Fri July 28: Thorah Lock 40 to Port of Orillia Marina

It was on track to be HUMID, so I decided to go for an early run to just get the sweaty thing going right away.  It’s like jumping into the water instead of slipping in a bit at a time.  In fact, I was so sweaty toward the end that I didn’t even notice it was raining. 

I arrived back to the boat to find this ‘improvement’ going on. Rick is sanding and repainting the window frames.  Someday it will look great.  Right now, along with the mis-matched bumpers, we just look like trailer trash.  Trawler Trash!!

In our locking group today we had this delightful passenger! She had the look of a movie star who has rolled down the window of her limo-ostensibly to see who is out there, but really to be seen. 🤩

Lots of channels to get through today.

I had to take a Bonine to get across big Lake Simcoe.  There was quiet a bit of wind, and we were running sideways to the waves for long enough that I had to lie down. Then, on the approach to the Port of Orillia Marina, there was a confusing switch from red buoys on the left to red-right-returning - with no warning, and in the middle of a super shallow bit of water.  Fortunately Rick was ready for it, thanks to detailed instructions from Dave/Nicole on C’renity.

Docking went smoothly, and the marina was clean and well run.  Although it did seem to be a marina only for sleek black and white boats.  So our trashy selves stood out a little too much….

Right next to us were ducks-swimming in salad.  I’d like to swim in chocolate.

Orillia is a good size city, so I went for a quick walk with Missy while Rick worked on his window project. 

The waterfront is nicely redone, and was very busy (see Canadian Summer Maddness in other posts…).

We got sucked into the destination bakery/store/sugar vortex called Mariposa and accidentally bought a bunch of baked goods and fudge (on SALE! it would have been criminal not to buy it!) 

I guess we are the only people who didn’t know that Gordon Lightfoot was born in Orillia, and died in May of this year. He is celebrated on each of the (two) main streets. Let us have a moment of respectful silence for the beloved (and also often voted worst song ever written) Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald…..

Later we had dinner with Missy and The Judge at ‘must try’ restaurant Studabakers, known for their ‘smash’ burger. I had gotten sucked into the ‘must try’ mentality, so I made us go there even tho I don’t really like ground red meat. Once we got there reality resurfaced and there was nothing I wanted to eat.  Other than fried pickles. Next time someone else needs to choose the restaurant…

After dinner Greg (The Judge) taught us to play Cribbage.  I’ve been wanting to learn; I even went so far as to buy a board, but it’s complicated and it was great to have a pro teach us.

The boaters were gearing up for a two-night binge, so it was time for us to go to bed.  Fortunately, the AC was loud enough that we heard no noise and slept well. 

The sky is peaceful- but not the docks!

Those crazy Canadians are committed to Makin Waves. As usual…