Davis Lock to Kingston

Going through a dozen locks in one day makes for a long, hard-working day.  Add in a few bridges, tying up to docks to wait for things and the 6 mph speed limit.  Well, we are glad to be in Kingston where we pulled in at 7 pm.   The weather was very cooperative.  It was drizzling when we got to a Jones Locks, but we had to wait almost two hours to get through.  So we tied the boat to the dock and went inside to read a book.  It rained hard and steady for most of the two hours.  Then, just before it was time to get going the sun came out and its been a beautiful day ever since.

Jones Falls Locks is a series of 4 locks going downward.  It connects a section of river that cuts through a deep ravine, with an adjoining lake.  All the scenery was magnificent, and with the fresh rain in the air it was just awesome.  

The young people that work the locks have been a lot of fun as well.  They work really hard opening and closing all these huge lock doors, hand-turn the bridges and pull all our boats into line.   At the end of the day one girl went out to take down the Canadian flag from the lock station.  I could hear her sort of humming “Oh Canada” in bits and pieces.  Her friend kind of joined in – they were just killing time with the moment.  Then a young man came over and sat down on the lock next to them and in the most beautiful tenor voice began to sing for them.  It wasn’t “Oh Canada” but it was such a surprise.  A multi-talented lockkeeper/tenor – I’m sure he didn’t realize the boaters nearby were listening to him.

We ran with 3 Canadian families today.  Very nice folks and we all stayed at Davis last night and started out together this morning.  We led most of the way, but later they all passed by us (smaller, faster boats).  When we finally caught up to them at another lock, the Lockmaster said “everyone wait, we have to let the big guy in first”. That would be us.  So once again we were in front – and we all came into the same marina in Kingston anyway.

Kingston looks like a nice town, the marina is large and run by the city.  We are right by a park and there should be some shops and restaurants up the hill where we can go exploring tomorrow.

 

Tour boat too long for the lock, just fold up the bow

Winner for the most colorful lawn chair display

80 ft wide passage between lakes

Quiet, peaceful and calm

Great north wood shot

More north woods

Discussions in the rain

A civilian helper at a lock

Three step locks at Kingston

Railroad trestle above the lock

With a train as we lock through