Sights and Experiences in the Canals

July 1998.  Top and above. We were in Dinant, Belgium. We had the worst time getting money here, but we did prevail in the end. Good thing, we were down to just a few dollars. But cities like this were a common experience, too. We were constantly pinching ourselves because of the history that surrounded us. 

Our American Flag was always an attention-getter. For us, it was always in a good way. We are just making our way along the canals and rivers through the heart of Belgium and France. Here we are in a small river. You can tell by the width of the waterway. Canals are typically not this wide.

One day Lori heard a gasp from below. When Carl appeared, he had absentmindedly run his shaver though his beard. Sooo, he was forced to shave his beard off. It was the first time in twenty years that Lori had seen Carl without a beard!

ABOVE and BELOW: Not only did we travel under bridges, we also went through tunnels.  We're waiting behind a peniche and a small power boat. The tunnels are one-way and so that red light seen on the right side of the tunnel entrance, tells us we have to wait until the traffic coming our way clears the tunnel. They also have to pass us to carry on with their journey. Sometimes, that was hairy. Lots of vessels in a small space.  

Once we got the green light, off we went. Tunnels were narrow so caution was the name of the game. Boats don't like running into brick walls.  Making our way through the tunnels was a real rush!!