Friday September 7: Bobcaygeon

 Cheryl's mom Lois arrived on schedule Tuesday afternoon so even though she had been up since 6 am she was game to play some TriOminoes. Steve and I had never played before but being the quick studies that we are had no problems picking up the nuances of the game. However, the scoring was way too complicated so we just decided to forgo the scoring. Peter claims he won. We don't think so.

Regardless, we set off the next morning (Wednesday) bound for Young's Point. This is Deja Vu as she passed by the fountain in Little Lake just off of the Peterborough Marina. It was a long day simply because we traveled through 7 locks – all but one hand operated. It just means the process is slower than the electric locks. Plus the fall hours are in effect so the locks now close at 3:30 instead of 7:00 so we have to be a bit more careful about the time throughout the day.

When we traveled the rivers going south on the loop, Peter always told me that unless you are the lead dog, the view is always the same! So we had the same view most of the day as we followed Deja Vu north on the Trent. I tried to stay back a bit but usually I was able to read the name on the back of their boat :-)

We did manage to make it to Young's Point – just barely making it by 3:30 but were told there wasn't room for both of us at the top of the lock, so we stayed on the blue line at the bottom (for boats waiting to lock through) for the night. Which was fine. It just means that you have to lock through as soon as the locks open in the morning.

It was a great evening again as we just sat around enjoying the pleasant weather and company. Of course this was after we had ice cream (compliments of Lois!) at the Lockside Store. Steve made a great dinner of turkey thighs. He had made salmon with dill sauce the night before so we are really getting spoiled!

The weather was again very nice today – hard to believe it is the 6^th of September. After stopping for breakfast/lunch at Burleigh Falls, it was off to Lovesick. Steve just had to try fishing off of the bridge for one more time. He caught a sunfish, which was the eaten by a muskie – but the muskie decided that there were easier little fish to catch so it just spit the sunfish out. But Steve says it was fun anyway! We went on through the lock (it was too full for Peter and Cheryl to come also so they came in the next lock). Steve thought it would be a good idea to just drift fish until Deja Vu made it through the lock. Good plan – but with not so good consequences!!

Ok – looks like lock is up and boats are coming out – start the engine as Deja Vu is coming out of the lock. Oh no. Engine won't start. Not good. Headed for shallow water – quick toss out the anchor. Call Peter and Cheryl on the radio.

No hesitation at all – they came to our aid. How will we ever live this down?? 10,000 miles of travel and we have never needed to be towed (well, if you don't count the stump on the Rideau – more than a tow!). Well, at least it wasn't by a sailboat :-) The problem actually turned out to be the upper helm ignition switch so as long as we start the engine at the lower helm, no problem. It's nice to have friends around when you really need them :-) Of course we'll never hear the end of how we had to be towed by them ......

Arrival in Bobcaygeon was a rather late 5:30 pm. It was a long travel day of 34 miles. Much more than our average 10 mile day! But a celebration was in order as Peter and Cheryl have completed the Great Loop having arrived in Bobcaygeon. For more info about the Great Loop, click here. Way to go guys!!! Champagne on the aft deck was definitely in order :-)

Our last breakfast at the Full Cup tomorrow and then on to Fenelon Falls. Time to head back to NC and Yesterday's Dream.