Trent - Severn Waterway; July 23, 2011

Link to anchorage on the Severn River via Google Maps

Swing bridge first thing thing this morning - it looked low, so we
sounded the horn. Bridge tender had us pull up and ease through

That was close!

Lock 42 - Couchiching: Lift 21 feet

Sparrow Lake: the last large body of water before Port Severn
Chart shows lots of islands and rocks

Several islands had houses on them

Had to ponder this.... was it once above the surface and sank?
Underwater rocks are usually marked with a buoy, but this is a lake of islands.

House on a rock

 McDonald's cut leads to the next lock

Lock 43 - Swift Rapids: Lift 47 feet
Modern hydraulic lock built in 1965

We watched these boats come up in the lock - took 7 minutes
Then we had to hurry back to our boat to get the ride down

Going down - 1st floor please

Yellow is such a happy color, eh?

Trent - Severn Waterway; July 22, 2011

Link to anchorage in Lake Couchiching via Google Maps

Lake Simcoe: Largest body of water on the Trent-Severn
19 miles wide long - 16 miles wide

Sun at our backs crossing the lake -  gentle swells - occasional spray.
We love boating. Good thing, eh?

The Narrows connect Lake Simcoe with Lake Couchiching

Lake Couchiching - shallow with an average depth of 9 feet

Anchored for the night at the north end of the lake.

Trent - Severn Waterway; July 21, 2011

Link to anchorage in Lake Simcoe via Google Maps

5 Locks today in 3.8 miles plus 3 swing bridges

 Nine hot windy miles in total 

Next stop - Lake Simcoe: 6.6 miles

Swing bridge sees you coming and has it open before you get there - nice

Lock 37 - Bolsover: Lift 22 feet
Note the headset - keeps the shouting to a minimum 

Lock 38 - Talbot: Lift 14 feet
Distance traveled: 1.1 miles

Leaving L38 - met two new boats from the USA

Since the Locks are so close together, you travel in groups
That good smell of pine reminds us of the mountains.

Lock 39 - Portage: Lift 13 feet
Distance traveled: 1.5 miles

In the locks that lower you, the lock masters help you with your lines. Because the cables are lower than your boat, they are harder to secure. Stopping an 8,000 pd boat on the first try is necessary, so the extra help is welcome. 

Lock 40 - Thorah: Lift 14 feet
Distance traveled: .5 miles
It was a tight fit.

Downside of L40

Lock 41 - Gamebridge: Lift 10 feet
Distance traveled:  .6 miles
Note the lock master waiting to help with our lines

Yeah! Lake Simcoe! Weather permitting, we will cross in the morning

Look at 'em go - our two lock companions
See you down the road

Trent - Severn Waterway; July 20, 2011

Link to anchorage close to Lock 37 via Google Maps

Lock 35 - Rosedale: Lift 4 feet

We're at the Summit!

840' above sea level - we started at 243' on 7/10/11 

Leaving Balsam Lake into the Trent Canal

Not for the claustrophobic. 

Rocks lurking below the surface

It's all down hill from here!

Kirkfield Hydraulic Lift Lock - Lift 49 feet down

Pulling into a pan of water that's up in the air and
getting a quick ride down - cool

Heading downstream now, you pass through "hole-in-the-wall"
and enter Canal Lake where we are anchored for then night. Yawn.

Trent - Severn Waterway; July 17, 18, & 19, 2011

7-17-11

View out the window.
No cell service, internet or TV..... what would you do?

7-18-11

Link to Bobcaygeon, Ontario via Google Maps

Geese in the marsh as we were getting ready to leave

Lock 31- Buckhorn: Lift 11 feet

Turbulence inside and out of this lock

7-19-11

Link to anchorage above Lock 34 via Google Maps

Waiting outside Lock 32 - Bobcaygeon: Lift 6 feet

Call in the diver to clear seaweed from the depth sounder

On the blue line at lock 34
Houseboat on the other side - boats pay by the foot to tie up overnight.

Lock 34 - Fenelon Falls: Lift 24 feet

Boats tied up on the other side -
fun to see people you've met in other ports.

Silly as a Loon.
Wondered where that maniacal laughter was coming from!