August 6, Day 54 - Hastings to Peterborough

First thing this morning, we went down to pick up our engraved paddle from Redtail Paddle Co. The paddle was ready and the owner gave us a tour of the facility and showed us the detail behind making their paddles. It was a very interesting place. Some of the paddles they showed us are ones they have made for the Olympics in British Columbia. They have a contract with Hudson Bay Company to made paddles to be sold on the Olympic grounds.

We left about 9:00 to head for Peterborough. We had made reservations at the town marina and it was a long trip to get there. We made it in plenty of time.

There was only one lock the whole day and it was just before we got to the marina (Lock 19). As we were coming up in the lock, I happened to mention to the lockmaster (Chad), that it was Linda’s birthday and when we got to the top, he held us there in the lock. He went to get “presents” for Linda and also made dinner reservations for us at his favorite restaurant in town. How about that for customer service.

After we settled in a bit, a boat neighbor dropped by and chatted for a bit. They were also on the Great Loop and lived in the Georgian Bay (where we are headed after the Trent-Severn). We talked for about an hour. Then we walked into town to find the place where Chad had made reservations for us. By the time we found the place (Nicolini’s), it was almost dinner time, so we strolled in even through we were early. The waitress and owner (Angela) met us, called us by name and sat us down. The dinner and the service were incredible. It was also very reasonably priced. We can highly recommend it for dinner.

We went back to the boat and Linda crashed – something about a full tummy and a little wine (and being older). She finally awoke from her nap and the phone started ringing with birthday wishes from friends and family.

We decided to stay another day to get in some walking and check out the “Lift Lock” that we will be going through on Saturday – it is significantly different than any of the other locks we have been through. We hope to take a short video and put that on the blog tomorrow.



A painting on one of the old buildings in Hastings


The Paddle Place

The owner putting the "finishing touches" on our paddle

Paddles in various stages of being made

The dipping room. After being dipped the paddles hang for a few days to dry. The ones you see in the middle of the picture are the prototypes for the Olympic paddles. They were getting ready to ship them to the Hudson Bay Company.

Some of the more expensive paddles. Any design you want can be put on the paddle (for a price)

.... and a few more paddles

This is our paddle ... nothing fancy ... just the basics, but not bad considering we went in a 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and picked it up at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. We are now trying to figure out where to hang it on the boat.

Leaving Hastings Thursday morning

Emotion was behind us, but they soon passed as they are a faster boat.

Gerry fishing ... looks like hard work. No wonder he was exhausted!

As we cruised along we saw "white spots" on the hill. Finally figured out they were shrink-wrapped bales of hay.

Entering the Otonabee River

A happy place along the river

Scotts Mills, Lock 19 (our only lock today - total lock count now 89)

Elroy the Lockmaster

US -- locking through

A beachy area where kids were swimming (just before our marina). Personally, I thought it was a little too cool for swimming. These folks are hearty up here.

Fountain in Little Lake just before entering Peterborough Marina

Monk's Vineyard (in the center of the picture) at the marina. This will be home for the next 2 nights.