Day 18 - Location: 44.29527N, 78.31567W

Looking back at the Lift Lock after passing through

Looking down on the lower chamber from above

Waiting for the green light signalling time to go in

Keith talking to the lockmaster at one of the locks

Giving the crew a work-out at the locks

Lock day today. We were planing on a short day today, maybe 20+ miles. But with 7 locks to go through, all within a short distance of each other, we ended up making it a full day after all. The most spectacular lock we passed through today was the Peterborough Lift Lock, the largest lift lock in the world.

What an impressive piece of work. Two large basins or boat chambers 140' (43m) X 33' (10m) sitting on giant pistons push each other up, one going down, while the other goes up. The lock opened up in 1903 and has been operating with very little down time since. It takes approx. 10 minutes to cycle.

During the more than six years of construction 76,000 cu. yds. of sand, soil & gravel were excavated, 26,000 cu. yds. of concrete were placed. All that work for $1.-/day. The scenery along the waterway continues to change a little each day. We are starting to see more cleared lands, with pastures. , Peterborough (pop. 78,000), where we're staying tonight is by far the largest place we've seen since we left. A nice marina with a river front park. We both continue to truly enjoy our trip.