Aug 4,5,6 days 24,25 26

Well we are back under way again. Drove to Ottawa on Wednesday and picked up the impeller
I rebuilt the water pump and reinstalled it, it took longer than we thought as it was close to the front and port bulk heads, the old body does not bend as good as it use too. By the time I got it installed and checkout, for leaks etc. it was getting late. We decided to stay one more night in the marina and get an early start. It turned out to be a great decision just as we were having a refreshing beverage after a long day the sky turned black and down it came, thunder, lightening and heavy rain. On the 5th we were sitting at the fuel dock at 8am taking on fuel $4.08 per gallon, filling the water tank and getting pumped out. We were finally under way after 5 days at 9am. The day was beautiful both weather wise and scenery wise. We traveled 24.6 miles and got to Merrickville at 3pm going thru 7 locks and 2 swing bridges. We tied to the locks basin wall and relaxed for a while. Went up into town which had small shops and a couple glass blowing shops, nice but they all close at 5 and we got there at 4:45, oh well got some groceries and went to the beer store, only place you can get beer. Had a great night it was cool and great for sleeping. August 6th got up had breakfast and were under way at 9am, was tough getting under way as the wind was blowing strong and forcing us against the concrete wall. We are getting pretty good with the wind so off we went. The farther we went the narrower the canal got and the windier it got. After getting blown around in 5 locks and 2 swing bridges we decided to call it a day at 1pm and took a spot on the wall at Smith Falls. Real nice place, we walked up to Wal- Mart and I purchased the jumper pack that I should have brought but did not listen to Lin's advice a few months ago. What would we need that for I said and she said never know. Well I know now.
Tomorrow we will get out early and hope for fair winds so we can put some miles under our hull. Hope to be in Kingston Ontario in a few days and then start up the 250 mile Trent-Severn waterway to lake Huron.

Lin & Rich
Smith Falls, Ontario