Week 13, Sept 2-8

This is Pete. We met him when we first arrived at Ottawa at Dow's Lake Marina. Hooked up with him again at Hull Marina in Gatineau, Quebec across the river from Ottawa. Pete operated his boat all by himself even through the locks by aid of a wireless remote bow and stern thruster system. Pete is a very personable fellow and provided us with a lot of good information about the area. Very much appreciated his hospitality.

Visited the Canadian Air Museum in Ottawa. This is a picture of the oldest existing plane to have flown in Canada.

Thought this amphibious tour bus was unique. It entered and exited the water right in front of our boat at Hull Marina.

Our second weekend in the Ottawa area was Labor Day weekend and they had a big hot air balloonfest. On this morning they happened to fly right over the boat.

We took a steam locomotive train ride from Gatineau to Wakefield, Quebec. It's about a 100 mile round trip tour. This picture is at Wakefield at the turntable. These two fellows are leaning on the timber used to hand push the turntable around.

The locomotive is being driven onto the turntable so it can be turned around and the train return back to Gatineau.

A view of Hull Marina.

Frank and Stephanie made our stay at Hull Marina enjoyable. Gatineau is in Quebec and Quebec is mostly French. Frank kept saying "Canada is across the river; this is Quebec."

Picture of Parliament Hill and the flight locks in the lower left side of picture. The picture is taken from the bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau which we rode our bikes across several times.

Statue of Samuel D. Champlain, an explorer.

Picture looking back at Hull Marina and Gatineau from Champlain statue.

Looking down the Ottawa River from Ottawa. This is the direction we headed when we left.

By boat from Ottawa to the heart of Montreal is about 100 miles. Forty-two miles from Ottawa, we stayed here at Montebello which is the largest log-constructed structure in North America. It was built over 100 years ago as a men's hunting lodge and is now a high-end family resort. It is a must stop.

Montebello Marina.

There are two sets of locks on the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Montreal. We are tied up at the first lock, Carillon.

This is a pretty good sized lock.

We had to wait for about an hour because of this tour boat which was heading toward Ottawa and had priority.

Leaving Carillon Lock. Next post will be arriving on the western edge of Montreal.

Week 13,Aug 31-Sept 1

Arrived on the south side of Ottawa, still in the Rideau Canal system. The canal opens up into a large pool that, at one time, was a large swamp. It's called Dow's Lake. Stayed here three days. This is a marina with party bars and restaurants. Kind of loud at night. Dow's Lake is surrounded by city parks. The city has probably a hundred of miles of bike trails that include a trail that runs along both sides of the canal.

Leaving Dow's Lake and heading north into the heart of the city.

The canal throughout the city is concrete lined seawall.

The canal winds through the city.

Tour boats travel up and down.

From Dow's Lake on the south side of the city to the end of the Rideau Canal at the Ottawa River is about 4-5 miles. At one point, it opens up into this wide stretch.

Had one bridge that I had to call to have it opened.

At this point, there is only about one mile to the end of the canal where there are eight flight locks to take you down to the Ottawa River.

There aren't very many marinas in Ottawa - at Dow's Lake, here on this wall to the right and the last place is down the flight locks, directly across the river at Hull Marina in Gatineau, Quebec. There might be a total of twenty transient slips. We stayed one night behind this last boat and there is no power available here. From this location, we were about three blocks from Parliament and the heart of the city.

Parked on the wall with Parliament tower in the background.

Here is a war memorial with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

These cars are traveling over the last bridge over the Rideau Canal. The flight locks down to the Ottawa River are down and to the left of this old hotel.

Parliament Hill, Center Block (built in 1859)

This is the East Block, located on the east side of Parliament Hill. There is also a West Block that is very similar to the East Block.

This is the Parliament Hill Library located on the back side of Center Block. We were not allowed to take pictures in here, but it was absolutely beautiful.

View inside Center Block, which houses House of Commons and Senate where most of the debate takes place. It is very hard to take pictures inside the building.

This is a picture of the Senate.

A view from the back side of Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River. Hull Marina is just on the other side of this bridge. Gatineau, Quebec is in the background.

Beautiful church

A view from Gatineau back to Parliament Hill.

Cliffs of Parliament Hill from one of the many bike trails.

Supreme Court Building

Kayaking course

The rest of these pictures are of us locking down the eight Ottawa Flight Locks which took about an hour and a half.

Leaving the Rideau Canal system heading directly across the Ottawa River for our stay at the Hull Marina.