The Great Loop

Back in the USA

Canada, MIchigan, The Great Loop

Canada far exceeded any of our thoughts and expectations! After 8 weeks of cruising in Canada, we are back in the USA! Three Sons managed 94 locks and 900 Nautical Miles in Canada while visiting 37 different places in both Ontario and Quebec!

Benjamin Island

Canada, North Channel, The Great Loop

WOW! It was a chilly 62 degrees when we woke up and left Little Current but we were more than happy to wear warm clothing and get out of dodge, or should I say current! We traveled 16 miles in about 2 1/2 hours arriving at the Benjamin Islands around 9:20.

Little Current

Canada, North Channel, The Great Loop

In boating a saying we hear often is “sometimes you watch the show, sometimes you are the show.” Well, we were the show!

Killarney

Canada, North Channel, The Great Loop

It was with a heavy heart we pulled up the anchor at Covered Portage. It really was a beautiful spot. Since windy weather was expected we headed for Killarney Mountain Lodge. Truly, one of the top places we have docked on this trip. The fact that we have stayed in two vastly different venues in the last 48 hours is one aspect that makes this trip exciting.

Covered Portage

Canada, North Channel, The Great Loop

Covered Portage was the perfect way to spend our first day in the North Channel. As advertised, this anchorage was secluded, with clear(ish) water, surrounded by high granite walls and tall pines. Absolutely stunning in all directions from the water to the sky.

Final Days in Georgian Bay

Canada, Georgian Bay, The Great Loop

After 5 days of being in one place, we were ready to move. The 6 AM departure certainly was proof that we were excited to get back to exploring. We left the docks at Parry Sound with Lady Z, Sweet Equity and Ship Faced. We were headed for Bustard Islands and our cruise took us out into the Georgian Bay and then back into the small islands where we finally dropped the anchor at 2:30 in Bustard Harbor West. Since the seas were still a bit stirred up, thanks to Debbie, we were very thankful the stabilizers were fixed.

Parry Sound

Canada, Georgian Bay, The Great Loop

Our intention was to visit this area for a day, maybe two. However, with high winds expected and no where to run and hide, we stayed for five day waiting out the remnants of Hurricane Debbie. Since Parry Sound had a lot to offer. we had lots to do and keep ourselves entertained. Even though the bay was windy, with the exception of one day of rain the weather was dry and warm. So we could do lots of exploring—

Port Rawson Bay

Canada, Georgian Bay, The Great Loop

After three nights anchored at Chimney Bay we cruised 35 miles to Massasauga Provincial Park. After a failed attempt to anchor in Shotgun Bay, we moved over to Port Rawson Bay. Although this area is similar in landscape to our first stop, it is dense with ‘cottages’ leading to light marina traffic and noise. Actually, Port Pawson Bay has no houses or dwelling of any sort. The only land access is a dingy dock to a ‘boater’s gathering area’ complete with a picnic table and fire ring. The calm, still water, dark, clear skies and absolute quiet made this a prize winning anchorage.

Georgian Bay

Canada, Georgian Bay, The Great Loop

We were beyond excited to finally arrive in the Georgian Bay. We loved cruising the various canals, but now we are ready for lock-less cruising and some calm nights on anchor. We know the cruising will be white knuckle with all the granite and limestone but here goes!

Big Chute!

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

The anticipation of the Big Chute experience was deserved. The whole concept of putting Three Sons in a rail car held in with only straps from the bottom seemed illogical and crazy. Now that we’ve done is (successfully) we can say that the experience matched the expectations minus any drama or damage.

Orillia

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

The cruise to Orillia involved a calm crossing of Lake Simcoe

Cruising the Trent

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

We have been cruising the meandering waters of the Trent Severn Canal for 9 days. The Trent is known to have one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world. It’s a natural and man-made system of rivers, lakes, canals, and locks and they only goal is to support recreational boaters. The next 3 days were just as fabulous with great cruising, lots of locks and fun filled stops.

Lovesick

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

The cruise to Lovesick was gorgeous and to spend an overnight in this unique place was truly enjoyable.

Peterborough and Lakefield

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

This section was long and tiring had a bit of indecision and change of plans but also a whole lot of thrilling! We left Hastings at 6:30AM and were lifted 149 feet from 8 locks. The funny part is as the crow flies it was probably only 18 miles but the zigs and zags of the Trent made for a 40 Nautical Mile ride that took 8 and half hours. It was a day!

Hastings

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

It was a quick, beautiful and uneventful cruise from Campbellford into Hastings. We settled into the marina, rested and enjoyed an evening out with fellow loopers.

Campbellford

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

We planned an easy 5 Nautical Mile cruise from Lock 8 to Campbellford that took just over 2 hours. In this short distance, Three Sons was lifted 88 feet over 4 locks. One lock was a double lock which means when you pass through one you go directly into the next. It makes things a little easier when one door is the back of one lock and front of the next.

Trent Severn Locks 1- 8

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

A mixture of camping and boating as we make stops along the Trent Severn Canal

Trenton, Canada

Canada, The Great Loop, Trent Severn Canal

Rested for a couple of days in Trenton before starting our journey in the Trent Severn Canal.

Kingston, Canada

Canada, Rideau Canal, The Great Loop

Completing our cruise down the Rideau Canal, Three Sons docked at Confederation Marina to explore the city of Kingston and prepare for our the next leg our journey, the Trent Severn Canal. The marina is in the heart of downtown Kingston and give us a great jumping point to take it all in.

Canadian Side Trip Recap

Canada, Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, St. Lawrence River, The Great Loop

Leaving Clayton, NY we were 18 nautical miles from the next suggested destination on America’s Great Loop, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. However, we chose to do a 350 NM ‘side trip’ which involved many, many, locks but absolutely, beyond beautiful cruising grounds. Our route was basically a triangle taking us northeast into Montreal then west to Ottawa and finally southwest arriving in Kingston. We traveled the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal. Each waterway had different characteristics and interesting surrounding towns. The side was well worth the extra time and locks!