Tuesday July 29: Frankfort – lock 7

After three great days in Campbellford, a rainy morning Monday made for an early afternoon leave time. We were able to travel albeit in jeans and jacket to drive from the flybridge.

The plan originally was to travel the next five miles through five locks (a double at Ranney Falls and then 3 single locks – the Trent is continuing to rapidly drop to the level of Lake Ontario!) then continue for another 12 miles (1 ½ hours) to spend the night at the lock at Glenn Ross.

Plan B was to stop after 4 miles and 4 locks. The wind had picked up – it was getting just plain nasty! No rain but when there is a one foot chop pulling into a lock, you know it's time to stop for the day :-)

By the time Steve had the coleman out to cook dinner, the winds down below the lock had fallen off nicely. We were the only boat to spend the night.

This turned out to be one of the best stops! Nothing around but the house at this lock is one of the few remaining original lockmaster homes on the canal system. These were the homes that we saw at every lock back in the 50's. I recall one of the lockmasters bringing my family fresh raspberries in the morning when we spent the night!

Back then the lockmaster asked and recorded the name of the boat and the number of people on board. They were always quite taken aback when the response was “seven aboard” (on that 21 foot boat).

Many informational displays were here – they are usually very interesting and these were no exception. The first had information about what it was like to be a lockmaster in the 1920's. You may want to right click and select “open in a new tab” to be able to read this.

Part of the house is open for viewing – this is a small sitting area on the second floor overlooking the lock.

Other information concerned the Archaic people that lived in this area between 5000 – 1000 BC and the Mound Builder who lived here sometime during 0 – 500 AD.

Long before the Trent Canal was built, the waterways were being used for travel – just lots of rapids that needed to be portaged around. Good thing I didn't live then – I would have NEVER made it!

Anyway, we were up and on our way by 9 yesterday. Only 2 locks and 25 miles to our destination of Frankfort. Small town, breakfast place and power at the lock as an added plus. Bonus of a library that I didn't know was here!

The Trent River is really pretty in this stretch and widely varied as to width. Lots of wildlife including two pairs of swans. Only the second and third pair this year that we've seen.

 

So we're tied here with four other boats for the night. We are still seeing a few boats working their way to Georgian Bay on the way to Chicago and the rivers south. But most have already passed through as it's getting late in the season for those wanting to complete the loop before it starts getting cold at the north end.

Think we'll stay another day …..