27.6 miles, 11 hours, 8 locks, 327 foot descent, 2 very tired people…and 1 fluff who is just happy to be included 😄.

Well this one was quite a long day of travel. Though we didn’t have a great distance to go, it was slow going. Max speed was 6 knots. We entered the canal at 7:30 am. The first part was actually pretty special. For many years I’ve gone to Long Beach along Lake Erie in Canada with two of my best friends, Joy and Lindsey. It was always exciting when we reached Port Colborne along rout 3 because we knew we were close. When we came to a certain bridge sometimes we would have to wait for it because it had been raised to let a boat through….Only once we started really planning our route for this trip did I realize where I would be going. It was pretty cool to be one of the boats crossing under. Apologies to anyone who got held up on our behalf this time, especially if they were going to the beach 🏖️.

After that the first lock we came to we just floated through. I didn’t even notice anything happened lol. The rest of the locks however were much more involved. We followed behind the largest boat of our group, the Nevermore, who had been through the canal before. I was very glad to just play follow the leader. The Nevermore would tie up to the lock wall and we would then tie to them, and just be a long for the ride down. They definitely did most of the work, having to run lines as we descended in the locks. They were also kind enough to take pictures of us as we traveled through the canal.

It was pretty incredible to witness the chance from inside the lock. And the great height difference at the end. I don’t think I’ve been through a lock on a boat since an Elementary School field trip to the Lockport locks.

Going through the canal everyone had to wear a life jacket.

We were passed by a few tankers going the opposite direction. I was quite impressed at their being able to fit!

After having to play the waiting game a few times, we FINALLY made it through all 8 locks.

The currant in some spots was pretty strong and we had to line ourselves up with the Nevermore just right to tie up, but going through the lock itself was pretty smooth. Though going down that makes sense. I’ll get back to you when we have to go up in the locks 🫣. We tied up just passed lock 1 at the pleasure craft dock where you wait for your turn to go through the canal. Non commercial vessels are only allowed to go each way on certain days. Don fired up the grill, cooked up some hot dogs, and we are hunkered down for the night. Crossing Lake Ontario to Toronto tomorrow. ✌️🌚😴