Due to a very active week, this post will be long on pictures and short on words. Where does the time go?
The pictures cover the last leg of our trip through the TSW as well as some of our excursions while visiting with friends John and Marsha Belford in Gravenhurst and exploring the Penetanguishene/Midland/Victoria Harbour area. While in Midland we also addressed a number of issues with boat systems (the most important job was replacement of a dying pump for the fresh water system; most items were relatively minor), and His Idea is now in tip-top shape. Thanks again to James Power for his excellent assistance.
Tomorrow we begin about three weeks of cruising through Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Our destination is Sault Saint Marie, where we plan to make entry into the U.S. Much more to come….
A need for speed – racing across Lake Simcoe at WOT (22.3 mph) to burn off engine carbon deposits (at least that’s the Captain’s excuse).Our marina berth in Orilla, here with 220 other transients for ‘Christmas in June’; we were ready to head for a quiet anchorage after Friday night’s dock parties.This is Stephen Leacock’s summer house in Orillia (aka Mariposa, as in Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town), on Lake Couchiching.The Leacock study, where much was written (Leacock was a prolific writer – as many as 15,000 words a day).Swift Rapids lock, the largest conventional lock on the TSW.Our secluded anchorage in Lost Channel, a few miles before the Big Chute Marine Railway.Not too far from our anchorage was a big boathouse that contained numerous pristine classic wooden boats (likely more than $1 million worth).Here’s one of them out for a run.Our ride on the Big Chute Marine Railway – sort of a lock in reverse – was one of the highlights of our trip.What a hoot!The ride is over – His Idea dropped back into the water.Our final passage on the TSW, and one of the most challenging – very narrow and winding, shallow, and subject to strong currents.After 19 days of cruising on the TSW, the relatively open waters of Georgian Bay.Midland, Ontario, where we stayed for a week, is well know for its town murals.We had a lovely cruise through the Muskoka Lakes on the Royal Mail steam cruiser Segwun; civilized travel from anothe era.While in Gravenhurst we also visited the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre; as an old wooden boat buff, the captain was in heaven, especially when newly restored Miss Canada IV, an iconic, record setting race boat from the 30’s and 40’s, just happened to arrive .A visit to another maritime icon, the CPR lake steamer Keewatin, which cruised Lake Superior and Lake Huron from 1907 to 1965, and which is now berthed and being restored in Port McNicoll.And we’ll finish with something different, John and Marsha’s 1991, right hand drive Figaro microcar.
Hi John and Ria. Okay I’m trying again as my technical skills are not great and I have a feeling I posted under an old area or maybe too much sun as it is a heat wave hear right now…..I’m catching up on all your pictures and comments. I’m glad to hear things are going well, other than the technical fix ups, and it looks like you are having lot’s of fun! I hope for smooth sailing for both of you as you carry on…and Happy Canada Day!
Good to hear from you. We’ve just arrived in Little Current – it’s at the eastern end of the North Channel of Lake Huron – after being on the hook for the past 10 days. This was during our transit of the Georgian Bay small craft channel from Parry Sound. The scenery, weather and cruising have all been spectacular.
We’re in a good marina (not to mention it’s damn hot outside) so we`ll take advantage of the power and air conditioning to work on the latest blog.
john-and-ria
Hi John and Ria. Okay I’m trying again as my technical skills are not great and I have a feeling I posted under an old area or maybe too much sun as it is a heat wave hear right now…..I’m catching up on all your pictures and comments. I’m glad to hear things are going well, other than the technical fix ups, and it looks like you are having lot’s of fun! I hope for smooth sailing for both of you as you carry on…and Happy Canada Day!
Thanks Janice, hope you enjoyed the Canada long weekend too.
We’ve also seen your earlier comment (the system lets us know when one has been made, so it doesn’t matter where it’s done).
Have a great summer!
That darn fresh water pump!!! Great pictures. Nice to see you get rid of those carbon deposits on Lake Simcoe!
Cheers,
Doug
Thought you would appreciate the Lake Simcoe picture. Not a bad speed considering all the bugs in the bottom paint!
Hi guys, the adventure continues. Keep cruising and keep posting. Love the photos.
Hi Roy and Sue,
Good to hear from you. We’ve just arrived in Little Current – it’s at the eastern end of the North Channel of Lake Huron – after being on the hook for the past 10 days. This was during our transit of the Georgian Bay small craft channel from Parry Sound. The scenery, weather and cruising have all been spectacular.
We’re in a good marina (not to mention it’s damn hot outside) so we`ll take advantage of the power and air conditioning to work on the latest blog.
Cheers, J & R