July 12, 2007 – Thursday
Underway at 06:30 to catch the 07:00 lift of the causeway bridge and into the Rideau Waterway. There were no other boats moving at that hour and as we proceeded on the first 5-6 miles it was like a religious experience. Sun rising into the bluest of skies, calm water, cool air and except for the low smooth purr of the Cummins diesel, silence. The broad river gave way to narrow and then very narrow stretches of creek. The shores were rocky and high at places, with pine trees and at some bends, it created a sight picture that made you feel like you were coming to the end of a gorge. At 08:00 we finally came to the dock at the entrance to the set of four locks at Kingston Mills where we tied up and walked up the steps to buy the Parks Canada permits needed. We beat the lockmaster to work by 30 minutes so we took some pics and returned to the boat for breakfast. Polly buttered and pan-toasted some thick slices of raisin bread and we made more coffee. A local retiree, 85 year old Len, came by and chatted with us as we had our AM picnic.