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Day 111 and 112. August 5-6. On to Black Rapids. 26.8 nm. Total. 2203. Then on to Ottawa

 When the locks opened the staff helped us move our boat from our tight spot and we locked through Burritts Rapids lock # 17, dropping down 9 feet.





We have 25 miles of lock free river to cruise through today.  The Rideau River becomes more winding with a mixture of homes and farmland - mostly farmland along the shore.







The further north we travel past the small towns of Becketts Landing and Kara and then cruise past Long Island.  In this section of the river, there are more homes on the shore and the farms tend to be further inland.  There are several boat ramps and parks along the shore of Long Island- one at Maghey’s Bend even had a beach!  Lots of kids squealing and enjoying the river. On our trip today we had lots of boats keep us company- canoeist, fishing boats and an occasional power boat .  






A bit further north, the shores become lined with homes, some even with swimming pools.  We enjoyed the many willow trees and flower gardens along the way.








As we approach Long Island’s set of three locks #16,15,14 we must wait for the swing bridge to enter the system that drops us 25 feet.




Leaving Long Island locks we continued about five miles further watching older homes and farms along the way. It surprised us to also find new subdivisions being built quite a ways out of Ottawa.

We locked through Black Rapids lock #13, dropping 9 feet, then tied up for the night on the lower wall with the same two boats from Quebec!  Since Bill was getting shaggy, he got a hair cut!






Day. 112 August 6.  On to Ottawa.  7.8 Nm.  Total 2211

Leaving Black Rapids, we got a view of the dam falls.



As we travel closer to Ottawa, the shore is filled with larger homes and even some condos/apts.  after a turn in the river we get our first view of Ottawa.



Passing through Mooney’s Bay we find the bay filled with parks, a large beach area, and a boating complex with kayaks and crew boats.




We approached Hogs Back Lock# 12,11 and tied up to the blue line, disturbing a whole flock of seagulls in the process.  Here we waited for the swing bridge to open so we could enter to the lock and drop ten feet.  After this lock the canal channel leaves the Rideau River to travel through Ottawa.  The reason this channel was built was to go around the rapids in this section of the river.  




This lock was a little leaky!



About 1.5 miles down river we encounter  our last set of locks today, Hartwell Locks # 10,9, dropping us 14 feet. Before these locks and continuing on into the city, there are parks and bike trails all along the canal.  Lots of people were out walking and biking this Saturday morning.




We had to stop for the Pretoria bridge as it is only 10 feet above the water.  This unusual bridge lifts up on gears 15 feet so boats can go under it.  Not many bridges are lifted over the boats.




As we we continue, we pass lovely old homes and can see the Parliament Building in the distance.  There was plenty of room for us to tie up to the lock walls here right downtown, plus we have power for ten dollars a night.  Can’t beat that !!











We plan to spend three days in Ottawa sightseeing.  We started this afternoon by walking around the Parliament Complex which consists of the actual Parliament Building plus a House of Commons Building and a Senate Building. These are magnificent structures, so much detail that the photos do not do the buildings justice.







We also walked past the Canadian Mint building which is also exquisite.



Other buildings we saw are the Hotel Laurier



Tomb of the Unknown Soldier





Major Hill Park with its statue of Colonel By





Norte Dame Cathedral Basilica.  This church is beyond description.









The Canadian Revenue Building- like our IRS




National Gallery of Canada. We just walked outside this building and Bill was drawn to the huge spider sculpture in their entrance area.


 


Will enjoy our time in this city. Lots of parks and flowers and trails to explore.

Here are some night shots.









Ottawa even had fireworks for us.  What fun!!

More sightseeing to come!



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