AUGUST 8, 2007...Jones Falls

Hot and sunny again...people are claiming this is the warmest summer on record. We have a closet full of warm clothes that we have never had on.

While we were eating breakfast, I decide to start the generator and check it out. Good thing we did, since the impeller failed and had to be replaced. We have been running it on and off when we couldn't get 50 amp power and wanted to run the air conditioner. I have a spare impeller supplied by Sima before we left home...one problem...it's the wrong one. Len's Cove didn't think they had one, but the service mechanic hunted through the parts dept. and found one. It looks a little old, so will probably replace when we get home.

We finnally got on the water around 11:00pm and the boat is running fine, except the port engine is using about 8% more fuel then the starboard at the same rpms. I don't think the props are totally balanced, but should be okay until we can get home.

Again we spent the day in the prettier part of the Rideau and wish we had more time to explore the many islands and anchorages. The area is a lot like the North Channel with clean water, and many coves with deep water. The prop repair set us back 2 or 3 days that we had planned to spend here.

We got to Jones and 4 locks with a bottle neck of boats. We waited for about 1.5 hours to get locked down. There was no overnight tie up space available at the locks, so once we were through we tied up at Shangri La. Don't let the name fool you...it was about on par with Bobby's Fish Camp. 30amp power, run down docks, dirty restrooms, fish camp...but a neat resturant. The resturant for the most part served the lodge guests. The highlight of our stay was the friendly Golden which had his own pond that was full of toys. We ran the generator...new impeller working find...but turned it off for the evening. Canadians are not big on the noise; and will let you know. We also ran into a Ray, a retired Canadian,who went to Port Clinton to train on how to install boat canvas. I think it was Northwest Canvas shop.

Dinner on the boat, some cards and still watching NYC channels on our Direct TV.

Post note from first mate.

We are finding the Canadian marinas a lot more rustic than the U.S. ones. On the other hand, the Canadians have all been most cooperative and friendly.

The trip is getting long and the locks are not a lot of fun. We have seen way more locks than this first mate cares to encounter in a trip for a long, long, time. Will be home soon and I am sooooo looking forward to my king size bed and not having to check the waste level everytime I use the bathroom. Thank goodness for all the company we have had. It has been great!!