Day #58: Golf Course Cove, Just East of Lock 38

It Rained and Blew All Night but Nellie was Secure at Anchor

The Orillia Guest Dock--Free Until 7PM

We heard that Orillia is a nice town and so, after weighing anchor, we headed to their guest dock.

The Grasses are Getting Even Thicker

The author of Jack and the Beanstalk is unknown.  My guess is he was a Canadian boater on the Trent-Severn.   He'd be fully cognizant of the water stalks that grow quickly and to incredible lengths.

Leaving Orillia's guest dock Nellie was doing 2mph when turning RPMs for 5mph.  Did I mention that Orillia is chock-a-block with stalks?  Going into reverse at high RPM convinced the Jack and his buddies to find another ride.

The Canal is long and Straight Immediately After Lake Simco

Lock #39 Flooding to Lift us ~13'

Moss Grows Well Below the High Water Mark on the Lock's South Wall

At Anchor in Golf Course Cove

Finding a suitable anchorage on a narrow waterway is always a challenge.  The nautical charts address depths adequately but not what's on the surrounding land--remember, it's bad form to throw your anchor on (or even near) someone's lawn.  That's why Bicki's new best friend is Google Maps in satellite mode.  Using it she found tonight's quiet cove on a golf course.  Barring any duffer's errant shots early tomorrow morning, this will be a perfect spot.

Orillia to a Mile East of Lock 38

It was a much more relaxing pace today.  Still, we made it through four locks and an agitated Lake Simcoe.  The chart warned that if Simcoe's winds are above 20 mph not to attempt the eastern entrance to the Trent-Severn.   The winds were 13 mph today and the entrance was we'll behaved.  A whole 24 miles (and a million stalks of grass) under the keel today.  That ups this year's total to 1878 miles.  DBH

Day #57: Trent-Severn, Orillia, Ontario

Underway into the Sunrise

It's Labor Day weekend here in Canada, the last hurrah of Summer.  Everyone that owns a boat is out on the water.

Approaching Trent-Severn Lock 45

The Trent-Severn is a bunch of lakes connected  together by locks.  Like the Mississippi, the levels of the lakes are controlled to keep the water at a navigable depth.  This year the water has been high. 

Waiting to Enter Lock 45

All the swirling and bubbling water coming over the dam creates lots of foam!  The stuff is sticky and stains.  Great.

Loading onto Big Chute's (Lock 44) Railroad Car

Today's second Lock isn't strictly a lock,  but rather a railroad car that carries boats between the lakes. 

In the Big Chute's Straps and Moving

Learned a new term today: $10 Canadian.  Back in the 1960's an immigrant paid $10 to become a citizen.  Their children were only $2.50 each. 

The Big Chute goes up 58'

Waiting on the Blue Line at Lock 43

Docking on the  'blue line' announces your desire to lock through.

Mind the Poisonous Snakes at Lock 43!

Lock 43s 47' Drop

Midland to Orillia

It took 12 hours to cover the challenging 54 miles between Midland to Orillia.  The rocks and narrow channels of Georgian Bay continue in the Trent-Severn.  But, just to make things a little more interesting, current and narrow locks are thrown into the mix too.  This year's total is now 1855 miles.  Tonight we're on the hook in Pumpkin Bay (a mile east of Orillia).  DBH

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