Tuesday about noon, it was finally time
to leave Orillia. I did the laundry while Steve made one last trip to
the auto parts store and then the grocery store. Stocked up for
another week or so. The wind was supposed to only be about 10 mph and
shifting from south to north so we expected a smooth trip for the 20
miles across Lake Simcoe.
I tried to get a picture of the green
water of Lake Simcoe but it wasn't to be. Just to hard to really show
in a picture. Regardless, green it was (when the sun was shining). A
very pleasant trip although we still could not cruise. Still not sure
what that is all about – maybe it wasn't just water in the gas???
Engine is still running well at our normal traveling speed of 1700
rpm.
Once across the lake, we ended up going
through 4 of the 5 locks that lead back to Balsam Lake (the highest
point in elevation of the Trent System). What a peaceful night. We
were the only boat here – no wind and low 60's for sleeping.
Staying at the locks are really what we like about this area. Each
lock has restrooms that are either keyed or locked with a pass code
lock. So when Steve lets the lock master know we are staying, he'll
either get the pass code or a key. Only two lock stations never lock
the restroom: Swift Rapids (there are no roads to the lock) and
Lovesick (also no roads to the lock).
We weren't in any rush Wednesday
morning but when we were ready to head out, Steve stopped by the lock
station here and let them know we were getting ready to leave. By the
time we arrived at the next lock, the doors were open and welcoming –
the lock master where we stayed called and let the next lock know we
were coming. What service is that??!!!
This series of 5 locks are all hand
operated – the same as they were when we traveled the system in the
late '50's. One of the lock personnel told us she figured out that on
an average day, she walks 8 miles a day just opening the doors
(which are opened by walking in a circle)!
Steve drove part of the day and I rode
on the front of the boat – probably for the first time. It's a nice
place to ride :-)
We arrived at Fenelon Falls having
decided to skip Coboconk on this return trip – next year. Guppy is
at the front of the pack – I was hoping to be able to pick up the
open internet being this far forward and it worked! First job after
the engine cooled off: check the timing advance springs in the
distributor – the ongoing need to figure out what is the real issue
with the engine. Easy – just a few screws, right? Not so fast –
both screws heads are in sad shape. Apply WD40. Still no go. Ok –
go to plan B: let's just check the set of the ignition points.
Mmmm...perhaps this is the problem. The points are hardly opening.
Set them to the specs for the engine and call it a day. We would need
to wait until morning to take the boat out and test it (there isn't
any way to “hold” your spot and we already had our electric paid
for).
The sunset from the beach was great.
Someone even had the forethought to put an anchor in a very nice
place to catch as the foreground for a sunset picture :-)
Many of you probably don't realize it
but I really hate it when I am wrong. And because it doesn't happen
very often, it's hard to take :-) But up early and out to test the
engine before many boats were out and about. Amazing enough –
problem solved!!! I said fuel. Steve said ignition system. He was
indeed right. There. I've said it in writing. In published writing.
Don't fret. It won't happen again.
So it's a good day. No more issues for
now - but then it IS a boat :-) Two more weeks to enjoy here on the Trent and then we'll head
back to NC and go north to the Chesapeake Bay area for a few weeks.
Cute little 'house' here in Fenelon
that is used as an information booth. It's a replica of the small
building that was used in the 1920's to provide shelter for the lock
operators. I think this was before they began just building homes for
the lock operators so they could just live on site with their
families. For some time, the locks were open 24 hours a day during
the summer season.
Tomorrow: on to Bobcaygeon for the
weekend. Hopefully no crazed houseboaters but now we know who to call
:-)
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