SALLY SMITH
It was a cool morning at Old Slys Lock.
The water rippled, not a blow but lots of movement, the Voyageur canoe was settled at the dock with Teddy Jr. ready to go, and paddlers were slowly arriving.
The Fall-Colour Voyageur Canoe Tour was about to get underway.
Greg Watson, one of the paddle-leaders, says the large Voyageur canoes “are a great way to get people on the water.
“They’re nice, stable and safe,” he adds. “We can talk while we paddle.”
Six paddlers, two guides (and Teddy) took the group through the locks for two hours of paddling. Lunch was provided, and then a wrap-up at the Heritage House Museum after the paddle.
The event was hosted by the Rideau Roundtable; it was a collaborative event with the Town of Smiths Falls, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association. The local Tim Horton’s sponsored lunch.
The Rideau Roundtable is a not-for-profit organization focussing on the sustainable use of the Rideau and Cataraqui waterways and watersheds. Its purpose is highlighting the history and ecology of the region.
