Tuesday July 31: Bobcaygeon

We rented a car, left the boats at the Peterborough Marina and drove the 2 1/2 hours to Randy and Cindy's home - about an hour north of Orillia. It was time for Liam and Mea to go home and for Randy and Cindy to attend the annual party with a group of friends.

We were invited to join them - so we did! Thanks, Larry and Anne :-) It was a Mexico themed party - fun times and Steve and I actually learned some new dance steps. Can't remember the name of the dance but that's ok because we don't remember the dance steps anyway :-)

Back to traveling on Monday - a long distance of almost a mile! Stopped at Ashburnham - the lock just a short way from the marina. Good enough for one day. Nice dinner ashore (which was typical for the next week as we traveled without power (which means Steve's induction burners are not used to cook).

Tuesday we decided to stop at the lift lock visitor center. We'd been there a number of years ago but Randy and Cindy had never stopped.

The last time through this area for them was when they completed the loop (for info the "The loop" if you don't know it, click here.)

The museum is all about the building of the lift lock - complete with models of other lift locks that were used as inspirations for the lift locks here in Peterborough.

The models worked on similar principles but were definitely not the same as the lift locks here.

It seems we never tiring of going through these locks :-)





We continued through the next 3 hand operated locks and ended up stopping at Duoro - Lock 24. The draw? Showers :-)




Of course we have showers on our boat but something about the unlimited hot water is always enjoyable!

The locks in this stretch are quiet

and peaceful. No towns nearby. A limited traveled road running alongside but in general just very pleasant places to spend the night.

Wednesday was another long day of 2 miles :-) spent at Lakefield again but we stayed at the lock instead of the marina. Dinner on shore again. Enjoyable.

Thursday the destination was the lower end of Burleigh Falls. Only room for 2 boats and it had the required afternoon shade we were looking for.

On the way past the falls, we counted 6 houseboats either pulled up to shore or anchored nearby. The draw was the falls itself - now flowing with more water than ever thanks to several days of badly needed rain.

Another quiet night - until the 12-sleeper Happy Days houseboat came in!! It docked on the opposite side of the lock wall (ok since it was after the lock was closed). Cindy checked the internet and that boat rents for almost $8000 a week!!! But it was really very nice and the extended family aboard was also nice. We were guessing 3 generations aboard - from Las Vegas. It sounded like maybe they normally rent boats on Lake Mead but the water level there is down 150 feet so they came to the Trent instead.

Friday was a short 2 mile trip to Lovesick Lock. Steve and Cindy had a GREAT day fishing off of the dam! Steve with a large mouth bass and Cindy with a number of small mouth bass.

Guess what was for dinner ......


On shore of course. Such a nice place.

We ended up staying a second night just because we could :-)

Cindy had her first fish cleaning hands-on lesson. She did a great job - and no cuts!!

Also no bones - the best part :-)

Gigit in the meantime entertained everyone (and herself) by waiting and watching patiently at the base of the tree up which the squirrel had run. She never did give up until quite some time later.

Saturday we moved another short distance - 6 miles to Buckhorn Lock. This time we stayed below the lock. No power but such a great spot!

Once we stop, the solar panels, bikes and chairs come off and we just kind of set up camp :-)

The plan was to just stay here two nights but shortly before the locks closed on the second day, we moved to the top so we could connect to power overnight.

After 6 days without a good recharge, our batteries really needed a good long charge - which we could do connected to power.

Steve had a great view of the entrance to the lock as he peeled the sweet corn for dinner ....

Kayaking was nice as the wind was so calm most of the day


We continue to see newly hatched ducklings - maybe second batches??



So that is a capsule look at where we've been the past 10 days :-) Now in Bobcaygeon - arrived before 10 this morning from Buckhorn and were able to pick up 2 spots with power. Again - not a prerequisite but just a nice bonus. We'll stay a couple of nights (the limit for dockage here) and then head on to Fenelon Falls. The long term plan is to continue back to Orillia and then north to Georgian Bay for a month.