AUGUST 13-17 STILL ON THE RIDEAU CANAL

August 13-14:  Westport:  We traveled the huge distance of 8 miles today from Portland to Westport which has a more substantial downtown.

The Duddon Pilot at the town dock in Westport.

Ice cream shops and bakeries...what more could we want!

August 15:  Davis Lock:  Another few locks and we arrived at Davis Lock which is our overnight destination.  This stop is reputed to be so quiet that city folk will not be able to sleep there.  The lock walls were packed with other boats so it was far from quiet!

August 16:  We were in the second group to lock down when we had a scary experience.  As we entered the lock to tie, the shift gear on the bridge broke.  The Captain was unable to steer the boat.  Fortunately, we were going at idle speed.  By using the bow thruster, the Captain was able to get the boat close enough to the lock wall so that we could secure the boat.  After we informed the lock staff of our situation, they assured us that they could get us out of the lock without us having to use the engine.  So we were pulled out of the lock by means of a long line and tied up to the dock below the lock.

Captain Peter sprang into action and dismantled the bridge shift gear with only minimal assistance from the Admiral.  We discovered that the metal pin that attaches the shift cable to the gear mechanism was broken.  Fortunately, there was enough of the pin left to reattach it to the shift gear.  After this hectic exercise, the Captain was comfortable enough that he could engage the gears and drive the boat.  Albeit nervously, we were on our way again.

We had made a reservation for the night at the Kenney Hotel dock at Jones Falls but first we had to get there and that meant negotiating four more locks including the three stair locks at Jones Falls.  Safe to say that we made it without further incident but we were relieved to arrive there in one piece.

Here is a boat coming down the first of the three stair locks.

And finally down to the last one.  The total drop is 45 feet.

The Hotel Kenney is a lovely old hotel.  Very laid back but with an elegant charm.  We had dinner there with   fellow Loopers Ken and Ann from Charis who docked in just before us.

View of the Kenney Hotel from the top of the dam.

August 17:  With Charis in the lead we left Jones Falls and headed to Lower Brewers Lock which will be our last stop before Kingston and the end of the Rideau Canal.

Charis heading through the Brass Point swing bridge.  At a vertical clearance of 4 feet, we definitely have to wait for an opening.

Charis entering the last of the larger lakes that link the Rideau Canal.

The course narrows down considerably as we approach our last lock of the day.

The Duddon Pilot on station as we wait to tie up at Brewers Lock for the night.  We shared cocktails with Ann and Ken before turning in for the night.