We left the anchorage at 10:00 heading for Big Chute. Once there we scoped out the situation before heading for the blue line. There was a bit of a delay while the maintenance guys fixed something, but soon it was our turn. The whole thing came off without a hitch, in spite of the Captain being a bit nervous. After that it was on to Port Servern, the last lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway. With the completion of that lock, our count was 113 locks.
We decided to stay at a marina tonight because of the forecasted thunderstorms and the need for a pump out. The next two days will be either on the hook or at Henry’s Fish Camp, so we needed to have an empty holding tank (see the blog for August 14th if you have any questions about that requirement).
We pulled into South Bay Marina around 3:00 p.m. and checked in. They have a very nice marina and the service was great. The marina is spotless, including the showers, laundromat, and grounds. They have complimentary coffee and cookies and they deliver the paper each morning. The internet connection is good once you get it, but getting it was a bit of a pain (router problems, etc.).
It was really hot again today. Steve and Karen went for a swim while we tried to get caught up with email and boat logs. There is free ice here, so we’ll fill all the coolers up.
Linda did a load of laundry and we all took showers before heading for dinner at the marina’s 5-star restaurant, Top of the Cove. Very good food, but pricey. While there, Gerry tried to teach Steve how to savor fine wine, instead of guzzling. (Steve’s comment: It took me one evening to learn what it took Gerry 25 years to learn).
We looked at the pictures we have taken over the last couple of days and a DVD of the Georgian Bay and then hit the hay.
Arriving at Big Chute
The tracks and cables that makes the whole thing work
Boats in the chute
The tracks and chute
Another view of the boats
All done .... boats leaving the chute
The process - Step 1
The process - Step 2
The process - Step 3
We were on the blue line and ready to go, but there was some mechanical problem so we had to wait a bit
Entering the rail car
The Harness holding the boat
Down we go
Steve getting the cards (the endangered species cards they pass out at each lock). We were missing 3 so we needed to make sure we got the ones at this lock.
The view from behind
Now ..... wasn't that fun !!!! Steve and Karen thought so.
Leaving Big Chute
Oops, danger ahead. By now we were experts at narrow channels .... so no problem
Interesting animals here in Canada .... This is a moose
.... and these are dogs
Entering the LAST lock
It was a tight squeeze. Our anchor was practically touching the enclosure of the boat in front of us
Leaving the Trent-Severn Waterway ....... What a journey
The grounds of the South Bay Cove Marina
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