From

Hi JR and the rest of the spanish donkey's congrats on your completion of your trip! I met up with you guys in smith-falls doing a tour on my bicycle, just want to let guys know that I completed my kayaking of the rideau as well took me 6 days, but just wanted to thank you guys for talking me into it and for the very very helpfull tips you gave me. I hope you guys are planning your next trip because I am hooked as you guys must be as well. I am looking at touring around PEI island, would be pretty cool to complete an entire loop of a province. Heard of a solo woman completed it in 15 days. Anyways, Congrats again and thank-you for the tips..mike studli

From Jean

Glad u had a great trip – can’t wait to hear all about it! I guess I will see you sometime tomorrow night!

Safe driving!

Resume Evolution
Jean

From Yvon

Very nice to meet you all, if I would have had the time off from work , I might have joined in for your "sprint" to Ottawa.Glad you finished your adventure and are home safe and sound. All are an example of active, vibrant retirement living and are ambassadors of Elliot Lake community.. Good luck and enjoy the rest of the summer...Yvon

Re: THE SPANISH DONKEY HAS LANDED!

MONDAY, JULY 30th:
We left Burritts Rapids at 7AM, arrived
at Long Island lock at 4:45PM, an extremely
hot day. Paddled 41kms today, all exhausted
after the a long hot day.

TUESDAY, JULY 31st:
Awoke to another beautiful morning, left Long
Island at 8:30AM; arrived at Hartwells Lock at
12:45PM, 17kms today--a very perfect day!
Romeo arrived with van and trailer at 6:30PM.
We are now about to order our dinner.
The Spanish Donkey has landed and put out to
pasture!

UPDATES FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

FRIDAY, JULY 27th:
We left Chaffey's Lock at 7:30AM got to Col.
By's Island at approx. 1PM; 22kms today.
Very hot but overcast day; we swam and had a
relaxing afternoon.

SATURDAY, JULY 28th:
At 7:30AM we left Col. By's Island paddled to Smith
Falls at approx. 3PM. For the first time we paddled
for one hour in the rain. Did 29kms today. Camped at
at Victoria Park, Smith Falls; had a chinese buffet
dinner at Wong's Restaurant.

SUNDAY, JULY 29th:
This morning, we left Smith Falls at 8:30AM when the
locks opened, paddled to Burritts Rapids Lock. 35kms
today. During that time went through 12 continuous
locks; weather was perfect! Arrived at 5:45PM.
TODATE COMPLETED 1020KMS.

UPDATE FROM THE RIDEAU CANAL:

WED. JULY 25th:
We left Kingston Mills at 8AM, arrived at
Upper Brewer's Mills Lock having done 20kms
today. We pulled in about 1PM, our days now
depends on lock distances. Had beautiful
calm weather.

THURS. JULY 26th:
This morning we left at 7:15AM from Upper
Brewer's Mills and paddled through to Chaffey's
Mills, Lock #37. Completed 28kms today. Again,
a beautiful calm day having gone through Jones Falls,
the nicest of all the locks. Followed by a 3-stage
flight locks, then across the 'turn around basin' into
one more lock. The workmanship of these locks were
amazing and beautiful, built in the late 1820's.
The Rideau Canal (a French word meaning curtin) was
opened in 1832. We were interviewed this evening by
Rick Lyons of Ontario Travel Guides who is promoting
the outdoor use of the canal. Tonight for dinner, we
went to an all-day breakfast at a nearby little restaurant
then ice cream for dessert. TO DATE A TOTAL OF 935KMS.
Tomorrow's plans(Friday 27th) are to paddle a short 22kms
to Colonel By's island where we may camp.

UPDATES FOR MONDAY & TUESDAY:

MONDAY, JULY 22nd:
Another early start, we left Adolphus Town campsite
at 6:15AM, water very calm, like glass most of the
day. We paddled 41kms got to Lighthouse Park near
the town of Amhurst View at approx. 3:00PM. This park
was dedicated by the Loyalist during the American wars.
During our time at this park a man came up in a day
kayak, named Yvon who lived in Amhurst View. Later
that evening he returned bringing a big dinner of
chicken, french fires, soda pop and beer. Was a very
interesting evening!

TUESDAY, JULY 24th:
This morning we left Lighthouse Park at 6:15AM, very
calm winds, overcast skies most of the day, very good
for paddling. Crossed huge waters, Lake Ontario and came
into Kingston at 10AM got to the mariner downtown, another
free night. We had a busy morning until 2PM at the showers,
laundry and grocery shopping. Then continued on to Kingston
Mills Lock #46 having gone through three continous flight
locks; very busy but were only 7kms. Staying here tonight.
Completed today 27kms. TOTAL TO DATE 880KMS.
This lock was the start of our Rideau Canal trip in 2005.