The Rideau Canal - Jones' Falls Locks - 2 AUG 2010

We left Ottawa at 9:30 AM with four bikes, five riders and were joined by a dog along the way. The first stop was Smith's Falls for a coffee at where else but Tom Horton's. The weather forecast called for possible showers and isolated thunder storms, but so far it was sunny and 25 degrees. We then headed to Jone's Falls locks arriving around 1:00 PM. We found a picnic table several yards from the locks and enjoyed our lunch watching the boats pass through. The lock master and his helper operated the lock doors by hand as they did when originally constructed in the 1800s.That is where "Jake", the lock master's dog took a shine to us and set up camp under our table (see photo) for the duration of the meal. The journey continues along back roads, one of which turning into gravel for several miles. We eventually travelled along one of my favourite roads, Hwy #10 into picturesque Westport for an ice cream stop. While entering Westport we noticed dark menacing clouds to the north which was our intended route to Perth. After enjoying our cones, we took out a map and picked a route more to the east and departed for Smith's Falls. We sidestepped most of the rain with only a few sprinkles along the way. The route home took us through scenic Merrickville and then a coffee and bio break at Timmies in Kempville. As we arrived in Orleans we notice there had been subtantial rain in the area. Ten minutes after arriving home, it started to rain. My neighbour mentioned it rained several times during the day with thunder and lightning. Looks like we missed it all. It was an enjoyable day after 400 kilometers.