Trent-Severn Waterway - Part 1
The Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) has been everything that we expected and more. The scenery has been spectacular, the water crystal clear, and the people incredibly friendly. We stopped at Campbellford 2 nights ago at the town dock where we were able to shower, and have a great dinner ashore, and pick up some things at the local grocery store. We also had our first experience with the famed Tim Hortons donut shop in Canada. It was great but not much different than a Dunkin Donuts in the States. We felt like we owed it to ourselves to try as many varieties as possible - just to see if the hype was justified (it was).
The next morning, while waiting for our first lock of the day, we met Jeff and Trish aboard their boat, Oyster. They became instant friends and we travelled with them all day through every lock. We decided to find an anchorage and share some boiled shrimp and conversation for the evening. What a fantastic time we had and one of the highlights of the Loop so far. They detoured for a brief stop in Peterborough while we plowed on ahead. I hope we run into them again.
During our travels yesterday, we came upon the Peterborough lift lock. This lock was completed in 1904 and considered an engineering marvel at the time. Even today it’s pretty cool. Imagine two identical bath tubs side by side but one is 65 feet higher than the other that balance each other perfectly. The upper tub is filled with an addition 1 foot of water which is 130 tons creating an imbalance, causing the upper tub to descend, thereby raising the lower tub. Very ingenious! (see pictures below)
Last night we got to Lock 30 where we stopped along the dock wall. We had originally planned to push a little farther but there was a storm rolling in so decided it was better to stay put. I turned out to be a wise decision as the wind and rain where pretty intense for a while.
This morning, while waiting for our turn at Lock 31, a rental party boat was first through the lock. Bill asked if they had any beer to share so they tossed him one. I never saw Bill this excited on Christmas morning when we were kids!
We finally get to experience Tim Hortons first hand!
Bill before his morning coffee. Check out that wild bed-head hair do!
Bill after his morning coffee and Tim Horton sugar fix. The hat did wonders for his hair.
One of two double locks we’ve encountered. The first lock raises the boat 25 feet and then open directly into a send lock that raises us an additional 25 feet. Very impressive!
Bill handling lines at one of the locks.
Inside one of the locks before the large doors close behind us
A dog on bow wow watch.
Enjoying some time with new friends, Jeff and Trish aboard their boat, Oyster.
Our beautiful and serene anchorage off the Otonabee River. We saw beavers swimming around!
Remember the scene from the movie, Forrest Gump, where the shrimp boat is coming in and Forrest sees Lt. Dan and gets so excited that he jumps off the boat? We almost had a similar situation yesterday when Bill saw this store.
Peterborough, ON which is a city of about 80,000.
The famed Peterborough Lift Lock.
A canoe joined us in the lift lock before being raised 65 feet to the next level
This is the largest vessel we’ve seen on TSW. It will take up the entire lock!
Passing Burleigh Falls
Pete and Bill after tying up at Lock 30 just before the weather turned nasty.
Bill takes his job of Canadian Geese herding very seriously.
Some beautiful homes along the TSW