We left our little dockage with no power and water (called mooring in Canada) and ventured farther north, out of Chambly and back into the Richelieu River. We passed a riverside airport with many float planes, fishermen, motor yachts and wake-boarders.
FLOAT PLANE AIRPORT?!
PLANE, FISHERMAN AND MOTOR YACHT
QUITE THE MIXED COMPANY
OH YES, AND THE OCCASIONAL WAKE BOARDER
Mont St-Hilair popped up on the east shore at Pont Beloeli and we gaped at the abrupt rise out of nowhere. We rounded the sharp curve of the river and entered the narrow passage with strong currents as we skipped under the railroad bridge spanning the river. We marveled at the beautiful cathedral in Beloeli and admired the church just across in Mont St-Hilaire.
SOLO MONT ST-HILAIR
NARROW CHANEL UNDER RXR BRIDGE
CATHEDRAL AT BELOEIL
Each place we venture surprises us by its uniqueness. I loved the homes along the river, simple but tidy. Some of the gardens were beautiful to behold and even the “trailer parks” were less offensive. The church spires broke into the skyline and commanded awe from all,
GARDENS AT MANOR ROUVELLE CAMPBELL
MORE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS
CHURCH SPPIRES
The St-Ours Lock, located 28 miles from Chambly, is over 300 feet long and the last lock before reaching the St. Lawrence at Sorel. The dam here is unique in North America because it uses water pressure to operate its floodgates. This is also home to the Vianney-Legendere fish ladder that provides a passageway around the dam for spawning fish.
Holy cow! One minute we are viewing calm pastoral and residential vistas and the next we are smack dab in the middle of big industry and the shipping world. As we approached the St. Lawrence River we passed huge container ships, barges, tugs and factories. Now we are in with the “BIG BOYS” again.
LITTLE TUG THAT COULD
IRON ORE FOUNDRY
HYDRO-QUEBEC
LOOK AT THE HUGE AMOUNT OF WATER THIS FREIGHTER IS PUSHING!
We are now headed in a south westerly direction towards Montreal. We picked Contrecoeur for our nights rest but were unable to roust anyone at their rather full dock so traveled on to anchor just behind the Ile aux Boeufs.
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