Leg 1 - Into Canada and the Chambly Canal

 8/2/23 

Rouses Point via Chambly Canal to Chambly, Quebec
9 Locks over 12 Miles 

An early start was our plan. We had no idea how much time it would take us to pass Canadian customs. The customs office is a short distance from Gaines Marina in Rouses Point, NY under the bridge on the west shore heading north. There was one boat on the dock just leaving. Our timing was perfect. I stayed on the boat with Milo while Walt completed our customs paperwork. We were easily cleared, a surprisingly quick process. At this time we also changed our bow pennant to a Canadian flag, it is courtesy to fly the flag of the country's waterway you travel.

Prior to leaving Gaines Marina, Walt met owners Jack and Bonnie on Southern Belle with Capitan Bob. A beautiful Tiara 43. We decided to travel together, which was fantastic since we needed to do 9 locks. It is helpful to be with the same neighbor boat as long as possible, allowing for some trust to develop and eventually setting a good rhythm to navigating the locks (as long as its a favorable neighbor boat :). With Southern Belle's destination of Quebec City we were able to travel the entire Chambly Canal together. 

The first time entering a lock is intimidating no matter how many videos you watch and believe me I watched a ton of videos!

SUCCESS at my first lock! Thankfully the Chambly Canal locks are small and the Canadian Parks lock attendants are friendly and helpful. They literally walked me through every detail and stood right next to me at the bow as we went through. I believe my pink Barbie gloves were entertaining for them or at least that's what they told me! Gloves are recommended, in some locks you use your own lines and in other locks you use the lock lines. With no guarantee on how clean the lock lines are, gloves were my choice for sure!  

A huge shout out for the Canadian Park lock attendants. Most of the them are students, teachers and other seasonal workers. As friendly and helpful as they are, they are also very knowlegable about all the locks in their system and usually history buffs. The Chambly Canal is a Canadian National Historic Site. The canal opened in 1843 and was a busy commercial waterway until the 1970s, a critical trade route between Canada and the US and goods coming from Europe into North America.

  

There is nothing fast about locking. Some move faster than others, all move pretty slow. Often we were able to jump off and take Milo for a walk! 

Bonjour Chambly, Quebec!

 Chambly is an adorable, lively waterside village at lock 1 of the Chambly Canal, opening up into the Richelieu. My beloved Grand-Mere, Raymonde was from Chambly. I have many fond memories of visiting my mother's extended Canadian family usually over the summer and often in Chambly. 

Chambly has a beautiful and well organized walking / biking path running along the waterside. 

Milo was happy to enjoy the kiddy path to the water!

How about running into old friends in Chambly? Andrew, as a young college student at Clarkson worked for Walt at the marina in the summer. Loved seeing him with Mom and Dad!

Brian and Chris - loved seeing them and their families ! And if you need anything fixed on the boat - you need to know Chris :)

Really fun lodging option at Chambly Marina, one was this very cool house boat - so very hipster and come on.....named Walter - is there anything cooler than that?????

After a long day there really isn't anything better than a walk with Milo. He is the grounding for our day, slows us down and reminds us we can take our time. 

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