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!