Canada 2018 the beginning

Canada 2018

All our fussing with the departure paid off since the weather was glassy calm for our crossing – perfect except for the fog that reduced our visibility to less than a quarter mile.  We know this since three boats passed us.  Although we could see them on our radar a quarter mile away, we never actually sighted them.  They were very considerate, however, and called to advise us they were passing on our port. Thankfully, as we approached land the fog cleared and we found our way into Prinyer’s Cove to anchor for a few days.  We had stopped here back in 2014 since it is a convenient place to get on land and visit with Shauna and Martin.  Shauna and I were roommates our first two years in college and friends during our four years in high school back in Los Angeles. The marina at Prinyer’s has new management and was very organized and welcoming only charging us $5 to use their dinghy dock.  They also included us in their regular Saturday night social where we met many of the regular boaters and visitors. The highlight of this stop was brunch with Shauna and Martin at their home on Lake Ontario.  In spite of the chill during the afternoon, we had a great visit and enjoyed their company plus the spectacular view from their home. 

Finally moving on from Prince Edward County, we headed to an anchorage off Belleville then moved to a marina where we could access the town.  Getting a few chores accomplished like a phone card and changing money we wandered the streets of this cute town which has roots in the Loyalist Period just after the American Revolutionary War. Most of the impressive buildings like the City Hall date to the 19^th century but there are a few still remaining from those earliest days.

Our next stop brought us to the start of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Trenton, ON.  The spacious and sparkling new facilities maintained by the city greeted us at the Trent Port Marina. Flat out gorgeous shower/bathrooms plus a cozy lounge and free laundry make this a stellar stop. Also, the town is next door with all the essentials handy to supply the boat. Just about the perfect stop – even including a much overdue haircut!

Mural in Trenton

Leaving the luxury of the Trent Port Marina, we began our travels on the Trent-Severn Canal. For our first day we travelled almost 4 miles through three locks rising almost 70 feet to rest above Lock 3.  Our goal was a walk to visit the Bleasdell Boulder – a remnant of the area’s glacial past. This tiny thing is estimated to weigh about the same as 660 half-ton trucks. The rock is located a pleasant shaded walk across the bridge from our resting spot at the top of lock 3. We thank the Reverend Bleasdell for his efforts back in the 1800s for marking this stop on our traverse of the Trent-Severn Waterway and giving us an excuse to make this a short day on the water!

this looks pretty big

a little bigger

scenery on our walk

Since we had time to spare after crossing the lake a week earlier than originally planned, we poked along making stops at Lock 6 to spend a couple days in Frankford where the city provides power to the boats stopping on the wall.  The town is a short walk and we managed to pick up some fleece bathrobes to re-make some fender covers. We are probably the only boat with a leopard and pink fender cover.

The thrift store lady was a little aghast at our plans for her robes

sweat pant covers

Lock 8 was a beautiful spot which we shared with MV Amazon. 

fisherman in action

Locking up and on through 9 and 10 we decided to move on to Campbellford and spend a few days on their Old Mill Park Dock. This town is welcoming and organized for boats to visit. Their modest charges include power and clean bathrooms all convenient to a grocery and even a Canadian Tire Store (think Walmart without clothes and food) not to mention the Dooher’s Bakery, ice cream window, and antique shops. We did work off a few calories with a walk back to lock 12 and over to check out the Ferris Park suspension bridge across the Trent Gorge. (But then stopped at the Chocolate Factory Outlet Store on the way back……)

Campbellford is home to the designer of the 2 $ coin - the toonie

Sadly, the scheduled Wednesday Night Music was rained out when a fierce storm blew through a half hour before showtime. The cute Aron Movie Theater also received a pass since the movie they were showing was the "Book Club" which we saw in Trenton.  It is a treat to find first run movies within walking distance of our docks. The mid-week farmer’s market was also handy and a great stop even in the rain! No complaints here about the weather. Will take a sweater or jacket over heat and humidity any day.