The Trent-Severn Waterway

We left Fraser Park Marina in Trenton at 8:30 a.m. yesterday-the locks don't open till then so we aren't able to head out early as we normally like...The folks at the marina were wonderful and I would highly recommend it as the start off point for anyone doing the loop planning to head up to Georgian Bay via this route.

A little history: The Trent-Severn Waterway was mainly constructed as an inland navigation route to connect Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. It took 87 years to build! Completed in 1920, it became a principal recreational waterway right from the start. Recreation seekers discovered Rice lake, Lake Simcoe and The Kawarthas...all now connected by a system of 44 locks. (we are between locks 12 & 13 now).

The locks are different than those in the New York canal system- The lockmasters do not communicate with us via radio and there aren't any lights (red & green in NY) indicating when one should proceed into the canal. Our binoculars are coming in handy...we just look ahead and if the lock is open we go in. Most of the time the prior lock's attendant has called ahead so they are expecting us. The locks are smaller, too. We locked through all day with 3 big boats and that's about all they could handle. In fact, we alternated rafting off with a 43' Gulfstar all day. One similarity is the condition of the parks surrounding the locks...as in New York, each lockmaster takes a lot of pride in his or hers grounds; almost like a competition. I find that I like locking up better than locking down because I enjoy the anticipation of what's over the top!

We enjoyed lunch during the 6 mile break between locks 6 & 7- and after 7, the Glen Ross Lock, the landscape really began to get pretty. We meandered through rock outcrops (not to worry, the river was well marked), seagrass and charming summer cottages lined the shoreline...miles and miles of water lilies...and turtles sunning themselves...and ospreys and gulls swooning, majestic blue herons posing for the camera and Canada Geese, well you know what Canada Geese do best! ~ this stretch is very marshy...rural and peaceful. Between Lock 7 & 8 we had another long break, eleven miles where the river opened and the breeze kicked in and the sun was glorious. It was good to get that break because the day was getting long and we had our 5 toughest locks ahead of us. Within 3 miles we climbed over 100 feet through locks 9, 10, 11 and 12. Locks 11 and 12 are at Ranney Falls, there are 2 locks back to back, you don't leave the lift you just proceed forward for a total of 48'. Yikes! I took a photo and will try to add it to the blog...it was really cool! We arrived in Campbellford after 6:30 p.m. It was a long and strenuous day. We ended up having to dock twice because the first spot we picked on the mooring wall didn't have the amperage we needed! Ah! Once we got settled in we saw our buddies on Southern Comfort and Sunshine round the bend...they had been one lock behind us all day and decided to call it quits in Campbellford, too. We are going to stay the day...no need to rush on...they have a chocolate factory here so I'm hoping to meet Willie Wonka!

This morning our muscles are aching, but we are excited that we travelled 31 miles and traversed 12 locks in one full day...Plus I found an internet connection, so you know in addition to the chocolate I'll be able to take care of my other addition (blogging)!