Sun July 30: Orillia to The Big Chute free doc

It was an absolutely gorgeous day when we set out - calm, still water, bright sun, cool temps.  The only cloud on the horizon was the sad deflation of Rick's balls.  But that was quickly remedied - see before and after pics below!  I know you all like to start your morning thinking of Rick's naughty bits...

It was a long day, mostly because the Trent Severn, in this area, is made up of tiny channels connecting many small lakes - summer homes are all along the banks, so we keep to an even slower speed then usual so as not to wake the banks/docks/swimming kids.  Rick made us listen to Gordon Lightfoot; and after just a few songs we both agreed there is a reason we don’t do so on a regular basis

We are basically IN people's backyards.  

A local canoe club out for a morning paddle - perfect day for it. For now, at any rate...

You can see what's happening to the pretty day.  Blue sky to the right - NOT the direction we are heading... Oh well, usually the afternoon rain is over quickly.

Isn't it pretty up here?!  Lots of conifers, little islands, cliffs - oh, and day boaters.  So. Many. Day boats. We do have a rule about staying off the water on Sat/Sun, so that's our own fault. We are anxious to get to the BIG CHUTE!

Looking back at the largest traditional lock (largest drop) on this system-Swift Rapids. You can see the dam on the right and the large doors on the left.  They creaked open, and slammed resoundingly closed, like the Doors of Mordor…

This is the famous Waubic Restaurant-reachable only by water (even float planes come) it is THE destination for lunch/dinner during the summer.  We had intended to stop, but there was no dock space. Oh well-it’s impossible to see everything. 🤷‍♀️

We were delighted to find dock space at the Big Chute, near people we know.  We all tied up and immediately went to see the challenge that will greet us tomorrow morning. I will let Rick bore you with the details tomorrow, for now let me tell you that this very unusual ’lock’ is actually a ‘marine railway’ (they don’t like to be called a lock); the only one of its kind in North America.  It carries boats from one big lake, over a hill and into the next big lake. Of course it does.  That is the kind of zaniness our readers have come to expect from us!

Random boat-into the sling in the railroad carriage.

Starting up the hill.

This boat is small enough he can go all the way into the car-in our case our prop/rear will hang off the back.

Over the hill and back into the water on the other side.

The carriage sinks into the water and the boats float free.

The whole thing is completely crazy-pants, and it makes no more sense than an airplane staying up in the sky.  We are excited and nervous to do it tomorrow.  In fact, we talked about moving over to the blue line so we would be first tomorrow-but that’s more of that zero sum silliness.  We will all get through.  It will be fine.  IT WILL, I tell you.

Rick bonded  with the neighbors.  Oh my lord-he’s now doing nothing BUT fishing…

Good night!