They invited us to join then on the trek through the giant Seaway Locks.
When we arrived at the St. Lambert Lock we joined with yet another sailboat and eight powerboats who were waiting for passage. The wait was two and one half hours. This was fine as it allowed for an early lunch before proceeding. Commercial vessels take precedence and there were several large ships coming through. We rafted to a 41 foot Gulfstar ketch and simply rode up in the lock away from the grimy wall. It took one and one half hours to arrive at the St. Catherine's Lock.
(Sara) Wonderful. That pretty much encompasses our experience beginning at seven 'o'clock yesterday evening.
We'd been sitting, bored and annoyed, for five hours. I, slowly succumbing to insanity as I completed my millionth hemp bracelet, humming 'Silver Bells' and other such Christmas songs to myself. Steph, babbling about a bet we'd made with each other about the likelihood of yet another cargo ship cutting in front of us to enter the lock. Dad, attempting to formulate a sensible plan. At around six, we'd pretty much come to the conclusion that we were doomed to anchor in some nearby cove, to give up on our quest to arrive in Montreal. And yet we didn't, desperately clenching onto some mad hope that the lock would open. Any minute now... any hour now... any day now... Suddenly, a green light shone, blinking, beckoning. “Oh my God! Mom, it's a green light! A green, light!!” Steph cried into her cell phone. Dad and I, sighting our salvation with shock, were silently unbelieving for a few moments before joining her whoops of thrilled exultation. So we passed through, and found that the other side was beautiful. While Dad steered, Steph and I, drawing, sat on the deck. After our inspiration had been strewn across the white pages before us and a gorgeous sunset had been photographed, my sister and I analyzed our art enthusiastically, our celebratory mood lingering in our grins. 
At 9, as we entered the Royal Saint Lawrence Yacht Club (dubbed 'royal' by Queen Victoria many years ago), the sunset sunk into hues of electric magenta. Our friend, Eric Rioux, greeted us at the clubhouse and we drove to a local Asian restaurant for a celebratory meal.
July 11, 2007: The Yacht Club is a haven for many local sailors and hosts many social activities. I am surprised by the number of large sailboats here. The forecast for today was for a windy morning and then thunderstorms in the afternoon. The local sailors were out in the morning to take advantage of the wind. Sue arrived about mid day from Boston. Eric has graciously offered to take us in to see McGill University and was also present. By the time we were ready it was time for an excellent lunch at the Clubhouse. We were then off to downtown Montreal and our self guided walking tour of the University.
Unfortunately the Welcome Center was closed so we were on our own with the help of some written material. A few raindrops fell as we walked about the campus until we approached the upper campus sports and dormitory section. Then rain and lighting caught up with us. 
We stopped around the Molson Stadium for a brief respite from the wind. A 
football game had been underway when this storm hit and both the players and the fans were taking shelter beneath the stands. We left the soggy but still spirited group and walked back 
down campus to the car. The streets were like raging streams and there was no way to avoid getting your feet totally soaked. Getting back to the Yacht Club was difficult since the main highway had been closed for repairs and the detour for a superhighway was through some city streets. Eric and I then went off to pick up my Aunt Dorothy from the Laval side of Montreal while Sue, Sara and Stephanie dried out on the boat. We all went to dinner at Micki's Restaurant in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and enjoyed seeing Eric's Mom. A good Italian meal and a good time was enjoyed by all of us even though the thunderstorms returned. 
July 12, 2007: Just another day at the RSLYC in Dorval. A mixed day with a sunny start then a cool and wet evening. We visited with Aunt Dorothy and the Rioux's and enjoyed swimming in a very nice pool. We have also been eating out far too much. The area was filled with bicyclists on the shore bike trails. A visit to the Lachine Museum brought us to the oldest house in Montreal. It was a fur trading outpost above the Lachine rapids. Examples of the birchbark canoes make you feel fortunate to have a modern boat to travel in.
(Sara) Wonderful. That pretty much encompasses our experience beginning at seven 'o'clock yesterday evening.
We'd been sitting, bored and annoyed, for five hours. I, slowly succumbing to insanity as I completed my millionth hemp bracelet, humming 'Silver Bells' and other such Christmas songs to myself. Steph, babbling about a bet we'd made with each other about the likelihood of yet another cargo ship cutting in front of us to enter the lock. Dad, attempting to formulate a sensible plan. At around six, we'd pretty much come to the conclusion that we were doomed to anchor in some nearby cove, to give up on our quest to arrive in Montreal. And yet we didn't, desperately clenching onto some mad hope that the lock would open. Any minute now... any hour now... any day now... Suddenly, a green light shone, blinking, beckoning. “Oh my God! Mom, it's a green light! A green, light!!” Steph cried into her cell phone. Dad and I, sighting our salvation with shock, were silently unbelieving for a few moments before joining her whoops of thrilled exultation. So we passed through, and found that the other side was beautiful. While Dad steered, Steph and I, drawing, sat on the deck. After our inspiration had been strewn across the white pages before us and a gorgeous sunset had been photographed, my sister and I analyzed our art enthusiastically, our celebratory mood lingering in our grins. 
At 9, as we entered the Royal Saint Lawrence Yacht Club (dubbed 'royal' by Queen Victoria many years ago), the sunset sunk into hues of electric magenta. Our friend, Eric Rioux, greeted us at the clubhouse and we drove to a local Asian restaurant for a celebratory meal.July 11, 2007: The Yacht Club is a haven for many local sailors and hosts many social activities. I am surprised by the number of large sailboats here. The forecast for today was for a windy morning and then thunderstorms in the afternoon. The local sailors were out in the morning to take advantage of the wind. Sue arrived about mid day from Boston. Eric has graciously offered to take us in to see McGill University and was also present. By the time we were ready it was time for an excellent lunch at the Clubhouse. We were then off to downtown Montreal and our self guided walking tour of the University.
Unfortunately the Welcome Center was closed so we were on our own with the help of some written material. A few raindrops fell as we walked about the campus until we approached the upper campus sports and dormitory section. Then rain and lighting caught up with us. 
We stopped around the Molson Stadium for a brief respite from the wind. A 
football game had been underway when this storm hit and both the players and the fans were taking shelter beneath the stands. We left the soggy but still spirited group and walked back 
down campus to the car. The streets were like raging streams and there was no way to avoid getting your feet totally soaked. Getting back to the Yacht Club was difficult since the main highway had been closed for repairs and the detour for a superhighway was through some city streets. Eric and I then went off to pick up my Aunt Dorothy from the Laval side of Montreal while Sue, Sara and Stephanie dried out on the boat. We all went to dinner at Micki's Restaurant in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and enjoyed seeing Eric's Mom. A good Italian meal and a good time was enjoyed by all of us even though the thunderstorms returned. 
July 12, 2007: Just another day at the RSLYC in Dorval. A mixed day with a sunny start then a cool and wet evening. We visited with Aunt Dorothy and the Rioux's and enjoyed swimming in a very nice pool. We have also been eating out far too much. The area was filled with bicyclists on the shore bike trails. A visit to the Lachine Museum brought us to the oldest house in Montreal. It was a fur trading outpost above the Lachine rapids. Examples of the birchbark canoes make you feel fortunate to have a modern boat to travel in.
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