Post from Monday, June 18, 2012

We left Chambly Basin and continued north on the Richelieu River to the village of St-Ours, where we went through the largest lock in this area.  It's 300 feet long and is unique in that it has a floating dock inside.  You tie your boat to the floating dock and both you and the dock are raised or lowered inside the lock. 

We tied up at the St-Ours Lock Park dock along with "The North Escape," a 36' Jeaneau sailboat.  The Frenchman and his son who own her are preparing the boat for a single-handed passage to Newfoundland and hopefully, to Laborador.  He said he would be gone three months.  We wish him a safe journey.

Soon after we arrived our new friends, Chick, Walter and Jessica in the "Charlene Rae" arrived and tied up behind us.  We met them in St. Jean and it was nice to see them again.  Attached are a few photos:

Heading north on the Richelieu River from Chambly Basin

St-Ours Lock the largest lock 300' with a floating dock inside

Exiting the St-Ours Lock

Ralph has to carry Striper on the dock because it is made of metal gridwork and she can't walk on it.  Fortunately, the ramp has rubber matting on it and she can walk on that!

The North Escape being readied for a single-handed passage to Newfoundland and Laborador

Striper playing fetch in the Park at St-Ours