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One Hundred and Thirty Nine Miles at Three-Point-Seven Miles per Hour
We
begin at the beginning with Tab Miller’s account of the Cruise up the Rideau
that preceded the festivities at Ottawa. By
Tab Miller The
adventure began Saturday, September 20th in Clayton with registration at
ACBS Headquarters. Next door, the Antique Boat Museum provided dockage for
the participants’ boats and a delicious “kick-off” dinner. On
Sunday there was more than the usual confusion associated with the
schlepping of cars and trailers to the drivers who would see they arrived
safely at their destination. But we managed, then returned by bus to Clayton
where a brunch was awaiting us at the Museum. Soon afterwards, we departed
for Kingston following the Museum’s Zipper and her Captains Siegenthaler and
Ames. That evening we toured Fort Henry, built by the British during the War
of 1812 to keep Americans out of Canada, but is now an attraction designed
to welcome them. Dinner was enjoyed in the ambiance of the Fort after the
tour, as well as what our itinerary called “frivolities”. Our journey started early Monday morning. Most boats began at the beginning – in Kingston. One quite slow boat was launched a bit up-stream in an effort to arrive at Jones Falls in time to enjoy what was advertised as a box lunch, but what turned out to be more than one usually thinks of as a “box lunch.” It certainly was much more than a ham and cheese sandwich and an apple!
Rideau Photo Gallery Click for larger images
Let me explain, now, that all the boats weren’t really boats.
What I initially thought was a 1960 Chevrolet Corvair turned out to be
George Darnell’s Amphicar bobbing its way upstream and then down, always
staying ahead of the pack by judiciously exiting and entering the Canal when
it served his purposes. George was never late for cocktails. The
hand operated locks on the Rideau serve as an “equalizer” when it comes to
speed. Much like the hare, the faster boats would dash out of one lock
headed for the next with only the prospect of a long wait for the turtle to
come putt-putting around the bend to find his spot awaiting him in the open
lock. On
Monday evening accommodations were at Chaffey’s Locks, Newboro, and Westport
thereby separating the flotilla by more than twelve miles; dinner was in
Westport. A bus transported folks from and to their hotels and to The Cove
restaurant where we enjoyed dinner and an unforgettable recounting of the
town’s history. There
was a threat of rain each day, but, save a five-minute sprinkle, we stayed
dry. Many believe that good fortune was attributable to the fact that there
were those among us who would don their foul weather gear at the mere hint
of inclement conditions. Early
Tuesday morning we set off for brunch at David Burns and Joanne Warren’s
Cottage – a delightful spot on Big Rideau Lake. Again the locks enabled all
boats to arrive at about the same time. And then it was off to Merrickville,
although some folks stayed in Smith Falls and were transported by bus to the
Baldachin Hotel where, once again, we enjoyed cocktails and a fine dinner
followed by a talk about the history of the Canal. On
Wednesday we were off to Ottawa. A long lockless stretch enabled the fast
boats – the lion’s share of the fleet – to open their throttles.
Nonetheless, when we arrived at Long Island Locks for a fine picnic lunch
including luscious Canadian oysters, the slow launches, for reasons I cannot
explain, were not far behind. The
last leg of the journey was a transition from rural to urban as we
approached and then entered Ottawa and Dow’s Lake where the Second Annual
Antique and Classic Boat Show would be held that weekend.
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Romp on the Rideau-
Organizing
an ACBS cruise is a bit like loading a wheelbarrow with puppies or herding
cats. It’s a task few of us would want. Coordinating busses and trucks;
arranging lunches and dinners; dealing with lockmasters and the likes of
ACBS members are surely onerous chores. David Burns and Joanne Warren did it
and pleased almost all the participants almost all the time. Oh, there were
a few glitches I’m told, but I didn’t notice. I suspect they just added to
the adventure. Thanks David and thanks Joanne for all your efforts.