The Unexpected

 The Unexpected

Bright and early our Quebec neighbors started lining up for the lock – when five or six of them got there an hour before the lock opened, we opted to hang back and wait for the second opening.  This caused us to miss out on a spot for the night at our intended destination, but the kind lock master at Kilmarnock Island Lock agreed to let us stay on his blue line so we could leave early in the morning hoping for better luck then. A short note about the Blue Line - this is the designated area to stop so the lock tenders know the boat intends to pass through the lock.  It is normally not allowed to stop on the blue unless the lock has closed for the day – but the lock keepers are good about communicating with each other. So, when we told him we wanted to go to Merrickville, he told us it was already full! Now mind you, we had only gone about 7 miles – albeit five locks – when we stopped at 12:15. 

But at this quiet, relaxing place we were rewarded with new friends as well as old.  We stopped with Bridget and Jacob with whom we had traveled from Smiths Falls. It turns out they had been admiring our boat having passed us on their trip up river and again on this they return.  We gladly gave them the tour and gathered tips for our stops ahead on the Rideau, Ottawa and even Montreal.  They have been boaters for more than 20 years in both sail and power boats so a wealth of information was generously shared by Bridget who speaks perfect English and translated for Jacob – who did not need translations when he visited the engine room. (The men speak the language of mechanics!) A little later in the afternoon the lockmaster came and moved our boats to fit in one more boater who could not be accommodated at Merrickville.  We were happy to meet Lucy and Bill who spend their winters in Florida and summers in the Ottawa River/canals area on their trailer-able boat. This couple were truly inspiring – Bill disclosed that he has being going south for the winter since 1959 – before he retired – which he did at 58 – more than 25 years ago. The nimble way he hoped on and off the boat belied his 80+ years – we can only hope to be as agile and active when we cross that milestone AND still boating. Again, they shared ideas and suggestions for our future travels and stories of their boating experiences in Florida as well.  While the scenery and sites have been outstanding, it is once again the people that make this life so rewarding. 

The Kilmarnock Lock has a swing bridge that is powered by the lock tenders – they – well Mary the college student summer worker – pushes it around. I wanted pictures so the next boat through they called me to get ready – and lo the boat approaching was Limelight – friends we met in Carrabelle, FL back the first week of our loop in 2013. Due to the delays and breaks in their trip, they are just heading down the final weeks to their home in Wisconsin. As Anita said, it was one time when the locking through was too short – the Kilmarnock lock is only a 2 foot lift – the shortest on the whole Rideau! We did chat and catch up for a few minutes and wish them a safe onward journey.   Since they were just coming up where we will be heading next, it would have been nice to share notes longer but it is always nice to see a familiar face…. often in the most unexpected places.