DAY 20 - UPPER BREWERS LOCKS

NEWBORO LOCK TO UPPER BREWERS LOCK

It is so hard to believe this is Day 20.  Now I’m thinking about all the things I need to do at home. I had to reschedule 2 car appointments and dread getting the mail, having to address the issues that seem to pile up when we’re away. Since it’s almost end of the season for us, I worry about having to unload the boat because most of the clothes and everything I have must go home, only to be repacked for our next 'adventure'. Not to mention the food that must be transported or disposed of. Stuff cleaned out. Linens cleaned and stored. 'Worry' is so productive - okay, not so much.  So proceeded to resolve everything by downloading a new book. Worry gone ... for now. Always hate to near the end of a good book so try to delay it. And always hate to start a new one - until I ‘get into it’.

Day started out at 45 degrees but got up to 66. Felt hot by the end.  Sunny. A lot of rentals passed us. Think it’s a great idea that the rentals are surrounded by rubber bumpers.  Scott K.(Bella Luna) said his grandfather was the Lockmaster at Poonamalie and the family lived in the lockhouse.  His family  lived my dream. Also passed the cruise ship Kwartha.  The bow lifts up vertically to fit in the lock. The radar and upper cover for the deck go down to fit under bridges.
We completed 7 locks today.

SAW MANY RENTAL BOATS WITH RUBBER BUMPERS ALL AROUND

THE KWARTHA

HYBRID BOAT

TED HAS 4 PAGES OF TRAVEL & LOCK INFO

OLD WORLD. OLD WORLD. OLD WORLD.   This is my favorite part of the Rideau. What a wonderful cruise through these ‘days of old’.  Trees, rock, water and sky – love it!  Much like 1000 Islands - but different. My parents stayed at the Opinicon with my Aunt & Uncle - a beautiful old resort - with a special little house for ice-cream. We are told it is well-kept today by a young couple who have lovingly and authentically restored it.

PARTS OF THE RIDEAU ARE ON OPEN WATERS AND .......

PARTS ARE ON VERY NARROW CHANNELS

AFTER THE LOCK OPENED, A KAYAKER WHO WAS FISHING CAME IN!

THE OPINICON

Anyone recall the day we took a walk near Brown's Marina when someone else got a ride from Bambi and Justine?

YES, I COULD LIVE HERE

WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED AS THIS SWING BRIDGE WENT OVER MY HEAD

We passed Kenney’s and Shangri-La. Wonderful memories but sadly, Kenney’s is no more – although the lockhands tell us it may be up and running next year under new management.  Miss that wonderful gentleman and owner Joe Kenney . He had that ‘big registrar’ that turned 180 degrees so you could sign in. Long story about our relationship with him but he was truly a gentle man. Shangri-La is still a resort with docking but no longer has a restaurant

LOOKING DOWN THE 3 LOCKS AT JONES FALLS

KENNEY'S AT THE BOTTOM OF THE JONES FALLS LOCKS

SHANGRI-LA

In keeping with honest blogging, must say I did get a ‘boat bite’ today. Fell 4 steps hurrying into the salon from the aft. Landed hard on left hip and hand. Ted left the bridge when he heard me fall – although I shouted out one of those “I’m okay … I’m okay.”  Glad everything is moving and really is okay ... only bruises. No, honestly, Ted did NOT push me ... yet.

Great docktail hour with the other 3 boats on the waiting dock for tomorrow’s lock. Richard & Diane with boat dog Max (Next Chapter), Lee & Jan with their robot dog Max (Two the Limit),  and Peter, Debra with boat dog Macy and 2 cats Christmas & Gordy  (Smile and Wave). Two boats are from Canada and one  from the states. A lot of boat stories. Lee & Jan had the first pleasure craft enter the area after Katrina.

MAX & MACY (robot Max not available; was being recharged)

Tomorrow, Kingston.