Integrity Cruise

Day 78: Chambly Canal Lock 8 to St. Ours Lock, Quebec

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Day 78: Saturday, July 2nd: The day dawned cool, clear and breezy but we decided to go for it. We started into Lock 8 as the day's lockmaster was waiting (they rotate locks, it seems):

At about Lock 6 they start to "stair-step". Note how close together they look. That's because the upper gate of one lock is the lower gate of the higher lock; in one and out the other. Busy, busy, busy!

The last three locks drop a long way and then into the "Chambly Bassin". Sort of like a small lake:

Entering Lock 2 Ruth noticed remains of last night's storm. This tree had blown down into the lock. We never learned if any boats were hurt:

The Lock mistress at the last three stair-step locks was all business. At the last lock we noticed a marina that seemed to cater to small boats. We soon learned most marinas in the Richelieu River & Chambly Canal cater to small boats because that's what is here. Very few long-range cruisers like us:

As we left the Chambly Canal, Fort Chambly appeared on the right bank. This fort was also built in the early 1800's as a result of the threat and politics of the War of 1812. This fort has been "restored" and offers tours. We opted to skip it:

This lonesome mountain is Mont Saint-Hillaire. It dominated the horizon for miles:

We have been enjoying 2-3 knot current in our favor in the Richelieu River but finally come to a very challenging place where it is not fun. This bridge has one narrow, swift place about 20 feet wide where boats can go under. Unfortunately, much of the river goes through with us! One of the most risky spots we have been in!

This buoy may give you an idea of the swift current:

Mount Saint-Hillaire was still with us:

Each village along the way in this part of Quebec has a silver-colored church with a very impressive steeple. We guessed they were Catholic churches, but could be wrong. Nonetheless, Ruth captured some pictures of the more ornate ones:

And she got this one between the peaks of Mount St.-Hillaire:

We noticed a few seaplanes along the way, providing quick transportation back to Montreal for the seasonal occupants of the cottages; very typical of Canada. However, this guy seemed to have too many toys:

The nearby church:

We never see clouds like these in the States. We call them "Muskoka clouds" because we see them in the Muskoka region of Ontario when we take vacations there. There is a slight gray outline under and around the clouds and they seem to float in the blue sky and move very little. Beautiful!

Oh, Boy! A two-fer!:

And another! This one is the only one that wasn't silver!

As we approached the dam at the Saint Ours Canal (one lock - very short), we were greeted by a no-nonsense sign:

The Saint Ours (pronounced "son-tours" as best we could tell) lock has a floating dock just below it where boats tie up and enjoy the nearby park. People are very friendly and we were engaged in conversation constantly. They couldn't believe we brought the boat all the way from Georgia!

This is what the St. Ours Canal and Lock really looks like (picture taken of an information placard in the park at the lock):

Up close to the dam the water flow is scary and noisy. This flow is what made the current that allowed us to make over eight knots of speed today:

We had decided to spend the night tied up to the dock at the St. Ours lock. Once the lock closed about 8:00 pm we had the place to ourselves. It was very pleasant - the end of a nearly perfect day of weather and scenery!

Position tonight: N45 57.964 W073 11.432

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