Sept 13 --- The Trent-Severn & The Big Chute

We were up and travelling by 8:30 AM, from our semi-private anchorage, Discovery Cove. 

Before we left, we saw/heard a Loon, about 30 yard off our bow.  It dove underwater before I could get a picture of it.  The loon made me think of my sister-in-law, Jennifer --> because she likes loons, and they have 1,2 or 3 often on Major Lake, NOT because she is “looney”!

I took the loon-sighting as a good sign. I think both Rick and I were a bit anxious and concerned about starting the Lock system today. The channel getting to the first lock was narrow and shallow, but fairly well marked. 

I still can’t believe we made it through those two markers.

Per our Cruising Guide, Lock Masters don’t use the VHF radios; boats alert them of their arrival via cell phones or 3 horn-blasts. And unfortunately, our Cruising Guide is written as if a boat is traveling from east to west, not west to east, so we had to read ahead and try to figure out --- “is that low swing bridge before the lock or after it?” 
Luckily, at the first Lock, before we entered it,  we tied up along the concrete wall, and Rick went up to the Lock Master’s House, and got us several maps/fliers. 
Ahhhhh, OK, then, I felt much better.  We navigated the first lock, which was operated “by hand”, and we celebrated, completing the first lock of 45; Lock @ Port Severn!  Thankfully, it wasn’t all that difficult! 

But the next one, ---- was the Big Chute – a 58-foot vertical marine-railroad (not actually a Lock).  We maneuvered Zingara into what resembled a lock, except that the surrounding walls, instead of concrete or steel, were metal-reinforced wooden slats, that supported huge slings. Luckily, the Lock Master at the Severn Lock called ahead, and these guys were ready for us.

Settled in the straps and ready to go!

On our way up

At the top, looking backwards

At the top, looking forwards

  

Moving across the street - they hadn't stopped traffic yet

On our way down, the other side

On our way again!

From the Big Chute, we continued on to Lock # 43 - Swift Rapids, a 34-foot vertical clearance. 

   After navigating the Erie Canal, we were old pros at this!

.

From here, we were hoping to make the make Lock #42 –Couchiching, before closing time >> 3:30.  Lake Couchiching is a smaller, northern lake that flows into the large Lake Simcoe – there is a quaint, busy town of Orillia on the south end – a perfect spot for overnight.  
However, right before we got to the lock, another boat, coming the opposite direction, flagged us down.  The Hamlet Swing Bridge (the bridge after the lock) was not working, and it was unknown when it was going to be fixed.  So we tied up along the wall, along with the other boat --> Ken and Inga’s, --> to wait and see.  
But if we had to be suck someplace, this locale wasn’t all that bad!