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.
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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.
Read More »Final Days in Georgian Bay
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—
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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.
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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!
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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.
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The cruise to Orillia involved a calm crossing of Lake Simcoe
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.
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The cruise to Lovesick was gorgeous and to spend an overnight in this unique place was truly enjoyable.
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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!
Read More »Peterborough and Lakefield
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.
Read More »Hastings
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.
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A mixture of camping and boating as we make stops along the Trent Severn Canal
Rested for a couple of days in Trenton before starting our journey in the Trent Severn Canal.
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.
Read More »Kingston, Canada
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!
Read More »Canadian Side Trip Recap
Cuising the last 37 miles of the Rideau was some of the most beautiful. Lots of skinny, shallow water with the reward of the feeling we were all alone in a stream or pond that we had no business on with our Trawler. The stops were equally tranquil, simple tie up along lock walls in park like settings.
Read More »Cruising the Rideau Canal
Of course, we needed to make a side trip to a place called Westport. Venturing off the Rideau Canal brought us to the quaint, little town of Westport, Canada. A wonderful stop, with a brewery, (the brewery was actually closer to the marina than the marina bathrooms) a great grocery store, restaurants and wonderful shops to browse.
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Not much here except a little dock, a few mooring balls, a fire pit, and path through the woods. The peace, quiet and surreal feeling was probably the best on this side trip. We did not read about this place in any of our many books, but discovered this gem by chatting with some locals.
Read More »Colonel By Island, Canada
After our visit to Ottawa and transiting the staircase locks know as the ‘flight of 8’ we set off to cruise the rest of Rideau Canal. Approximate travel time to travel the entire 125 miles from Ottawa to Kingston takes 3-4 days. We estimate it will take 10 days to reach Kingston making many stops along the way.
Read More »Cruising the Rideau Canal