Week 11 & 12, Aug 18-31

Our travels through the Rideau Canal, between Kingston and Ottawa. Was built from 1826-1832. It is about 80 years older than the Trent-Severn Canal system we traveled earlier this summer. The Rideau was built for military purposes that would allow for the movement of troops and supplies from eastern Canada to western Canada, bypassing the St. Lawrence River. Tensions were still high following the war of 1812 with the USA.

This bridge just opened letting us enter the Canal system at Kingston.

This is the first flight lock at Kingston Mills. It is a flight of three locks, a turning basin, and a fourth lock.

This is the second set of locks with a single lane swinging bridge.

A single lane swing bridge, typical of all the swing bridges on the system.

We spent our first night on the Rideau at this hotel, the Hotel Kenney, located at the bottom of the Jones Falls flight locks. We were tied up at the dock in front of the boat in the picture.

Looking down the three flight locks toward the hotel.

We spent the second night at Len's Cove in Portland.

Arriving at Smiths Falls, the largest town between Kingston and Ottawa on the Rideau Canal. There are locks at either end of town with a large pool in the middle. We spent 4 days docked at this pool.

From the first lock to the pool there is a concrete-lined canal with RVers on one side.

This is the Railroad Museum.

Stayed in the pool at Smiths Falls, at Victoria Park.

Met Wayne and Sue at Smiths Falls. They were originally from Ottawa but make their home in Sarasota, Florida. This is their first boat that they purchased this spring to spend their summers close to their families. When leaving Smiths Falls, Wayne helped push off the wall and ended up tippy toed between the boat and the wall. He fell in but saved his hearing aids.

Smiths Falls was the home of Hershey's Chocolate, Canada. They closed about a year ago and while we were there, they had an auction of all their equipment.

Located directly behind the boat, this wading pool was a hit with the kids at Victoria Park. It was emptied each night and filled in the morning.

This is the old abandoned flight lock at Smiths Falls. It was a flight of three locks that was replaced with a single lock.

Smiths Falls.

This is our third stop, at Merrickville. This is a beautiful little community with absolutely beautiful old brick homes.

Ruins of Smiths Falls industries.

Downtown Merrickville

This house was dated 1826.

Waiting to lock through leaving Merrickville.

The next overnight stay was at Burritts Falls. Took pictures of these wooden boats that traveled through here. This is a Chris Craft, 1940 vintage.

This boat was custom-built about 1934.

This is a 65' custom-built boat from 1926. It has been in a family from Sorel, Quebec all these years and was traveling through here with the owner, his captain and crew. Sorel is near Montreal and is the entrance to the canal system that will take us to Lake Champlain.

Arriving in Ottawa.