Day 28

We left the Casino in Gatineau and started toward Kingston. Six hours later we had gone 5 miles. We waited in Ottawa to get into the Rideau Canal. The wait was 3 1/2 hours in bright sun temperature 95f and humidity 90. So, we got permission from the lockmaster to go for lunch downtown, which was just a short walk away. We were joined by our new boater friends, Tim and Pat. The long wait was caused by the nature of theses first locks. They are called the staircase. Eight locks, each opening into the next lock, four boats in the lock at a time. All trying really hard to not bump anyone else. Tim's boat is 42 feet 35,000#, single screw with no thrusters. He did an amazingly good job of it.  Once locked through into the canal we went though a tunnel under downtown Ottowa. From there the canal winds all through Ottowa and is surrounded by parks and beautiful buildings. Just wonderful.  In winter, when it is frozen it becomes the world's largest skating rink and connects Ottawa to Dow's Lake. On the way to Dow's Lake we had to wait quite a long time for one of the bridges to open for us.
     At Dow's we had a much needed shower and had a fabulous evening with Pat and  Tim.  Now it is morning and we will continue on to Kingston while the Cass's will stay and tour Ottawa.

All is well on board Lydia. Hoping to get to Kingston by the first of Sept. Anyone wanting individual pictures let me know by e mail or phone messenger.

Love to All.