Cruising the Trent-Severn with a Full Crew

Frank and Roman joined us on C.A.R.I.B. II on Sunday (July 6) in Peterborough. On Monday morning (July 7) we awoke to grey skies and rain, but by late morning the rain had stopped and we decided to depart for the day's destination--7 locks and 10 miles away--Lakefield. Our second lock was the Peterborough Lift Lock. It was probably not as exciting for us as going through the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland several years ago, but it was hard not to be impressed by the technology, particularly given the age of the lock. 

Roman and Frank on the bow
 of CARIB II in the lift lock

Looking up at the upper lock chamber

Lon "at altitude" in the
 Peterborough Lift Lock

It seemed like all we did on Monday was go through locks.  But at least the sun came out eventually and it was good to have our new crew members aboard to assist!

Putting Frank to work at the stern . . . 

     . . . and Roman at the bow

As we neared Lakefield we noticed that the sky to the north was getting darker and darker. We hoped we would make the marina before the storms hit, but no such luck. It started pouring just before we reached Lock 25, our last lock of the day. The lock keepers opened the lock doors for us and "Lindy", the other boat locking through with us, then left us in the lock to wait out the thunderstorm. Frank, Roman and I got well and truly soaked during the boat tie-up process. The rain didn't last too long and we arrived in Lakefield in time to dry off and head out to dinner. July 7 was our 35th wedding anniversary, and we were happy to share the occasion with Frank and Roman over a wonderful French meal at "Cassis" in Lakefield.

Roman, Frank, Pat, Lon at "Cassis"

The weather on Tuesday (July 8) messed a bit with our cruising schedule. We had originally hoped to cruise as far as Bobcaygeon, but despite an early start to try to get ahead of thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon, we were only able to make it as far as the town of Buckhorn before the rain started falling. We were extremely happy to find space for the evening on the wall on the upper side of the Buckhorn Lock. Heavy rain for a few hours in the afternoon gave way to clearing skies by suppertime. One bit of entertainment for the day was watching the rental houseboats making their way into the lock. It quickly became apparent that it was "learn as you go" as far as boating skills were concerned. We were impressed with how patient and helpful the lock keepers were with the novice boaters.

Buckhorn memorial to Canadian military personnel
killed in Afghanistan

CARIB II docked in Buckhorn

The Buckhorn Buck sculpture

We are currently cruising through what is called the Kawartha Lakes region. What this means from a boating perspective is that the Trent-Severn Waterway in this area is principally a series of interconnected lakes.  It is also "cottage country" for Toronto. What is really interesting are the number of cottages that have been built on small islands in the lakes. Seclusion is definitely the order of the day for those places.

Lake island cottage

 . . . and another

A church you can boat to

I have also been enjoying seeing and hearing loons during this phase of our trip. And of course, Canadian geese are raising huge families everywhere we go.

A windy and cloudy cruise today brought us to the town of Fenelon Falls. Fenelon Falls is a cute little town and a "destination" for the holiday-makers in the area. It was also one of the trickiest approaches yet to a lock, because the current from the dam and the falls was extremely strong. Watching boats go up and down in the lock must be the most popular local activity--we couldn't believe the number of spectators along the railing as we came up. We are again docked at the lock wall, as are Looper friends on "Charis" and "Adagio".

Former lock keeper shelter

Across the street from the
 upper lock wall;
the mango was delicious!

Putting the "falls" in Fenelon Falls

Yesterday's thunderstorms have pushed back our arrival in Orillia to Friday (July 11). The good news in that is: no alarms have to be set for early departures, great weather is predicted for our Friday crossing of (large) Lake Simcoe, and we have the pleasure of having Frank and Roman aboard for another day. (Zipper is not so thrilled with that last bit.)