Chambly to Montreal

After an enjoyable stay in Chambly it was again time to move along. We totally understand why some people make the Great Loop a multiple year journey. There is so much to see and do we are having to pick and choose our activities. That doesn't leave much time for the blog.

We continued north toward the St. Lawrence River at Sorel, Quebec. We stayed overnight at the lock wall at St. Ours. This lock was unusual because of the floating dock inside the lock. Locking is really easy for us this way. As we pulled into the lock we just handed our lines to the attendants who tied us to the floating dock. We didn't have to do anything until it was time to retrieve our lines before departing the lock.

As we entered the St. Lawrence River we were at the farthest east on the entire trip. Depending on our course through the North Chanel of Lake Huron it may be the farthest north also. After entering the St. Lawrence River we again encountered the huge freighter ship traffic. It wasn't an issue for us as there was plenty of room to stay out of their way. We found it interesting to check the AIS and learn their destination, etc.

Montreal is a active seaport with many loading and docking facilities for these ships. Of course Molson Breweries was prominent from the water. There was a very significant current against us after we left the shipping channel on the way into our marina in Montreal. Without realizing the effects of our wake we put Navigator up on plane to get through the current swiftly. We later found out that we waked Average Looper. We are SOOOO embarrassed that we did that!! I thought we were far enough ahead of them, obviously we were not! They were so gracious and almost didn't want to tell us what we did. SORRY for that!

The next post will be Montreal.

There were a lot of churches like this along the way.

We are curious why the steeples are painted silver.

Apparently this church had a festival of some sort going on.

It would have been interesting to stop and check it out. 

Too bad we didn't have the time.

Since the bridges are far apart the ferries are more frequent.

This is the floating dock inside the lock.

Most of the attendants are university students on summer employment.

They work six days a week, get paid for five and continue receiving pay after they 

return to school. I have to assume they like that a lot.

The floating dock without our boats.

What a concept! Sure makes locking easy for us, but more work for them.

This lock wall is like a park.

There were several people enjoying the area besides us boaters.

We like how Canadians enjoy the outdoors.

I am sure there are more than enough pictures of Navigator on the blog.

Many of these are for our enjoyment as we reminisce from the "home" if we live long enough.

This is the farthest east and possibly the farthest north of the entire loop.

FYI, Plymouth, MN where we lived is 45 degrees north latitude.

That is half way between the equator and the north pole.

We anchored overnight in the Contrecoeur Channel off the St. Lawrence River.

It was our first time anchoring alone, not rafting, of the trip. We were happy to be in the 

same place when we awoke the next morning. 

A successful anchorage.

Sunset from the dock across the way where we had docktails with another looper boat.

Three of us were anchored across this small channel.

How and why does this work and not blow a fuse?

Probably it isn't fused!

I don't recommend swimming anywhere near this marina.

Old boats never die they just become planters.

This sculpture was at the same marina.

Someone around here had some artistic talent.

One of the freighters we met.

Even though they are large they travel deceptively fast.

We have to be aware that they could sneak up behind us if we aren't careful.

This loading facility is HUGE!

Molson Brewing Company is behind this Canadian Coast Guard boat.

I just now thought about a brewery tour. Too late now!

Until next time---