Gettin mellow in Montebello

It was for these days that coffee was invented. After my nightmare sleep being harassed by trains every 20 minutes I was up at 7 (which, if you know me, is very early for a non-work day unless I am golfing that morning). Thankfully there was a coffee shop open just a block away and I treated us to cappuccinos. While we were ready to leave asap, the Bellevue lock didn't open until 9:30 so we killed time until we finally made it in.  The two Ottawa river locks are pretty comfy in that they have a floating dock inside them with staff there to assist in the locking process.  By ten we were up into Lake of Two Mountains and officially on the last leg of our journey - the Ottawa river.

Not really seeing the two mountains here...

The Ottawa river is pretty tame. There are, as I said, two locks and the current isn't overwhelming. The landscape is pretty green, with lots of properties dotting the shore as you drive by. I have to say, after the last couple of days, I wasn't about to complain about how tame the river seemed.

Oka marina is OK...except they had closed their GAZ pumps to the public

Our goal today was Chateau Montebello, the crown jewel of marina stops for this trek. The only hurdle we had to making Montebello was ensuring we got through the massive Carillon locks before they closed. To do that we needed gaz, which, as we have learned in the past, it's always best to have lots than not. One of our boating rules, if you're at a marina with pumps, top up! Anyway, after a few false starts looking for gas we found a private club that sold to the public. With a full tank, we went on plane and made the Carillon lock with lots of time to spare.

The Carillon dam and lock are an impressive sight. It is likely the deepest lock we crossed this trip, despite the fact we hit the giant seaway locks. Again, the locking was pretty easy with floating docks and staff on hand.

In the distance, nothing but dam

Inside the Carillon lock, by the time we fill up, we drive over the top of the stairs.

Once we were through the locks it was smooth sailing to Montebello.

Some smooth sailing.

More smooth sailing

Chateau Montebello has its own marina and the facilities are amazing. The dockage fees are pretty pricey - double that of a regular marina - but you get a pass to use all the Hotel facilities. Don't want to shower at the marina? Walk a hundred meters and swim in the indoor olympic size pool and use the hot tub and showers there. Or walk over to the outdoor pool and get served at the poolside bar. Oh, and wifi at the docks actually works!!!! All in all, a great stop at Montebello to get us charged up for the final leg home.

Indoor and outdoor pools plus wifi to watch netflix and youtube??? YES!!!