The section of the Ottawa River after Carillon was a bit more cruiser friendly. Where we saw very few Aids to Navigation up to that point, now most of the buoys were now in place. The current decreased and the water depth increased. It was easy cruising. Unfortunately we also saw further signs of flooding. Islands of trees and no land began to sprout out of the river and there were several small marinas that showed no sign of opening up. As we neared St. Anne de Belleville we saw and heard an unusual boat. We soon discovered it was a Canadian Coast Guard hydroplaning vessel setting more Aids to Navigation in place. 
Locking through St. Anne was similar to locking at Carillon. They also have a floating dock go tie to, but instead of a 65′ drop, St. Anne is only a few feet change. But they too have mooring docks still underwater.
Our destination was Port de Plaisance de Lachine on the southern end of the island of Montreal. We chose it because it was close to Montreal and we would not need to venture out onto the St. Lawrence and then have to return against what we figured would be an exceptional current. Lachine is the home to the Lachine Canal which was first used in 1825. It has undergone several renovations and was even closed for a period. The canal can take a very low air draft boat ( I think about 9′) all the way into Old Montreal.
The Cottonwood trees are in bloom.
I have to give you a fair warning before I write about Montreal. I am not a big city girl. I love the small quaint towns where you get to know the people docked next to you and you can walk through town and know where you are. I am not as enamored with the noise and hustle, crowds and impersonalness ( is this a word??) of megatropolises. It’s just me. There, now you know and you must take what I say with my prejudices in mind.
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada, behind Toronto. And while it is certainly bilingual, it is most definitely French. Tim and I found it very interesting when we went to the Museum of Archaeology and History that the history of Montreal begins with the France’s desire to convert the people of the “First Nations” to Catholicism. I always knew Montreal and Quebec were French speaking, but I didn’t realize how much the people here still seem to associate themselves with France. In Ottawa, the Queen was everywhere. I don’t recall seeing any reference to the Queen and the royal family here in Montreal. It’s like England has no more role here than she does in the US.
So yes, we did most of the touristy things. As I mentioned, we went to the Museum of Archaeology and History and I found that very interesting. The museum is actually built on the site where Montreal was originally founded. Heavy plexiglass floors allow visitors to walk over ruins that are centuries old. You see how as the city grew, it was built over existing structures, layer upon layer. 
We also went to the Basilica Notre Dame. It’s quite beautiful. Our big hmmmm was seeing stained glass windows depicting clerics converting the indigenous people. We wouldn’t see that in a US church.
We went to Chinatown and Little Italy and had a lunch in both. We went to the amazing Jean-Talon Street Market and had to restrain ourselves to just one backpack full of goodies. We had to see the Port d’escale Marina on the St. Lawrence where we originally wanted to go. The flow of the St. Lawrence looked like a teeth grinder. We watched tour boats sliding sideways down the river as they took tourists to the other side. While being right in Old Montreal would have been wonderful, we are happy with our choice.
So now our visit here is almost over. We leave tomorrow morning with a lot of wishful thinking. It is a holiday weekend here and we are unsure where we will end up. We are hoping to find a spot in St. Anne. The wall in Carillon is our backup. You’ll find out when I return.