Day 284 - 288
From Peterborough, we continued northward on the Trent-Severn Waterway. The second lock we came to that day was the Peterborough Lift Lock. This is a unique lock in that it consists of two huge "bathtubs" that counterbalance each other. Boats are driven into the lower tub, then extra water is added to the upper tub to make it heavier, and then the lower tub lifts up to the water level above while the upper tub lowers to the lower canal level. The lock opened in 1904 and the lift is 65 feet. It was quite a ride!
This sign shows that we had already come 22 locks and 149 kilometers from the beginning of the Trent-Severn in Trenton. Our completion was in Port Severn in 235 more kilometers at lock number 45.
We transited a lake called Stoney Lake. There were many stone islands, most of them had cottages or other buildings like this church. This is the first time I had actually seen a church on a rock.
As we were leaving Stoney Lake we came upon this glass house. This was the first time I had actually seen a glass house. I guess they know not to throw stones.
John from the boat "Traveller II" showing off his first Canadian fish.
We transited many very narrow canal cuts through granite rock. The canals were sometimes too narrow for boats to pass each other since the granite rocks on each side would be very unforgiving of a mistake.
There was one other lift lock on the canal and we went through this one alone. It was similar to the Peterborough Lock but the lift was only 45 feet instead of 65.
Vagabond going through a swing bridge.
Some interesting wood carvings we saw along the canal.
Vagabond in a canal cut through the granite of the Canadian Shield.
This was PDQ 34 called "Vagabond" in front of us approaching another unique "lock" called Big Chute. Rather than a lock with water like all of the others, this was actually a marine railway. Boats are loaded on the cart, slings are used if necessary to hold the boats upright, and the cart then takes the boats over the hill and down to the next level where they float off and proceed down the waterway. In the case of PDQs no slings are needed, we just put the boat on the cart with the propellers and rudders hanging over the edge.
We were on the cart with a pontoon boat in front of us.
One of the railway operators engaged us in conversation while we were making the trip over the hill.
Kimi enjoying a nap on the flybridge.
We finally completed all 45 locks of the Trent-Severn and arrived in our marina in Midland, ON. This was the view from our slip looking out over Georgian Bay.
The marina taught classes in using the French longboat replicas they had on site. These boats can be rowed or sailed.
Somehow the marina got wind of the fact that it was our anniversary and sent flowers.
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