Heritage harbour Marina, Ottawa to Grafton

The journey continues.We arrived at the beautiful new Heritage Harbour Marina a bit after 6pm.we found everyone very friendly and helpful. The next day they gave us a courtesy car[also new] so we could go to Ottawa for provisions , look after laundry and see the town. Our friends on Sea Q west tried to come into this marina only to find out the entrance was too shallow for them- they draw 6 feet. We heard they had been advised to go to the town dock by the evening staff. Bill phoned them right away to say they would have problems there.They went on to a lovely anchorage just south of Ottawa.
 We got to enjoy this anchorage, Sheehan Island  on Friday eve.A lock  called Starved Rock Lock had been under repair for a few days and was going to open from 6-8 am on  Friday to let some boats through. Sea Q west was near this lock so they made it down on time but had to let us know the lockmaster was not holding it open any longer. Our B plan was to go to Sheehan Island .It was well worth it. Scenic - limestone cliffs and quiet. A nice day to relax and do some reading.

 Saturday we were able to get thru. the lock- no problem.A power boat joined us in the lock.It followed us most of the way to Peoria. We were excited to go there since we knew Sea Q West and Another Dawn were also going to be there.When we arrived there the Pinta and the Nina were also at the Peoria town dock now  displaying full rigging. They were set up for the public to tour.

our boat along the wall

The water front was a busy place but only those touring the Columbus ships and boaters using the slips could come onto the docks.Many people talked to us from the wall. It was a bustling place because of the beautiful weather and the restaurant and other festivities including an art show, homecomings and the ship tour.Saturday evening we figured out we could worship at Grace Presbyterian Church[PCA] in Peoria on Sunday if we could only get an address.We could not find a phone booth so Sunday a,m we headed up the street in to downtown Peoria in search of a hotel with the hope of finding a taxi cab there . We were thankful the taxi driver was there and he also knew where the church was so he thought. When we arrived at the location it now was being used by the Baptist congregation and was already in worship so on his phone he found the new location. This congregation had built a new building on the outskirt of town very recently.After hearing a sermon on Psalm 46 and esp .on verse10 and lots of singing we  were stopped by the Allens who took us under their wing . First it was alovely lunch at church then out to their home before they took us back to our boat.We shared fellowship and encouragement with and from them.

Grace Presbyterian Church

The Allens on Adriana 1