Friday, July 6, 2018

Another adventure comes to an end



The remainder of our trip went well. The highlight and one of my bucket list items was to do The  Big Chute. What is The Big Chute you may ask? Here is a brief description from Wikipedia “Big Chute Marine Railway is a patent slip at lock 44 of the Trent-Severn Waterway in OntarioCanada. It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet (18 m). It is the only marine railway (or canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America still in use, and is overseen by federally operated Parks Canada." 

Here is a link for the complete history and story behind this marvel. 

Below are some pictures of the remainder of the trip and finally some trip statistics.


Our route from Ottawa to Kingston



From Kingston we crossed a small portion of Lake Ontario and entered the port at Trenton to pick up the Trent/Sevren
The Port of Orillia was having Christmas in June!


Many of the lock attendants like to put plantings around the locks.



This is the Big Chute crib that our boat was in and traveled the distance. The entire ride was only about five minutes.

The rails heading down back into the water.

Here we are coming out of the water
                                           
  Below is a video of us in the crib.






You do feel a bit unnerved as you descend.

Here is a side shot of the crib as it descends back into the water.



Our last stop before retrieving the boats onto the trailers. We entered into Georgian Bay and stayed the night at Beaudoleil Island, which is one of the many facilities throughout the Canadian Park System.




Always lots to drink when cruising.



Always lots to eat while cruising also.






All ready to tow home, go on a diet and get ready for another adventure. Stay tuned!....

Trip Statistics

Miles: nautical 428
Hours: 52
Average speed 8.23 KTS
Fuel used: 131 gallons
Consumption: 3.26 nmpg or 3.75 mpg
Locks - 90


Sunday, June 24, 2018

A brief synopsis

Traveling through the locks can be a long day. We were fortunate to be early in the season and there were few boats along the rivers. However, being early in season also means the locks were only open from 10:00 am to 4:00 PM. This means getting to the last lock by 3:30 to lock through. Almost every lock has space to moor for the night. Besides buying a lock permit, buying a mooring permit allows you to stay for the night. The cost for the permit is by the foot. We bought a seasonal pass which allowed us access on both the canals at less cost than paying individually and for a one time pass.

There are sections where you can speed up and make time, but many areas are 10 km/h, that is about 6 statute miles per hour. Slow and steady does it and going slow gives you a chance to see the surrounding areas. There are towns to stop at along the way to get your daily fix of ice cream and shopping for the ladies.

All the lock people are extremely friendly. There is virtually no radio communication between you and the lock master or between the locks. However, the locks do tend to coordinate among themselves via cell phone and you will often have a lock ready to go when you arrive. I imagine the summers are busier and it is a matter of being there when the doors open to let the boats out traveling the opposite direction.

Most of the locks are opened and closed manually with a cranking system as is the release of water. There were two locks that were actually lifts. You enter a big tub of water and then they close the door. The tub rises to the next level by a big hydraulic lift  and then the front opens and out you go.

Below are some pictures of sights seen along the way.


A typical lock door



This is the lock lift at Peterborough. For efficiency there are two, one is always up and the other down. Quite a simple principle, just float in and they close the door behind you. When you get to the top or the bottom, the door drops down and you float out. 
This little guy loved cruising. He was on a boat with a couple doing the Great Loop. They started in Texas
This must be a river tradition. We saw one on the Tennessee.
This was a big lift. King Fisher, a Rosborough, was traveling with us.  Here is a shot of him waiting for the doors to open.



A typical evening after running the locks. Relaxing, enjoying the view and a bit of wine, more wine and then some wine.



Some munchies with Dun & Becky


Many of the lock masters beautify their locks. Here is a little garden at lock 18


Nothing like an evening swim when anchored out.





The captains discussing lock strategy.




More to come...................................................................

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

A new adventure from Ottawa to Port Severn

Another adventure has begun. This trip will take us from Ottawa down the Rideau (pronounced Redo) to Kingston, Ontario. We will then cross a fifty-mile portion of Lake Ontario to Trenton and then take the Trent Severn Canal from there to Port Severn.We departed Rhode Island with boat in tow and decided to make this an easy trip, an overnight in Utica, NY and then launch the boats at Dow’s Lake Marina in Ottawa. We are traveling with friends of ours, Dun and Becky, who own a Rosbourough. We anticipate our entire trip taking 3 weeks. Stay tuned……


At the dock in Dow's Lakeafter launch 





All locks have a docking area to wait until the doors are open.