Day 113: Orillia to Lost Channel, Ontario
Day 113: Saturday, August 6th: Ruth had to make a run to the grocery store (A & P) and bakery this morning, so we got underway a little late. Leaving the port, we knew it would be a pretty day:
As we departed the narrow channel, we could see why we didn't want to deviate off course:
We traveled up Lake Couchiching and into the Trent Canal, headed to the Severn River - all part of the Waterway. It was all pretty. This railroad swing bridge is normally open:
First lock of the day was Couchiching. See?
We locked through with nine other boats and a PWC (jet ski):
Once out of the lock we were in a "no wake zone". We all had to travel very slowly past many cottages and homes. This is in the canal part:
This old "woodie" caught our eye. Bill thought it looked like a late 50s Owens cruiser:
Back into the River, people in this house had quite a climb down to the boat and back up:
Now we are back in the Canadian Shield granite with high cliffs and tiny rock islands like these:
There are many narrow sections, no more than 80 feet wide, but very pretty. We felt like the first ones to come through:
Around the bend we arrived at Swift Rapids lock:
Still a big gang going through:
We had originally wanted to stay here tied to the lock wall for the night but it was early so we pushed on to an anchorage that had been recommended.
This lock is the highest true lock lift/drop in the Trent-Severn Waterway at 47 feet. The lift locks (Peterborough and Kirkfield) are higher, but are not true "locks". Looking back from the bottom, this one is pretty impressive:
Just to prove that all the cottages aren't perfect, this one serves as an example. The roof needs repair, the house deck is falling, the yard has turned to weeds, the boathouse is sinking, the dock is falling apart. We think it's for sale:
We continued up a branch off the river called Lost Channel. About two miles up was a quiet, undeveloped bay. There are no roads to this area and it is undeveloped. There was a raft of boats at the edge of the bay (five families who kept a bonfire going while they chatted until past 4:00am):
Looking the other way, it was lovely:
We anchored next to this big granite outcropping:
Position tonight: N44 55.304 W079 38.935
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