August 5, 2015 - Orillia, Ontario

After spending several nights along the Trent-Severn tied to lock walls, we are now in Port of Orellia Marina. Having "locked" ourselves silly, we only have 4 more locks to go before we enter the Georgian Bay. The most anticipated is called Big Chute Marine Railway, at lock 44, which will carry our boats in cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet. It is the only marine railway (also known as canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America still in use. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway

We are constantly amazed at the hospitality, patience, friendliness, etc. that we have been shown along the Trent-Severn waterway. Without a doubt, the Canadian Park System has an outstanding training program and high expectations of their lock workers. In addition to the exemplary customer service offered by its workers, the Park Service has made it appealing and comfortable at all of the overnight stops. Each lock wall is bordered by green areas with picnic tables, and sometimes even fire pits. Each night when the lock employees leave, we still have access to the bathrooms throughout the night. While there are no showers, no electric nor water hookup, we have found them to be safe, quiet, and outstanding places to tie up for the night. 

It has been SUCH fun traveling again with Blue Willow! Each night we "potluck" dinner, then typically chat and play some kind of game. We have spent 3 nights in Orillia and will be in the Georgian Bay by the weekend.

Free concert in the park in Bobcaygeon, Ontario. Enjoyed the Dirty Dishes, who invited Jim to join them for one of their numbers. Great fun! The band and audience loved having him join in. He did a great job!

Dirty Dishes girls with their new boyfriend. The tallest girl on Jim's right is also in a Spice Girls Tribute Band. Their concert was enjoyed by all in attendance. 

We encountered a lot of boat traffic - many houseboats along the waterway. In some spots it was a bit precarious...narrow channel, lots of boats, and very inexperienced houseboat drivers. 

Bigley Shoe Store in Bobcaygeon...a popular spot for shoppers. 

Many sailboats on the water in one of the lakes

Again, very pretty scenery along the narrow channel. Blue Willow was the lead boat for the day.

Many homes built right on the edge of the granite walls.

This flight of stairs must have been an expensive installation!

Bright, sunny days help accentuate the beauty of this area

Mark on Blue Willow posing for this picture down the narrow channel

We kept fenders down most of the time, as many of the locks are only a mile from one to the next.

This was the second lift lock along the TS Waterway - first was Peterborough.

View of the lock office from high in the lock

Looking down on the boats below who had just exited the pan into the waterway

We are at the top looking down at the exiting boats

Blue Willow next to us in the lift lock

Here we are, high above the water at Kirkland Lift Lock

Very remote along this section of the waterway, although in the distance we could see farmhands harvesting some kind of crop

Swing bridge after the lock. Getting ready to enter Lake Simcoe, a large lake which we had to traverse on our way to the next lock

Bridge swinging open...Lake Simcoe in the distance

Looks pretty calm when we enter Lake Simcoe

A big rough once we got into the middle (uncomfortable but not unsafe). Blue Willow taking on some large waves

Bridge Port Marina...fueling, pumping holding tank and filling with water. This is the best managed marina we have seen. Over-the-top service!

Entering Port of Orillia, a welcome sight.

Landscaping outside the Port of Orillia