BROKEN LOCKS & INTRUDERS

DAY 39 TUES. JULY12, 2011
Am Cloudy, overcast, PM Sunny breezy w-ne 15-20  L70 H83
DEP. LOCK #30 LOVESICK L. ARR. LOCK 32 BOBCAGEON 2:30

D. 22.9sm/737.3

Yesterday I mentioned that Lock #30 was broken and we had to wait until 10:30 for it to be fixed before we could leave. No problem….until later. The fun started this morning at 5am.   Joe wakes up to use the head, still half asleep, no eyeglasses, and sees what appears to be a large cat in the salon, no wait, 2 cats???   He quickly closes the door to the master cabin, gets his glasses and a light, opens the door and ……nothing! He turns on the cabin lights a finds last night’s lamb chop bones on the floor, the countertop, and the couch. Outside there are raccoon tracks all over the boat. In fact, every boat has raccoon tracks on it, we are the only ones with raccoon tracks inside the boat. It was so warm last night we left the doors open, but with the screens shut. It didn’t take long for them to figure out how to unfasten the screens and , uncover the garbage, and have a feast. Fortunately, there was no confrontation, just a close encounter.

THE NEW PART ARRIVES

WHERE DOES IT GO????

THE SWIMMING HOLE  (TEMP ABOUT 75)

WAITING FOR THE REPAIR

YOU WERE WHERE?

 

HELL'S GATE ????

DAY 38, MON. JULY 11, 2011
EARLY SUN, HHH, PM SHOWERS L65 H90
DEP YOUNG’S PT 08:45  ARR. LOVESICK LAKE LOCK #30 11:45
D 9.3SM/714.5

Today we do only nine miles.  We thought it might be too tiring to make it to Bobcageon (38m), and Buckhorn was poorly rated, so we decided to stop a LOVESICK LAKE.  This lock is accessible only by water, is very quiet and also a very popular stop. The trip over goes thru lock 28 Burleigh Falls, Clear Lake, which is beautiful and easy to navigate, and thru a portion of Stoney Lake which looks very daunting on the chart.  In fact this portion is called HELL’S GATE .  If ever there was a misnomer, this is it.  It should have been called Heaven’s Gate, as this has been the most beautiful area we have seen.  Yes, we have to navigate in a narrow, winding channelS strewn with boulders, some the size of small cars, some with houses on them, but it is very well marked.  From Hell”s Gate it is just a 2 m. ride to lock # 28 ( there is no lock 29) and then only 1.4m thru Lovesick Lake.  When we get there we find that the lock is broke during the previous lock up, and we have to wait until tomorrow until 10:30 for it to be fixed.  This worked very well with our plans as they allowed us to stay on the “blue line” until tomorrow, otherwise we might not have been able to stay at all.

AWSOME SCENERY IN HELL'S GATE

IF THIS IS HELL'S GATE, HOW COME THERE IS A CHURCH THERE?

STAY IN THE CHANNEL

HOW ABOUT THIS FOR A PRIVATE GETAWAY?

OR, MAYBE THIS?

PETERBORO TO YOUNG'S POINT AND THE LIFT LOCK

DAY 37  SUN. JULY 10, 2010

EARLY SUN, WARM AM  HHH BREEZY PM  L60 H91
DEP. PETERBORO 09:00 AM  ARR. LOCK #27 YOUNG’S POINT 2:10
D. 15.4 sm/705.6

This is another of those low mileage high lock count days.  Only 15.4 sm, but 7 locks, including the famous Petersboro Lift Lock.   This lock differs from the others in that it consists of 2 large pans of water, big enough for about 4 boats to float in.  In the regular locks we pull into a lock chamber that is at the level of the water we are in.  The  chamber is either filled or emptied by gravity, raising or lowering all the boats.  In the lift lock the 2 chambers are full of water when you pull in and tie up and the entire pan moves up or down.  I took some pics, but they don’t do it justice.  So, today we did 7 locks and a few small lakes and we are tired.   

TOUR BOAT DESIGNED TO FIT INTO THE PETERBORO LOCK

THE FAMOUS PETERBORO LIFT LOCK

INSIDE THE LOWER CHAMBER

THE LOWER CHAMBER WILL RISE TO THE LEVEL OF THE LEFT GATE
THE UPPER RIGHT CHAMBER WILL LOWER 

AFTER THE LOCK

 







CANADA ROCKS!

DAY 36 PETERBOROUGH, ONT.
We take a cab to the mall so Pat can get her hair done and Joe can return the “Rogers Rocket” he bought in Kingston to connect to the internet in CA. While waiting for Pat, I discover they do men’s hair so with the hair covering my ears, I decide to go for it. This salon is not my kind of place, but what the heck. All the hairdressers are these hot young girls and I’m a bit overwhelmed. So when this hot older woman comes out I’m sort of surprised. Well, I have to tell you she gave me the best haircut. She used only the scissors and razor, no electric clippers. It reminded me of the haircuts my father (a former barber as a teenager) used to give me as a kid. So much for nostalgia. While waiting for Pat to get done I wander over to the food court. As luck would have it you can buy POULTINE there. I had seen it on menus around town, but didn’t know what it was, so I asked for a sample. The basis for it is French Fries, sprinkled with cheese, or cheese curds, and then covered with brown beef gravy. You can then add scallions, sour cream, etc, but I had the basic version and it was delicious! We get back to the boat and surprise, surprise! The quiet little park we tied up to along the wall at lock 20 has been invaded by the local boy scout troop. So now we have about 15 tents pitched just outside our boat. Not what we expected, but no problem. They are all a bunch of well behaved kids having a little fun, but also very respectful of our space.

Later on we hear about the big “RIBFEST” and concert in Millennium Park. It’s a short (20min) walk from the boat, and Pat will enjoy not cooking, so expecting mediocre food and a lot of noise we decide to go. It turned out to be a blast! First the ribs were very good, the price was reasonable, and the music was very good. To add to the enjoyment we met two recently retired families, 2 sisters, their husbands, and one teenager. We all sat at the same table and before long we were like old friends talking about our countries, our travels, and families. There is also a concert going on at the marina tonight, and we can hear that from the boat. Apparently weekend concerts and rib fests are big doings around here, and like we did, everybody seems to have a great time.

CANADA BOY SCOUTS OUTING

PETERBORO RIB FEST



 

HASTINGS TO PETERBORO

DAY 35  FRI. JULY 8, 2011
OVERCAST AM MOSTLY SUNNY WARM PM  L60/H85
DEP.  HASTINGS 09:00  ARR. PETERBORO, LOCK #20 3:00 PM
D 37.3sm/690.2

Hastings Village Marina was a nice stop with a decent restaurant where you can get southern fried chicken wings for $12C. and cold beer.After a pump out we depart for a beautiful cruise through Rice Lake.The lake is dotted with several islands, some of which have cottages and some totally uninhabited.The water is flat calm and the scenery is beautiful.There is sometimes up to 3 sm between buoys so we can set the auto helm and just relax.At around mm 68 we enter the Otonabee R. which is also very scenic, but does require hand steering and very close attention to channel markers.The vistas here are more natural, occasionally interrupted by groups of summer cottages, small campgrounds, and even smaller fishing camps.Check out the pictures.As much as you try, it is simply impossible to capture all the natural beauty of the place.

 

 

WHAT, ME WORRY?

DAY 34 WED. JULY 7, 2011
WARM, P. CLOUDY L60 H85
DEP. CAMPBELLFORD 08:00  ARR. HASTINGS 1:45
D. 20.2sm/632.9

Joe didn’t sleep well last night. All those unanswered questions from the day before make for some restless nights.   What a waste of worry.   We get up early, depart at 8am, and only 1 other boat besides Dudden Pilot joins us.   Within a mile we are at lock 13 and have to circle only 10 mins.   Within 5 mi. we do locks 14, 15, and flight locks 16 & 17.   Everything goes smoothly despite the fact that with 3 boats we are so close we are just about touching, stem to stern.   Then we proceed thru some of the most scenic area so far in the trip.   The Trent R. is winding sometimes 180 degrees, and every turn reveals a new scenic vista.   Some stretches of wide water, others of summer cottages, small marinas, parks and many Lakes and Islands.   In 16 sm we get to lock18 and upon exiting, make a sharp left turn into Hastings Village Marina.   The very capable staff is on hand to greet us, help us tie up, and generally trip over themselves trying to help us.   These people really appreciate our business.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE LOCK WALL

LOOKING DOWN FROM THE TOP OF LOCK 17

TYPICAL SUMMER COTTAGES

BOAT HOUSE IN NEED OF REPAIR

THAT'S THE HIGHWAY SWING BRIDGE ON THE RIGHT

 

WE ARE GOING TOO SLOW!

DAY 32 TUES JULY 5, 2011
HUMID, WARM  L60 H9
DEP. LOCK #8 08:40,  ARR. CAMPBELLFORD, ONT. 10:50
D 5.3sm/612.7
DAY 33 WED JULY 6, 2011 @ CAMPBELLFORD

This is another one of those few miles, many locks days.  We are getting good with the locks, better every day, but there is still a good amount of anxiety entering and tying up.  Campbellford is one of those towns that is a convenient stop because it takes too much time to get to the next stop.  In any case, we need some groceries and according to Skipper Bob, we need to see the chocolate factory.  We spend 2 days here with Maureen & Peter (Dudden Pilot) which is one day too many.  I don’t know what we are thinking, but when I look at what we have done since we left Trenton, it averages about 7 sm per day.  If we want to get to Georgian Bay by July 25, we had better get moving.  We get the groceries, visit the chocolate “factory” where we find out there are no tours, only an outlet store where we buy lb. of chocolate for $1.99.  Up until 1:00 on Wed. we are the only 2 boats at the wall.  By 6:00pm there are now 13 boats at the wall.  The country western "concert" at the park isn't enough to relieve my anxeity about leaving.  Will there be a mad dash for the lock at 8:am?  Will we have to wait at every lock and drive in circles until there is room? Should we get up a 6am and tie up at the blue line to be the first ones thru?  Will there be room at the wall at our next stop in Hastings.  All that and more in our next BLOG.

INSIDE FLIGHT LOCK 16

PAT  WALKING THE WALL

CONCERT IN THE PARK

DAY 29  SUN. JULY2, 2011
CLEAR, WARM, BREEZY  L60 H85
DEP. TRENTON 09:07  Arr. FRANKFORT  12:30
D. 7.4SM./590.2
At last we begin our journey up the Trent-Severn WW. I can’t help wonder what it will be like. We’ve read about it in the guides, studied the charts, think we know what to expect (the unexpected), but there is a big difference between reading and experiencing. There’s no tipping your toes in here. The first 7 miles include locks 1 thru 6. The first thing that you realize is how small these locks are. You want me to put this big boat where???? Are you sure it will fit???? Once you get closer the perspective changes and after some moments of fear find out …… it does indeed fit. We go in first, followed by our travelling companions Maureen and Peter aboard Dudden Pilot, a 36’ MONK. We both cozy up to the wall on the starboard side, and surprise, cables (hung vertically and anchored at top and bottom). These are the prized method of “hanging on.” You simply loop a line around the cable and tie it tight to your breast cleat and you’re good to go. As the boat rises (or falls) the line slides up (or down) the cable. So, after 6 of these we call it a day, as planned, and tie up above lock #6 on the east wall. There’s a small park there with a couple of huge weeping willow trees overhanging the canal which provide shade from the hot midday sun. Lunch is next, followed by siesta time (those Mexicans have it right) then a walk to the beach. The “beach” turns out to be a small pile of sand dumped along the edge of the adjacent river, the bottom of which is a shale or some kind of flat stone that reaches depths of up to 3’ in some places (off shore about 100 yds). Did I mention the current runs about 6mph here. Just as well because the water is too cold anyway

DUDDEN PILOT IN CHANNEL

OPEN WATER

CAREFUL,  PERMANENT CHANNEL MARKER

GLORY DAYS UNDER THE WEEPING WILLOW LOCK#6

LOCK #6 FRANKFORD TO LOCK#8

DAY 30  MON, JULY 4, 2011

CLEAR AND COOL L60 H75
DEP. FRANKFORD 08:40 ARR. LOCK #8 12:30
D 18SM/608.2

Since we have plenty of time, we again decide to do a short day. Today there are 2 locks over 18m. We travel thru some channels roughly 25’ wide with rocks on either side, so this can be nerve racking. The entire trip today seems to be thru narrow channels with few areas where it opens up. Some of the channels are thru rocks as mentioned, others thru marshland, some thru open water. In any case they all require hand steering and careful piloting. The reward is an early tie up above lock #8 on the west wall next to a small park in the shade of 6 maple trees.

The pic of Joe opening the gate is not real, but that is actually how the gates are open and closed, all by hand. Every lockmaster is responsible for keeping the lock clean and ready, and so far every lock has been perfectly groomed, clean, and just like a private park.

It’s like dying and going to heaven. Tomorrow we head for Campbellford, Ont.

UNDER THE SHADE OF THE OLD MAPLE TREE

TOTE THAT BARGE.............OPEN THAT LOCK!

EMPTY LOCK #8

9:30 pm TIME FOR BED

 

PICTON, ONT. TO TRENTON, ONT. HAPPY 4TH er 1ST of July

DAY 29 SUN. JULY2, 2011
CLEAR, WARM, BREEZY L60 H85

DEP. TRENTON 09:07Arr. FRANKFORT12:30
D. 7.4SM./590.2

At last we begin our journey up the Trent-Severn WW.I can’t help wonder what it will be like.We’ve read about it in the guides, studied the charts, think we know what to expect (the unexpected), but there is a big difference between reading and experiencing.There’s no tipping your toes in here.The first 7 miles include locks 1 thru 6.The first thing that you realize is how small these locks are.You want me to put this big boat where????Are you sure it will fit????Once you get closer the perspective changes and after some moments of fear find out …… it does indeed fit.We go in first, followed by our travelling companions Maureen and Peter aboard Dudden Pilot, a 36’ MONK.We both cozy up to the wall on the starboard side, and surprise, cables (hung vertically and anchored at top and bottom).These are the prized method of “hanging on.”You simply loop a line around the cable and tie it tight to your breast cleat and you’re good to go.As the boat rises (or falls) the line slides up (or down) the cable.So, after 6 of these we call it a day, as planned, and tie up above lock #6 on the east wall.There’s a small park there with a couple of huge weeping willow trees overhanging the canal which provide shade from the hot midday sun.Lunch is next, followed by siesta time (those Mexicans have it right) then a walk to the beach.The “beach” turns out to be a small pile of sand dumped along the edge of the adjacent river, the bottom of which is a shale or some kind of flat stone that reaches depths of up to 3’ in some places (off shore about 100 yds).Did I mention the current runs about 6mph here.Just as well because the water is too cold anyway


DUDDEN PILOT IN CHANNEL
 

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY!



A NARROW CHANNEL ENTRANCE

 

TRENTON
Day 28 Fri. JULY 1, 2001
CLEAR, COOL, SUNNY L61H76
DEP. PICTON 08:00 ARR. TRENTON 1:20
D 37.7SM/582.8
Today (Fri) is CANADA DAY! It's like our 4th of July, only more subdued. I don't know all that much about Canada history, but I do know they didn't have to fight a revolution to gain their independence from England the way we did.  In any case, we watched 15 mins. of fireworks last night among a paltry showing of patriotic Canadiens.  Had this been Falmouth, the shores and bridges would have been SRO.
The cruise from Picton was nothing but beautiful. I keep being impressed by the quantity and quality of boating areas around here.  The marinas aren't as first class, nor are they as expensive, but the anchorages are not only beautiful, they are plentiful.   Our trip today was through the Bay of Quinte, a body of water separated from Lake Ont. by several Islands, between 1/2 and 3m wide and about 60m long. The channel is well marked and pretty easy to follow and the shore is mostly forest with areas of summer houses and farms. All quite scenic.
Trenton is the gateway town to the TRENT-SEVERN WW(TSWW), busy, but not very scenic, unless we are missing something.  We did see a fishing tournament here. First prize went to 2 fisherman who weighed in 27.7lbs. of bass and won $4,000. This is obviously big bass country as powerful hi speed bass boats keep racing through here doing at least 30-40mph. Even the aluminum ones leave a wake big enough to rock us hard. We are bow in to a wall, and the waves hit us from astern, then hit the wall and hit us from fwd. It doesn't bother me until the stores start falling from the cabinets. We are here for Fri. and Sat. and leave on Sun to start our way up the TSWW.

SAT. DAY29 TRENTON
SUNNY, WARM, HUMID L60 H80
We get to sleep late today, 7:30. Big breakfast, wash the boat, grocery shop, write blog, go to Sat. pm Mass, dinner with 4 other boating couples. Did I mention the Happy Hour last night. Met a couple of more Loopers, 1 a Gold Looper,(Don Miller and Theresa Barrett on Great Escape).  That's someone who has completed the Loop and in this case going around again. We try to get as much info as we can from them as to what to expect. Unfortunately, we forget what they tell us in the am, something about french boaters being inconsiderate, and stay in the channel.   So much for this blog. I'm going to add some pics and then hit the showers. I'm told internet access is scarce over the next 240 miles, so don't expect too much along the way.

TRENTON FRASER PARK MARINA



PAT WAVING TO ME FROM THE BOAT

ME WAVING TO PAT FROM THE TS BRIDGE

SOME OF THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY IN BAY OF QUINTE

KEEP THIS ONE TO PORT