Here we are once again - at the start of the Trent-Severn. This is one of Canada's national historic sites and is so magnificent that it has been named "one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world". Parks Canada maintains and operates the 43 locks and 125 dams of the waterway.
We met new friends, Lee and Suzan on Lazy Suzan at Trent Port Marina. Trenton is a great little town with a fabulous marina, one of our loop favorites. It is a new marina with wonderful amenities, including a snack and ice cream at the canteen.
Lazy Suzan and Blue Moon starting out at the first lock.
King in a double lift lock. The stain from leaking water make a giant colorful canvas.
Many houses are built on remote islands.
Kawartha Voyageur, is an Ontario Waterway cruiser. The ship holds 45 passengers and navigates a 150 mile section of the Trent-Severn Waterway. We watched the ship ready to enter the lock. The front blue portion folds up in order to fit into the lock. It looks like an iron.
Lee and Suzan in the Peterborough Lift Lock. The lock in number 21 on the waterway and raises boats 65 feet in two identical bathtub-like caissons in which vessels are carried up or down. The lock was built in the early 20th century without the modern machinery used for today's construction projects. The lift lock functions by gravity alone using the counterweight principle. One caisson always ascends and the other always descends during each locking cycle. We learned that in the winter months residents and visitors use the waterway below the canal for ice skating.
Bobcaygeon! A favorite stop with shoe stores and more shoe stores, cute restaurants, gift shops, music in the park all in a cottage country atmosphere.
See the really large orange chair below. Chairs are for sale at Bigley's Shoes in Bobcaygeon. We were told that this is the Bigley family home.
We liked this house and boat garage.
A narrow section of the Trent-Severn.
Lazy Suzan navigating the same narrow passage.
There are two lift locks on the Trent-Severn, Peterborough and Kirkfield. Lazy Suzan in the Kirkfield Lift Lock.
Most locks are operated manually. King volunteered to walk around the crank which opens the lock door.
Suzan, Mike and Lynne. Mike and Lynne are 80+ and live near Orillia, off Lake Simcoe. They travel the Trent in a small C-Dory. We enjoyed visiting with them and gaining the important local knowledge.
Best seats to watch the Pipes and Drums parade in downtown Orillia with Lee and Suzan and Grant and Cindy, Canadian friends from As The Crow Flies. We first met Grant and Cindy in 2014 in Peterborough, traveled with them on the Illinois and again in Florida. Great to have them spend the weekend with us.
King and Grant off to catch fish!!
Enjoying visiting and dinner on Lazy Suzan.
The Big Chute Marine Railway is a boat lift at lock 44 on the Trent-Severn Waterway. It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet. It is the only marine railway of its kind in North American still in use.
Lazy Suzan in the sling.
Back in the water again.
Getting all our ducks in a row!
The end of the Trent-Severn Waterway, headed out into Georgian Bay.
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