Journal Entries

Ready for day 4 of paddling, the midway point of our trip and highest point of the Rideau Canal. It’s all downhill from here.

(For the record the locks eliminate the “hill” aspect of waterway travel. But from here to Ottawa we’ll be moving down the locks, not up.)

View of the lockstation at Newboro station evening and through the night. The whol place was lit up. Not cool when you’re sleeping in a tent!

I used a buff as a cover for my eyes and when I closed my eyes I couldn’t tell, but psychologically sleeping in this much light was unsettling.

Darker sites are possible to find farther away from the lock, in case you decide to camp here. We just didn’t want to lug all our stuff across the lock after setting up.

Third day paddling, 4th night camping, we arrive at the height of land. Up till this point we’ve been climbing through the locks. Now we’ll be descending. The navigation channel distance from Jones Falls to here is 18.2 km but with our diversions around islands and more scenic paddling we probably did close to 24 km.

Left Jones Falls at 9:45, locked through 2 stations, had an outing at Chaffeys Lock, and arrived at Newboro just after 4pm.

A good day of paddling.

I’ve been paddling in stern the whole trip, so far it’s a good position for me as I like to control the direction we’re going (ha!), I’m also the keeper of the map, plus @toesalad provides more of the power in the bow and I can take it easier in the back when the conditions are pleasant. When I need/want to take it easy I only need to steer not provide a lot of forward propulsion.

It’s a configuration that’s working for us for now.

Chaffeys Lock #37 is a picturesque place.

After locking through we docked here briefly and walked to the marina for an ice cream.

September isn’t too late for a summer vacation.

I loved Opinicon lake. And the water was never rough and the wind mostly at our backs.

And sections of very clear water.

Davis Lock #38

Apparently we lucked out this year with Covid (go figure!)

There’s usually a lot more boat traffic this time of year and bigger boats in the locks.

Americans own a lot of property up here and also travel up on their boats. But travel restrictions have prevented that. These 4 boat rentals are the most boats we’ve seen at one time at a lock station.

After they come out it’s our turn to go in.

Today’s paddle was especially lovely through Sand Land, Davis Lock, Opinicon Lake, Chaffeys Lock, Indian Lake, Clear Lake, & Newboro Lake into Newboro Lock.

My favorite part so far is the narrow channels coming out of the locks. Also, love all the islands and rocky outcroppings and rock walls into the water are my favorite.

The shorelines are beautiful and we have seen innumerable herons. Other wildlife: turtles sunning themselves on rocks, bald eagles, falcons (or some raptor like them), loons, gulls and other lake birds.

I now completely understand the appeal of cottage country.

Another day on the water.

Portaging at Jones Falls.