August 17 – Smiths Falls
44°53′43″ N 76°1′22″ W

We got up early & continued on our journey to Smiths Falls.

Photo above: sunrise on the lock turning basin in Merrickville.

The group of charter boats was headed in the same direction & I wanted to get out in front of most of them so we wouldn’t have to wait too long at the remaining locks along the way. I also wanted to arrive in Smiths Falls by early afternoon because I had booked a rental car for the weekend & their office closed at 4:30 Friday afternoon & did not open again until Monday morning.

The weather was pretty much the same as the day before – scattered light showers.

A few of the boats that we travelled through the locks with were having trouble with their engine cooling systems. The weeds in the water were so thick that their cooling water intakes were plugging up as fast as they could clear them. I had been keeping a close eye on my engine as well but thankfully I have not had that problem yet (touch wood).

We arrived in Smiths Falls shortly after 1:00pm with plenty of time left to pick up the rental car.

No G&T upon arrival today – at least not until after we pick up the car & get it safely parked close to Santosha.

Cheers!

August 16 – Merrickville
44°54′58″ N 75°50′17″ W

Thursday we travelled from Long Island to Merrickville. It rained off & on through the day but not hard enough to force us off the flybridge & into the lower (enclosed) helm station.

At the Burritts Rapids Lock we caught up with a group of 7 LeBoat charters. It was a pretty busy scene as some of the skipoers were maneuvering there boats to raft up with others in their group.

At the next lock (Lower Nicholsons) we encountered a group of 26 kayakers on a trip from Kingston to Ottawa. There was a mixture of adults & teens in the group & they were participating in a fund-raising effort “Kayaking for Cancer”. They were camping each night at a Lockstation along the way & having a good time despite the rain. A determined bunch, for sure.

We arrived in Merrickville at 2:30pm & managed to secure one of the last available dock spots on the overnight wall. The rain had finally ended & the sun made an appearance.

The group of charter boats arrived shortly after we got Santosha tied up. Time for a relaxing drink & watch the world go by us.

Photo above: the LeBoat “fleet” arrives in Merrickville.

Cheers!