An Uplifting Sunday - Canada Adventure Day 3
posted by on 08/25/08
It was a pleasure to attend church with the Van Essen’s on Sunday. The openness and friendly atmosphere made it a special time! We enjoyed a walk and
picnic lunch by a lock. Some of us had never seen one before this vacation. 
We were fascinated to watch the boats enter the lock from the side of the waterway where the water level was lower. The gates closed 
behind the boats and the lock filled with water up to the level of water on the other side of the lock. The gates opened letting the boats sail out onto the higher water. The whole process took about 15-30 minutes.
Then the Van Essen’s took us to see the highest hydraulic boat lifts in the world - The Peterborough lift lock. The difference in water level was so drastic (65 ft) that the boat lifts actually moved up and down like an elevator! They were huge!
But it was more then just site-seeing because the time spent getting there and back was filled with edifying conversation. What a blessing to spend time with such a spiritually uplifting family.
Those locks were so unique. It was fascinating how they all worked too. Both the smaller locks and large lift lock were very inginuative. Nothing electrical, everything by gravity and hydraulics.
And you are so right about the VanEssens being so uplifting! I very much appreciated the wisdom and hospitality displayed in their family.
I was wondering how y’alls trip to Canada went. We visited Sault St. Marie
(pronounced Sue) and saw the locks there. Mom loved it. It is something really neat to see.