Pictured is this morning's traffic jam on Merrickville lock's blue line. Gotta love it when three boats constitute a traffic jam ;-) While waiting for the 10am lock opening, a passerby by the name of Vicki (no relation:-) asked if we know of a Lord Nelson Victory Tug named Moby. Do we! Moby was Peggy Hall's patrol boat when she was the Warderick Wells, Exumas, park ranger back in the mid 1980's. Vicki said that she and Peggy were friends. This is the second time in a week that we've been approached by someone knowing the owner of one of Nellie's sister ships.
Derek and Bicki are seeing something novel, the upper pool level is so high it's flowing over the top of the lock. If the water was much higher they'd have to close the Canal.
By the time we get to Burritt's Rapids Nellie is once again all alone in the lock.
Our nature guide points out the abundant flora and fauna along the 2km long Burritt's Rapids trail. It was nice to get a walk in just after lunch.
This evening's anchorage is a scant 12 miles south of Ottawa. We're pointing south into a less than 1 mph current. That's not too much to be worrisome but enough to keep us steady. As there's a waterfall about a mile downstream, tonight the anchor drag alarm will be set.
The homes along the Canal are getting grander. The cottages--that's what they call vacation homes in these parts--are giving way to mini mansions. The architectural styles and building materials used are changing too. The Second Empire homes common in Belleville and Kingston, have been replaced with more modern shapes. Limestone block has yielded to brick, wood and large sheets of glass. In general the homes have a very good appearance and are well kept.
It was 32 miles from Merrickville to our anchorage in Long Reach (just south of Long Island Locks 14, 15 and 16). 189 miles into 2019 and 8426 miles since leaving Naples. DBH
