The unimpressive border crossing.
Up with the quarantine flag.
Customs
On the way to inspect SeaGlide.
Our buddy boat - complete with Heidi and her chapeau.
We're official and flying the courtesy flag.
SeaGlide got clearance to be on Canadian waters until the end of August.
We were now in the Richeleau River and excited about being in Quebec. We passed Ft. Lenox and many residential areas along the water.
Ft. Lenox
We pulled into St. Jean, Quebec where we got to take part in an art exhibit. After talking to the bridge 2 operator, we decided to lock through and stay on the wall in the Chambly Canal. We enjoyed the downtown area and felt right at home in LaGaBierre, the town's only microbrewery specializing in a brew that tasted like pine. The French people here were extremely friendly and went out of their way to be helpful and welcome us. Downtown was very quaint and there was art everywhere - especially sculptures.
Art show at St. Jean, Quebec
Several hands-on areas inviting the public to participate.
Even had live music there.
On the wall at St. Jean.
Downtown St. Jean - very quaint...
Lots of art and sculpture around town.
Our friendly barkeep...
We were asked to stay on board our boats at one point as a film segment of a family bicycling was being filmed right next to us.
The next morning we were off in the Chambly Canal, which was a very narrow waterway running through farmland and townships. There were a lot of bridge openings and lock-throughs - most of which are still operated by hand by Parks Canada.
Hand cranking the locks.
The Chambly Canal is very narrow - especially at bridge crossings.
Parks Canada does a wonderful job of operating the locks and there is a park at every lock that draws families and spectators. We went through flights of several locks at a time and entered the St. Ours Canal where we stayed at the lock wall in St. Ours. Along the trip we noticed how manicured most residential lawns are with extensive floral gardens.
A flight of locks.
Lock wall at St. Ours with another great park.
Another interesting site are the many church steeples along the way. Most are silver or green patina in color and very ornate - so different from any we have back home.
There are also cable driven ferrys that you have to be sure to watch out for. Before crossing behind them you have to wait for the cable to sink back down to avoid prop damage.
Cable Ferry
We pulled out of St. Ours anxious about entering the St. Lawrence Seaway. We imagined tugs, container ships, and swift currents. And as we entered the seaway our expectations were met...
To put size in perspective, here's our 60 ft. buddy boat
rounding the corner next to a container ship.
However, no vessels were underway until we actually got into Montreal; so, we enjoyed a beautiful day on the seaway.
We stayed at the Montreal Yacht Club in the heart of Old Town Montreal. The approach was exciting as we were going against a 5 knot current.
Once we hit land in Montreal we were so impressed with the city - its people, culture, architecture, and history.
Rent a bike here - drop it off there - great program!
Top of church overlooking Clock Tower Basin.
Old Town Montreal - cobblestone streets, cafes, art galleries, and shops gallore.
Our first night in town we ran into several couples that we had met along the Great Loop - Blewgrass, Drakes Dream, and Happy Ours along with Barefoot'n.
We stayed for 4 days seeing all the sights and dining in wonderful cafes.
SeaGlide in Clock Tower Basin.
In the 1800s ships would come in here bringing in new immigrants and supplies.
The Clock Tower built in 1900s.
Park by Clock Tower Basin overlooking Montreal.
A wonderful French breakfast.
Town Hall
Plantings in front of Town Hall.
Inside Notre Dam Basilica
The organ at Notre Dame.
The chapel inside Notre Dame.
The outside of Notre Dame.
The city was full of beautiful buildings,
interesting people,
and great shopping.
Not to mention historical buildings
and a bustling contemporary downtown.
.
Randy and Vicki aboard Barefoot'n treated us to a
horse drawn carriage ride to celebrate Vicki's birthday.
A 1960s condominium complex.
Underneath the museum were crypts from the 1600s
and Montreal's old sewer system.
The museum also had an entire floor devoted to Beatles memorabilia.
Recreational boats awaiting entry into huge lock on St. Lawrence Seaway
In My Element and Freya
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