Poonamalie (2013-07-16)

We decided to push on a little farther than Smiths Falls today, which is where we had planned to spend the night.  The next lock up river from Smiths Fall, Poonamalie, has power, which means we have A/C without running the generator.  Yay! :-)


As I was sitting here thinking about what to write for today, I became intrigued by the lock's name.  Apparently, according to the Parks Canada website, the lock, originally named "First Rapids", was given the moniker it now holds by an officer of the Royal Engineers, who was reminded of a location in India when looking at the lock site.  Whatever you do, don't go look at the Urban Dictionary's definition of Poonamalie.  Eww, I warned you... :-)

So, our second day out, and we got waked again by another boat.  Just like yesterday, I slowed down to give him a chance to do a slow pass, and he just roared on by.  Luckily I was ready for the 'courtesy' this time, and was able to turn in and cross his wake on a forward quarter.  Seriously, we've never been waked this often before.  Is this the cruiser equivalent to a kick me sign ("Wake ME!"). :-)  Let's see what tomorrow brings...

We stopped to do some shopping in Smiths Fall at GT Boutique (Giant Tiger for those not in the know :)).  Leaving Smiths Falls afterwards we had just entered the detached lock when the lockmaster came up to us.

A new fan

"You know what I'd do if I had a boat like that?"  he said to us.  "I'd take it to the Bahamas!"  We both kind of blinked with what I'm sure was a bit of a deer in the headlights look.  The lockmaster laughed and told us he had read the article about us in the newspaper, and he had been waiting for us to pass through his lock.  We had a nice chat while we were locking, then he wished us a good trip.  Hope he doesn't mind us using his picture in the blog.  If not we might have trouble getting back through Smiths Falls...

Tomorrow is supposed to be hot again.  We have a nice run across the Lower and Big Rideau lakes before our next lock, so that will be a nice change of pace.  Honestly, locking the last two days has been a bit taxing.  The locks in the Rideau system would make great solar ovens when the temperature is in the 30's.