Day 263 - July 15, 2013: The Rideau Canal and Morton Bay Anchorage

We backtracked from Westport to the Upper Rideau Lake, traversed the Newboro Lock, and headed for Jones Falls. There are many twists and turns in this area as the waterway follows the old riverbed, and the narrow channels that cut between peninsulas are an interesting contrast to the broader lake views. There are modest homes that are widely spaced, nestled into the trees, and face docks for fishing boats, small cruisers, and houseboats.

Narrow channel to Newboro lock

Modest home with lake-style boats

Bridge on original canal supports

Family with lots of toys

Jones Falls was one of the most challenging for the canal builders, as it had a 60 foot elevation drop and a need to maintain proper depth of pools on both sides. After several initial designs, four locks were installed with a turning basin in between.

It is Monday, and our expectation was that there would be few boats in the locks. However, as we arrived at Jones Falls, we learned that boats had just started locking down, and it would be two hours before the next cycle down would begin again. There were five boats ahead of us, but we were fairly certain we would make it in the next Canada Parks lock. While waiting, we enjoyed a park-like setting, relaxed, and had lunch, and I took a swim in the basin to cool off.

Packing seven boats into a lock

Looking down over the next three locks

Our destination was an anchorage in Morton Bay, considered the best on the Rideau Canal. That was too enticing to miss! The entrance is narrow and rocky but opened up into a long intimate bay surrounded by high, rocky, tree-covered cliffs.

Narrow entrance to Morton Bay

High rocky tree-lined slopes

It was the perfect setting to take a swim to cool off, put up the sun deck bimini, and set up chairs for reading and a late dinner during sunset. I set the anchor and swam over to shore and fastened a line to a tree to keep the boat from swinging and keep us out of the center of the channel. As it got dark, we heard a Whippoorwill singing its repeated call in the trees behind us.

Finally, a great place to swim

I knew I brought these fins for a good reason