Black Rapids

Finally, a few minutes to update things ;-)    It's been a continuous and busy summer to date,  which I guess is a good thing in the summer, means you've been doing things!    This summer has been pretty awesome so far.  Unlike most years the weekends have been sunny and great for canoeing.   Jen and I have been out on numerous day trips, all the on the Rideau River so far.  That has resulted in a lack of pictures.   I've photographed the Ottawa end of the Rideau River/Canal to death so it's been tough to get the motivation going.   I take the camera but it never leaves my dry bag.  Bad me!!!

Took today off in the hopes of doing some paddling but the doppler radar is looking ugly so we're delayed until tomorrow.

(click the image for larger view)

Looking at Black Rapids Lock from the south side of the river

Last weekend I finally got to a new lock on the Rideau.  Surprisingly it's one of the closest locks to the city of Ottawa yet I'd never visited there.   Just 2 minutes from Hunt Club along Prince of Wales Drive is Black Rapids Lock.   I figured being so close to the city it would be a little dump.  Not so!  You'd think I'd learn that each lock on the Rideau has it's own special charms.   Unfortunately it's one of 3 locks that isn't hand cranked (and will never be switched back now that it's a heritage site) but it's still a very nice spot.   Simple to get to and lots of lawns for a picnic, check it out even if you don't boat.   For canoers and kayakers, there are 2 wonderful floating docks on the south side and I believe one good one on the north.  You will need to bring your boats down from the parking lot but it's not to bad.  There are meters in the parking lot, 4 bucks for the day.

Wonderful blue skies and calm water

Further to the south along the river we darted into some of the marshier areas

The launch area on the south side of the lock.  Pretty little cove.

The north side of the lock

The lock station itself.  Weird not seeing chains on the hand cranks.

The weir on the lock.

Me trying to do the moody thing through the crank - hahaha.

Not bad considering this is still within Ottawa city limits.  On the south side it's about an 8km paddle down Long Island Lock in Manotick and the current isn't bad.  So a round trip from Black Rapids to Long Island wouldn't be all that difficult.

On the "life" side of things it's been busy as well.   The newer job I'm in is very demanding but I have to admit it's rewarding and I'm enjoying it now that I've put my stamp on it and have created the relationships necessary to function in the position.  What the longer term will be I don't know yet but I should be there until Nov or Jan and then back to my old job I guess.  But I'll return with a new look on things.

Jen and I are starting to prepare for the big move next month.  Not much packing done yet but it won't be long now.  Just 1 more month until we get the keys to the house and we start merging 2 households.   The movers are booked but lots of logistics in front of us.

The divorce is slowly moving forward.   Finally got served the papers that I've been waiting for since Feb and have been in paperwork hell to get everything in order.   Yesterday I attended the new mandatory MIP session that the department of Justice puts on in the Ottawa court house.   It's a decent presentation but way to late in the process.   It gives good information about alternatives to court, such as mediation and arbitration.   All things that I have been trying to do over the past 14 months and have gotten nowhere with.  Another date with the lawyer next week to finish up some paperwork and then probably to our first court date (case conference) in early Sept.  I keep holding out hope that she will come to her senses and see that this is an easy case that can be settled quickly in mediation.   Court is going to cost both of us a fortune.  I'm not kidding when I say the only one who wins in these things is the lawyers.   When this is all said and done I think I'm going to write a full article on the past 14 months so others can see the process and where it all goes wrong and what to expect.  It's all very confusing and frustrating.  If people would just put their emotions in check it can be a very easy, simple and straight forward process.   But more on that another day ;-)

Today is a no go for paddling but the next 3 are looking really good.  Just need to check the winds.  Time to put the boat on the truck (before the rain hits) and we'll be good to go.  Jen and I have been at the farm most of the week while her daughter was off at camp but now we're moving to her place for the weekend.

Hope everyone has a great long weekend and I pledge to try and take more pictures ;-)