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| The Chambly Canal locks are operated manually. |
The 74 mile long Richelieu River, which lies mostly in Canada, connects the north end of Lake Champlain to the Saint Lawrence. So, in rapid succession this morning we enter the Richelieu, cross the border, and check into Canada. The standard questions are asked: where are you from; where are you going; how long will you be in Canada; and, the ever popular, how much booze do you have aboard? Expecting this last question Bicki hands the inspector a piece of paper containing Nellie's extensive grog inventory. He studies it briefly, nods, hands it back and says, "Welcome to Canada." On multiple levels this makes Nellie's crew very happy.
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| Nellie goes over 7000 hours on the Hobbs meter. Let's see, if the oil is changed every 200 hours, that's a lot of oil changes... |
Quebec's construction worker's holiday started yesterday. We've been warned that during the next two weeks it will feel like everyone in Quebec is a construction worker, owns a boat, and plans to spend every moment in the water. To say that the waterways are chock-a-block with revelers is an understatement.
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| The Chambly's 10 locks are tiny. There's barely enough room for two Nellie-sized boats. |
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| 36 slow miles between Rouses Point, NY and Chambly, Quebec |
In many sections the canal parallels the river. From the canal's safety we can see the river's rapids, rocks and whitewater. We need no more proof that the $240 annual canal pass is a bargin. On the slowest part of the Erie Canal the speed limit is 10 mph. On the entire Chambly it's 5.5 mph. Canal cruising fits Nellie and her laid back crew perfectly. Safely tired to a very crowded Lock 3 wall in Chambly, Quebec. DBH
