Bob and Gail's Next Adventure: Day 100-101 - WOW!!! 100 days already! Hastings

So far we've done 6 locks each day except for our day with the engine excitement. Today is no different only these proved a little more challenging than the previous 12. The currents were stronger entering, sometimes leaving and sometimes inside! Learning from our experiences in the Erie Canal we knew to "power through" the entrance and then slow down. What we didn't know was this creates a current in the lock and we got caught in the back flow after we'd tied up to the cable and the cable pulled off in my hand! I managed to catch a different cable and we ascended the lock with no other problems. The day just needed a little excitement.

We started the day with three other boats planning to leave at the same time. We knew all 4 of us would not fit in the lock together so Magic and us decided to delay leaving Campbellford by about 15 minutes to give them a chance to clear the lock. Each lock has a "blue line" that you can tie up to signifying that you are ready to enter. The lock masters here do not monitor the radios as they do in the states. They do, however, call the next lock to let them know how many are coming through. By the time we arrived at the lock the first two boats were still waiting! Luckily the lock opened right then and they entered leaving the blue line open for both of us to tie up and wait our turn.

While we waited, I walked up and took pictures of the other boats going through. Jan has a comfortable (?) seat while she holds the cable with their boat hook.

Here we are waiting on "the blue line". You can just see the blue line painted on the concrete wall next to our boat.

Passing the time while we wait...

So much pretty scenery along the way...

Weeping Willows are popular

This tree didn't make it but left a beautiful legacy for a time.

Lots of interesting rock walls.

Of course, more pretty houses...

and more...

and some not so pretty but I wish I knew the story it could tell.

Each town has its own memorial to the wars. Very beautiful

And fisherman EVERYWHERE!!!!

We saw several of these docks that are lifted out of the water when not in use!

Each lock has a dam which is connected to a hydro plant. This one has its own beauty.

The rapids at the foot of this dam makes me very happy for the locks!

Each lock master's office is maintained by the lock masters themselves. They have a bit of competition but mostly they strive for some beauty as they spend 4 months of their lives here 9-10 hours a day. They are each quite lovely and have flowers and vegetables growing. This one has a boat full of flowers in the right corner of the picture.

We stayed overnight on the lock wall for two nights as Friday's weather forecast was for rain and thunderstorms. It POURED rain all night and all morning but the sun played peek-a-boo in the afternoon so we were able to get out and around town a bit then had cocktails (too wet for docktails) and out to dinner with some new and old friends.

We walked a few blocks to the public library (great wifi!) and saw evidence that it is not always warm here!

The swing bridge from the land side :)

Hastings has been named Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town

And has the only bridge in the province where it is legal to fish.

The heron want their share too!

Due to the weather there were not the usual number of fishermen out. The lock master said on good days there are easily 300 out on the walls and bridge. With the additional rain today he was worried they may have to close some locks down stream again. Here is a short clip of the water going over the dam.

We must have a few house pictures, mustn't we?

Loved this store - a little bit of everything - even ice cream that is not mentioned on their signs! Want a little worm with your coffee?

This is a convenience store - definitely convenient to get your fishing supplies, license and have your dry cleaning done while you're out on the water!