After
a morning walk through the Peterborough cemetery (isn’t the cemetery always a
great place for a cardio workout?), SaSea Sally departed Peterborough Marina
early afternoon with Captain Clay at the helm, Sally and Joe Weston as crew.
Joe, boating with us for the third time, was anxious to experience the Canadian
waters, locks and cooler temps; he’d soon get the Canadian waters and the
myriad of locks, but cooler temps were not to be. Hey Joe, two out of three
ain’t bad.
Joe
was eager to assist in the locking process, so after a bit of coaching from me,
he assumed the stern position as we entered Ashburnham Lock #20. He quickly
mastered the mechanics involved which was a good thing because we had five more
locks to maneuver today alone, covering a total of only 7.2 miles of horizontal
travel. At this point, we were traveling upriver, so our passing through each
lock was from a down position traveling vertically up (like filling the
bathtub); this can be a bit more turbulent than traveling from up vertically
down.
Shortly
beyond Lock #20 (as in 0.6 miles beyond), we reached our second lock for the
day which was a magnificent feat in engineering—a lift lock, one of two on the
Trent-Severn. I think Joe wanted to join us on this leg of our trip
particularly because of this very lock. Due to the uniqueness of the lift lock,
Clay chose to stop at the adjacent Visitor’s Center for a quick study and an
easing of the mind. Boaters often choose to observe the process before
embarking on the challenge because of this uniqueness. Note: ‘The Peterborough
Lift Lock was completed in 1904. Each of the two pans weighs 1300 tons when
filled. With one pan up and the other down, the two balance each other. It does
not matter how many boats are in either pan. A boat displaces its own weight in
water. When it is time to lower one pan and raise the other, one extra foot of
water (130 tons) is allowed to enter the upper pan. This extra weight allows
the upper pan to push down and raise the lower pan to the top level. The two
pans are locked in place, and the extra water is let out of the lower pan.
Boats enter and exit the upper and lower pans, and the process is repeated.’
Clay
and I have had fun posting pictures on Facebook over the months of traveling
the Loop, sharing our experiences with friends and family. I opted to video the
Peterborough Lift Lock in action to share as well. A picture, especially a
video, says a thousand words!
Two
down, four (locks) to go today. We entered Nassau Mills Lock #23 in close
quarters with other boats, most notably a rental houseboat to our bow (the
playground slide almost playing footsie with our pulpit’s anchor). Knowing it
to be a rental (which screams ‘caution’ to all experienced boaters in Canada),
I was extremely uncomfortable as to exactly HOW tightly we were packed into
this lock (reminded me of sardines in a peel-back tin from days long ago; do
they still come canned that way?). Not only this lock would we do in this
configuration, but as well the next few unless one or a few of the other boats
(or ours) decided to hang back at the gray line for a swim or a siesta. The
Parcs Canada female lock staffer assured me we were fine, to which the female
houseboat passenger added, “No worries, ours is a rental.” Really? Note:
We were fine, but I kept a keen eye on the situation until we crested and
exited.
Did
I mention that it was beastly hot today? Beastly. Brutally. Take your pick of
descriptors, I can’t emphasize how dramatically hot it was! Yet, once arriving
and locking through Sawer Creek Lock #25 (our home for the overnight), Clay
decided grilled burgers and romaine were the menu items of choice. Have at it,
dear Captain! I was thrilled because I prepare the dinner, but Clay, after 37
years of marriage, actually does the grilling on the Magma grill aboard. Sure
hope this carries over to home life at 417! Cold beer helped ease the pain of
cooking, no doubt!
At
1:20 a.m. (yes, I did get a ‘fix’ on the digital clock time), I bolted out of
bed to the sound of ? piercing the air. I had forgotten how penetrating the
sound of the weather alert alarm can be, especially when awakened from a sound
sleep. Quick to close the screened doors, windows and portholes with notice of
pending thunderstorms, Clay and I were amazed that Joe slept through it all.
My, how I wish I had that talent, Joe! But, you missed all of the
excitement—which turned out to be nothing but some warmish cabin temperatures
with lack of air flow!
Thursday
dawned overcast with a bit of spritzing and cooler temperatures. Our morning walk
took us down a Rotary trail adjacent to the roadway where we found a host of
fallen green apples with which to exercise our pitching arms and soccer-kicking
legs. Ah, the memories of growing up years when we created our own outdoor fun.
Joe once again brought along his trusty camera, ever ready for a photo op; we
have a celebrity onboard, one photo from a previous trip actually made
publication in the Columbia Daily Tribune.
Today
looked to be a day of 23.4 miles and five locks (with names of Lakefield,
Young’s Point, Burleigh Falls, Lovesick and Buckhorn) so best we be on the
waterway by a decent 9:45 a.m.; that’s early—or maybe just shy of average—for
us! We had a destination of Buckhorn Marina and an appointment there to install
the new aft head sump pump, so we actually knew the parameters of our travel
today (often we just travel until we quit or something forces us to quit for
the day).
Our
only stop along the way other than blue-line wait time was at Lockside Trading
Company at Young’s Point Lock #27. Young’s Point is a tourist community filled
with cottages and several small gift shops, with Lockside Trading Company being
an award-winning general store shopping opportunity carrying Kawartha ice cream
(Joe and Clay had ice cream cones for lunch—or lunch appetizer I should say)
and a unique assortment of gifts, souvenirs and treasures galore. Joe was in
search mode for souvenirs and for a birthday present for wife Terry whose
birthday fell soon after his return home; so he was on a mission—and the Kawartha
ice cream helped fuel his quest!
We
locked through the Buckhorn Lock #31, and Clay nailed a windy docking on the
face dock of Buckhorn Marina at a respectable 4:00 p.m. He had little wiggle
room to dock the boat between a perpendicular wall and the bow of a resident
boat—plus the challenges of wind and an unmarked submerged rock just off the
shoreline (I question the legitimacy of this latter obstacle because, during
our stay here, we saw no evidence of local boaters avoiding this area; I’m wondering
if the dock hands were merely trying to get a ‘rise’ out of us which would be
in very poor taste!)
Dinner
Thursday evening was a tasty George Foreman-grilled salmon, cilantro lime rice
and steamed veggies. Winds forced the use of the George Foreman as, with windy
conditions, we have trouble keeping the propane fire lit on the outside-mounted
Magma grill, our preference for grilling. We endured storms off and on through
midnight during which time we watched the television coverage of the bus
killings in Nice, France. What a cruel world we live in!
I
had opportunity to explore the town of Buckhorn solo Friday morning while Clay
oversaw the sump pump installation and screen Velcro repair; don’t remember
what Joe was ‘up to,’ but as I recall he ventured out on a picture-taking
mission of the area neighboring the marina. Once again stiff winds in excess of
22 knots (multiply by 1.2 to get mph) accompanied our departure and travel
across Chemung Lake, through Bobcaygeon Lock #32, and on to Fenelon Falls which
is a busy tourist town and a popular overnight stop for boaters. We arrived at
the base of Fenelon Falls Lock #34 (Lock #33 was not to be for us as it was
traversed by those boaters traveling from Sturgeon Point to Port Perry) and
tied to the gray line for the overnight with fellow Loopers John and Susan (Eagle
Heart). Our original intent was to tie only long enough to check for dock
space at the top of the lock, but we found little motivation to hurry through
this lock to join the throngs of boats gathered topside. Our position gave us
prime viewing of the folks fishing along the banks of the falls’ base, and a
short walk away gave us an exquisite view of the falls for which the town gets
its name. Fenelon Falls is said to have been named for Abbe Fenelon, who fell
over the falls in the late 1600s. Fenelon Falls was one of the first
communities in Ontario to use water power to generate electricity. We took
opportunity to dine locally tonight and opted for a ribs joint, described in
our guide book as ‘a small, casual pub-style place’ with a funky, creative logo
named The Cow & Sow. (Portions were ample to ensure a second meal of
leftovers! Hooray!) Two thumbs up to Fenelon Falls for its really well-signed
streets. Every corner has a sign—not just with the street name, but also
pointing you towards shops, churches, and attractions such as the museum, beach
and park.
Saturday
morning’s walking route took us along the lock’s top dock wall where Clay spent
more time chatting than walking. I chose to jump start my metabolism by walking
a portion of the Victoria Rail Trail which borders Cameron Lake, passing by
Garnet Graham Beach Park where already families were gathering to play. I
happened on this trail quite by accident and was enthralled by its beauty,
peace and tranquility.
With
breakfast underway, we were interrupted by an ‘all hands on deck’ call by
Captain Clay, alerting us to the need to lock through with Eagle Heart.
Yes, sir! All hands on deck, Joe and I were quick to respond, to set lines and
fenders not only for the locking process but to dock at the top wall for a
shopping opportunity. Joe, still in search of the perfect birthday gift
and souvenir had a wealth of shops from which to choose. “Fenelon Falls has
enough gift stores and antique shops to keep even a diehard shopaholic
happy—some of the shops have been in business up to 50 years.” Joe returned to
the boat with a package or two in hand; well done, Joe, well done!
Today’s
travel took us 15.8 miles and three locks (Fenelon Falls, Rosedale, and the
Kirkfield Lift Lock). This particular route contained a passageway with signage
requesting we make a securite call which was a first for us. We handled it with
ease! We also handled Kirkfield Lift Lock with ease, being quite similar to the
Peterborough Lift Lock with the exception of the lift structure being an ‘open’
pan which contained our boat. So, the thrill was increased as you felt as
though you were just ‘hanging out there.’ In addition, northbound boats proceed
into the pan suspended nearly five stories in the air. Just 11.3 miles shy of
the Kirkfield Lift Lock, as we traveled Balsam Lake, we ‘changed direction.’ At
this point, we were more than 840 feet above sea level and at the highest point
in the Trent-Severn Waterway. Whether north- or southbound, boaters at this
point lock down for the remainder of the trip. So, Joe had a new process to
absorb (well, not really new except for the fact that the ‘bathtub’ would empty
instead of fill).
Once
we completed the Kirkfield Lift Lock #36, we determined this to be a good spot
for the overnight so we secured to the dock wall and proceeded to meet and
greet those joining us here. I became well acquainted with a grandma Jane who
was awaiting the arrival of her husband Jack and four grandsons who had never
made a day trip to include a lock(s). On a weight loss kick, she and I logged
quite a number of Fitbit steps while we walked and talked; I welcomed female
companionship, and she was truly a delight! While she and I walked, Joe and
Clay helped catch the lines of Great Escape and proceeded to make small
talk and ‘idle chit chat’ (undoubtedly about boating). Leftovers for dinner
completed this fifth day of Joe’s Trent-Severn journey.
I
had blocked off days to accommodate boating travel/movement each of Joe’s days
aboard. But a weather review Saturday evening coupled with word-of-mouth
indicated Monday’s crossing of Lake Simcoe would be a toss-and-tumble kind of
day. Lake Simcoe is the largest body of water on the Trent-Severn measuring 19
miles long and 16 miles wide, with a shoreline of 144 miles. Leaving the
protected waters of the canal, even those of us traveling the shortest route
from the Trent Canal to The Narrows had 15 miles of open water to traverse.
‘Weather becomes a bigger factor, and when the wind is up, Lake Simcoe can be
ugly.’
So,
we modified our travel plans to reach our destination of Orillia Sunday evening
instead of Monday evening. Wise move! Sunday’s travel would now encompass 30.6
miles and five locks. Lake Simcoe’s waters treated us kindly with smooth
sailing once we handled Locks #37-41 in sequence of course with two smaller
boats in somewhat cramped quarters.
Note:
Prior to the entrance to Lake Simcoe, we encountered bridges with signage,
“Bridge opens on request.” Problem: Bridge tenders don’t monitor the radio.
Solution: Clay to the rescue, he indicated I should reconfigure quickly
(because the first bridge was rapidly approaching, or rather we were rapidly
approaching the first bridge and Clay so hates to slow down to a dead idle) the
fly bridge intercom to broadcast our request. We use this intercom only to
communicate internally fly bridge to salon and vice versa, so how to broadcast
was an unknown to me. Wasn’t rocket science, but did elicit temporary stress of
a level higher than I care to experience. That Clay! P.S. I’m now armed and
dangerous with so many new talents I’m learning aboard! (You may credit or
blame Sir Captain!)
We
arrived at Port of Orillia straight up 4 p.m., rejoining Bright Angel a
mere two slips to our port and India Jayne a mere two slips to our
starboard. Hail to our friends Byron and Cynthia, Kit and Pam! Soon joined by
John and Susan (Eagle Heart), we had a mini-rendezvous in the making.
Joe called docktails on SaSea Sally’s fly bridge where there was no lack of
interest in exchanging more boat stories; Joe even had a few of his own to tell
by now. To say the least, dinner was a late one this evening so joyous was the
Looper reunion!
I
shooed the fellas off the boat Monday morning, indicating they needed some
bonding (as if spending a week aboard a 43’ boat isn’t opportunity enough), and
I needed some me time. On my early morning walk I had discovered a Gordon
Lightfoot monument which Joe, ever a fan of such songs as “The Wreck of the
Edmund Fitzgerald” (perish the thought), quickly decided was his destination.
Clay willingly accompanied Joe undoubtedly intending to steer Joe afterwards to
Orillia’s Booches for a fish-and-chips lunch avec beer. I am highly doubtful
that they walked the entire route, but neither fella would divulge the truth
about any potential taxi ride. They do have taxis in Canada!
We
ended the day at Brewery Bay Food Co., a ‘chill hangout with exposed-brick
walls and lots of TVs offering burgers, poutine, pizza and bar fare’ where Joe
challenged me to a drink coasters game which I’d like to say I handily won, but
think it surely must have been a tie (Joe admitted to lots of practice!). Fun!
Tuesday
morning, as Joe boarded the shuttle bound for the Toronto airport, we bid him a
fond farewell, reminding him that Mi Casa Es Tu Casa…or rather Mi Barco Es Tu
Barco! As we bid him farewell, I will also bid you farewell.
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