What a beautiful morning to arise to
sunshine on Sand Lake! Our spot in an eastern bay was filled with
several small, pine tree covered islands and one bare iisland that
seemed to be the prime spot for a multitude of seagulls. The call of
the loons and the lapping of the gentle wavelets against the hull was
enough to lull us both into a deep and sound sleep last night.
It was well after 8:00 am when we
finally arose, the sun having made its presence known some three
hours earlier. Water temperature in the lake was 77 degrees....
tropical! A morning swim with a bar of ivory soap made the task of
bathing a splendid thing. After a bit of bobbing we climbed back on
board to enjoy a breakfast of bacon and eggs and then to raise the
anchor and begin our day of motoring.
Sand Lake terminated at the northerly
end at Davis Lock. Through this lock and another lake to Chaffee
lock. Once through the lock, we were tempted to dock for a bit in
order to visit the small canal museum on site and take a mid-morning
break. A mill once stood where the canal is now but was destroyed
when the canal was created to connect the two lakes on this part of
the Rideau. Interestingly, iron was mined in this area near Sand
Lake and brought by barge to iron works in Ohio!
We were about to head back onto Eclipse
when we noted some folks enjoying ice cream. A quick inquiry and a
short walk brought us to the Opinicon Lodge (located on Opinicon
Lake, where ice cream was procured. Is there ever a poor choice of
time for an ice cream?
Back at Eclipse, we continued upon our
way, through additional lakes and another lock until we reached our
destination of Upper Rideau Lake. Here, we anchored at the foot of
the lake and moved the mast into position to raise it. It was at
this point that we realized when we looked back at our dinghy,
Partial Eclipse, that we didn't have the oars for her! Gary realized
in that moment that when he had moved the dinghy from the stern of
Eclipse to put her up, out of the water, and onto the bow of the
boat, he had not remembered to pickup the oars that had been placed
on the dock during the process!
We moved the mast back into motoring
position and returned to the previous lock. Here the lock attendant
was able to call the lock prior, where we had left the oars. The
attendant at that lock located the oars and gave them to a northbound
boater to deliver them to the lock we were at. An hour later and we
had our oars back in our possession. Back to Big Rideau lake and
hoist the sails!
The rest of the afternoon was spent
sailing Big Rideau Lake. A pleasant sail it was. Towards evening,
we ducked into a wooded cove and took an evening swim to cool off
(79 degree water!!!). Dinner was a seemingly endless supply of
Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches on Gary's homemade bread.
Another day well spent.
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| Boats and more boats pass us as they head up and down the Rideau Canal |
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| Waiting for a lift at Chafee's Lock on the Rideau |
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| A multitude of signs lead one through the maze of channels that connect the various lakes |
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