First day on the water: Auxonne to Dole

Early morning on the Saône - We have the river to ourselves

Our first day has the possibility of being a fairly long one, with a busy harbor at the end of the day. Following recommendations of our partners, who had just returned from these waters, we set off early. Our goal was to be the first to the ecluse we had to go through on the Saône. The ecluse opened at 0700 and we were the only boat in sight. The early start gave us the river to ourselves as we enjoyed our coffee underway, watching the birds and fishermen along the shore.

We arrive at Ecluse 75 a bit before the 0900 opening. This is the first (or last) ecluse of the Canal du Rhône au Rhine, our primary cruising grounds for this year.

Juniper, on the Saône, waiting to enter the Canal du Rhône au Rhine

Being early we tied up at the waiting pontoon and Joan went up to see what the process would be. She was told that they open at 0900. The first ecluse on this canal is a bit more of an ordeal than other ecluses. Our papers are checked, and we are issued a remote control device that will open most of the next 74 ecluse we encounter. Along with that there is a safety talk and finally small talk.

Michael handling the bow line, while Joan handles the camera and stern line as we transit Ecluse 75; St-Symphorien-sur-Saône 

Peniche and town of St-Symphorien-sur-Saône

With a good chart and excellent markings, following the canal is usually pretty straight forward. Here we are told to take the left channel, or follow the right bank in French river terms.

While most of our time on the canals is post card beautiful - occasionally we are reminded of these waterways roots. Here we are passing through a couple kilometers of chemical plants. Not pretty and all kinds of warning signs about the dangers.

But then at the end of the day you reach a beautiful town like Dole, where we'll be spending a few days soaking up the history, riding our bikes in the country, buying wonderful food at the market and taking time to smell the roses. And, by the way we made it in time to find a great pace to moor.

Our next post will be about our stay in this beautiful spot.

Canal des Tanneurs - the oldest part of Dole and birthplace of Louis Pasteur.