Mile 154: Kanawake QC

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Glenn Walter to Kanawake Current Location: Kanawake Marina Mile:  154 Locate:  1) Ramble On, 2) Ramble On Locate:  1) Finnish Line 2.0, 2) Finnish Line 2.0

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Right now, we're waiting at the Cote Ste Catherine lock waiting for the Gaia Desgagnes.  Determining lock and bridge schedules during the off season has eluded us.   We figured we'd get a jump on the day and be ready at the first bridge at 9am (their pleasure craft opening time).   We ended up circling until the Gaia came down the channel, and we were able to squeak under the bridge ahead of the Gaia.   But now at the lock, they have priority and we wait.

In any case, our past two days coming from Glen Walter to Valleyfield to Kanawake Marine were uneventful.    Cool misty temperatures, sprinkled with warmer weather at times, with periods of full on rain.

Our passage through Lake St. Francis was straight forward.  We decided to cut a more direct route to Valleyfield instead of following the shipping channel.  ~20' deep for most of this.  We passed a Coast Guard cutter with a large collection of stealth black RIBs (they ended up joining us in the St. Catherines lock the next day).  Not sure what they were up to.

Freighter traffic seems pretty light, with a 2-3 ships passing us each day.

There was some activity on a small island to repair a nav aid.  The wood light house structure had a distinct lean to it.

Valleyfield Marina

Valleyfield Marine was a very tidy and clean operation.  The marine office had a fully stocked tuck shop.  

We did a small provisioning run to the local Metro.   On our return to the boat we crossed over the old (decommissioned) canal and into a full featured park that included swimming pool and play areas and lost of nicely manicured grass.

Ice boom

Departure the next morning again left us confused about bridge schedules.   It seems pretty clear from what is written that the bridge should open on demand at this time of year, but a call to the bridge operator told us otherwise.   We had to wait until the 11am scheduled opening.

Ice boom in the distance

Valleyfield bridge

Even when we got to the bridge on time they appeared to need a nudge on the radio to get it to open.

Waiting for the lock (napping!)

We passed through Beauharnois lock after a short rest at the pleasure craft dock. 

Lettie G Howard

That afternoon we arrived at the Kanawake Marina.   When Bob spoke to them, it wasn't clear whether we'd be able to stay on their dock.  Once we got there, it became clear why.  They were is the middle of assembling them!   One guy, sometimes two, worked with a front end loader to move the docks around on shore, bolt them together, and then with the loader, push them in a bit further.   In the end, they installed 100' of dock, but not without someone going for a unintended swim.

In the end, we were able to spend a quiet evening on the dock.

Tomorrow ... off to Montreal ...