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Just a couple miles of canal and it widens out to Canal Lake. It really ought to be called Canal Widespot, not much of a lake, but there were a lot of fishemen out already. Got a short rain shower while passing through, but then the sky started to clear. |
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Back into a canal section, with 3 locks spaced just a mile or so apart. The land is almost flat, but apparently sloping slightly because the canal is formed by essentailly a dike along one side. There were places I looked down at the adjoining fields. |
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Out onto Lake Simcoe. This is the big one, 19 miles long and 16 miles wide, for a while I could not see the shore in any direction. I passed this tug towing a boat in- a sobering thought. |
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Out of Lake Simcoe and through the Narrows into Lake Couchiching. It was
just past noon, and there were hundreds of boats all runing back and forth through the
narrows. If its like this the first of June, whats it like in July and August? Sure
glad I'll be back to the quiet Maine coast by then.
A nice boat, named OUTSTANDING. I have been surprised at some the the large boats here on the lakes. Lots of 40-50 footers. A hell of a lot of 18-20 foot speed boats, and a few cigarette boats. |
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This is the biggest lock of them all, 47 feet in one drop. And I think it
was the fastest lock as well. I held onto a nifty floating bollard, built into
a C-shaped nook in the wall.
This river was fast- there were almost rapids in several narrow passages, and the bouys were healed well over. Trickey steering in some places. |
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The Big Chute marine railway, another of the Trents unique locks. This thing is huge as it rolls over the crest of the hill. |
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Then down and submerges its main deck. You move into it just like a lock, except the guys on the walkway actively grab your lines and position the boat where they want it. |
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Here we are, bow touching the deck, a big strap under the aft section and very snuggly cradled. We did tip up, then down quite a bit, inspite of the raised rails that keep it somewhat level. |
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High and dry, about 57 feet above the water below.
This is a Marine railway to prevent any chance of the Lamphre ell from reaching Lake Simcoe. |
Another 62.9 miles and 7 locks. Im now just 8 miles from the end of the Trent Severn Waterway. I just spent a while figuring out the next leg, through Georgian Bay.
Its a very hot night, 84 degrees at 8:30, and thretening a thunderstorm. Lots of those big deer flies. I walked over to the marina hoping to get an ice cream, but they closed at 6:00. Nothing else in the area. Oh well, its good for my diet.