Deja Vu Journey: Merrickville, July 17, 2014

And we are off to Merrickville. We have such fond memories of Merrickville. A few years back we had a weekend motorcycle weekend to Merrickville with Brian and Carolyn Handy. Stayed in a bed and breakfast. We had a great time with friends and we are hoping to repeat the experience with more friends. Only boating friends this time. Above is another picture of the locks on the Rideau Canal. The operating system using chains to open the doors is quite different from the Trent. Hope that it shows in the picture.

Symmetry making its way thru another narrow channel. Leading the way.
Linda Wilkens and I had made a trip to the grocery store, and Peter started some laundry and I finished it before we left Smith Falls. Bob and Linda Wilkens had gone on ahead to Merrickville.

They called back to us to say there was a time sensitive situation relative to getting a dock. The lockmaster was willing to work with us to get us some dock space, however there were two 38 foot boats coming from the other direction that also wanted dockage. It would have to go to whoever got there first. So Peter asked Jim if he could power up his Cat engines and see if he could make it there first. Jim was up for the challenge. Here he is as he passed us. And then he let her go. He was revving around 2500 to 2600. Peter's comment was "he is letting those Cats eat". Bob and Linda Wilkens would call back to us and report the progress of the other boats around them. The boat was in the second lock coming up. The entrance to the pond area for the docking was a little questionable so Linda gave very specific instructions so Jim wouldn't miss it.

And the weather was strange also. We had two or three huge, very dark rain clouds off in the distance. Around us on 3 sides. Looking very ominous. We sure were going to get wet at some point.

We got word back that Jim and Linda got into the dock just as the first 38 footer came thru the lock. Just in the nick of time. Phew.

And the second 38 footer came thru the lock just as we got tied alongside Jim and Linda. Well that worked well. Just another boating experience, again.

Oh and those huge, dark rain clouds. We got a few drops of rain as we were approaching to dock alongside Symmetry and that was it. Gone. Somebody was going to get an awful rain, but it wasn't us.

All that excitement, should be rewarded with ice cream for everyone. So uptown we go for our ice cream. They even had soy ice cream for Josh. And Leah decided on some chocolates. The men found some chairs to rest in while the ladies got in some "retail therapy."

Leah, Josh, Linda and Jim. Family Pic

No nearby lawn and picnic tables for our dinner gathering so Jim and Linda offered the aft deck of their boat. It worked perfectly. A deck box for a table and chairs for all. Linda W had made a delicious chicken tortellini soup with fresh bread.