Finishing the Rideau Canal to Ottawa!!!

 

Our journey continues, slowly but steadily!  The weather feels much more like summer now, with warmer temperatures and more humidity (but still cooler than Virginia!).   Overall, we are having a delightful Tour de Canada so far - the people have been so friendly and welcoming.  It was great to be here for Canada Day on July 1, which is similar to July 4th in the US; it was wonderful to see all of the Canadian spirit and pride and to take part in the celebrations!

Since our last post, we have made several stops at quaint cities along the Rideau Canal.  Poonamalie Lock was serene and gorgeous; Smith's Falls provided us with another Walmart restock; and the wonderful town of (believe it or not) MERRICKVILLE, Ontario was a hoot.  Another night was spent in Long Island, then we made it to beautiful capital city of Ottawa.  Ottawa is quite the metropolis, especially compared to all of the small towns we've been visiting.  The canal/river runs right through the middle of downtown, and boats are able to tie up along the canal walls in the heart of the city.  Busy and exciting place, with so much to see and do; the 90 deg F heat made it somewhat less fun to walk/bike around but a fantastic stop for sure!!!!

We even were interviewed for the local Ottawa news shortly after we arrived!  The segment with us is at the end of the second news story on 7-3-23.  They were reporting on how people spent the Canada Day weekend and how visitors (like us) were still coming into the city.  Here is a link to watch us in action:

MARK AND SHERYL ON THE OTTAWA NEWS!!

While all of the locks (all 49 of them!) have been incredibly scenic and memorable, they definitely make traveling less efficient.  After we leave Ottawa, we will have been raised - and then lowered - a combined total of 273 feet each direction (wow!!!).  When we head out from Ottawa, we will go down a series of 8 consecutive locks (nicknamed the "Giant's Steps") into the Ottawa River, where we will head towards Montreal, Quebec.  

Time to brush up on my French LOL - au revoir, mes amis!!!!!


Taking a scenic walk near one of the more rural locks where we tied up

Poonamalie was a beautiful and rustic place to spend the night!



Picture taken in Smith's Falls while going over a bridge on our way to Walmart.  Oceanus is in the approximate center of the picture, tied up to the city wall.


We were ridiculously excited to arrive in Merrickville!!!!

Sunset in Merrickville

Bustling downtown Merrickville


The Merrickville Ruins (not sure what it used to be)

Getting in the spirit of Canada Day

Canada Day celebrations - complete with a small town parade!


Back on the canal!




Heading into Ottawa






So much to see and do!!!












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