August 6 – Downtown Ottawa
45°25′26″ N 75°41′34″ W

This morning we were up early so we could leave Black Rapids as soon as the locks started operating. Our early rising also provided some time for non-boating activities (for some of us).

Our goal was to get downtown as quickly as possible to secure a nice spot on the docks with electricity.

Barb & Catherine took the rental car & Bruce & I took Santosha. I was hoping that if we got downtown soon enough that we could get a nice spot to tie up for two days.

Photo above: the Chateau Laurier Hotel off in the distance at the “end” of the canal.

Lady Luck was on our side as we were fortunate enough to get the very same spot we had a week earlier when Bruce & Barb first joined us.

Bruce & I had just finished tying up on the dock & Angela, John & Levi appeared. They were just walking across the bridge above & spotted the boat. What perfect timing!

Shortly after Angela & family left to meet her cousin Scott & his family, Catherine & Barb & (Barb & Bruce’s daughter) Jenny arrived at the boat & we had a light lunch.

Shortly afterwards we said our goodbyes. Bruce & Barb’s cruise on Santosha has come to an end & they are now off to Kingston to visit other family members for a few days. Tomorrow Angela & John & Levi begin their cruise with me.

Today is “Civic Holiday Monday” here in Ontario & in several other provinces. Locally the holiday is referred to as “Colonel By Day” in honour of Lt. Colonel John By, the man responsible for the construction of the entire 200 kilometer long canal back in the early 1800’s.

My cousin Evan sent me a link to a fantastic article about Colonel By that was published in today’s edition of the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. Here’s the link:
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/as-time-goes-by-on-this-colonel-by-day-a-small-gift-to-the-man-behind-the-rideau-canal

(Photo above copied from Wikipedia)

Well worth the read! I am going to have a very special G&T tonight in honour of the Colonel.

Cheers!

August 5 – Long Island to Black Rapids
45°19′17″ N 75°41′56″ W

The temperature this morning was very pleasant – compared to the day before – but there was a severe heat warning in the weather forecast for Ottawa. I was keen to secure a dock space with electricity so I could run the air conditioner. We got lucky & scooped up the last open spot at Black Rapids Lockstation. A few minutes later the Kawartha Voyager came into the lock on her way back to Kingston.

Our journey to Black Rapids took less than an hour so we were tied up at the dock by 9:30am. We were wondering what to do for the rest of the day to avoid the heat that was building up. Barb & Bruce decided to rent a car & go into the city to visit with their daughter. Catherine & I decided to take in the exhibits at the National Art Gallery. It would be a great place to spend the day away from the heat.

Photo above: view of the Parliament Buildings from the art gallery.

The gallery building is very attractive modern architecture that compliments its surroundings.

Photo above: the atrium inside the gallery

I also like the art gallery it because it has lots of nice pictures of boats 🙂

Photo above: painting of Halifax Harbour.

Photo below: another painting of another boat somewhere in France (I think).

We also looked at lots of paintings of other stuff by other people. But seriously, the National Art Gallery is truly a treasure for Canada & you could easily spend 2-3 days enjoying all it has to offer. It’s absolutely a must-see stop on a visit to Ottawa.

Later in the afternoon we met up with Bruce & Barb & their daughter Jenny & went out for dinner.

By the time we got back to Santosha the worst of the heat for the day had passed & we enjoyed a comfortable sleep (thanks to the air conditioner’s hard work).

Tomorrow (Monday) we will move Santosha to the docks in downtown Ottawa & get ready for my daughter Angela, husband John & grandson Levi to join me for the trip to Montreal via the Ottawa River.

Cheers!