Black Rapids Lock

                                      Malcolm and Jeff.
                Traxx sniffing out that huge snapping turtle!
         Jeff and Traxx - there was a few trails near the lock.
      Our friend, Rachel - we’re playing the dice game, 10,000.      
        Reminds me of my Seniors Group when I was working
                     At Choate - except we’re not seniors!
         Not sure what building this is - looks like a mosque.
                       Malcolm trying to fish out the nut.
                          Trying to retrieve the prop nut.
                                         “Hmmmm…”

     Lots of Canada geese - I’m not sure if they were looking 
        For food or wanting to flog me.  I didn’t stick around
                                            To find out.
                                      A little chipmunk.
A rowing team.

The dam.

This is Bill and Carol Bennett on Manana.  We met them
           Later and cruised the Georgian Bay with them. 



   There were 3 snapping turtles here, in different locations, 
                       Looking for spots to lay their eggs.


We arrived at Black Rapids Lock on June 11 and stayed for two nights. It was very peaceful in the urban sprawl of Ottawa. We had a nice spot on the wall. There were large shade trees, a bathroom (no showers), picnic tables and trails to hike. We enjoyed playing games with our friends and taking lots of hikes. Lots of animals to entertain you, including Canada Geese, squirrels, chipmunks and big, nesting snapping turtles. 

Black Rapids Lock was converted from manual to electric operation in 1969. Even with electric operation, helpful, friendly lock staff were available to assist with lock ropes and dock lines. We were lifted 9.2’ in about 30 minutes.  Near the lock was the overflow dam. Lots of fishermen here, trying for Pike, Walleye and we even saw a guy catch a Sturgeon; catch and release on the Sturgeon.

As we were pulling in to dock, a young guy was fishing and had his line out. Why he didn’t pull in his line, I don’t know.  Maybe he was hung up on the overhanging tree across the water? Anyway, our prop caught his line; wrapped around it and at least broke his line free. Good for him, maybe, but not for us. He left quickly after this happened.

We were near a dock to conveniently back the boat close to the dock, raise the motor and remove the line.  However, just to be sure all line was gone, Jeff removed the prop to ensure he had gotten it all. Well, this is being done over a wooded dock and of course, the nut to the prop was dropped - bouncing off the dock and into the water. Funny thing, I had just handed Jeff a towel and told him to use it underneath where he was working, just in case….  He didn’t hear me, and used the towel to wipe off his face at about the same time the nut went into the water. Oh well, adds to the adventure, right?

Graham, Malcolm’s brother, came back to help with getting the nut or to take Jeff to find a new nut. Eventually, the nut was retrieved, using a dip net, and placed back onto the prop. No harm was done and added another challenging experience/memory to our looping adventures!

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