Apologies for the lack of posting recently. We’ve been in much more rural areas and our internet has been virtually nonexistent. I’ve written and saved a few thoughts. Here is a summary of the past few days’ highlights.
We turned the page to August waking up to a crispy morning at the Blue Hole anchorage. Today’s journey was 2 staged, with the first destination being Campbellford. We tied up just beyond Locks 11 & 12 and took a walk to the suspension bridge and the waterfall.
Homeowners take such pride in their properties along the Trent Severn. 
Campbellford Ontario 
How this double lock works. 
From inside the lock, before filling. 
Up close view of the wall of a lock. A true biology project. 
The doors always leak some. Water is abour 14′ above us beyond the gate. 
On top of the suspension bridge 
The warning that seniors are in the area. 
Photo of water under bridge. The blob on the left is my reflection like 50′ above. 
Ranney Falls, upstream of the suspension bridge 
The waterway below the bridge.
Soon, we were back on the boats and headed North (or West or south–the Trent-Severn winds like switchbacks up a mountainside). The staff of the Trent- Severn Waterway Park System is outstanding. They have great people skills. At each lock, they consistently take the time to engage boaters, offering local knowledge in assisting folks like us, who are enjoying the trip of a lifetime. We pushed on to Hastings, another little town along the way. We squeezed through the lock just as they were closing down for the day. But the cordiality of the staff and the job they do, never wavered, as their only interest, from our perspective, was getting us through to our next stop. The lockmaster brought out a handmade boat paddle, and asked us to sign and date it. It was a paddle signed by every Looper who had been through the lock system in 2019. He said he will be presenting it to Kim Russo, who is the executive director of the AGLCA (American Great Loop Cruisers Association). She has lead the organization so well, providing educational and promotional opportunities across the country for rookie boaters like us. What a thoughtful idea to express their appreciation to her.
In the deep dark corners of her mind, she pondered….. 
…….chocolate or vanilla?
8-2
We left the city wall in Hastings about 8:30 am. After a few miles (with no locks), we reached Rice Lake. It was nice cruising the open waters with no wake and few boaters. We made our Northern turn into the canal once again and began our locking day immediately. We went through Locks 13-21 today, with 21 being the most spectacular. Located in Peterborough, Ontario, it’s unique to all the others thus far in that it is a side by side lift lock. See the photographs, including “how it’s built” picture. This lock construction started in 1896 and opened in 1904. It’s the tallest of its kind in the world, measuring over 60′ elevation change.
These kids, who run the locks, posed with the Collins and me. 
Our approach, from the boat, to the lift lock. 
Our view from the top of the lift lock. 
We tied to the wall for the night. Just ahead of my boat (front) is a 60′ drop. 
Amanda was “in control” of the lock. 
Looking up at one of the pans that lifts boats. 
How it works…. 
The cylinder, below each pan, is 7′ in diameter.
After locking through, we called it a day. The lockmaster allowed us to tie up at the wall above the lock for the night, and later told us we were welcome to stay as long as we wanted. We have decided these Canadians just like to listen to us talk, so they are extra cordial to us.
When morning gilds the skies, my heart awakening cries, “May Jesus Christ be praised.”
They don’t grow black squirrels in Georgia, or anywhere I’ve ever been.
8-3
Saturday morning, we, and our friends, the Collins, strolled into Peterborough, hit the farmers’ market, the bakeries, a restaurant, and the boat store. Amanda and I were on a first name basis with most every vendor before the morning was over. Me, because if I speak to anyone, the next word from whomever is always, “where are you from?”. Amanda, because she bought something from most every vendor. They loved her! To reinforce my observation that people up here are so friendly, I offer the following story: Walking from the boat, we had stopped at a corner looking at our map, trying to find the farmers’ market, when a voice from the front porch of a house yelled, “Are you lost?” As it was very obvious, we struck up a conversation about how to get to the market, talked about SEC football, our kids, and “Where are y’all from?” Inevitably, we tell our story of boating, which intrigues everyone, and they just want to know more and more. Before we left, the guy said, “When you’re finished at the market, call me and I’ll come pick you up and take you back to your boat.” We did, and he did. He not only picked us up, he also carried us to a bakery where Amanda had earlier put aside “a few more things” to pick up on our way back. After giving him a brief tour of the boat, we agreed to try to catch up again before we leave. Have I mentioned before how friendly people are?
Nicole won our hearts as the sweetest of all the lock staff. 
Sunrise over our “home”
8-4
Sunday morning, we left our lockmaster friends at the lift dock and continued our journey North and Westward. We passed through a total of 10 locks, Numbers 22-31. The day was long. We traveled about 7 hours but the trip was almost 9, because 2 hours were spent getting in and out of locks. This is the time the first mate really earns her money. She has to prepare the fenders on the proper side, as each lock wants a different side from the previous, so it seems. Inevitably, boat traffic in the locks will require a last minute switch to the opposite side where you are rigged. There are always spectators at the locks, so when the switch is necessary, it means mama has to jump quickly and the captain has to rethink the landing against the wall inside. Sometimes, boats the size of ours are sardined side by side and, with fenders on, the boats are touching one another, almost rafted up, as we say. And if you are at the back of the lock, you have to squeeze the stern in, as well, to allow the door closings. None of the work is significantly demanding, but it is stressful. Amanda and I have wireless headsets, also known as, marriage savers. These permit communications on the approach and exit of the lock, because we cannot see each other. She grabs the cable or rope on the wall, to control the stern, then I jump from pilot house and loop the cable or rope to control the bow. This moment, my friends, has been the biggest test of our marriage since we embarked. You would have to be here to appreciate this test. Minor details such as forgetting to turn on the headset, or just not putting it on, often produces a new level of marriage encounter, that entertains those on the wall watching, and accidentally, listening.
Looking closely, you can see the cables spaced along the wall, designed for boaters to loop their lines through, securing the boat during the filling or emptying of the lock.
Adirondack chairs are “in” up here. 
One of the prettier places along the Trent Severn 
This pick up is mounted on pontoons. Didn’t see it in time to know if it is driveable. 
A filling station on the canal.
The major change in the landscape has been wonderful. We are seeing all kinds of houses, from right out of Architectural Digest to manufactured housing bungalows. The feeling here is if you want to live on the water, regardless of income or taste, it can be done. Some take much pride in their property; others, well, not so much so.
The end of this day brought us to an anchorage called Gannon Narrows.
8-5
Seven more hours of fun and locks.
We made a stop in Bobcaygeon, a cute little town, with the cutest little shops. Our cute little girls were very good and kept the credit cards stowed. We did find a cute little hardware store, as well.
We went through 5 more locks and tied up on “the wall” downhill of Lock 36. We are nearest Kirkfield, Ontario. This lock is the same type as Lock 21, the lift lock, but it is only 42 feet high. Today was a civic holiday for Canadians, so we had a little more traffic on the water than normal, but we managed to miss all the boats. House boats seem to be the worst, as most of them are rentals and are not accustomed to the navigational rules of the road . Today’s milestone was reaching the halfway point on the Trent Severn waterway. That means more than just miles. Lock 36 is the first lock on this leg of the journey where we have begun our downward trek. The rest of locks, though fewer, will be lowering us until we reach the Georgian Bay. Based on my vast knowledge of the sciences, I think that will be MSL (Mean Sea Level). I know my school teacher readers will correct me if I am wrong.
This sign marks the entrance to what they call the ditch. Very narrow and very shallow, it is almost impossible for 2 boats the size of ours to pass. So, you have to announce your entrance on VHF and hope someone is listening and will respond. We did meet a couple boats along the 2 plus mile ride, but were able to squeeze by, since they were a good bit smaller.
Tight and shallow. All rock bottom and sides, make for a stressful ride.
By the way, this blog does provide a place for comment. If you have a thought or a question about someplace we have been or are going, I would love to hear from you.
8-6
We left the Kirkfield lock later than normal this morning. Just a few miles down the ditch, 2 swing bridges had to be opened for our passage. The bridge operators get to work at 9 am.
The waterway here is almost all rock. Until now, “finding the bottom” has brought no consequences other than a little inconvenience. But finding the bottom of a rock bed can have a significant impact, pun intended. To add to the stress, grasses grow prolifically in the fresh waters. The grass confuses a depth finder, so even when the water depth is safe, alarms often sound announcing the imminent grounding…that doesn’t happen. It can be quite stressful and frustrating at the same time.
We finished the canal this morning around noon and tied temporarily to the wall to assess the weather forecast. We were about to enter Lake Simcoe, a huge body of water that gets pretty dicey in strong winds. With rain already on us, we checked the wind and sea forecast for the next 3 hours. Winds 10-15 and seas at 1 foot told us we were good to go in the 18 mile crossing. We arrived, without incident or excitement, at Orillia Port Marina about 3 pm.
This bridge is known as the hole in the wall, entering into Lake Mitchell.
With several days anchoring out or tying to the wall, it was good to get to safe harbor, power up the batteries, and refill our freshwater holding tank. Two loads of laundry, a quick boat wash, and eating leftovers brought this day to an early end for Amanda, and gave me a chance to get the blog caught up.