narrow entrance and the swift current was pushing us around until Ken powered through.  We had plenty of deep water, but we hit something!!!  What lurks under the waters???  Neither one of us saw anything. Loop Dreams seems to be OK.

 We approached the lock with a floating dock at St. Ours where we were going to stop there for the day, but Ken decided to cruise on.   We entered the Saint Lawrence River and turned south, heading home!  After 87 miles of cruising we turned off the Saint Lawrence and went down a creek that was full of boaters.  It looked like party cove back home!
 

La Grande Ile proved to be a quiet anchorage even though we had about 30 other boats anchored there.  We were treated to a fantastic fire work display an early celebration for Saint John the Baptist which is a holiday for the Canadians.

Marina de' Chambly


Point Beloeil Bridge



St. Lawrence River



Anchorage for the evening.




 







 
 
 

June 21, Montreal Airport

We got up at 5AM so our friends could catch an early flight out of Montreal.  After dropping them off it was time to get provisions for our next leg of the trip.  We had to wait until 8AM for the grocery store to open, so we had a leisurely breakfast at Tim Horton's.

Prices of groceries are higher in Canada…everything is pricier in Canada.  We don’t even want to discuss the tax rate here.

Our friends brought us some beautiful weather and the morning they left it started raining.   It rained all day.  Ken returned the car and walked home in the rain while I put up the groceries.  The marina offers free laundry, so we took advantage of that.  Now with company gone it is time to get back into our routine of working out.  Ugh!

June 20, Plains of Abraham


 June 20, Plains of Abraham, Battlefields Park

We enjoyed our bed and breakfast offered a hearty meal and we took off to walk the Plains of Abraham and climb the old historic wall.  Battlefields Park was created in 1908.  Once the site of clashes between the British and French armies of Wolfe and Montcalm (1759) and then Murray and Levis (1760), the Plains of Abraham are now recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious urban parks in the world, a celebration of recreational activity, culture and history.   In addition to its commemorative plaques, monuments and scattered artillery across hectares of woodlands and gardens this park also provides breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River.

After climbing up one of the gates to the old city we headed back to the hotel to pack and grab the car.   All of us could have stayed a few more days to take in the awesome sights of Quebec.   

Our next treat was a quick drive to Montmorency Falls.  The falls were spectacular and the most impressive waterfall of 272 foot high is 99 feet higher than Niagara Falls.  You could tour the falls by cable car or climbing the panoramic stairs.  Climbing a portion of the 487 steps we enjoyed the beauty that surrounded us.

 Ile-d’Orleans is located just across the bridge form Montmorency Falls.  We drove around the island and enjoyed our lunch at one of the cafes offering a beautiful view of the countryside.  The smallest parish on the island, founded in 1870, is known to the islanders at the “Bout de-I’ile” (tip of the island).  General Wolfe established his headquarters at this strategic location in 1759.   At Saint-Laurent we stopped to buy fresh strawberries.  This village was founded in 1679 and is known for its naval background.  Around 1830, close to the twenty longboat builders and some family run shipyards operated in the area.  This island happens to be the furthest north we will be going on our loop.
It was time to call it a day and drive back to Chambly.  The guys took turns driving.
Quebec was magical!