6/8/14 Newboro to Smiths Falls

Again, we had wonderful weather on the Rideau.  We made it in the lock at first opening at 0900, along with a small fishing boat.  One of the lockmasters said that we were this season’s first U.S. boat on the Rideau.  We arrived at Smiths Falls at 1330 after passing through 4 locks along the way. 

 Ron has a favorite Czech restaurant in this town, so we headed the few blocks from our tie up along the wall.  Closed Sunday and Monday!  So we found an Irish pub instead.  Our other goal in this town was to do laundry, so we trudged the few blocks toting our two laundry bags and soap along with some reading materials.  As soon as I loaded and started the washers, I began searching for my book, which I had dumped in with the laundry.  No dirty books for the Matuskas!  I was able to get it out before the water reached the pages.  After our grueling work at the laundromat, we were sure we deserved a treat, so we headed for the ice cream store. 

When we returned to the boat, we saw crowd standing and looking at the swim beach about 200 yards to the west of our boat.  There was a fire truck, and end loader, firefighters in the water and police on shore.  Apparently someone had driven a car into the water.  No victims of the incident were present, but a bystander said that a teenager had been taken away by the police.  Once they finally pulled the newer model Ford minivan out of the water, we could see several child’s toys floating.  We are not sure if the teen had stolen the car or if it belonged to his family.  Perhaps he was just a witness.  We will never know. 

Rain is predicted tonight and for the rest of the week.  Weather will determine our travel plans.  We hope to be in Ottawa by Tuesday or Wednesday.