Day #55: Midland Day 8

The Trent-Severn Waterway

I don't want to give any false impressions, the map above, with its cartoon trail, shows where we will be going.  The Trent-Severn, with its 45 locks, is 240 miles long.  Saturday the adventure begins.

The weatherman was right, the promised 20kt winds were with us most of the day.  They created an uncomfortable surge here at the dock.  However, other than a lot up and down and a lot side to side, Nellie didn't move today.

I spent the afternoon with my head down in the bilge debugging an electronic water-sense switch for the Slurpee (a new system which promises to keep the bilge completely dry).  Nellie was bouncing so much I got nauseous.  The good news is I got the switch working--before throwing up...

We're holding at 1800 miles.  No complaints though, it's nasty out there.  Safely tired to the dock in Midland, Ontario.  DBH

Day #54: Midland Redux

Really Long and Thick Grass

When we pulled into the fuel dock this morning it was only for a pumpout (i.e. emptying the toilet's holding tank).  I'd called earlier and been told pumpouts were $12.  That's a bit high in the US but on par for Canada.  A teenaged dockhand, who'd donned blue surgical gloves for the procedure, assisted by handing me the deck fitting, then the vacuum line, and finally, the waterhose.  After the operation's successful completion I was presented a $25 bill.  My questioning of the amount was received with raised eyebrows and concerned looks.  Canadians are so polite.  Rather than press the issue I was about to pay  when told that pumpouts are free--with a minimum $240 fuel purchase.  Now we're talking.  We bought $400 worth of diesel.  Hmm, seems Canadians are good business people too.

Flowers on Lake Huron

Tonight's weather is predicted to be bad.  No problem.  We know where a nice dock is.

Discovery Harbor to Midland

It's 11 miles from Discovery Harbour to Midland.  This ups the total to 1800 miles.  Tonight, as a storm does indeed pass through, we're safely tired to the dock.  DBH

Day #53: Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene

Long, Stringy Water Plants Make Anchor Recovery Slow

HMS Tecumseth at the King's Wharf, Penetanguishene

The naval base at Penetanguishene is a relic of the 1812 War.  It's purpose was to protect the British western flank.  The war ended in 1814 and the base was manned until 1857.  It never saw any action.  Touring the facility gives a sense of how harsh life was in the outback.  The base may be history but, the good council of its leaders lives on in the orderly town of Penetanguishene.

Nellie at Anchor Off King's Wharf

If We'd Come Flying The American Flag 205 Years Ago, this Jail is Where We Would Have Ended Up

Grass Caught by the Engine's Strainer

Long Bay to Discovery Harbour

We made 15 miles today and completed a circumnavigation Beausoleil Island.  That raises this year's bar to 1790 miles.  Nellie is at anchor off King's Wharf in Penetanguishene Bay.  DBH

Day #52: Long Bay Day 2

Looking SE in Long Bay Anchorage

Today nothing happened.  Nellie swung on her hook while her crew vegged. 

Overcast and Windy

Long Bay had eight boats anchored in it when we arrived yesterday.  By sunset they were all gone.  Fortunately for us, day cruising is what most folks seem to do.  This is facilitated by the many large, well equipped marinas in eastern Georgian Bay.  It's a short jaunt to lots of beautiful anchorages and you can easily get back to your slip at night.  Toronto, 90 miles to the south, is where a lot of folks are from. 

Nellie's Immigrations Number and Free Canal Pass

This year Canada is celebrating their 150th birthday.  To entice visitors they're offering free canal passes.  Wahoo, we're enticed.  Trent-Severn here we come.

Toronto is 90 Miles to the South

No miles today and 1773 miles for the year.  DBH

Days #50 & #51: TugFest and Long Bay

Day 2: Parade, Tug Push, Awards

Oh my gosh, these tug owners know how to throw a party!  Bicki and I are exhausted.  But, oh what fun.

Round and Round We Went

Tugs on parade, tug races, tugs pushing tugs, and tugs running through fireboat water cannon streams.  There was something for everyone.

Push Nellie Push

It turns out that Nellie is a really strong pusher.  She came in third overall!  Sure, sure the forth boat up rammed the scales and irreparably broke them.  But still...

Aye Laddie, You Won First Prize!

The fleet had some pretty fabulous engine rooms but the four judges (one was Midland's mayor) wisely picked Nellie's as being the best.  Two things swayed them: the fact that Bicki wore a respirator for four weeks while hand cleaning, etching, priming, and painting every single part; and, we bribed the judges with beer.

Midland to Long Bay on Beausoleil Island

After breakfast on the dock this morning we finally broke the bonds of Midland and headed for Long Bay anchorage on Beausoleil Island.  We have a beautiful bay all to ourselves. Ahh.  A whole 17 miles today and 1773 for the trip.  DBH

Day #49: Midland TugFest

Let the Games Begin!

Assembling the Fleet

Getting Ready to Race

Nellie raced against three other tugs.  At 30 years old Nellie was the baby of the heat.  The other tugs were steel and made in the 1940's and 1950's.  We came in second, but only because two of the other tugs retired before reaching the finish line.

Measuring How Hard a Tug can Push

Big Engines can Push Harder

Pipe Band Sunset Ceremony

Tonight's Tug Parade of Lights

A reporter from CTV covered TugFest today.  Nellie got some air time on the evening news.  Here's the link.

We got away from the dock twice today and logged a whole 2 miles.  With so many boats in close proximity, first for the races and again for the parade of lights, I'm happy to have made it back to the dock in one piece ;-) 1755 miles into the journey.  DBH

Day #48: Midland Day 4

Nellie Dressed for TugFest

Finally, the sun comes out and the wind begins to die down.  The tugs started to arrive today.  The festivities begin in earnest at tomorrow morning's captains briefing.

A Huge Tug

A Not so Huge Tug

Midland Mural

No miles today and holding at 1753 miles for the trip.  DBH

Day #47: Midland Day 3

More wind and rain today.  The only bright spot?  The locals aren't saying, "You should have been here last year." Why?  Because last summer's weather was just as bad!  That should make us feel better, right ;-)

Nellie may be stuck at the dock, but we're not. 

Midland to Penetanguishene

It's a six mile walk to Midland's sister city Penetanguishene.

On the Way to Penetanguishene

Welcome to Penetanguishene

Looking Down Main Street Towards the Bay

Penetanguishene Murals

That's a Big Astrolabe

In the waterfront park we came across a huge astrolabe​ sculpture entitled 'You are Here'.  The sculpture honors Champlain (who would have used an astrolabe​ during his 1615 discovery cruise of Georgian Bay).

Our navigation instruments have gotten a little better since Champlain's day.  An astrolabe​, in the hands of a expert navigator, could determine the ship's latitude within 15 miles of its actual position.  A GPS, in the hands of a five year old, could determine the ship's latitude within 15'. 

The engineer in me suggests that the sculpture's name be changed to 'You are Here +/-15 miles'

No miles today and holding at 1753 miles for the trip.  DBH

Day #46: Midland Day 2

Rain and Lightening

Normally when Nellie runs for cover because of a dire weather forecast it's for naught.  Not  this time.  We woke to a thunderstorm and winds in the 20's.  Up to 30kt winds blew all day from the northwest.  Being downwind this raised Midland's water level by almost one foot.  The Great Lakes don't have tides but they're certainly effected by the winds.

Welcome to Midland Harbour

"A young Apollo, golden-haired,
Stands dreaming on the verge of strife,
Magnificently unprepared
For the long littleness of life."

-- Frances Cornford 

In high school English class we were required to memorize one poem per week.  For some reason Cornford's stuck with me.  Now, forty-two years along, I look back and laugh.  The teacher, I think, was having a little fun at our expense.  The poem certainly resonates more for me now than when I was a pup.

Deep-Fried Butter Tarts?

Butter tarts are a Canadian tradition.  We bought two and will report on our findings.

Midland Mural

Midland, Ontario

No miles today and holding at 1753 miles for the trip.  DBH

Day #45: Midland, Ontario

Parry Sound's Trestle RR Bridge

"It's always something."  -- Roseanne Roseannadanna

This morning we went for an invigorating walk--to the coffee shop.   Passing the marina's bulletin board, Bicki read the weather forecast.  Her jaw dropped.  Thirty knot winds are predicted for Tuesday night and Wednesday.  Our leisurely three day, 55 mile trip to Midland just got sped up.

Late Summer and there are Still Some Flowers

Parry Sound Swing Bridge 15', Nellie 13-1/2', Whew!

Cute Island Cottage

The Sun's Light (Through Pinholes) Shows a 60% Eclipse

Midland, Ontario City of Murals

Parry Sound to Midland, Ontario

An unexpected 55 miles today gets us to Midland, site of this coming weekend's TugFest.   Nellie will be attending.  We are now 1753 miles away from where we started in Minnesota.  DBH

Day #44: Parry Sound

Morning in Hopewell Bay

The eastern part of Georgian Bay is known as the Cottage District.  It's appropriate as almost every island has a cottage.

A Very Tight Canoe Pass

We stuck to the Small Craft route again today.  The calm weather made traversing even the tightest areas a lot easier.

Parry Sound's Walking Trail

Our stopping point tonight was named for William Edward Parry, an 18th century Arctic explorer.  Hockey great Bobby Orr is the town's most famous son.

Hopewell Bay to Parry Sound

A nice quiet 31 miles today to the marina in Parry Sound.  It's a bit of a culture shock as this is the biggest town we've been in since leaving Michigan.  Nellie's total is now 1698 miles.  DBH