Sept 15 A Day of LOWS, HIGHS & CROWDS
We left Lagoon City and maneuvered the tricky entrance into the Trent River system. Two smaller power boats followed us into the narrow, shallow (LOW water-depth - but fabulous scenery!) channel, edged with rocks, wild flowers, farmland, and woods.
By 11:00 o’clock, we arrived at Lock #41 @ Gamebrigde. Looking through the binoculars, nothing was happening/moving within the lock, although we could see 3 boats already staged inside. Oh no – what’s wrong? Is something else broken? It ended up that they were waiting for us. And the two boats behind us, too!
For the next 4 hrs. and 5 more locks,
the 6 of us were packed like sardines into the locks. CROWDS
And in between, we traveled, one behind the other, in our own little floating parade. My arm was getting tired from all the Rose-Bowl waving I was doing to the people on shore along the way.
Ron & his wife in their small cutti-cabin boat led the way, followed by Destiny, and then a Mainship trawler, named Actavus, captained by a young french couple, and their 2 month-old daughter!
Zingara was next, then the two smaller boats. As we waited patiently for the locks to open and lower us all, conversations, advice and suggestions grew,(I even got info on the best place to buy shoes --->> Bigleys in Bobcaygeon, with over 40,000 pairs of shoes) until we were soon exchanging phone numbers and pictures. Coming out of the shallow Canal Lake, we all had to navigate the Hole in the Wall Bridge “a picturesque perfect half-circle arched bridge” that made for wonderful photo ops.
So now for the HIGHS-
At 3 o’clock, we entered the into the amazing Kirkfiled Lock (# 36) It is the (2nd) highest hydraulic lift in the world. Once we were all settled in the lock, the whole “tub”, that was filled with water, boats and people, rose approximately 49 ft (almost 5 stories), reminding me of being in a glass elevator.
It was un-nerving at first, then unbelievable with awesome views.
We ended up tying up for the night right after the lock,
spending a wonderful evening, -even had a bonfire
– with our new-found friends,
Joe & Cory, and Darrell & Rachael. The other 3 boats had gone on ahead.
 |
| Notice the "blue line" - it's the staging area before/after each lock, yet most also have gorgeous landscaping! |
By 11:00 o’clock, we arrived at Lock #41 @ Gamebrigde. Looking through the binoculars, nothing was happening/moving within the lock, although we could see 3 boats already staged inside. Oh no – what’s wrong? Is something else broken? It ended up that they were waiting for us. And the two boats behind us, too!
 |
| Notice how you can see two previous lock in the canal behind us |
the 6 of us were packed like sardines into the locks. CROWDS
 |
| Rick talking with Ron, in front of us |
 |
| Cory & Rachael, sharing a laugh |
 |
| Zingara's stern-corner along side Rachael's & Darrel's boat |
Ron & his wife in their small cutti-cabin boat led the way, followed by Destiny, and then a Mainship trawler, named Actavus, captained by a young french couple, and their 2 month-old daughter!
So now for the HIGHS-
At 3 o’clock, we entered the into the amazing Kirkfiled Lock (# 36) It is the (2nd) highest hydraulic lift in the world. Once we were all settled in the lock, the whole “tub”, that was filled with water, boats and people, rose approximately 49 ft (almost 5 stories), reminding me of being in a glass elevator.
 |
| On top of the world, …. In our boat! |
It was un-nerving at first, then unbelievable with awesome views.
We ended up tying up for the night right after the lock,
spending a wonderful evening, -even had a bonfire
 |
| Cory, Me & Rachael - sorry, guys, you're picture didn't turn out! |
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