Burritts Rapids, ON to Smiths Falls, ON

Miles Traveled 18.3

Total Miles Traveled 5082

Day 299

We passed through 8 locks today, and waited for one bridge to open, the last two locks we were by ourselves, but the first 6 were full.

It amazes us how people of all ages just mill around the locks, walking along the walls and crossing the gates when boats are being lifted or lowered in the lock.  This lady is pushing a little one in a stroller across the lock gate while we are being lifted.

We stopped after our sixth lock today to visit Merrickville, ON and eat our lunch.  After lunch, we visited a few shops and a grocery.  One shop had a really cool horse made entirely of driftwood; the head was carved out of a tree stump.  I imagined a local guy walking the Rideau River picking up all of the pieces and sorting through piles of driftwood to build his masterpiece.  The owner of the shop told us it was made in Taiwan.

This is the Merrickville blockhouse built in 1832, one of four blockhouses constructed on the Rideau Canal.  The Rideau Canal was constructed by the British Government between 1826 and 1832 to provide an alternate supply route to Upper Canada in the event of another war with the United States.  The Blockhouse was originally designed to house up to 50 soldiers supplied with arms and ammunition. 

We are seeing more and more weeds and algae, the lock attendant told me they had a short spring and went right into summer and the warm clear water is making the vegetation thrive.

This is our approach to Lock #26 late this afternoon, and where we will be spending the night.