Left Peterborough Municipal Marina on June 27. We locked through the Ashburnham Lock then arrived at the Peterborough Lock which is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world and, thus, not a good spot for those who don’t like heights (65-foot vertical lift)! First two pictures below are of view approaching the lock.
This is the view standing on boat looking up at the towers. The picture on the right shows the descending “pan” on the other side of the lock holding the boats being lowered.
Below left shows our boat in our “pan” (on bottom of picture) which is being raised. Picture on right is looking behind boat the few feet to the edge of the “pan” — !!
After Peterborough Lock, went through five more locks to stay at Lakefield above lock on night of June 27. The following day, Friday, June 28, went through three more locks to Buckhorn (half-way point on the Trent-Severn) and stayed above lock two nights because of weather. Nice little town.
Buckhorn has a very busy narrow waterway on wall leading to lock, however, and many vacationing houseboat renters got turned sideways trying to maneuver toward the lock. Made for lots of shouting from other boaters and fending off. Some of the houseboats (example below) can be quite large, so it’s tough in a narrow space.
Saturday, June 29 – One week on Loop today! Not veterans quite yet.
Left Buckhorn on June 30 for Fenelon Falls. Stopped briefly but very crowded and busy with Canada Day celebrations close to lock wall. High winds. Decided to go on to Rosedale. Very blessed by some people who helped us off wall, as a small boat had docked right under our anchor pulpit. Made it to Rosedale where it was 61 degrees and windy! However, able to purchase a shower for $3.00. It’s the little things in life, you know?
As soon as lock opened, left Rosedale, as we knew it was going to be a long day. Rosedale was the last lift lock. It’s all downhill from here! After you cross Balsam Lake, you’re in and out of what’s called the Trent Canal (affectionally dubbed “the ditch”), a manmade cut through the “Canadian Shield” (geologic feature/exposed rock). It feels very much like you’re riding in a ditch. It’s extremely narrow and shallow and makes for a white-knuckling experience for boaters.
They piled the slag/remnants along shore.
We made it to Kirkfield Lock, a 49-foot vertical drop. Picture shows bow of boat and front of “pan” as we’re being lowered.
Looking back.
After Kirkfield, passed through what is known as “The Hole in the Wall.”
More narrow waterway after Kirkfield. Meeting other boats provides an extra layer of excitement in the ditch. We were very blessed to have been able to hold our position in one area in which we met two power boats headed in our direction. Outside of Bolsolver Lock, the three boats locking through had to all maintain station outside of the lock in order to allow a tour boat to pass. There was more water in which to maneuver, but it was still quite shallow in spots.
After making Gamebridge, made the decision to cross Lake Simcoe as had decent weather window. By that time, it was very nice to have some “big” water. Below is Den at helm and entrance to lake.
The dogs’ spots.
Docked at Port of Orillia on July 1 just in time to watch the Canada Day fireworks that evening right from bow of boat!
Below are some random pictures, i.e., a swing bridge, how a line is attached to a lock wall, and a church on an island..
