JULY 11 TO 18 LOVESICK TO ORILLIA

We have been having some difficulty accessing the Internet while in Canada so we can only update the blog when we have WiFi.

After leaving Young's Point, we crossed Stony Lake which gave us a preview of what to expect in Georgian Bay: Rocky hillsides and islands in crystal clear water.  This is where we would choose to live if we selected this region.

Examples of lakeside homes on Stony Lake-beautiful but probably pretty pricey!

Our next stop was at Lock 30-Lovesick.  Truly a beautiful spot.  It was so hot that we went swimming in the cool clear water.  The lock is actually on an island and is totally isolated and uninhabited-that is except for the raccoons.  We were advised by some Canadian boaters who were also at the lock that we should leave a plate of hot sauce out on the deck to discourage the raccoons from boarding the boat.    We did not follow their advice but were woken several times in the night by his majesty.  We thought that he just wanted a constitutional.  So Peter happily obliged him  at 2:00 a.m. and again a little while later.  In the morning, we learnt from the Canadians that the raccoons had indeed been on their boat.  They walked right through the hot sauce and left their foot prints behind.  They did board our boat, pushed the screen in above Gerbeaud's sleeping area but deterred by the vicious beast, left for more favorable hunting grounds on Glory Days. 

Joe and Pat on Glory Days woke to find two raccoons on their boat.  They pushed through their door screen and then opened the garbage can and were enjoying the lamb chop leftovers!  Joe backed off and fortunately so did the raccoons and they left.  They had crawled all over their couch and counter tops, leaving quite a mess. The next morning, Gerbeaud found one of the lamb chop bones that they dropped during their escape. 

We got a late start the next day as the gates at the lock at Lovesick were not operational.  By midday, however, we were on our way to Bobcaygeon for a two night stopover.  Bobcaygeon was unmemorable but we needed a laundry and grocery stop so it fit the bill.

Our next stop was Fenelon Falls.  A pretty little town at Lock 34.  The lock mooring area was renovated earlier this year and is the only lock on the system that has power and water available.  We thought it was worth it for the huge fee of $12.50 a night. 

Sunset at Fenelon Falls.

The moon setting at 5:30 a.m. at Fenelon Falls.  Peter took this photograph and no he was not three sheets into the wind!

After Fenelon Falls, we entered Balsam Lake which is at 840 feet is the highest point in the Trent-Severn Waterway.  After Balsam Lake, we entered the "Cuts".    They were the last part of the canal system to be completed in 1920.  The "cuts" were made through the Canadian Shield (solid rock) which is a geological feature throughout Canada.  This section is shallow and very narrow.

Entering the "cuts" from Lake Balsam.  Boaters are instructed to issue a security call when entering the cuts (or narrows as they are also called) to warn boats coming from the other direction.  We did encounter three oncoming boats going through this narrow section and it was rather hair raising!

The view from our bow going through the narrow channel.

After surviving the narrow cuts, we had to take a sharp turn onto Lake Mitchell.  If we thought the cuts were challenging, things really got interesting here.  The lake is very shallow and full of stumps.  Our depth gauge kept reading 3 and 4 foot depths and setting off the alarm-our boat draws 4.5 feet.  Fortunately, we did not hit the bottom and concluded that we were getting false readings as the lake is covered in weeds.

Next onto Kirkfield Lock.  This is another lift lock-49 feet.  This time, however, we are going down.  After driving into the pan, the sensation is similar to be suspended in water in mid air!

The view from our bow before we descend.  Not a good time to be sacred of heights.

Peter securing the stern line before the descent.

After going through a few swing bridges, our next adventure was the "Hole in the Wall".  The bridge was constructed in 1905.  Once through the "Hole", the channel narrows considerably and enters another lake that is overgrown with weeds.  Are we having fun yet?  We had to slow down and go into reverse a couple of times to dislodge the weeds from our propeller.  So far so good though.

Two more down locks today-all our locks will be down from now on.  Our final stop today was at Lock 39.  Another rural, isolated stop that we definitely prefer.  I should have mentioned before that the majority of the locks are operated manually.  This is a Canadian Parks employee closing the lock gate at Lock 39.  All the Canadian Parks staff have been exceptionally friendly and helpful.  One of the employees at this lock was driving into town and offered to buy ice for us.  An offer we gladly accepted.

After descending through another three locks, we entered Lake Simcoe.  The lake is 20 miles long and 16 miles wide and is the largest lake on the waterway.  It is advisable to cross the lake only in good weather as it can kick up waves up to 8 feet.  Fortunately, we had yet another great weather day.  We keep wondering when our luck will run out! 

Our destination today is the town of Orillia where we plan to spend three nights at the Port of Orillia marina.  We need to provision, do boat chores and most importantly review charts and plan our navigation route for Georgian Bay. 

We arrived in Orillia to the sound of Scottish bagpipes.  And you thought only William and Kate received a warm welcome!  There is a Scottish highland festival taking place for the next three days in the city park right next to the marina so we availed ourselves of the opportunity to hear the bands play.

They were really good but we felt their pain playing in 90 degree weather in those woolen kilts.