Day 34 & 35: Trent Severn Waterway

Day 34: August 21: We had a very peaceful night at anchor as the wind dropped to nothing and our little cove in the Forester anchor area became very calm. We were joined by 3 sailboats. This morning we pulled up anchor and were happy to find no weed and just a bit of mud. In all I would highly recommend this anchor spot. 

We got UW at 8:00 am and headed to Trenton under dreary skies. The voyage was uneventful as it was a pretty straight shot to the Trent Port Marina where the Trent Severn Waterway begins on the Trent River. There wasn't much to see along the way; the bay became pretty wide and the shoreline was further away than it had been. We did see some beautiful homes and heavily wooded stretches in what appears to be a very rural area. 

Of note are the large day markers that call attention to boaters as they pass through narrow areas. 

We stopped at Trent Port Marina to top off our fuel. We had originally planned on doing this on the U.S. side when we left Clayton, NY but changed our minds as the wind was still pretty strong and we did not want to battle it trying to get on and off a fuel dock. Too bad as we had to pay the Canadian prices. We took on 100 gallons at almost $7.55 per gallon equalling about $5.55 in U.S. dinero! A pretty far cry from the fuel we took on at home which was about $3.24 per gallon. As usual John was ready to pump the diesel but was told by the two young attendants that Canada requires boaters to get off the boat while the staff does the work, pumping both tanks simultaneously.

After fueling we checked into Canada by phone for the second time since we crossed into Canadian waters. When we called the first time the lady on the phone told us to call again when we were on land. John contacted the CBSA to report that we had set foot on land in Trenton. It was a very easy process and off we went into the Trent Severn Waterway. 

The Trent is a 240 mile canal route connecting Lake Ontario at Trenton to Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, at Port Severn. The waterway reaches its highest point of 841 feet above sea level at Balsam Lake, the highest point to which a vessel can be navigated from sea level in the Great Lakes-St Lawrence River drainage basin.  It first opened in 1922 and is operated by Parks Canada. It includes 45 lock-stations in 4 different regions: Trent, Kawartha, Simcoe and Severn. Locks 11/12 and 16/17 are flight locks; you pass through one and go directly into the second one. Each of the lock stations has potable water and washrooms; some have electricity and access to showers. Most are surrounded by picnic areas as the waterway is part of the Canadian Parks system. Except in some cases, the chamber doors are wooden and are opened manually. The Lock-tenders walk in a circle, cranking them open. We have been greeted with friendly smiles and fun conversation at every lock. This young man cranking the door open was particularly friendly and willing to help. We did stay overnight at this lock and he was happy to help with our lines.

Unlike the Erie Canal, Canada does not use radio communication for entering the locks. Rather, there is a blue painted line along a wall right outside the lock. If the lock is closed, boats tie up at the blue line, indicating they are requesting passage. The Lock-tender might call over a loud speaker, letting you know if there are boats in the chamber or the wait time etc. Since we were traveling alone, once we entered lock 1 the following locks were alerted we were coming through and each lock thereafter was already open and we drove right in. One in the lock the operators alerted us to other Canadian rules that require you to use two lines while locking and engines have to be turned off. While in the Erie I was able to wrap my midship line around the cable or pole and hold the boat perfectly fine and we left engines running. Usually John sat on the bow holding the boat off the wall if it was being tossed back and forth by the rush of water.  In the Trent, I wrap midship, he comes down from the flybridge, turns the engines off and secures the bow. Pretty simple, just different. 

As we traveled the approximate 6NM from lock 1 to lock 6 in Frankford we were very impressed by all of the Lock-tenders. Every one greeted us with a wave as we entered the chamber. When we neared the top they came over and chatted for quite a while, never in a hurry. As a matter of fact you are allowed to get off your boat should you choose which we did at lock 1 to purchase the pass required to traverse the system at $5.00 per foot for a total of $210.00 with tax. We will also purchase a nightly "mooring" pass at $1.00 per foot plus $10.25 for electricity if the station has it at each lock wall we stay at. The Lock-tenders advised us to buy a daily mooring pass rather than a "one-way" because if we do not stay for 10 nights it is less expensive. Should we stay for 10 nights we can exchange the receipts for a one-way. 

I was so impressed by the friendly greetings we received that I asked one young man if everyone had to undergo some kind of customer service training. As I expected he said yes! 

We stopped around 3:00 for the day and tied to the wall at Lock 6; a perfect spot as I mentioned above. We took a quick walk to a nearby grocery store because I needed vegetables and fruit! There are two other boats here; both heading down so we will be the only boat heading up from here in the morning. 

Day 34: August 22: The day started off so chilly we had to don heavy sweatshirts once we got UW. Our first stop was lock 7. Thus far it is my favorite lock for its beauty, Lock-tenders take great care with their grounds, some planting gardens that are sure to please. Lock 7 was no exception and we learned that one of the tenders is a professional landscaper, so it explains why the grounds look so fantastic. We have to say Canada has done a wonderful job with the lock system. Unlike the Erie (which is a state system), the Canadian lock grounds are very well maintained and beautified and everyone is in uniform and pleasant to a fault. One Lock-tender told us they have been trained to call us boaters their guests! 

The sun finally showed its face and we greeted the warmth with delight. Cruising for much of the day under sunny skies was so pleasant so we continued all the way through 11 locks. Here are some pictures of the river, its reflections and its ever changing landscape. We passed through narrow canal channels, wide open spaces surrounded by marsh and lily pads and of course beautiful cottages tucked into tranquil areas as well as stately homes. 

The highlight of the day was passing through the two flight locks. Flight locks are two connected locks requiring you to enter one immediately after the other. Flight lock 11/12 lifts you 48 feet while flight lock 16/17 lifts you 54 feet. I must say when you first enter one of these for the first time, the monstrous wall in front of you is very intimidating, like being on a pleasure boat cruising beside a laker! Here is a picture of the first chamber of 11/12 with its metal wall and a picture of a chamber wall with a wooden door. As we entered the first chamber a family was standing on the top taking videos and pictures of us locking. You can see them in the first picture. Locks are often surrounded by folks enjoying the show!

Here is a snapshot looking down lock 16/17 (Healey Falls). We passed through and are staying at the top on the wall for the night. We will be ready to get UW in the morning after John takes a look at the oil pressure sensor and cleans some connections or something. (Yes back in the engine room again). You might recall an alarm started going off intermittently way back on the Hudson. With Craig's advice John installed a new sensor and things have been fine until yesterday when the darn alarm started again.

Once he finishes with that task we will travel about 14 miles to Hastings Lock #18 for our first of the day. This is the last lock in the Trent region; after Hastings we will enter the Kawartha region and Rice Lake. before entering Rice Lake. 

Each lock has its own story and Hastings is no different. The site of an early milling complex complete with a masonry lock at Crooks Rapids, it was constructed between 1908-1912. The town had numerous industries until fires destroyed them, leading to the building of a new concrete lock, dam and railway piers. Here is a shot from above lock 16/17 looking down and beyond. Just standing on the lock bridge made my knees quiver. It's pretty amazing!

We went through the following locks so far: Trenton, Sydney, Glen Miller, Batawa, Trent, Frankford, Glen Ross, Percy Reach, Meyers, Hagues Rech, Ranney Falls, Campbellford, Crowe Bay and Healey Falls. We did end up following one small boat through 3 or 4 locks but for the most part we were alone. Of course John started up a conversation with the gentleman in front of us. I believe if the lock took 5 hours or 1 minute to open, John would keep talking LOL! 

Here we are on the wall tonight. Once again we are alone in this peaceful place. 

It was a long day but well worth the trip! We traveled 25 miles in about 9 hours. Because we have to stop and shut the engines off when we enter a lock, Nebo calculates us as UW for 4 1/2 hours. The chart shows the stops and stops at the locks. Looking forward to another full day tomorrow.