8/15/2010 LOCK 15 (HEALEY FALLS) THROUGH LOCK 19 (SCOTT'S MILLS)

We pulled in our ropes, waved to our neighbors, scooted past the power plant and slipped into Locks 16-17 with a father and son team, Doug and Justin, that had spent the night camping at Lock 15 with us. They are making the trip through the canal in a 14’ inflatable with a 60 HP engine. Looks like rain today so hope they stay dry!!

POWER PLANT RIGHT AT LOCK 15-16 ENTRANCE

JUSTIN AND DOUG

Haley Falls Locks 16-17 are step locks with each having a 27’ vertical lift. While manning the front ropes in Lock 16, I found I had a little company.

HEALEY FALLS LOCKS 16-17

MY COMPANY

MIGHT BE A BLANDING'S TURTLE

We then swung under the 22’ Haley Falls Bridge with our back-camera up antennae twanging as it scraped the bottom of the bridge. We began our 15 mile cruise to the next Lock and spotted this old red Chevelle parked near a riverside farm. Traveling the snaky channel we were lucky to catch sight of a loon floating nearby and numerous boats filled with fishing guys. However by 11:30 rumbles of thunder and flashes of distant lightening threatened and many of the small crafts were calling it a day. By 11:45, we had rain!

DAN'S HEART DID A LITTLE FLUTTER AT THIS CHEVELLE

BARN ON THE CANAL BANKS

LOON

We approached hasting Lock 16 in a downpour and moored until the skies favored us with a pause in the rain. Doug and Justin had made it (going much faster than the Quest) and sought shelter and lunch in town. Both boats locked up together again then the guys stopped to purchase fuel.

Soon we entered Rice Lake, bouncing along in the in the churned up waters. We were certainly glad “not” to be Doug and Justin about now. Exiting Rice Lake we wound our way into Otonabee River and explored the possibility of anchoring in a narrow outcropping. Secluded, calm and beautiful but not quite right for the big Quest. Back in the Otonabee we continued on towards Peterborough.

NICE, SECLUDED ANCORAGE

We entered Scotts Mills Lock 19 at Peterborough just as another thunder storm threatened. They rushed us through and we jammed the .5 mile to the Ashburnham Lock 20 in the pouring rain. We quickly tied up on the lower side of the lock and called it a day. Thanks to the lock hands for assisting us on this rainy evening.
Tomorrow morning we will lock up 20 then do the 65' verticle lift at Petersborough Lock 21.  It is supposed to be quite a thril.

APPROACHING LOCK 19

SCOTT'S MILLS LOCK 19