Lockage and navigation

Nana has decided that a little blurb is necessary to explain how all these lock systems operate. The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is open as a 202 km-long navigational waterway for boaters and paddlers. During Parks Canada ‘s operating season from Mid May to Mid October, trained lockmasters and staff open the locks daily to visitors for lockage and navigation. We are very grateful for their tireless energy and their consistent politeness. They are all wearing the Parks Canada attire of green shirt with khaki pants and are a welcome sight as you pull up to the blue line dock. This lets them know that you are ready to pass. They then communicate with the next lock and things generally run very smoothly. Each boat, kayak etc that passes through must have a seasons pass or day pass. 

Now this morning Nana and Nandad did not review the days agenda so imagine our surprise as we approached the Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge with a 10 foot clearance! Thank goodness Nandad was going slowly and had blown the horn so the bridge opened just in time. This part of the canal is very narrow, shallow and dirty.

At lock 17 which is about 0.5 miles from the bridge the Tip-to-Tip trail runs the length of the rapids. This is a two mile trail that was created by the construction of the canal and seems like it would be an interesting trail.

Much of our journey today was cruising past beautiful rich farms. Nana couldn’t resist taking a picture of the horse farm. There was also a very large cattle farm however Nana was on the helm for that one! 

As NH gets closer to Ottawa it seems like the houses, gardens , and structures are more elaborate. A few more sea planes were spotted, a very fun boathouse with all the fun lake toys and some beautiful gardens.

And of course the traditional runabout. Tomorrow NH should make it to Ottawa where Nana and Nandad will experience the By Flight of Locks. Well you may wonder what that might be so Nana will leave you in suspense. She will give you a hint - it is called the Ottawa Staircase or Giants Staircase.