July 4 – Orillia to Lock 43

Compared to Canada Day on July 1, our 4th of July was rather quiet.  While Bob and a mechanic worked on the solenoids (which got fixed – yay!) I walked around the marina.  Here’s mother swan tending to her babies.

 

Leaving the marina and looking back toward Lake Simcoe.  It’s amazing that all of Lake Simcoe funnels into this very narrow passage by a railroad bridge.

 

One of many mansions along the way.

 

We moved over to the Port of Orillia to do some provisioning.  The marina let us dock for free for a couple of hours and told us to take any slip we wanted (as long as it wasn’t reserved).

 

Statue of an Indian fishing weir.

 

Orillia’s “theme” was themed maple leaves.  Here a few examples.

 

 

An island completely taken over by cormorants.  Pretty typical along seaways.  I like all the yakking going on.

 

Entering one of many narrow passages.

 

While waiting for this bridge to open Bob serenaded me with Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy.”  We listened to a lot of Gordon Lightfoot songs along the way.

 

People having a relaxing time at the water front.

 

This sitting duck on a rock looks innocent enough, but those rocks are only inches away from the side of the boat.  Unfortunately a boater took a turn around one of the rocky bends a bit too wide, got caught by the raging current and….

sunk in 10 minutes.  This is a Katy Krogen 44.  We had seen this boat in Trenton at the beginning of our trip.  They departed the day Steph and Josie arrived.

 

A barge was put together so a crane could be loaded on it.  We learned that the hole in the side was patched, the boat was then lifted up by the crane and then this work barge/tug towed it to a marina for salvaging.

On to calmer seas and a wide spot in the canal system.

 

Many portions of the canal reminded us of the 1000 Islands.

 

Made it to the top of Lock 43 after closing time.  This lock is so remote the lock tenders come in by boat.  To drive here you have to travel 11 miles on a dirt road.

 

Looking down from the top – it’s a long way down!  About 50 feet!

Lots of water coming out at the adjacent power plant – and only 3 of 5 gates are open.