A Row Too Far?: A blog entry from Al at mile 145

Al had to leave the water early today - they’re planning a ‘big release’ of water and wanted everyone off - so he had the time and energy to write some thoughts on his journey so far. He did get in another 25 miles before being waved off. He’s also been warned to stay put until the lock keepers arrive at nine tomorrow – they’ll give him an assessment of the safety of conditions further down the canal, though Al is hoping for a ‘rocket ride.’

Of the five locks he encountered today, his favorite was the ‘Lovesick’ – ‘a lock that bisects a small but bucolic island that is best by rapids on each side.’

Camping at Lock 24

July 6, 2017

No computer on this trip … scant use of the cell phone … but we’ll work a little magic tonight at lock #24, Duoro, Ontario, Canada by writing it out in longhand, taking a picture, and asking Peg to interpret and transcribe and probably improve the original.

Where do I start? How about this moment?

I’m alone at this lock …. Just took a refreshing swim …sun is still high and hot but a strong wind is keeping the bugs at bay for now. No stores, no cars, no ambient noise of man … just a beautiful river and a hint of white water that will push me hard tomorrow … in the right direction.

I’ve seen one piece of trash in 145 miles. Canadians truly care, and it shows.

Tonight’s menu:

1 can Hombre chili

1 can beef stew

1 bottle Tim Horton’s iced coffee

Dessert: none, we’re out

The pounds aren’t exactly melting off … but not much to get me into trouble here, either.

I’m feeling surprisingly good, especially considering the paucity of training. Hands are firming up, rotator cuff is singin’ a song, and all-in-all the body is cooperating.

My most formidable opponent is … well, the recognition of how much further I’ll have to row, especially because ….. last night I met Steve, a seasoned mariner of the St. Lawrence, who told me I’d be ‘nuts’ (I think that was his word) to try a high crossing of the St. L. So the Murray Canal and a sprint across False Duck Island is probably out … replaced by a slog northeast past Kingston, then across at a narrower site. All-in-all, an addition of possibly 70++ miles. Right now this prospect seems a real bummer, but Steve said I was lucky to survive the St L. down to Baie St Paul, and he’s right. This is supposed to be for fun.

So … I go the long way.

But, I’m still a long way from Lake Ontario.

But, the weather has been great, the water clean and running in the right direction, and so far, boat and body have been holding up.

Noticed along the way:

Canadians love high dives

Canadians love to own and build on their own islands

Lock keepers are permitted cell phones

I am not adept at telling the difference between a decoy duck and a real duck

Canadians are very divided about the 150^th celebration (what it doesn’t say about indigenous peoples), the $10 million settlement to be paid to a Guantanamo release, and even immigration … but how refreshing to hear them talk about issues, implications, and policy … but not ‘parties’. This is a mature democracy.

When a paperback book gets wet, it never dries out.

There have been a gazillion bazillion famous song writers and artists from Canada.