6/25 The narrowness of the Trent Canal

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We got a little bit of a late start today.  Yesterday, we were surprised that our gauge showed that we were close to needing a pump out.  But we had not necessarily been monitoring it.  We got a pump out yesterday and by this morning, our tank was 1/2 full.  The seacock is shut off now and John made several calls so we can get it looked at when we get to Orilla.

With that crisis averted, we headed for Balsam Lake, the easiest part of the day.  It was a beautiful way to start the day.  This is the highest spot on the Trent Severn Waterway.  Depending on the reference you use, it is either 840 or 850 feet above sea level.  All those locks have paid off.

We entered the Trent Canal.  It is VERY narrow and was hewn from the rock of the Canadian Shield.
It is suggested that one calls a security warning as one enters the canal.  As soon as I saw how narrow it was I was calling the security warning.

As I said it was hewn from rock.  In this picture you can see the rock to the side of our boat.  Makes you want to stay in the center of the channel.

Just when you think you have everything under control, here comes the Kawartha Voyageur.  This is the same tour boat we saw in Campbellford.  There we were across a very wide channel.  This time, we were glad to squeak by without hitting rock or the Voyageur.

Between the sections of the Trent Canal, we went through Mitchell Lake and Canal Lake that are both known for their weeds.  There have been reports that people this year have weeds bring their boats to a stop, including a tow boat.

The Kirkfield lift lock doesn't get the notoriety that the Peterborough Lift Lock does.  But it is pretty impressive too.  It doesn't have a concrete structure around it so you feel a little more open to the scenery.  Kirkfield is also the start of locking down to Georgian Bay. 

Entering the upper pan at Kirkfield Lock, what a view!!

The back wall of the lock as you go down.

View from the bottom of the lock; lock ready to open

The channel markers now have the green on the right and the red on the left as we head to Georgian Bay.

Constructed in 1905, the "Hole in the Wall" Bridge on Canal Lake is very unique and in a very rural setting. 

The rural road that leads to the whole in the wall bridge

The bridge is built of concrete and is 28 feet tall.  But on the approach, it doesn't look that big at all. 

Yikes!!  You want me to go through that???

There is something about concrete on all sides of your boat that can make me nervous.  We cleared with plenty to spare. 

Back into the Trent Canal we went.  We stopped at Lock 39, which was very rural.  It was so rural that at Lock 39 and 40, they tell you to pay for your night at Lock 41 because they cannot get internet there.  But shortly before that I got a good laugh at this phone booth along the canal.

We were the only boat along the lock wall.  It was so quiet.  John hopped in the water and pulled lots of weeds off the prop and shaft.  We are glad he did.

Lat 44 degrees 29.90 North

Long 79 degrees 8.00 West