Derbyshire Island, ON Day 3

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 5514

Day 325

We went fishing again this afternoon, Moni caught a couple of bass but not big enough to keep and I didn’t catch anything, which is my normal.  This narrow passage between islands is our favorite spot; notice all of the rocks and how clear the water is?

It began to sprinkle so we headed back to the boat, a great opportunity to scrub the deck and get that spot free rinse.  We also have a brown stain on the bow (called a mustache) that develops when cruising in tannic waters.  The easiest way to remove it is to spray lemon juice on it and let is set awhile, then wash with soap and rinse.  The lemon juice also takes the wax off, so we can add another project to the list.

Yesterdays catch of the day, for dinner tonight.

Derbyshire Island, ON Day 2

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 5514

Day 324

We had a nice quite relaxing morning with an awesome view, what a great spot.  Since I have a good cell phone signal here, I took care of some personal business online then organized a few things on the boat. 

We fished from the boat for awhile and Moni caught a nice bass.

We took the dinghy out this afternoon to do a little exploring and fishing.

Of course you know who had to catch another bass.

 Moni Jean at anchor this evening.

Midland, ON to Derbyshire Island, ON

Miles Traveled 41.8

Total Miles Traveled 5514

Day 323

This was a beautiful day to be on the water, and the Georgian Bay lived up to its reputation of being one of the most scenic bodies of water in North America.  This area has been referred to as the 30,000 islands, but the number should be 100,000 because most of the islands are just below the surface of the water. 

The channels are well marked and documented on the charts, but some of them are very narrow and close to massive rocks rising out of the water.  At least in Florida, and on the inland lakes and rivers, if you bump the bottom it’s no big deal, but here it can be catastrophic. 

“2 Infinity” leaving Midland, Ontario for today’s adventure.

We stopped at a popular restaurant on Fryingpan Island called Henry’s.  They specialize in fish and chips, specifically pickerel, and it is a favorite stop for boaters--and airplanes.

Our looper friends “2 Infinity” and “Gracie” decided to stay at Henry’s dock for the night, but we were anxious to find a scenic anchorage, so we continued on.  We also met another looper at Henry’s, “Azura”, and exchanged stories about our adventure. 

The last two weeks of July is a construction holiday in Canada, and this Monday is a Canadian Holiday.  We wanted to anchor out for the three day weekend and avoid the increased boat traffic……especially in the narrow channels.

Leaving the channel and “creeping” to an anchorage.  Yes, we installed a granite detector, she’s a beauty!

Just before dropping the hook, we noticed we had an audience.  This was “Way Cool”.

Anchored behind Derbyshire Island, another great day on the Great Loop!

Midland, ON Day 3

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 5472

Day 322

We woke up this morning at 5:30 with light rain falling…..and all of the windows open.  It was just a sprinkle so no problem, but going back to sleep was not an option.  We spent most of the day planning a course that will take us to Chicago, and several anchorages and towns to visit along the way.  The laundry is done, we have plenty of groceries, and a full tank of gas in the dinghy.  We’re ready to explore Georgian Bay and hopefully catch some fish.

Midland, ON Day 2

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 5472

Day 321

I helped “2 Infinity” and “Gracie put their mast up today. 

Jeff and Bern preparing for the lift on “2 Infinity”.

Hamp is making final checks on “Gracie” before moving to the pier to hoist the mast.

After the mast party, I cleaned the engine raw water strainer on the boat and replaced all of the water filters.  We had docktails on our boat at 5:30 with “Cutty’s Ark”, “Gracie”, “2 Infinity”, and “Miss My Money”.  The awesome people we have met along our Great Loop Adventure have really made this an adventure of a lifetime.

Big Chute Lock 44 to Midland, ON

Miles Traveled 19.1

Total Miles Traveled 5472

Day 320

Our new Gold Looper Friends “Lazy W” snapped this picture of “Moni Jean” and “Gracie” in lock 43 yesterday.

Today was the Big Chute!  “Gracie” went in first and after they were set, we followed.  Once the straps pulled snug against the boat, we felt pretty secure.  It was like riding a slow motion roller coaster in a boat, and Hamp on “Gracie” had his hands in the air on the ride down.

Jeff and Bern, on “2 Infinity” had locked through yesterday, so Jeff took a video of our crossing.  I can’t post the video on the blog, but will have it to show when we finish the loop.

After leaving the Big Chute, we passed through several narrow and rocky passages.

“2 Infinity” making a sharp turn in the channel.

This is Lock #45 at Port Severn; this will be our last lock until we reach Chicago.  We are ready for a break from the locks and ready to explore the islands and coves of the Georgian Bay and  North Channel.

We’re glad we did not meet a boat through this narrow channel under the bridge, we barley had room for our boat and the bottom and both sides are granite rock.  The water is crystal clear with 8-10 feet visibility which makes the bottom look shallower than it really is. 

Leaving the Trent-Severn Waterway and entering the Georgian Bay.

We arrived at Midland, Ontario early this afternoon and are staying at the Wye Heritage Marina.  We will stay here a couple of days getting provisions and doing a little boat maintenance.  I’m also going to help “Gracie” and “2 Infinity” with putting the mast up on their sailboats. We met another looper at the marina, “Cutty’s Ark” that we haven’t seen since the Chesapeake Bay.

Swift Rapids Lock 43 to Big Chute Lock 44 ON

Miles Traveled 8.18

Total Miles Traveled 5453

Day 319

A storm blew through last night and dumping a lot of rain so being tied to a concrete wall felt pretty good.  “Gracie”, the loopers we met before entering Lake Simcoe, and “Lazy W”, gold loopers we met in lock 42 were also with us last night.

We locked through first thing this morning and entered the waterway with a light mist in the air.

We only traveled a few miles before arriving at the Big Chute.  The Big Chute Marine Railway is a boat lift at lock 44 of the Trent-Severn Watereway.  It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet.

The specially designed railway carriage is lowered into the water on a submerged track.  The boat is then floated onto the deck of the carriage and cradled by slings.  The carriage is slowly raised out of the water, and the boat “settles” into the slings for support.

The carriage is hoisted up the slope by wire ropes attached to winches inside the control building.  It stays almost level due to a unique double track, which allows the front legs of the carriage to follow one set of tracks and the back legs another.

Once past the summit, the carriage is lowered into the water by wire ropes.  The boat is floated off the slings and resumes its journey.  The carriage is now ready to accept a new load of boats traveling in the other direction.

We stopped upstream of the lock so we could observe the operation and when we were pulling up to the dock, our looper friends “2 Infinity” were on the dock to help with our lines.  They had locked through this morning and stopped at the bottom of the lock.  While talking to them, “Gracie” pulled up to the dock, then “Miss My Money”.

"Miss My Money" leaving the Big Chute.

Water being released around the Big Chute Railway.

"2 Infinity"

The rails to the retired "Little Chute"

We had planned to continue on to Midland, ON on the Georgian Bay but a wind advisory was issued for the bay and we decided to try the Big Chute first thing in the morning…..can’t wait!