Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Harper June. Being away from family is the most difficult part of this journey.
We were underway at 9:25 from the top of lock 34’s free wall, Fenelon Falls hoping to get through lock 41, Orillia.
Rosedale Lock 35 (4' lift) This is the shortest lift of all the locks at only 4’. We have now reached our highest point at 598’ and it’s all down hill from here. In just 10 more locks we will descend 260’ to Georgian Bay.
Trent Canal: This canal is so narrow that if you are a larger vessel you are required to post a securite' prior to entering the canal to alarm oncoming vessels to announce themselves or stand down until the vessel making the announcement clears the canal. Two large vessels CANNOT pass each other safely in this canal. With a 16' beam, we took up most of it.
I didn't show Glen the photos of the rock shelves that hugged Saunter's hull all the way through the two mile, 5mph canal until that evening. Actually I think I waited a couple of days. I
Kirkfield Hydrolic Lift Lock 36 (49' drop) Nearly as impressive as Peterborough's lift lock (where the lift is 65'), the Kirkfield Lift Lock is the summit of the waterway. from here on we'll be going downstream to Georgian Bay. Pulling into this lock feels as though you might go right over the edge because you look straight out at nothing as you are suspended 49' in the air.
Beginning our descent we received line assistance from the lock attendants for all remaining locks. Going downstream means we come in to the lock on the high side and grabbing ahold of the lines can be a challenge and impossible for a bow deck that sits high above the water level.
Canal Lake Concrete Arch Bridge (Hole in the Wall Bridge) was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1988 because it is the earliest known reinforced concrete bridge in Canada. The heritage value of this site is in its design and early use of reinforced concrete as illustrated by the surviving original structure. On a calm day and the sun in just the right position the reflection of the bridge on the water creates a perfect circle, appearing to be a "hole in the wall".
Bolsover Lock 37 (22' drop)
Talbot Lock 38 (14' drop)
Portage Lock 39 (13' drop). Oops, no approach photos. This one is on our way out.
Thorah Lock 40 (14' drop). As we approach the lock we pass two smaller American Tugs tied up to the wall. A brief hello as we go bye and an assumption we will see then in St. Ignace for the Great Lakes American Tug Rendezvous in August. This was an adorable, secluded lock that I would love to stay at if we do this again.
Gambridge Lock 41 (10' drop). Although the upper wall was under a highway and a train track ran beside it, this was a really inviting lock. The lower wall would be the preferred mooring.
The locks in the photos all look alike but they really all have their own unique personalities and charm. The Lockmasters compete to have the nicest looking, most preferred area.
Lake Simcoe: It felt great to be in open water for a bit.
Orillia: Port of Orillia was a unique marina. As we entered we noticed very few boats. Holy Cow, Out of the Blue and YOLO were there. Out of the Blue caught our dock lines because the attendants were nowhere to be found. And it's nearly impossible to catch a cleat on your own because they fold down into the dock.
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