Chaffey’s Locks to Jones’ Falls Trip
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- Created: Thursday, 23 July 2020 16:44
Chaffey’s Locks to Jones’ Falls Trip
By Kathy E
On Saturday, July 18, 10 people (four canoes and two kayaks) set out to do a section of the Rideau Canal System. The drive was 1 ½ hours long to Chaffey’s Locks. As we had nine vehicles, parking was going to be a problem. Our intrepid leader, Paul, approached the lock master and received permission to park behind the museum, which was very handy as the put-in was not too far away. We were on the water by 10:00 and proceeded to follow the channel to our next lock station, Davis Locks. This we portaged and headed to find a swimming spot. An island was available and we took a well-deserved, and some might have said, a well-needed swim (the temperature was high and the humidity higher!!) We headed on to Jones Falls where we found a shady spot for lunch.
The basin was the next swimming spot and a few of us took advantage of another dip. The boat traffic was very light, as the Americans are not boating in Canada, and the Quebec Construction Holiday had just started. This made canoeing/kayaking a much more pleasant experience. Our return paddle was made more challenging by the winds, that never seemed to go in our favour. We found one more opportunity to swim after the last portage and final push to Chaffey’s. We observed ospreys (and their nest), a muskrat, belted kingfishers, ravens, and a few sets of loons, some with their young. It was a lovely paddle, despite the Covid restrictions and everyone felt all the better for doing it. Another opportunity to meet new friends, get reacquainted with old friends, and to keep the spirit of paddling alive. Ten Club members participated on the trip: Mark S, Karen H, Faye M, Joanna D, Anatoly C, Art B, Helen R, Catherine J, Kathy E and Paul H (trip leader).
