Leg 1 - Montreal to Montebello

8/3/23

Montreal to Montebello 

4 locks and 82 miles

We spent our second night in Longueuil on the other side of Montreal at Port de plasiance Real Bouvier de Longueuil.  I wish I could be more gushing on the beauty of St. Lawrence Seaway - St. Lambert lock,  hmmmmmm that's a tough one. It's more of a place to get the job done! We arrived early as we do and I'm never happy to get up and get going, however this time I am happy to be one of the first at the wall ready to go, Captain Walt reminds me. 

This is where we wait.

 Looks a little wonky to all be in different directions and yet it all worked out....

  c’est la vie.

The St. Lambert lock is a GIANT commercial lock. We made a reservation through Great Lake Seaway  very easy and seemed to work because we showed up and they knew we were on a paid passage - all good!

The St. Lawrence Seaway is heavy with commercial traffic. Getting comfortable with big cargo-tankers is a must. Captain Walt and I navigated these big guys on San Francisco Bay, not sure I am ever completely comfortable with their size but you can be comfortable being uncomfortable until you or they pass!

Commercial locks, I am putting on the real deal PFD! PFDs are actually required in the commercial locks and not when you are in the Canadian Parks Lock System. 

Walt's got the PFD and we have one for Milo but he's a renegade and broke free to see the action! We have found it best to tether Milo inside the boat while we are docking and locking, less distraction for us and safer for him. He gets a treat ever time, he's started to figure out it not so bad to be on the tether.  The locking staff drop lines you loop around a cleat and manage with the lift of the water by pulling and letting out the line. Its best to try and keep the fenders off the lock wall, as best as possible. The lock walls are murky but its better to have a dirty fender than scratches  on the boat!

Quickly following the St. Lambert lock is the second, St. Catherine Lock. Equally as intimidating even though we just went through one. These walls are HIGH. 

Once we go through the St. Catherine lock we were on the Ottawa River. Next lock sweet St. Anne Bellevue. An adorable town we should have made a longer stop for. Lively waterside restaurants and cafes, the lock attendants said it was a "party town"!

Then the madness of the guillotine lock at Carillon. Our last lock of the day! We were amazed by the lock and guillotine gate, which enable the lock to navigate a 65 feet rise and fall. 

Our final destination for the night.. Chateau Montebello

All our best from the vessel COAST , Captain Walt and crew Aimee and Milo