Sunday, July 8, 2012                       

73°56.394’ W

45°19.536’ N

At anchor near Melocheville, Ontario, Canada

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GRANDDAUGHTER ERIKA!

I was up early to make coffee and get ready to dive on Stan’s boat to assess any damage the boat may have sustained when he touched bottom. Stan had all of the gear needed to make the dive so it went quickly. The damage found will need repairing but nothing that won’t wait until the end of the boating season! That’s good news to report!

Once out from under his boat and a quick shower, we were under way again. This stretch of the river with all of the shipping and locks to pass can take up to two days and on rare occasions longer to reach Montreal! Luck was with us and we arrived at one lock as the ship was leaving and other locks as the gates were opening! With every thing going our way and enjoying beautiful weather we pushed ahead until exiting the 4^th and last lock prior to entering the Ottawa River!

The locks on the St. Lawrence are either US or Canadian, and who ever controls it charges a fee to use it. The Canadians charge $25 and the US charge $30 to pass through. We decided to not stay in Montreal but commute from a short distance away saving both the time and expense of four lock fees!

Once clear of the last lock called Upper Beauharnois Lock, Stan anchored his boat close to a spillway before I rafted off of his boat. An hour later, Colleen prepared a great spaghetti dinner that was enjoyed by all before everyone called it a day and started talking about needing some sleep!

Tomorrow we will do a short cruise to Lachine, Quebec where we will probably stay a few days!