Georgian Bay Scenes-July 21 to July 28

Leaving Port Severn, our destination was Henry's for fish on Frying Pan Island. However, before we could get to Henry's, Georgian Bay greeted us with a BIG Storm. Luckily, we were not in one of the narrow, rocky channels when it hit, so we were able to stay off-shore in deep water until the storm passed. Henry's was reputed to serve the best pickerel (we know this as walleye). We must be spoiled....



The next night we anchored in Hopewell Bay. Nice place but a little tricky to get in to...I had to be on the bow watching for rocks. We were able to stop before we hit one. Bob and Darrell went fishing and caught 4 nice small mouth bass.











Not only did they catch the fish, but they cleaned them and cooked them too !! These fish were MUCH better than Henry's !



We (the gals) figure we should get at least one more fish dinner to justify that Canadian fishing license !!!






Along many of the rocks, we would see these sort of rock formations....we've seen them before in South America, but can't remember the meaning....











Every eveining Bob and Darrell would plot out the route for the next day....sorry Darrell, I didn't get all of you in the picture !







This is Point au Baril lighthouse, which we passed before we headed out for a long stretch of the Georgian Bay. Bob thinks it was about 35 miles---I think it was about 15. Could look it up, but it was uneventful anyway....until we got into the small boat channel again................more rocks.





This picture just said "photograph me".








This was another lighthouse somewhere along the way...we tend to lose track of the days, and as well as of the day of the week,etc.


Actually, we pretty much know what day of the week it is , according to the pill box.




This was the lighthouse as we turned into Byng Inlet where we stayed at a marina for the night. This is in the NE part of Georgian Bay.






This an example of the narrow channels--L'Attitude Changer is leading...were they to meet another trawler of the same size, there would not be much room. It's red buoy on the right side....




We caught these kids jumping into the water as we were going into Parry Sound...apparantly the parents (or some adults) were in the boat below.








Another view of the kids in the water....






There are all varieties of cottages on Georgian Bay...in the southern part, the shoreline is dotted with homes of all sorts. I have thought that every Canadian must have a cottage in these parts, there are so many.






As we go further north, the cottages are spaced further and further apart. But electric cables are strung (under water) to many of the islands.










Some are really remote....................




I'm not sure I'd like to be this far away from everything...our place in Wisconsin looks pretty good right now.







This place says "Paradise something...."















Leaving Britt in Byng Inlet we decided to head for Killarney. The weather didn't co-operate so we anchored between Tie and Strawberry Island in the Bustard Islands. This shows us going for a dinghy ride and I collected some flowers for our dinner table.




Here are our two boats anchored together....we started with one anchor. Darrell and Beth put in another anchor the opposite way. Later in the evening, Bob got in the dinghy and took another anchor and tied it to the shore. That makes 3 on day 1.







Day 2 was a relaxing day.....look at Bob! They tried fishing, but Bob apparantly caught the only fish in this bay. According to a lady in a cottage, no one catches fish here because of the rocky bottom. They gave it up then...




These next few pictures show the narrow, rocky channels we went through. Remember, red on the right.









We had to zig-zag through many channels.... But, we only got off course once---that required a detour out to the bay and then follow the narrow, rocky channel back in again...We are feeling pretty lucky to have missed so many of the shoals...



On the last night at anchorage, we had yet another anchor down---Darrell's Big Bertha. This weighed 60#. It did hold us for the night as the winds were predicted to be very strong.

Next day, we left--after the anchors were raised (this took 1 hour) with the destination of Little Current across the Bay instead of the small boat channel. This will be the start of the North Channel.

Big Chute to Port Severn

Leaving Big Chute, we'll go into the Small Chute canal. We know it's here somewhere....hmmm.

This is another one of those narrow canals---rocky on both sides. Wouldn't want to meet anyone here.

These signs are posted at the entrances to these canals. I'll be glad when we're through with this Trent Severn Waterway !



But, they are pretty.....

This cottage has its resident moose.

There are many, many cottages along the way. They don't have much lawn though in this rocky landscape !

After spending the night on the wall at the Port Severn lock, we are lined up bright and early to go through. Here we are, down in the lock---our last one for the trip--# 102!

Next posting will be on Georgian Bay. Everyone says the scenery is stunning. It has been so pretty to this point, I can't imagine that it could be better.

Orillia to Big Chute

Our next stop was Orrillia where we stayed for 3 days while we waited for Darrell and Beth. We were lucky as there was a lot to entertain us there. First of all, there was a beautiful theater that has been in use for over 100 years. We went there one evening and saw "Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum". It was hilarious.



The next day we went to the Farmers' Market and that was wonderful too. So many vendors with veggies that we filled up the refrig. There was a country/gospel music band playing and they were good to listen to. There was also a little girl, about age 7 who played the fiddle--she was featured in a couple of songs.




The featured event of the week-end was the Scottish Festival with 20 bands. They came from all over the area. There were men in kilts everywhere !!!







Another band....There were craft and food vendors in the park next to the marina as well as pipe and drum contests. It was a fun day.

And of course, no parade is complete without the Shriners !!!

We left Orillia early in the morning so that we could spend a little time studying this next lock called the Big Chute. It started out as a railway transport, but was never converted to a regular lock because it was thought that this type of conveyance would prevent the spread of the sea lamprey to the Great Lakes. This is a view from the top down to the lower waterway. We have to go down THIS??????

Here we see how the boats come UP from the lower waterway. Loaded onto the car, they'll go up and over to the higher water.

Going up......

Almost to the top....

Up and over the road to the upper waterway...being lowered into the water.



Now we'll see how we're going to go down...Here is a boat being loaded...

Up out of the water, over the road, and ready for the downhill ride. Looks easy enough...........!!!!

Our turn...we're going in with 2 other boats- 2 smaller cruisers in front of us.

Slings are in place and the car is coming out of the water.

Up and ready to go over the highway before we head down the hill. On the average, the highway traffic is stopped about twice and hour for this operation. It takes only about 7 minutes for the ride but loading can be longer, depending on the size of the boats, etc.

WOW, this is quite a view from the top !!!

Safely back in the water again. Whew !

We say we'll wait for the Berge's at the bottom. Here they come....!

With that over with, we'll head for Port Severn-our last lock for the trip. Hallelujah !!!