Midland, ON

July 26, 2011

Cool and a bit cloudy this morning.  I am still in Midland, ON.

Greg & Kate walked to Tim Horton’s (sort of like Dunkin Donuts) for breakfast and then up King Street.  Greg found a barbershop, so he got a haircut.  Kate found a bakery and bought a baguette for lunch.

They all went back into town to the grocery for supplies since they plan to anchor out now that we are in Georgian Bay.

Greg was taking a nap and Kate was on the computer when all of a sudden a 40 Sea Ray hit my anchor.  It only hurt a little.  My anchor has some scratches, but nothing else seems to be hurt. Scared me though!  The winds were really gusting at this point.

The people, along with 2 more, went to an AGLCA wine & cheese party in Penetanguishene.  They said they met some familiar faces and some new ones.  I’m glad for them.

Big Chute to Midland

July 25, 2011

It started raining during the night – hard at times.  It was a bit drizzly when we left at 7:40 AM.  Gloria & Jim walked me around the dock so I didn’t get stuck.

We did the last lock of the Trent-Severn today.  Lock 45- a very small lock.  So small we had to go one at a time.  And of course it started to rain again as we got to it.  There was also a very narrow channel under a highway bridge right after the lock.  Again, only one boat at a time – no passing!

We stopped at Bay Port Marina in Midland so I could be fueled and pumped out before going to the Town Harbour.

After we tied up Kate went off to do laundry.  Greg called the Splendide people again and they figured out that the timer on the washer needs replacing.  No telling when that part will arrive!

Kate made guacamole for apps tonight while they all checked charts for Georgian Bay and where I will be going next.  Hope it’s someplace fun!

July 24, 2011

Cool this morning – chance of showers today.

The plan was to do 2 locks and moor before the Big Chute.  We got underway at 7:25 AM; get to a swing bridge that’s normally open and stop!  Big freight train and then slow bridge tender.  Had to hover around and use my thrusters.

We got to the first of the locks and problems!  NO thrusters!  We tied up below and Greg & Jim looked things over.  Thank Goodness it was just a loose connection.  I was worried – I don’t want any marks on my pretty paint!

By the time we approached the second lock – Swift Rapids – it was sunny and hotter.  I was getting passed a lot by idiots in go-fasts who don’t read signs.

When we got to the Big Chute, they tied me up at the public docks and walked over to the Visitor’s Center to watch a few boats go through.  When they got back, I was untied, taken to the Blue Line and we were on the way!

It was very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking.  I had 2 small boats in front of me and I was in the middle and back further.  About 5 feet of me was hanging off the back of the car!  Kate was a bit nervous again!  Everything was fine; we got to the bottom and tied up for the night with Tourist and Crawdad. 

They all sat around on the dock with cocktails so we 3 boats could listen to the conversations.  Dinner was aboard in my salon.  Another fun day.

Kirkfield & Orillia

July 23, 2011

Gray morning – a bit cooler but still humid.  We left Kirkfield at 7:30 AM.

We did 5 locks today – all close together.  Then we crossed Lake Simcoe because it was a calm day.  They decided to end the day at the Port of Orillia.  It was a decent day – they tied me up at 2:30 PM

There were lots of weeds in the Trent Canal. It was also very narrow, barely enough room for 2 boats to pass each other.

They had to go to the grocery again (at least they’re getting exercise riding their bikes) for water and tonic (and veggies!).  We will be heading out tomorrow again.  Only 4 locks left!

July 22, 2011

Well we woke up to no water this morning.  Don’t know what happened, but thankfully Greg had filled my tanks yesterday.

We were through the Bobcaygeon lock at 8:30 – first lock thru of the day.  We saw Muddy Waters and the Samway family above the lock.  Good to see them again.

From Balsam Lake we entered the Trent Canal – narrow and shallow all the way.  Then we came to Mitchell Lake – just as bad as the canal, but also full of stumps and snags because of being man-made.

Got to Kirkfield Lift Lock – Kate thinks it’s scarier than Peterborough because it’s more open.  It also feels like you are sailing off the edge of the world!  We moored at the bottom of the lock for the night at 2:15 PM, and had a nice lazy afternoon.  They checked out the visitor’s center and all the info sites about the lock and then they napped!  Sheeeeesh!  You would think they had worked hard (instead of hardly working!).

They all had dinner on my upper deck.  It was a really nice night with a breeze, and not too hot.  Hope tomorrow is as nice!

Buckhorn & Bobcaygeon

July 21, 2011

Had a hot day yesterday, but today was worse. It was 84 degrees at 8 AM!  My generator is running so my air conditioner can!

We are only doing 1 lock today.  We spent the night below Lock 31 and went through at 9:15 AM.  We tied up on the top side so Greg could get ice (for his beer – naturally!).  We then headed out for a slow ride to Bobcaygeon.  It’s only around 18 miles.

Today was a bit gray and windy until we tied up at Gordon Yacht Harbour.  Nice people, and I have hydro and water!

Kate & Gloria walked into town (again!) to shop and get groceries.  Kate bought another pair of sandals – that’s 2 pr. in 3 days- Greg only got one shirt out of the deal.  Then they jumped off my swim platform with floats to cool off!

When my friend Salt n’Sand from Cape May got here, they all went out for some Italian food.  Then back to see me.  At least I got my fridge defrosted tonight.  Some fun!

July 20, 2011

First ones in the Lock this morning.  They are doing it slow to stagger boat traffic because of yesterday’s problems.  We didn’t plan on going far – only to Buckhorn, last night’s planned stop.

Kate called ahead and the upper wall was full, so we stopped on the lower wall.  There was a nice breeze, but it died down and got very HOT.

Crawdad needed a generator repair and the mechanic came to the lock wall.  Nice!  Salt n’ Sand from Cape May also needed a mechanic.  They are very helpful around here.

Our people went out for Canadian Chinese (?) – said it was really good!  I don’t understand how different it could be!

I hope they run the generator for a while – I don’t want to get to hot tonight.

Young's Point

July 19, 2011

We planned on going to Buckhorn today – 4 locks.  We got as far as Lock 27 – Young’s Point – to find that Locks 28 & 29 were closed because of power failures from last night’s storm.  We were in the lock, went out and turned around, and then went through again to get wall space to tie-up below the lock.  I only ran a little more than 2 hours!

We did get to see a floatplane take off on Lake Katchewanooka.  Really neat!  And Kate went shopping in a cool little store. 

Just gotta take it as it comes!

We saw Patriot come through the lock.  We had met him back in the Dismal Swamp in May!  He seems to be doing well for a little pontoon boat that’s not really enclosed.

There's a cute little store here that Kate says has everything. She did come back with a bag of stuff.

I want to say thank you to Senang (and Max & Thea) for lending me their books and charts.  It saved my people a lot of money.

Perterborough to Lakefield

July 18, 2011

We woke to a thunderstorm at 5:12 AM.  Lots of noise, wind, and rain.  The hydro went out around 6 AM.  When it came back on Kate found the washer/dryer stuck on a cycle and it started all over again.  She ended up drying the clothes in the laundry room.

It was a bit gray and drizzly when we left at 8:45AM.  It took us 45 minutes to get through Lock 20 which was less than 5 mins. from the marina and only 20 mins. to get through the Lift Lock at 21.  Between Locks 22 and 23 we passed a large tour boat that travels from Kirkfield to Ottawa.  We met our first houseboats at Lock 25 – people had told us to beware, they were correct!  They are all over the place with very little control.

We tied up for the night above Lock 26 at Lakefield,

a very pretty town with a lot of nice shops, restaurants, and grocery, etc.  Kate & Gloria walked to town for some veggies and sundries.  They all went back for ice cream after dinner.  We had a thunderstorm again before dinner and another around 8 or 9 PM.  Summer weather!

Peterborough

July 17, 2011

Today everybody took a bike ride to the Peterborough Lift Lock.  They watched it in action and took pictures.  Then they went to the museum and a film in the visitor’s center.

They went to the grocery store (again!).

Greg & Kate went out for lunch and listened to music.  Then they came back and made me all pretty, inside and out!  They planned out where I will be going for the next week with Gloria & Jim.  Then the whole gang (12 of them) went to St. Veronus Café and Tap Room for Belgian beer and mussels.

Not a bad day!