The Chambly Canal and Trois Rivieres

7/21/13. (Sunday)
Cool, crisp Canadian air finally arrived today.  We entered the Chambly canal system of 9 locks, each of which is very narrow and short sometimes accommodating only two boats our size.

  Day break and Adagio were staggered in the locks with Daybreak tying to port and Adagio tying to the starboard side of the locks.  Each lock is hand operated by two (young) employees who hand crank all gates and valves.

 The lock personnel also personally hand you lines to attach loosely to your vessel while descending.

We had an audience at each lock.  Observers asked us questions, and offered us a welcome to Quebec.

 The bike trail runs along the entire canal, and there were hundreds of people walking, biking, running, and enjoying the day.

 

waiting for the bridge to open

After passing through the last lock, we entered a lake area filled with Sunday boaters pulling thrill-seekers on boogie boards and tubes.  Dealing with all of these boats (and their wakes) was a shock after the quiet ride through the canal.
The St. Ours Lock was about to close, but we made it through on the last opening and tied up to the lock wall for the night.  There was a lovely picnic area just above us where we were able to exercise Duke before turning in for the night.  The lock wall tie-ups are considered "free", but we paid a hefty fee for a canal pass and moorings. In order to break even, we need to tie up to lock walls at least 10 times to break even on the moorings pass.

7/22/13
Our intention was to depart at 0500 in order to take advantage of the tides on the St. Lawrence, but fog kept us on the wall until 0700.  After 11 miles, we entered the St. Lawrence River and headed northeast.  Our destination of Trois  Rivieres Marina was midway to Quebec City. As we entered the harbor to the marina, Ron and I switched jobs.  I almost always dock the boat and he handles the lines and fenders.  This time, I went up to get the fenders, but after attaching them and pulling into the slip, I saw that one of our fenders was missing.  It was way back in the marina entry.  A very kind  Canadian boater hopped in his dinghy, retrieved the fender and delivered it to our boat.  He then offered his services in case we needed anything.  Thank you Maurice!

Kenny's sister, Sharon and her children Skylar and Shelby visited tonight on their return from Prince Edward Island where Shelby had attended Veterinary Camp.  We feasted on lobster that Sharon brought from P.E.I.  Great food/great company.

 

Tomorrow our trip to Quebec City will have significant tides.  QC is behind a lock wall because of the 14foot tidal variation.

7/23/13
Weather predictions today have kept us in port.  There is a wind warning, although right now it is calm.
We rode our bikes to town (about 20 minutes away), went to the post office, and walked around town.  We found a creamerie, and while sitting outside enjoying our ice cream, a family began talking to us (grandfather, grandmother, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter).  They were on holiday and here for a horserace.

The four of us had dinner again on the deck fo Daybreak..

Cute little tug boat on the dock at Trois Rivieres

7/24/13
Another wind warning today, so Kenny and Ron rode in to town to visit the Borealis Museum (process of making paper).  They also visited the Ursaline Convent and school.  Their next site was a tour of St. James Anglican Church.  There, they learned that the outstretched wings of a pelican symbolizes Christ on the cross.  They had lunch at Planet Poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds).  Ron's been talking about this food for 30 years (since his bike tour of Quebec). 

Maurice invited us to join a group of boaters who were ordering chicken dinners for $5.50 per person.  It came with a grilled chicken breast, poutine, and coleslaw.  Maurice and his wife Renee speak fluent English.  She is a retired ski instructor and he is a retired Air Canada pilot.

  After dinner, there was a presentation by the Canadian Coast Guard on safety requirements. 

Maurice translated for us.  We so wish we could speak French.  Everyone is so friendly and most know some English.