VERY COOL AM, VERY WARM PM CLEAR, SUNNY, DRY. L59 H85
DEP. FENELON FALLS 08:00 ARR. LOCK ABOVE #39 PORTAGE 2:30
D. 25.4 sm/775.6.
Every day is good, but some are more difficult than others.Today was one of the difficult ones.We left Fenlon Falls on time anticipating a long day, and we got one.We crossed Carson lake, very pretty, went around Grand Isle, also pretty, then came upon the fearsome Trent Canal.This canal is so skinny they have to use a thin pencil to show it on a chart.It is almost impossible for 2 boats to pass each other in some of the canal, and it is impossible in most of the canal.The sign at the entrance says to make a securite' call before entering to make sure there are no boats in there coming in your direction.We did this and got no response so the 2 boats I was travelling with, Bombay, and Dudden Pilot entered. I laid back a bit and very soon after they entered they encountered 3 boats in the 30’ to 40’ range coming at them.I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to pass.I waited for them to exit before I went in, and we were all grateful for that.The pictures don’t do it justice. My guess is this canal is about 20’ wide because I didn’t have 5’ on either side of me.What’s more, when you look down on the sides all you see is shale.Depth is around 6’, but some spots showed less than 4’ on the DF.This goes on for about 2, 5mi sections. In between is a shallow weed choked lake with narrow channels called Canal Lake. Eventually we come upon the famous Kirkland Lock.This is like the Peterboro Lock in that it is 2 large chambers into which you drive your boat, and the whole thing goes up or down.See Pics.Kirkland is also where we start locking down since we first entered the TSWW, and now the buoys are opposite, green on right. After Kirkland is the Talbot R. (not related to Talbot’s stores) which is pretty scenic, and short.Then it’s a series of 6 locks and canals over the next 5 mi. We spoke with several lockmasters and decided to spend the night at the top of lock #39. We are looking forward to the stop, and it is only a little less than a mile away.Again, the fates intervene.Just about as we are to enter the canal leading to the lock, we get a call from the lockmaster. Please wiat until the tour boat exits the canal before entering.So for 20 mins. we have to hold our position in a narrow channel trying not to go aground, or get too close to the shore.This was the most tiring part of the day. However, all’s well that ends well.We are safely tied to the wall in a beautiful little park about to have 5:00 happy hour with our friends Maureen & Peter.Hopefully, we won’t have any intruders tonight!
DEP. FENELON FALLS 08:00 ARR. LOCK ABOVE #39 PORTAGE 2:30
D. 25.4 sm/775.6.
Every day is good, but some are more difficult than others.Today was one of the difficult ones.We left Fenlon Falls on time anticipating a long day, and we got one.We crossed Carson lake, very pretty, went around Grand Isle, also pretty, then came upon the fearsome Trent Canal.This canal is so skinny they have to use a thin pencil to show it on a chart.It is almost impossible for 2 boats to pass each other in some of the canal, and it is impossible in most of the canal.The sign at the entrance says to make a securite' call before entering to make sure there are no boats in there coming in your direction.We did this and got no response so the 2 boats I was travelling with, Bombay, and Dudden Pilot entered. I laid back a bit and very soon after they entered they encountered 3 boats in the 30’ to 40’ range coming at them.I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to pass.I waited for them to exit before I went in, and we were all grateful for that.The pictures don’t do it justice. My guess is this canal is about 20’ wide because I didn’t have 5’ on either side of me.What’s more, when you look down on the sides all you see is shale.Depth is around 6’, but some spots showed less than 4’ on the DF.This goes on for about 2, 5mi sections. In between is a shallow weed choked lake with narrow channels called Canal Lake. Eventually we come upon the famous Kirkland Lock.This is like the Peterboro Lock in that it is 2 large chambers into which you drive your boat, and the whole thing goes up or down.See Pics.Kirkland is also where we start locking down since we first entered the TSWW, and now the buoys are opposite, green on right. After Kirkland is the Talbot R. (not related to Talbot’s stores) which is pretty scenic, and short.Then it’s a series of 6 locks and canals over the next 5 mi. We spoke with several lockmasters and decided to spend the night at the top of lock #39. We are looking forward to the stop, and it is only a little less than a mile away.Again, the fates intervene.Just about as we are to enter the canal leading to the lock, we get a call from the lockmaster. Please wiat until the tour boat exits the canal before entering.So for 20 mins. we have to hold our position in a narrow channel trying not to go aground, or get too close to the shore.This was the most tiring part of the day. However, all’s well that ends well.We are safely tied to the wall in a beautiful little park about to have 5:00 happy hour with our friends Maureen & Peter.Hopefully, we won’t have any intruders tonight!
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| OUR PRIVATE PARK AT TOP OF PORTAGE LOCK #39 |
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| SIGN REQUESTING SECURITE' CALL IN TRENT CANAL |
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| REASON FOR SECURITE' CALL |
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| SIDES OF THE CHANNEL |
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| HYDRAULIC PISTON IN KIRKWOOD LOCK |
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| HOLE IN WALL BRIDGE |
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| WEEDS ON SIDES OF CHANNEL. NASTY, BUT BETTER THAN ROCKS! |
Exciting times and some great decision making on your part. Hello to First-Mate Pat.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Dick