We called the next lock that is just an hour from Ottawa and they informed us there was a barge "stuck" in the lock due to fog and another waiting so it would be about 1 1/2-2
hour wait. We waited for a 1/2 hour before leaving Ottawa and arrived right on time to lock through :) Seascape had spent the past 3 days at the marina near town but it was 5 miles from us so we never saw them. They
caught up with us at the lock and we locked through together - only two boats in this big lock! No rafting today!
The lock from a distance
Entering the lock - Seascape in front of us.
Behind us - see the gate WAY back there?
This area is very rural and the water is low. So different than the high water we experienced in the Erie Canal and Canada.
Kind of eerie before all the morning mist burned off
The sides here are high and dry
The beautiful rock formation at Starved Rock Lock and Dam
We don't know how some of these trees stay standing!
We saw some different bridges
This one appears to be floating as both ends are hidden in the trees.
Lots more barges along the way. This one is the longest we've seen yet - 5 long and 3 wide. 15 total!
Turns out he was pulled up to the shore for a rest. Amazing how he can 1. PUSH the barges onto the bank and 2. PULL them back off again!
This house shows how high the water can get sometimes. At Ottawa, one of the locals pointed out how high the water has been there - the docks we were on were about 10 feet under
water!
At our anchorage for the night we were secluded behind a small island. No one around us but the birds, frogs, and fish!
Caught this eagle in flight! Hard to do.
The frogs sang us to sleep. So peaceful!
When we pulled into the anchorage, the carp began to dance around us. We had been warned that they do not like the engines and become agitated. They never jumped clear out
of the water, but the water fairly boiled around us for a while. I think they must be related to the dolphins on the ICW because as soon as I pulled out the camera, they disappeared. The next morning when
we started the engines, I should have had the camera ready because they REALLY jumped out of the water! One even hit the side of our boat. Of course, the camera settled them right down but at the end of the video
you can see one half-hearted attempt at a jump.
We spent the night in Peoria at a free dock with power again! What a nice gift from the towns that want us to visit. It was interesting to try and dock though, as much of
the dock had no cleats! The description says to dock using "creative tieing!" We did find one spot that had cleats where our boat would fit. Most of the slips were for smaller boats. Fellow
Loopers "Heaven to Betsy" were already docked at the only other slip that was big enough and had cleats. We were with them in Big Chute, Canada and it was great to see them again. When we were settled,
we called Gold Loopers whom we met in Grand Haven, and are from Peoria. They came and all the ladies went shopping at Walmart. The guys just hung out. We had a nice dinner out and visited for a while before
calling it a night.
A lovely cruise boat docked near us in the afternoon. It looks like a stern wheeler but the wheel and front ramps are only for looks, but boy is she a looker!
Instead of the frogs singing for us, we had to listen to the cars going over the bridge. We missed our peaceful anchorage! Heaven to Betsy had a scary night after they saw
this snake climbing the ladder next to their boat.
Docked at Peoria Free dock 8/31/17
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