Author: Jeff

Had a very relaxed day cruising down to Georgian Bay. It’s funny doing the reverse trip – I came down from Lake Huron to Trent two years ago and encountered my first lock in this boat then. It was a whole bunch of new experiences then. Now I feel like an old hand and can relax and enjoy myself.

I rescued a boater in distress today at Big Chute. A family in a bowrider had lost power and were frantically paddling while being sucked towards one of the gates. Lots of current. Fortunately there’s a buoyed wire preventing boats and swimmers from getting swept over the dam and they ended up pinned on it. I was able to back up to them, get a tow line and tow them to a nearby dock. The Big Chute railway guys were impressed.

I meant to take pictures but had phone charging issues. I bought two new cords in Orillia earlier this week, as well as a new mount for my tablet which I use as a plotter at the lower helm. The first cord was destroyed when the new mount dropped the tablet shortly after leaving the dock and the second turned out to be the wrong kind. Got a couple at Big Chute before my phone died.

When I got out of Port Severn I wasn’t sure where to go next. Thought about going up to Honey Harbour but also wanted to get new phone cords. So I came over to Midland. Anchored in Cheapskate Cove which was nicely sheltered from the NW breeze. It’s just me and a Swan 51 here. Flat calm now.

The weather was a bit strange today. As I was pulling into the Swift Rapids lock it started raining. While we were in the lock it absolutely poured. This is a super deep lock, the highest on the TS with a 47 foot lift. It was like being in a giant shower stall. The rain ended shortly after we left the lock. By the time I got to Midland about 4:30 it was stinking hot and I retreated to the dark air conditioned cabin for the evening.

It’s supposed to rain for the next couple of days and there’s a tug festival going on here. I have guests arriving Saturday night and I was planning to be farther north, but there’s lots to see and do around Honey Harbour. I still have to clean and organize the interior so can use time not travelling

Here are the Big Chute pics before my phone died. I’ve got to say it’s scarier going down than up. Very cool machine.

After spending most of the day in Orillia running around picking up groceries and a few other supplies I headed up to the north end of the lake where the canal starts to go down to Sparrow Lake. Missed the hours for the opening railroad bridge and so backtracked to the lake and anchored for the night just off the channel. Nice evening, no clouds. Should be good sky watching later

Starting to get big rocks showing up.

I’m anchored off of Chief’s Island for the night. Stopped at Orillia for lunch earlier, then headed out here. Anchored in about three feet of water over a sandy bottom and walked around the boat cleaning the waterline and topsides. It’s a beautiful evening.

Here’s the passage from Lake Simcoe north into Lake Couchiching

Will run into Orillia again tomorrow morning to stock up on groceries, then probably head for the canal at the north end of the lake. The trip from here to Georgian Bay is pretty and interesting. Not in any rush as I’m solo until the weekend.

Edit:. Have been sitting out all evening. Dark now. And no bugs. Best evening yet.

After stopped by at the bottom of the canal entering Lake Simcoe Thursday evening I did some minor repairs. The alternator belt had been slipping and on close inspection it turned out that one of the bolts holding the tensioner had sheared off. Went to Guelph Friday evening for a visit with family, then back Saturday night to the boat. On Sunday I put things back together but wanted to get a new belt, so rode my bike down to Beaverton this morning and picked one up. Now fully operational. Nice day out on Lake Simcoe, next stop Orillia.

Had a nice couple of days with Samantha and Sarah travelling from Peterborough through the Kawartha Lakes and got to the entrance to Lake Simcoe last night where they disembarked. Had plans to welcome Susan Sunday but they are now in doubt as her cat is sick :-(. After some heavy rain last night the weather looks great for the next few days.

Now trying to make plans… Have a car here. The trip from here to Port Severn is one of my favourite segments.

More pics here https://photos.app.goo.gl/iKKGk3wAEZKE24fc6

Google it. Highest in the world.

I’m fascinated by these devices. This lock was completed around 1900. Think about it. There was no electricity, no cars. Steam ruled. The lock operates today much like it did 100 years ago. Entirely self powered. These were the moonshot engineering projects of the day.

Tomorrow I’ll go up in the lift lock. Came down two years ago. It’s really cool to be doing this. I remember the first time I saw it. About ten years ago I was in Algonquin Park skiing in February for a few days with friends. I talked them into a detour through Peterborough to visit the lift lock. We trudged around in the snow while I blathered on about it. Thanks guys! I knew then I’d be doing this trip. Touching the frozen tower was part of the journey.

I arrived here about 2:00 and found a part for my generator close by, got it operational, and anchored out in Little Lake with the a/c on. Thunderstorms have just gone through and the wind, temperature and humidity have all dropped. Now a nice evening.

Anchored for the night on Rice Lake by the entrance to the Otonabee River. Relaxed operation today, stopped for an hour or two in Hastings. Tomorrow I go up to Peterborough to meet Sam and Sarah. It was hot and mostly sunny today, and I was mostly inside the last couple of hours seeking shade. Even with the bimini it’s hard not to get cooked.

This is approaching Healey Falls.

And stopped at Hastings

Had a 24 hour break from boat life. Picked up my car at Bowmanville, went home to Guelph, built a fence, washed some clothes, had dinner with friends, and drove back to Campbellford. About 500 km.

I like this park. Could sit here all day chatting with locals and other boaters, and it’s quiet at night.

Tomorrow I head north, up to Rice Lake. Planning to be in Peterborough Monday evening to meet Sam and Sarah.

If anyone wants to join me for this segment or part of it drop me a note. Boat is getting pretty presentable, ready for guests! Also going through the world famous Peterborough Lift Lock (Google it) Tuesday morning and cruising through Trent U campus. Hop on for an hour or two!

I stopped today at around 1 at the park in Campbellford. Nice spot, with power and water. After lunch I did some further cleaning and organizing, and have decided to stay put here. Sarah is picking me up later this evening and taking me to fetch my car and trailer in Bowmanville, then it’s back to Guelph for a day or two to do some fencing there, then back to the boat for a couple of weeks to carry on.

This is a picture from the bridge

Went through a bunch of locks including this double just south of here. There’s a suspension bridge just next to the lock.