July 23 -

I drove out to the canal around 10AM the next the morning. First I drove down to the marina to see if I could see the ship out on the lake. I didn't want to walk all the way out on the pier though, as I wasn't really sure how much time I had and no way I wanted to "miss the boat!" . I still had awhile to wait so I took a walk down to the fuel dock after parking the Jeep in the parking lot at Lock 8. ( took me about 20 minutes) It was 31C on the sign at the fire station and when I got back to lock 8 another 20 minutes later it had already risen another degree , now at the time I didn't know what that converted to in my "language" but I knew it was stinkin' hot...:) ( 89.6 ..yep its hot )

I had just got back to the car when my phone rang and it was Anders telling me to get my stuff and walk down to the west pier as they were going to tie up above the lock. Really ? Walk down there...with all my stuff?? ....okay...another 10 minute walk with about 50lbs worth of bags....by the time I could see the pier, I notice the gate isn't opened so I call him back to tell him and he says oh, btw we are going to the lock now so you better get back there....your kidding???!! Nope, so I turn around and start walking back. I was starting to wonder...did I really need to bring my laptop, camera, dvds, all the weight in the heat was not fun! I see one of the lock workers and he says, you get up to the gate and I'll drive you down to the ship. YEAH!! My savior! LOL ( one advantage to being the wife of the Captain guy....one of many...hee hee) I waited there with the other guys waiting to get on the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guys at the lock were really nice and before I knew it I could see "my boat" coming into the lock. It seemed to take FOREVER to finally stop and get tied up...whats new?! What do they say? Patience is a virture? I used to have tons of it, but since meeting Anders I think it flew out the window! LOL!

I got on board and grabbed a sandwich in the galley on my way up to the wheelhouse. Sam came down and brought all my bags up and asked "what the heck did you bring? ! Yep, they were heavy! So I finally got to see my sailor guy but of course we would be up in the wheelhouse "working" for a while for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First ship we meet is the Frontenac tied up below the lock waiting for us. The weather looked really questionable with dark skies ahead and their were still tornado warnings in the forecast. By the time we got through the level and into lock 7 the skies had cleared but it was really "murky".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had to tie up above the lock to wait for traffic, the Ryerson was making her way up the canal so we would wait for her and I went out on the "back end" of the ship to watch her go by. Another ship was behind us and I'm going to guess at this one the Calumet? ( okay, Your right Laurent, its not the Calument it is the Cuyahoga, zoomed in on the large version of the photo...:) What would I do without a story editor? LOL She was turning around and headed back up the canal.