Hiking, Biking Rondeauville

 So last day, so we decided to make the very best of it pretty much like we do every day. We were able to head directly out of our campsites on our bike and rode along Cedar Creek Trail via the cat contrail. It was hard patch dirt, and it’s someplace is gravel. We went under canopy trees in the transfer very well manicured, but we didn’t dare stop for the mosquitoes would after us. 

We then headed over to Erieau for what we thought would be a short 1 to 2 mile hike. It turned out to be 4 1/2 miles as we parked and walked through the town down to the White House. This is a very small town and I guess the population to be 500. I was slightly off as Wikipedia says there are 363 residents, it definitely has a beach field as there are RV parks, a few in a few restaurants and ice cream shops, a very well used beach, and fisherman going in and out of the  inlet.

As you walk up to the lighthouse, it almost looks like an old abandoned Apollo spacecraft. It was built in 1844 when the town decided, they needed a way to bring boats into shore with their cargo. Before that boats were anchoring out in the lake and bringing goods to shore, so a Harbor was dredged and Lighthouses were placed on each side.? , the west lighthouse went through some damage as it was abandoned, burned down and even destroyed by the elements. It was finally renovated. It is now run by the Canadiann Coast Guard. I would say it’s absolutely necessary as I saw many small boats entering the harbor. Honestly, I would have to say it is the ugliest Lighthouse we’ve seen so far. 

Rather than Cook on our last night we decided to go out for a late lunch in Blenheim. Scotty decided to go for a burger platter and I decided I would just get an appetizer.

 

Rideau Canal, Kempten, Ottawa

 Today was a trifecta.

Hiking - We started with a walk along the Rideau Canal. It wad a straight out and back walk. We noticed lots of bushes with red berries, and after doing a google search, we discovered they are winterberry bushes. The trail would have been more appealing if some of the trees had been cut to reveal overlooks of the river, especially at the end. There were 2 red chairs on a bluff above the river, but all that could be seen were trees and not the water.

 

At the end of our walk, we watched boats going through the lick system. The attendant said there were 23 sites with 40 sone locks and attendants at the majority of them. 

Kayaking - We drove to Kempten’s anniversary park. Beautiful place with a community garden, several short thematic trails, a pavillion, green space and a kayak launch.  The launch was unique - it held your kayak and there was a small fliating dock for you to stand and enter your kayak. It felt awkward as you have to stand, then go down further than usual to get into the kayak. We paddled upstream, then back for a total of one hour.

We drove over to Ottawa and along the way stopped at the Marlborough Pub for a late lunch. We had the long anticipated poutine with fish and chips. The poutine was EXCELLENT - french fries, cheese curds and gravy! Good thing today was an active day.

We parked at Hogsback Parking area and rode our bikes 14 miles through downtown Ottawa on the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River Pathway Loop. What a great way to see the city. We didn’t stop in anywhere, but rode past many of the landmark buildings. Labeling will gave to come later when I’m sure of the names!