August 1 -Gordons Bay, Ontario

As you were able to read in our July 31 blog, we ran into a granite ledge near Henry's Fish Restaurant and Marina, located on Frying Pan Island in the Sans Souchi area on the coast of the Georgian Bay. 

We had planned our routing well and all went as planned until 30 ft. from the channel leading up to the restaurant that was just 15 minutes away. When we hit the ledge, it was our impression that our prop would need to be replaced and that we could then continue our trip. This proved to be very wrong. The day after having been towed to Moose Deer Point Marina, the boat was hauled out of the water. We could immediately see that the prop had to be replaced. When we could inspect it up close, we also saw that the drive shaft and rudder shaft were bent and the strut was off center. While inspecting the engine room, we noticed that the metal transmission case behind the engine had a large crack and the rear rubber engine footings took a major beating. During the collision, Thressa and I were seated above in the flybridge. We felt the shock, but it did not at all feel severe. Thus we were very surprised to see the damage that was caused. Since the marina first has to locate the various parts required to fix the damage, it might take some time before they can start putting Marco Polo back into proper running condition. It is our hope that this can be done in three to four weeks, That will then give us time to still bring the boat back to Michigan. If not, we may need to store the boat in Canada for the coming winter. We are happy to report that the insurance will take care of everything, with the exception of a $1,000 deductible. 

Since it made no sense for us to stick around, we rented a car in Perry Sound, loaded up our clothes, perishable foods, etc and left the marina at 4:30 p.m. We spent the night in London, Ontario and continued to Ada, Michigan on the following day. We have been home a few days and it was great to see friends and family, especially the children and grandchildren. The next blog will be sent when we have resumed our trip. 

Hopefully the boat will be repaired soon so that we can continue our trip.

July 31 - Swift Rapids - Gordons Bay, Ontario

After going down the largest of the Trent Severn Locks, we still had to cruise some 9 miles before the high-light of the day - the Great Chute.
The scenery was again stunning. Lots of cottages, a few resorts and lots and lots of small boats. Shortly after our arrival at the Big Chute, the train on which which we would ride arrived. It continued to ride into the lake up to the point where the bottom was covered by water. When the water was at the right level, we were instructed to enter the chute. About 75 % of the boat went on the chute with the rear 25 %, which included the prop, stuck out. Next the straps were tightened and supports were automatically placed under the hull. After all was ready, we moved out of the water, crossed the main road, and then started the decline into the river below. Soon we were back in the water. A few


hours later we arrived in the Georgian Bay. We set our course for the turn off for Sans Souci. The reason for making this island our destination is its great fish restaurant called Henry's. Ten minutes before arrival at Henry's,
we grounded on hard rocks. We could not get loose on our own

and were finally pulled off the rock ledge by a small boat. They knew of a marina that could haul as our boat out of the water and change the prop. The marina was called and they sent out their tow boat. To minimize the towing distance, the small boat continued to tow us into the direction from where the tow boat would arrive. The last six miles of towing was completed by Moose Deer Point Marina tow boat. Tomorrow morning we will find out more.

July 30 - Bolsover to Swift Rapids, Ontario

So that we could arrive at Lock 37 by 9:00, we left the marina and cruised the short distance to the Swing Bridge. Here we had to wait about 25 minutes before it was finally opened. Next came the lock and then four more - all within six                                                
miles. As can be seen, locking areas are also used for picknics and a place to tie up for the night. We did have a number of places where the depth was only around 3 feet under our keel, requiring us to stay within the markers and keeping an eye on

our GPS. Scenery was very typical of this part of the Trent Severn - many small islands and granite rocks all over. Towards 5:00 p.m. we came to Lock 43 - Swift Rapids. This is the "Big Daddy" of them all - twice as high as the other Trent Severn locks.

The picture to the right was taken from the top of the lock doors. Tomorrow morning we will be locked down to the river below and then we will just about be finished with this stretch of the Great Loop.

July 29 - Bobcaygeon to Bolsover, Ontario

At 9:00 a.m. the swing bridge went open. Once through it, we entered Lock 32. Dave and Cathy Lasenby were right behind us. After locking through, we cruised via Sturgeon Lake to Fenelon Falls. The lock was right in center of town. After the
locking process, we tied up and    
walked to the nearby government run liquor store. It is only in these government run places that one can purchase wine, liquor, etc. Costs were much higher then those back home. One more lock was passed and then we had a very narrow channel that lead us to

the Kirkfield Lift Lock. This was the first place where we would go down - all other locks only took us up. As we entered the box, I had a great view of the river below. A small boat shared our box. The ride down went fast and smooth. Once at the level of the river, the door was opened and we could proceed. After reaching Bolsover, we checked in at a small marina for overnight - giving our generator needed rest.

July 28 - Lock 25 to Bobcaygeon, Ontario

We had a great day! It started with an unexpected visit from Nick Cliteur from nearby Lakefield ON. Nick had with him 4 coffees, 2 for Thressa and I and the other 2 for Warren and Kristin. We had met Nick and his wife Heather at one of the locks. Soon we found that we had Dutch heritage in common. At 8:45 a.m. we said goodbye to our friends and continued to Lock 26 near Lakefield. At 9:00 a.m. we were locked through and soon thereafter we could see Nick, Heather and their son waving to us from their lovely home.

This morning we cruised through some of the most picturesque areas of Ontario. A number of the small islands had homes or cottages - some taking more then half of the island space. One small island had a church. Instead of coming to church by car, the parishioners arrived by boat. A service was taking place and we could see all the small boats rafted together. Had there been a dock for cruisers, we would have joined. Instead we attended a "television service" with Rev. David Jeremiah.  Later in the morning we were welcomed by a group of happy swimmers.

Towards 4:00 p.m. we arrived in the town of Bobcaygeon. Rather then going through its lock, we decided to tie up right in the middle of town. On the other side someone was waving and shouting. It turned out to be Dave Lasenby from Orillia. We had met David and Cathy seven years ago at a lock and discussed with them the Great Loop. The following year we again met them at an AGLCA rendezvous in Penetang. We visited with Dave and Cathy and then went out for dinner. The picture below is their boat which was visited by a crane.  

                                          

July 27 - Rice Lake to Lock 25 on the Trent Severn Waterway

This morning we resumed our trip. It was Saturday and lots of people were out fishing. We passed a few villages and vacation areas. The typical scenery was much as shown here.

The Peterborough lift locks were reached around noon time. We entered an open ended box, tied up and saw a door come up that sealed the box. Before long our box, with water and our boat, started to rise 65 ft. At the same time a box came down on the other side of this lift. When at the top, the door in front of us dropped down and we were able to move out. How clever!

This morning we received an email from our Sutton Bay, MI boating friends. We had met this couple at a marina near Croton-on-Hudson and later again saw them in Kingston, NY. They were waiting for the Erie Canal to reopen and we suggested taking the Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence routing. We stayed in contact and kept one another updated as to our progress. This morning's email mentioned boat transmission problems while inside Lock 25. This required that their boat be pulled from Lock 25 to a tie-up place. Around 4:30 p.m. we reached Lock 25 and again met Warren and Kristin. After hugs and kisses, we had a glass of wine and decided to dine together on-board the Marco Polo II. Thressa made the lasagna and Kristin took care of the salad and bread. Warren and I took care of the wine. Our dinner was finished with an ice cream desert. We had a great time and will certainly stay in contact with this great couple. It is our hope that they will soon be able to resume the trip.

July 26 - Lock 8 to Rice Lake, Ontario

This morning was very foggy, but by the time we entered Lock 8, it had cleared and we had another sunny day. We went through a total of 11 locks. This included two double locks as can be seen in the picture to the right. After clearing one lock, the doors opened and we entered the next lock. The picture on the right was taken from the top of the second lock.

The area through which we are boating is one of the premier vacation areas in Ontario. Many cottages, house trailers and year around homes, with many pontoons and fishing boats could be seen.
English heritage pops here and there,
including in games. A lawn bowling contest was taking place in the town of Campbellford.

Seven years ago, when doing our first Great Loop trip, we spend the night at the Golden Beach Resort on Rice Lake. We much enjoyed this stay and decided to return there for the night.

July 25 - Belleville to Lock 8 of Trent Severn Waterway

Last night we had planned on staying at Meyer's Pier Marina in Belleville, ON. However we were advised that they were unable to accommodate us - fully booked. While looking around for some alternatives, a young man in a small boat advised us that his marina might have room. He called the owner and let us to a

small marina just to west of town. The name of the marina is Stillwater Basin Marina. It was a very small marina with most hospitable and friendly people. We had a most pleasant stay for a very reasonable cost. This morning we left around 8:30 for the one hour trip to Trenton for grocery shopping and for the start of our trip on the Trent Servern Waterway. Some interesting details about the Waterway are that it covers 240 miles, has 45 locks, including 36 conventional locks, two sets of flight locks, two hydraulic lift locks and a marine railway that transports boats between the upper and lower sections of the river. There are about 20 miles of man-made

 canals connecting the lakes and rivers. We entered the canal system at 1:00 p.m. and were locked through seven locks. We are now tied up for the night - in front of Lock 8. As to today's weather, it was great.