Lunch at Montebello on the Ottawa River (Brian)

Al at Montebello

June 27, Montebello, Quebec

We are having lunch at what is billed as the world's largest log cabin. It's big. This is the same place that Al pointed to on the map just yesterday and said, "we're not going there."

We went through the eight locks of Ottawa yesterday, like descending a grand staircase between the parliament and a cathedral down to the Ottawa River. We stopped on the other side, the French side, for sandwiches at Le Petit Episserie where they know what they're doing.

From there it was a long slog in the sun and I hit the wall at about 20 miles, with 10 still to go. Wasn't sure I would make it. We rowed nearly to sundown when Moe, the manager of a marina at Rockland allowed us to camp for the night. While others told us to keep going, Moe gave us a spot on the grass, showers, and a kitchen to warm up our Dinty Moore beef stew. Good, but a little heavy on the salt, Dinty.

The Ottawa River is broad and muddy, running through a wide flat Allen of farm land and low hills. Some of the farms come right down to the water. But there are few towns. Just mile after mile of rocky shoreline or swamp and rush grasses. We can hear many birds, but see few of them.

It's 2:10, and we have 18 miles to go. Al says were dawdling.