As we left Trenton ON, we entered the last canal system we would transit through in Canada, The Trent Severn Waterway.
This canal system includes swinging bridges, narrow waterways, rivers and expansive lakes. A little bit of everything.
First stop, though, was ICE CREAM! Conveniently, there were tie offs on the lock wall, and we were able to walk across the bridge and indulge. Scott seems to be "double" indulging???
Most Canadian boaters, from what we have seen, have "bow" ornaments as they cruise, usually clad in bikinis. This one seemed to be posing in her fashion attire as they motored past.
There are camping facilities at some of the locks, usually just for tenters. This camping area was unique, complete with an elevated sleeping pod and a gas grill.
This canal's first double lock.
The doors opened, and we entered the 2nd chamber.
Campbellford is a beautiful town, on the banks of the Trent Severn. We enjoyed a couple of nights on the city wall next to Old Mill Park.
Canada's monetary system includes $1 "loonie" and $2 "toonie" coins, instead of paper bills. The Old Mill Park has a giant replica of the "toonie", as the original designer and artist was from the Trent Hills area. It includes images of Queen Elizabeth and a polar bear, which is known by some as "Churchill".
We visited the local bakery, Dooher's, and taste tested a few donuts. This place always has a line out the door.
We enjoyed a nice evening with fellow loopers Pickette's Pub and The Karla B playing darts, having dinner, and Scott might have had a little too much fun at karaoke!
Our scooters came in handy as we visited the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, which hovers over the Trent River.
There is also an excellent view of Ranney Falls from the bridge.
Murals seem to be everywhere you look around Canada. This one, depicting recreational activities in the area, was constructed on the back side of a shipping container.
Many of the locks along the canal have landscaping and decorative displays that are maintained by the lock staff. It all adds to the natural beauty of the area.
Lovesick, Lock #30, was one of our favorites, complete with a map of the Trent Severn, a seating area, hanging flower baskets and a "little" library.
We took a hike into the adjacent provincial park for a little exercise.
Another sign of fall, 8/18th.
Next stop was Hastings ON, where we visited the Royal Canadian Legion (Thanks, Pickette's Pub), played more darts and attended a meat auction. There's a first time for everything, I guess 😳!
This town is very interesting and somewhat quirky, as you will see. Scott relaxed on a cow bench.
Pisces Pete and Pisces Scott...Double indulging again???
The town was having a street festival, which included a few very unique entertainment groups. The Hastings Ukulele Band, which has an actual "hub".
And a belly dancing group, The Firelights Belly Dance Troupe, which was quite
mesmerizing 🤪.
Back on our way...a few other sights along the way.
Cute "tiny" house set up...
Bridge jumping by some brave teenage girls...
And a Floating Flamingo Palace.
Next stop was the Peterborough Lift Lock. We stayed a day on the Ashburnham lock wall waiting for Anchored Souls to return from their side trip to Niagara Falls. We had a beautiful spot overlooking Little Lake with a center lighted fountain. These kayakers were out at twilight fishing.
We enjoyed our day sightseeing around the lock before our transit. One side lifts with counter weight as the other side lowers. It looked very high from the ground!
Cruise boats go through the waterway up the lift lock and then back down.
Noticed these young guys as we walked the waterway. They were serious about their fishing.
Time for our transit...we stayed in the back next to Anchored Souls and ended up with a fantastic view.
We were joined in the "tub" by Pickette's Pub and Wilma Mae.
Our view off the back as our tub rose.
This part of the Trent Severn opens up wider with rock islands and larger lakes.
We then came across St. Peter's on-the-Rock Church. This church sits on its own island and is reachable only by canoe or motorboat. The front door sits right on the Waterway. This is only a summer church, as you can imagine.
Home styles vary throughout the waterway. This was a very interesting all white contemporary home, consisting of all glass windows/doors.
R & R Houseboats surrounding a small falls area.
Must have been a serious storm that uprooted these trees.
They probably need a larger boathouse. I think we all know the answer to the question, "Which came first?".
The Kawartha again! Someone onboard was taking a picture of us as I took a picture of them. They then posted it on Facebook, and I returned the favor.
Fall again, 8/24th!
This might be the ultimate set up at a summer lake home.
And this one has the most unique collection of signs.
As we approached Bobcaygeon ON, we came across these quaint roof covered houseboats.
We walked and window shopped the flower lined streets of Bobcaygeon.
Also, visited the local brewery, Old Dog Brewing Co.
Next stop was Fenelon Falls ON and more of the stunning Canadian flowers.
We enjoyed a gorgeous sunset from the free wall.
I found a mug (just looked over at a shelf) at an antique shop that matched exactly to one Chris had found in NY. It was too funny!! They were definitely now "brothers from another mother". LOL
We also spent the day taste testing chicken wings and rating service at the various establishments in town. We had a blast, but no picture evidence unfortunately. It was amazing how service improved after we told them what we were up to. Too little, too late!
Colorful houses on our way out of Fenelon Falls.
This houseboat had a lot of tag- alongs.
A narrow passage led to our next lift lock.
This time we were going down, as motorcyclists watched from below.
We followed Anchored Souls through a tunnel bridge.
More evidence of fall, 8/27th. At least we were getting close to September.
A strange phone booth pirate looking down the canal.
Gorgeous Lame Simcoe, which led to Orillia ON.
We stopped in Orillia to return a defective sewing machine to Canadian Tire (Canada's version of a US Walmart, much better I think). We thought we could Uber or get a taxi, but that was not the case. Scott tried a local watering hole, but no one was interested in our $20, Then a very nice couple walked by and we started up a conversation. They kindly offered to give us a round trip ride to the store, which was totally out of their way. They then dropped us off downtown, so we could visit the local bakery, yum 😋. We have met the nicest people on this journey. Gives us hope for mankind!
These beautiful painted guitars line the downtown streets.
A couple of crazy people!
Gorgeous painted sailboats line the harbor.
We wish we had spent more time in Orillia, but we had received a message from Anchored Souls to speed it up if we wanted to make a railroad bridge opening. They had been waiting for hours at this bridge, and we were about 45 minutes away. We increased the rpms and pulled up just as the other boats were going through. We arrived at 4:20. The bridge had actually opened 10 minutes early and closed immediately after we passed.
Another summer lake house with a lot of toys, including a train car.
This house was very fancy, with outdoor light fixtures and pink metal palm leaves for shade.
Another very tall lock...
And a "bobber" buoy!
Next stop and a major bucket list item, "The Big Chute".
We stayed at the free docks for 2 days and enjoyed watching others transit this Marine Railway. Your boat is loaded into a cradle and supported by straps. Then they lift the cradle out of the water, up and over the roadway on the rails and then lower you down the other side of the hill into the water. All the while, you are a passenger in your boat.
This was the original cradle used to transport vessels years ago. Obviously, boats were smaller then.
The Kawartha again!!
While waiting at the Big Chute for our transit, we were watching Hurricane Idalia as it churned towards our home in Suwannee Fl. We then started to get damage reports and social media pictures of the area.
Steinhatchee, just north of Suwannee.
Our property and our neighbor's house, which ended up in the marsh. A 9' storm surge came through our property, the highest ever recorded.
We decided to put our Loop on hold and return home for damage assessment. However, first we had to transit the "Chute"!
We wore our Suwannee sweatshirts in support of our "town" during its devastation.
Up we go...
And now down.
This was an amazing experience and so worth the wait!
Last lock on the Trent Severn Waterway and into the Georgian Bay.
We left our boat, and dog "Harlie", at a marina in Penetanguishene ON, under the care of Anchored Souls. We will be forever grateful to them for this. We were flying out of Toronto to go back to Florida and take care of as much hurricane damage as we could.
We had to leave the marina at 2:30am to catch the shuttle to the airport. This sign behind Scott has brought up a dilemma in our minds...we're not sure yet of the answer 🤔.
We returned 12 days later to continue our Loop. Any remaining damage will wait for our return to Suwannee in the Spring.
You never know when your schedule or plan might change in life and you just have to adjust. As our motto states: Life is like the tides, ever-changing...!
Until next time...
NEXT UP: FINALLY THE REST OF CANADA, LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE WINDY CITY!!!
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