Captain's Blog

  TRAVEL DAY 92 - Orillia to Big Chute August 9, 2023 5.18 Hours/34.4 Miles     With very little of the Trent left, we motored out of Orillia and across Lake Couchiching to Washago. Entering a well marked channel at the end of the lake called "The Bowling Alley" because it is a straight fairway, we proceeded through the rock lined entrance toward Lock #42. Instead of going straight, we made a port turn into McGregor on the Water Marina for a fuel top off & a much needed pump out. With only a 14.5 gallon holding tank it doesn't take long to fill.    Lock #42 - Couchiching     Once pumped out and filled up, we spun the Troll around in the narrow rock ringed basin and got back out to the canal. Prior to the lock is a railway swing bridge with an operator that is notorious for being in a foul mood. Although the instructions are to sound the horn for an opening, many folks have reported that doing so seems to irritate him enough that he purposely keeps ...

  TRAVEL DAY 89 - Bobcaygeon to Fenelon Falls August 3, 2023 2.9 Hours/14.8 Miles     We moved through lock #32 and at the top we were greeted by a flotilla of re-created Birchbark Canoes. These massive canoes were the principle water transportation for the indigenous people and were also used by the early fur traders because of their size and ability to carry a load. This particular group was paddling to the new Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough.  Birchbark Canoes     A pretty uneventful day as the two other boats traveling with us, one ahead and one to the stern made their way through the narrow rock strewn waters. If it weren't for the red and green buoys we would have whacked the bottom more than once. Locking Thru     Just before Fenelon Falls we entered a protected cove with high stone cliffs and quaint vacation houses. Summer time in Canada means lots of people outside, in & on the water. Interesting homes and docks     ...

  TRAVEL DAY 86 - Peterborough to Lakefield July 31, 2023 5.5 Hours/8.3 Miles     The start of each day requires some planning but mostly guesswork. We never know how many boats will be at the first lock. If we can get a spot at the "blue line" and get through early, we have a better chance of getting a place on the free wall at our destination. Today our stopping point is Lakefield, Lock #26. This is one of the few locks that has shorepower, which is not a necessity but keeps us from having to run our generator. Ready for the first lock of the day     Pau Hana pulled out of the slip at Peterborough Marina a little before 7 am. The communications Officer received a text from Endless Somers that there was space for us at the Ashburnham Lock #20 wall, so we pulled up and tied port side.  The locks here open at 9 am so with an hour and a half to kill I gave the crew permission to return to the bunks. Peterborough Lift Lock Crew ready for Peterborough Lift Lock...