Day Fifty-seven - St Lawrence Seaway

 

We departed Trois-Rivieres on our way to Toronto.  This 189-mile stretch of the St Lawrence River contains 7 locks.   Combined, they lift ships 246 feet to the level of Lake Ontario.  The Octantis is about to enter the Iroquois Lock.

The Octantis was designed to be the largest ship that can pass through the locks. The locks are 78 feet wide.  The Octantis is 77 feet-one inch wide.  I opened our stateroom window and placed my hand on the wall of the lock as our ship was lifting.  Sure enough, there was less than 6 inches of clearance!

After passing through the 7th lock, we headed upriver.  this section of the St Lawrence is known as the Thousand Islands.  The river is cluttered with small islands, many with just a single summer cottage on them.

Boldt Castle is on one of the larger islands. In 1900 George C. Boldt, a millionaire hotel magnate, began construction of it as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise.  It was to be their summer dream home.  Unfortunately, Louise died months before the completion of the castle.  George immediately stopped construction and the property was vacant for over 70 years.

As the sun was setting, our ship's expedition team was preparing their weekly weather balloon launch.

After 2 months of requesting (finally begging) I received permission to be on the top deck with the launch team.  It was windy and cold as the team filled the neoprene vessel with helium.

Once properly filled, it was carefully moved to the open deck for launching.

10 - 9 - 8 - ..............-2-1 release!