GLORY DAYS ON THE GREAT LOOP: LOCK #39 TO PORT OF ORILLIA

DAY 43, SAT. JULY 16, 2011
L54 H86 AM COOL CLEAR DRY, PM VERY WARM & SUNNY
DEP. LOCK #39 PORTAGE 8:40 ARR PORT OF ORILLIA, ONT. 12:10
D. 22.5sm/798.1

Today we cross Lake Simcoe, the largest Lake on the TSWW, but first we have to go thru 3 locks, nos. 39, 40, & 41. Lake Simcoe is 20 m. long, and 16m. wide and is named for Sir John Simcoe, the first Lt. Gov. of Upper Canada. It has several large marinas and resorts, and appears to be a very popular vacation area for locals. The guide books say you must wait for the right weather conditions because the waves can reach 8’ in a storm. Fortunately for us, the wind is calm and the Lake is flat. We only have to cross the top part, a distance of about 10 m. The trip is very nice, and except for some missing buoys, uneventful. We enter the Narrows leading us into Lake Couchiching and turn left to the Orillia Municipal Marina where we are met by 2 capable dock boys who help us secure the boats. Marinas here are very inexpensive compared to the Cape. It cost $63 per night for the first 2 nights, and the third night is free. And, that includes hydro (electric). There is room for about 200 boats here and since it is the weekend, the place is jumping. There is a Scottish Festival all weekend, a beach, downtown very nearby, and lots of restaurants, stores, etc.

DAY 44 SUN. JULY17, 2011
AT ORILLIA.

Very warm, boat chores, beach time, relax. We meet our friends Jean & Brian Orr from Spirit of Whitby for coffee at the Mariposa Market and catch up on their side trip to Niagara Falls. PM, dinner with Maureen & Peter, our friends from Dudden Pilot to plan the next few days travel.

D45 MON. JULY 18, 2011
AT ORILLIA.

Restocking the pantry. Good stores and shopping, may not see this for awhile.