O Canada

When I was 10 years old, my family took a canoeing vacation to Lake of the Woods on the Minnesota/Canadian border.  I have the fondest memories of that trip.  We were in pristine clear waters, canoeing from campsite to campsite, eating fresh fish, and most of all enjoying the time with family and friends on a great adventure.  My siblings will have their own memories of that trip, but the last 3 weeks in Canada along the Rideau River would bring those memories back to life.

The water and land are just spectacular.   The air is clear, and the stars are bright.  To think that you can take a boat from the ocean up 407 feet to these upper lakes, is part of the magic.   I hope Max and Leo will keep these fond memories for a lifetime as well.

Morton Bay off Sand Lake

Masters of their Universe

A Cottage on every rock along the Rideau

The Rideau was first built by the British to provide a safe passage from the Great Lakes to Montreal by bypassing the American forts along the St. Lawrence River.  We were ugly Americans back then trying to grab some of these beautiful waters for our own use. By the completion in the 1840's the tensions between the two countries had lessened, and the canal became a boater's paradise.   Small boaters I might add.   The locks are only 25-30 ft. wide, so Rock Chalk's 19 ft. beam pretty well fills them up.

All the locks are still opened by manual labor.  See the hand cranks

Leo tends his line in the lock as it fills.  

We had not met this nice couple beforehand.   While in the lock, they came up and the lady took Shelley's hand, and said, "You must be Shelley.  We have been reading your blog, and knew you were coming this way!  We're so excited to meet you all."  





Leo is on the bow, Max on the stern, and Shelley takes the middle cleat.   It is quite the team effort in the locks.  I just try to squeeze Rock Chalk through the narrow openings.








The weather gods cleared the skies for us....finally, and it has been wonderful in the days, cool at night, and the water is....not warm, but refreshing.

Leo loves to chase the fish

Max is checking the rudder and props to remove lake grass

We have done quite a bit of swimming.   Please note there will be no pics of Shelley or I in our swimsuits.











The boys love to dive off the boat and work on their technique.   Boppa would be so proud of Max and Leo as they dive from the highest point on the bow.    OK, one picture of Shelley as she shows them how to do it.

Watch it and Learn boys

This has been the highlight of Canada for us.   These waters are beautiful.   They are truly perfect for anchoring out and spending the day fishing, swimming, or whatever.....

I am a Lucky Guy