We were up before dawn to be sure to get our position in the cue for the Welland Canal lock systems. The Welland Canal runs the same general direction as the Niagara river bypassing the famous falls through a system of eight locks which gently lower you 326’ along its 27 mile length. Originally constructed in 1829, the canal system we used today dates back to 1932. Several of the locks drop (or raise) the vessels by nearly 50’ - quite a sight as you look up a 80’ high steel gates holding back millions of gallons of water. It also generates energy for the area for electricity and manufacturing.
It was a cool and blustery day with lots of clouds. We tied up at the dock by the canal bridge waiting for the other 198’ yacht Blue Moon (owned by Dick Duchossois, part owner of Arlington Race Track and Churchill Downs. In the meantime, I walked in to town for coffee and came across a little farmers market in the bank parking lot where I got some fruit and banana bread.
Back on the boat, it was time to begin our navigation of our first locks. We had to float around in a somewhat narrow channel with the 198’ Blue Moon who would be in each lock with us. Before we actually jumped in to our first lock experience, we picked up Roger to help us. Roger is a retired lock worker recommended by Captain Tim who freelances helping rookies or boats with boaters who are either unable or unwilling to do it themselves. You need a boat driver and two deck hands, one at the stern and one at the bow. Then a lock worker throws down a 50’ line to the bow and stern from the cement ‘dock’ above, and we lightly loop them through cleats on deck. As the locks gates close and the water level begins to sink, we are to slowly feed the line through the kleat until the we get to the level for the lock to open, usually 35-50 feet, then we let go and the lock worker pulls the line up and we can move on.
We really didn’t (at least I didn’t) have a clue how it would all go down. If I had known, I would have geared up better with a beanie and gloves and a down vest. Just before we began our descent of the first lock, John at the controls, me at the bow, I pulled my coat sleeves down as best I could over my hands as the rope was rough and the day was cold. A few minutes later, a lock worker threw a pair of gloves down to me, telling me I would need them. I was so grateful for that as we spent the next six hours going down lock after lock. I don’t know how I would have done it without them. By the last lock the cold started to get to me and I began to shiver a bit, but it was a very cool experience and it went by very quickly.
We dropped Roger dockside then before we knew it, we were in Lake Ontario, and it was pretty rough. We had been protected in the canal so it was a bit of a surprise. We quickly adjusted as the waves while big and rocking, were smooth and rideable. Fortunately it was a short hop to Niagara on the Lake, ON. It was windy and cold as we arrived but fortunately the cab was able to drive right to the boat to take us to the excellent and highly recommended Stone Road Grille for a most lovely dinner.
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