Monday, July 11,2011

Travel from Orillia, Ont. to Honey Harbor, Georgian Bay, Ont

We enjoyed a few days at the Port Orillia City Marina. The waterfront park was lovely. We met Loopers on Maine Vision, Gullwing, Sea Pal, and Running Erin”s. We enjoyed dinner, stories and camaraderie with them It remains amazing how we are each making this journey in different ways, different boats, and different schedules (alto’ we are not on a schedule, right?)….SeaPal’s owners and plan is quite interesting. They have a well-equipped 25 foot motor boat with two large gas out board motors, no keel, and everything they need compactly stored. They trailered their boat behind their truck from Bend, Oregon, starting their Loop in Norfolk=, Va. Altho’ they like our space, they can get their boat into spots we can’t even think about!

We left Orillia planning to meet up with the three Loopers at Lock 44. Boat traffic was quite heavy because it was a weekend, so locks were crowded and we often had to wait our turn. (But who cares!)

busy lock 42

We were heading to Big Chute, Lock 44, another unique lock. Actually it’s not really a lock, but, rather, a huge crib or travel lift that takes your boat out of the water on railroad tracks, across the road, down a hill 59 feet and back into water, the Little Chute Channel. The ride is seven minutes, the boat is in a sling in the crib, and we were on board.

The night before this adventure, the Captains studied the process; we took a gazillion pictures, and there was discussion with the lock masters about how we would proceed the next morning. It was decided, because of size and weight, that each boat would travel separately. Now it was time to plan out optimal use of picture taking. Cameras were exchanged and we excitedly looked forward to the next morning.

lockmaster waiting for free to b on the crib; free to b entering crib



in the crib



Ginny on the Bow

At 8:30 the next morning, we moved our boats to the waiting dock. Sea Pal decided to go out for breakfast and would travel Big Chute later in the day. They took some great pictures of us, but are now a day behind us.

We were second in line. I was on the bow, if lines were needed. Gene slowly approached the crib which is now partially submerged. The expert lock masters carefully adjusted the slings that the boat would sit on, and we were ready to go. The crib slowly came out of the water, crossed the road, and began its descent. OMYGOSH! About halfway down, a lockmaster shouts that he sees black line wrapped around our propeller. (Back track to last spring, and we did, indeed lose dinghy line. Gene thought he had retrieved it all from the propeller , but I guess not.) The youngest lockmaster tells us he can cut it off for us, so under the lift he goes! Another lockmaster readjusts the position of the crib, and the young one cuts off about four feet of line! We jokingly asked if he would like to paint the bottom while he was there.! Ha! Ha!. The head lockmaster made it clear that the reason they could retrieve the line was because there were not a line of boats waiting. They probably saved us a $500 boat yard charge, so the Capt. Saw to it that they would have a nice dinner.









 

Lockmaster finds line on the prop

Back in the Water Again

We continue down and make a smooth slide into the water, tie up at the wall and take pictures of the last boat. And, of course, the lockmaster gives us the line!!!!

We are finished with locks (I am glad; 74 locks is a bit of work; but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!) until Chicago when we will be sharing locks with huge barges on the rivers. Tune in…..

We temporarily said good bye to Running Erins and Gullwing. They were heading to a marina in Honey Harbor, Georgian Bay. I wanted to head to the southern Penetang Bay to visit the town of Penetanguishene; just to say I had been there. We would meet up with them, again, in Honey Harbor a day later. At the marina in Penetang, we were met by a Looper harbor host. Loopers volunteer throughout the route to be available if help is needed. We assured Byron that we had plenty of groceries, etc. He has completed the Loop and gave us much local info. It turned out we were too tired to bike into town after doing laundry, repairing an AC, etc.

We headed the next morning to Honey Harbor on the north side of Georgian Bay to a truly lovely marina, with a great Looper discount rate. The amenities were outstanding, the restaurant was five star, boaters were friendly, and the location was pristine. We stayed for two days, met up with our Looper buddies and planned a few days travel.

Here are some random pictures of open water travel. It wasn’t all locks and waiting. We are enthralled with Georgian Bay. It is Canada’s paradise. It is more developed with cottages (and boat traffic on the weekend) than I imagined, but the rock formations, luscious green trees and shoreline are incredible. We already know that somehow we will come back. (And we have only just begun.) Our travel over the next couple of weeks will be along the north shore, known as the 30,000 islands. This will take us to the North Channel and then to Lake Michigan. This a more complicated route with narrow channels, hidden anchorages and to die for scenery; rock formations and trees. We will need to pay close attention to our charts.

We met a young man, here, who grew up on Georgian Bay. He sat with us and our charts and showed us all of the ideal spots. If we even tried to visit them all, we would be here for years; so we shall pick and choose.

Today, we are heading to the northern tip of a Canadian Nat’l Park called Beausoleil Is. There is a dock and anchorage at Frying Pan Cove. Altho’ it will be hot and humid today, the water should refresh us.

All is well; this is the trip of a lifetime! Stay tuned…..

Janet, I'm really here