By's-Way


When Canada celebrated the grand opening of the Rideau Canal in 1832, Colonel John By (an Englishman who spent 6 years as architect of the Rideau locks, dams and resulting waterway between Ottowa and Kingston, Ontario) had no idea political moves were being made back in his home country that would ruin his career.  As we slowly weave our way through the narrow channels, vast lakes, and manually-operated locks of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, we think about how Colonel By would be so proud of this monumental accomplishment.  The Rideau Canal is the oldest canal in North American to remain operational with most of its original structures intact.

Velsignet is currently on the Upper Rideau Lake, the highest point in the canal (meaning, from here on out traveling north, we’ll be descending instead of ascending through locks).  We’re in communication with Norm and Lori Low and family in Perth, still trying to figure out schedules and possibilities for getting together.  





We got off the Saint Lawrence Seaway/Lake Ontario at Kingston, Ontario.  Kingston is a happening town, especially during these summer months.  We hope to stop here on our way back down the Rideau.

Too tall to pass under the causeway, Velsignet signaled the Bridge Tender with its horn our desire to pass through. 
The signal?  Three long and one short toots!
Once this lift bridge let us through, we were officially on the Rideau Canal.

The lock tenders (most are college kids working the summer season) are hands-on allocating who goes in first, helping to tie up, etc.  While in the lock, we've enjoyed visiting with the other boaters.  Many are from Quebec on holiday.
Interestingly, the college lock tenders shared that they get paid for 40 hours per week and--because they actually work 60 hours per week--paychecks are issued until late in the year.


Each lock is manually operated; lock tenders crank the doors open and crank the doors shut.  They are fun to visit with and look like they have fun working together.

The lock doors are wooden and fit together perfectly for holding back and containing water outside and in the locks.
It's truly amazing how this old technology works so well.

Before and after the locks are walls for boats to tie up to as we wait to enter the locks or dock for the night.
Our seasonal passes allow us to tie up and go through the locks.  If we wish to hook up to electricity, that's extra.

This is the outside of the lock.  Notice to the left the blue painted line along the dock.  By tying up along the blue line, we signal to the lock tenders that we intend to lock through.  Prior to the blue lined dock is undesignated unpainted dockage where boats can tie up for the afternoon or stay the night.  Our seasonal lock and mooring pass allow us to do this; otherwise we would pay each night to stay here and pay each time we entered a lock.

The Rideau Canal is managed for 6 feet in depth and in areas like this, there is a max speed limit of 10 kilometers per hour (roughly around 5.3 mph).

While waiting to enter the Jones Locks (stairsteps of 4 locks), a thunderstorm rolled through.  It's amazing how quickly wind can arise and sheets of rain can pour down!  After 30 minutes, the event ended and the sun came out!

We traveled through several locks with these folks:  Linda and Kendrick Lutes and their son, Craig (a professional musiciaion--flute/piccolo).  Last night we tied up to the Chaffey Lock and enjoyed dinner at the newly opened Opicon Restaurant.

The Opicon Restaurant and Resort was purchased, restored, improved and expanded by a 30-something young woman (she and her husband sold their shares in Shopify=$0,000,000s!) who grew up in the area.

Besides enjoying a fine restaurant with indoor or outdoor seating, guests can appreciate the multiple flower gardens, cabins for rent, golf course, ice cream shop, bar and grill.

This the front desk at the Opicon...all renovated and spiffy!  We were told the employees LOVE their young employer and enjoy working here.

Back in the locks.  The lock tenders squeezed us with 5-6 other boats.  In the back behind us was a pontoon with a mother and 3 young, talkative energetic boys...after visiting with her, we learned she is the OWNER of the Opicon!!

This is Craig Lutes holding onto a neighboring boat in the lock so the two don't touch.  When there's so many in the lock like this, it takes cooperation from everyone to ensure we come out without blemishes!


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