Sunday Aug. 31

Today was another short running day for us as the Big Chute Lock was still not in operation this morning. At 0900 this morning I called the lock to find out if they were up and running and was told that they were no further ahead than they were yesterday so we wait. While waiting we got some more little things taken care of (it's amazing how many little things need to be done). I continued to call the lock every hour for status updates and finally at 1200 I received the green light that they were up and running. Engines started anchor up and here we go heading for the Big Chute Lock. There was only one other boat going into the lock with us and it was probably a good thing it was a small boat as once I was in there, there didn't seem to be that much space and my back end was hanging over the back of the rail car. The nice Lock Master went down and looked under the boat and gave everything a quick look and said all looks good.

The poor lady in the boat ahead of us didn't look so good because she kept looking back to make sure we were not moving forward and running over them. On the way out of the lock one of the engines wouldn't start and with the current, I ended up killing one of our fenders but it's much better than scrapping up the boat so we will just get another one later. Now on to the Port Severn Lock the last one number 45 and the current and winds there were definitely not in our favor and the lock was in the lower position so instead of trying to tie up we just floated around waiting for the lock to come up and open.

Now on to Georgian Bay and it's many, many islands and even more rocks. We cruised up to portage point which is just past Honey Harbor and dropped anchor in a little bay for the night.

Lost Channel

Saturday Aug. 30

Today was a short but productive day. We started our day at the Port of Orillia Marina where we did some small maintenance checks such as engine room checks and switched out my fresh water pump as the other one was leaking, checked all the battery levels and we filled the water tanks. At approx. 10:30 we said our goodbyes to Bruce and Marg as they were staying in Orillia one more day before they started the trek back to Hamilton. We headed down Lake Couchiching where we started the final leg of the Trent-Severn Waterway. As we started up the final stretch we got to the swing bridge where there was a back up of boats floating waiting for the bridge to open. We had to wait approx. 30 minutes for the train to pass and get the bridge open (nothing like trying to stay in one spot with a current is trying to push you the opposite direction). Back on our way we got to Lock 42 Couchiching where there was a small backlog of boats but it didn't take long to get through. Next we hit Lock 43 Swift Rapids which lived up to its name, the current was very strong but again we had to wait as there was a back up of boats there as well (not to bad only about 40 minutes). While waiting the lock master came by to tell us that the Big Chute Lock was not in operation but they were hoping to have it up and running again shortly, not good news but we are on vacation so go with the flow. Moving on down the waterway we called the Big Chute lock and were advised that it still wasn't operational but they were hopeful.  We made one more call to the lock about 30 minutes later and were told that it was down for the rest of the day so we pulled into Lost Channel approx. 2 miles before the lock to anchor for the night. As we were slowly cruising up the Channel the skies started to get dark fairly quickly so we found a pretty protected area and just as Mimi was putting the anchor down the skies opened up and it started pouring out. When she finally had it set she looked like a drowned rat but as a real trooper she was smiling and said it cooled her down. I guess it was good timing because with the rain the winds picked up and it started to thunder out as well but here we are all settled in the bay for the night.

Sorry no pictures today. Good night

Bobcaygeon to Orillia

Friday Aug. 29

Today was a long day, we started just outside the Bobcaygeon lock at approx. 0715 this morning with a fairly heavy fog ahead of us. We made it through the fog and carried on our way trying to make it to Orillia. We went through the Fenelon Falls Lock, then the Rosedale Lock and then the fun starts we enter into Balsam Lake. There is a narrow channel (pics to follow) entering into Balsam Lake and the water levels are not deep. When we look over the side we are looking at the bottom 6ft and less. Bruce said he hit the bottom a few times but we were more fortunate as I didn't feel the bottom once. Once through Balsam Lake we then entered the Trent Canal and you don't know narrow until you go in here. This Canal takes you to the Kirkfield Lift Lock which is one amazing piece of equipment. Once we were through the lock we continued down the narrow channel where we encountered a couple of boats going the other way. I went over as far as I could without hitting the rocks just below the water but the other boat was not as fortunate. As he was passing us Mimi could hear him scrapping along the rocks.

We then went through another five locks before we got into Lake Simcoe and finally got into Port Orillia Marina at 7pm where we are touching bottom in the shallow water. To finish off a long but good day we went out to dinner with Bruce and Marg as today is our last day with them because they going to start heading back home tomorrow. So a word of thanks goes out to Bruce and Marg for the great company and conversations.

August 28, 2014. Today was another great day. A little cold but great for traveling. Check out the pic of the Narrows.  Can't figure out why they're called that. Second Pic is Hell's gate. Mostly cause of Rocks. I took this Pic just after calling you mom, so you could see where we were.

PS. Happy Birthday Bob and Happy Anniversary Liane and Bob. Thinking of you all day! Hope you had a great one.

Wednesday August 27, 2014.  Good evening all. Today was a short distance kind of day. We only made it through 5 locks. We were aiming for 7 but alas that is sometimes the way the ball bounces. We are at lock 22 Otonabee. We had a lovely dinner with Bruce and Marg. The Peterborough Lock was crazy.

It's Tuesday August 26th and we are currently in Hastings. It has been a relatively uneventful trip so far, but no access to the internet until tonight so we could not blog yesterday. It was awesome to watch the flotilla escorting us out, Once past the bridge we had a couple of friends, Linda and Esther and family waving us good bye and a little further down our kids and daughter in law along with the grand dog Dakota. How nice. We have had a couple of minor issues with the engine and after changing a solenoid and bleeding some fuel lines all is well again. The only real issue we had was this incessant squeaking. It started as we left and it just would not stop. At first we thought it was the board that holds the fridge to the wall, but no. Then we thought maybe that part of the counter top that covers the stove-top.  But still no luck. Jim lifted this door and it stopped for a while, but soon it started again. Incessant squeaking that was driving us nuts. We tapped and moved and looked all over but still squeak squeak squeak. Then this morning we were having a coffee and all of a sudden Jim gets up and looks in the gift bag that Phoebe left us and there it is, the source of our squeaking. Who is Phoebe you ask? She is the cat that belongs to Vicky and Alex; some dear friends from Hamilton. Phoebe apparently does not like people but she really likes Jim. So much so, that she kept bringing him her favorite squeaky mouse. So as we were leaving Phoebe decided to bring us another mouse so we would not miss her so much. Thanks Phoebe.

Today's the Day

Well the day has finally arrived. We woke up this morning with the sun partially out and light winds looking like it's going to be a nice day. It's been a very busy last couple of days but everything that needed to be done is done and we are ready.
All our Thompson Dock friends (AUYC) were out with us Friday night for a great dinner and gave us a life ring that each and every one signed with a little message. And last night was our last party on the dock with all our friends for the next year. We couldn't ask for any better friends.
Our next blog will be from the water somewhere on the Trent Severn.
Cheers

T minus 5 days

Well there has been lots going on over the last week or so. The decks are all sanded and redone, things are slowly getting put into their proper place.
Today I changed the oil on the generator, finished cleaning the water tanks and started changing all the fuel lines. The fuel lines are not my favorite job as it takes a lot to get the smell of diesel oil of you.
I think I'm a little bias but I must say though I think the decks turned out just great.