Big Chute Marina in Coldwater, ON to Queen's Cove Marina in Victoria Harbour, ON

105 LOCKS COMPLETED FOR THE TRIP!

Day #393: Mike and I were up at 5:30 A.M. to prepare to depart for the blue line at the Big Chute. The first boat at the blue line was "Fish Vicious". At 6:30 A.M. both "Parrot Bay" and "Alysana" started to prepare to head over to the blue line. At 7:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at the blue line with "Alysana" right behind. At 9:00 A.M. the lockmaster over the loud speaker informed the five boats that were on the blue line that they may have to take them one at a time but would let them know. "Fish Vicious" went first after getting settled "Parrot Bay" was informed that they could enter the chute. It was a smooth operation with "Parrot Bay's back end hanging over the end of the chute. It was a bit of a shaky ride but before we knew it the chute was in the water "Fish Vicious" was floating then "Parrot Bay" was floating. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the lock (#104 lock for the trip) and pulled over to the dock at the bottom of the Big Chute to wait for "Alysana". Once "Alysana" was clear of the Big Chute it was time to head towards TSW Lock 45. It was a beautiful 8 mile ride with lots of granite and beautiful cottages. At 11:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of TSW Lock 45 (Port Severn) (#105 lock for the trip). "Parrot Bay" waited in the lake for "Alysana" as they were one lock cycle behind through TSW Lock 45. At 12:20 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at Queen's Cove Marina next to "Alysana" after traveling 16.4 miles today (4,906 miles for the trip). After getting the boat settled in the slip Mike and I headed to the pool for the afternoon being joined by Gina and John. It was decided that since the next few nights were going to be anchorages that dinner would be eaten out at the marina restaurant. At 5:00 P.M. Charlie/Robin ("The Lower Place"), John/Gina ("Alysana") and Mike/I ("Parrot Bay") had dinner at the Queen's Quay. The group had great meals and as we were finishing a lady with a harmonica and guitar started to sing and entertain. It was great entertainment so the six of us stayed and enjoyed the music. At 7:00 P.M. the group headed back to the boats. Gina and John joined Mike and I on "Parrot Bay" to discuss stops in Georgian Bay and North Channel. At 9:00 P.M. it was time to get ready for bed. The plan for tomorrow is for Robin, the harbormaster from Queen's Cove to talk to "The Lower Place", "Alysana" and "Parrot Bay" to discuss route planning in Georgian Bay and North Channel at 7:30 A.M. After the talk the boats will head out to an anchorage in Georgian Bay.

                                                                                   

                                                                    Beautiful sunrise.                                                                                                                                                                      

                                           The Big Chute before it started running for the day. 

On board "Parrot Bay" heading into The Big Chute. 

"Fish Vicious" just ahead of "Parrot Bay" in The Big Chute. 

Heading down the hill on The Big Chute. 

"Parrot Bay" on The Big Chute looking out the stern.
 

The strap holding "Parrot Bay" while on The Big Chute. 

"Parrot Bay's" stern on The Big Chute as she being put back in the water on the other side. 

"Parrot Bay" tied to the dock after transiting The Big Chute waiting for "Alysana".

                                                                               

                                              "Alysana" on her way down The Big Chute.
                                                                                   

                                        John and Gina enjoying their ride on The Big Chute.

Very narrow channel.

                                                                                  

                                              "Alysana" transiting the narrow channel. 
                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    Beautiful home built on the granite.

Loons

Thanks to Gina from "Alysana" for taking pictures of "Parrot Bay's" 105th and last lock for the trip. 

Patty trying to get "Parrot Bay's" bow pushed off so that it cleared the lock door.

Patty letting out the line so that "Parrot Bay" can get out of the lock.
 

                                                                            

                                             Queen's Cove Marina in Victoria Harbour.

Our entertainment for the night this lady was great she sang, played the guitar and harmonica.

This lady joined in singing a few tunes. 

Port of Orillia Marina in Orillia, ON to Big Chute Marina in Coldwater, ON

Day #392: From last evening Mike beat me at cribbage (a skunk!). Mike and I were up at 5:45 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and blueberry butter tart. At 6:15 A.M. it was time for the two of us to prepare for departure. John and Mike discussed that there is a railroad swing bridge that will need to open but it doesn't start opening until 9:00 A.M. so departure delayed until 7:30 A.M. At 7:30 A.M. both "Parrot Bay" and "Alysana" head out of Port Orillia Marina but going slow as to not get to the swing bridge to early. Both boats arrive at 8:50 A.M. Mike waits until 9:05 A.M. then he blows the horn three times to alert the bridge tender that we need a lift as the tender does not answer the VHF or phone. There is no activity so at 9:10 A.M. I tell Mike to blow the horn again. The attendant comes out of the office waving his hands screaming "if you blow that horn one more time you are going to sit there all day". John radios Mike stating that he believes that he is hearing a train. Sure enough about five minutes later a freight train crosses the bridge. After the train passes the bridge attendant slowly starts to walk across the bridge releasing both safeties then walks up to the house unlocking the door then he starts the generator finally the bridge starts to swing. By this time "The Lower Place" who left one hour after "Parrot Bay" and "Alysana" catches up at 9:40 A.M. passing through the railroad bridge as the other two boats are transiting. At 10:15 A.M. all three boats are clear of TSW Lock 42 (Couchiching) (#102 lock for the trip). At 12:30 P.M. all three boats are clear of TSW Lock 43 (Swift Rapids) (#103 lock for the trip). At 1:30 P.M. "Parrot Bay" along with "Alysana" are both secure at Big Chute Marina after traveling 35 miles (4,889.4 miles for the trip). From the marina John, Gina, Mike and I can see "The Lower Place" as they entered the Big Chute doing their locking. At 2:00 P.M. John, Gina, Mike and I walked over to the Big Chute to see it up close. After watching two cycles the four of us headed back to the marina. John and Gina invited Mike and I to have happy hour on their flying bridge so that they could watch the Big Chute. Robin and Charlie joined the group for happy hour. The six of us decided to have dinner at the Big Chute Restaurant which is located at the marina. The group had a great dinner and lots of laughing. "As You Wish" John and Martha joined the group late so the six of us stayed while they ate dinner. After dinner some of the group stopped off to have ice cream. After it was time for the group to head back to their boats. On "Parrot Bay" it was time for blogging and reading. The plan for Wednesday is to do the final two locks on the Trent-Severn heading to Queen's Cove Marina in Georgian Bay.   

Beautiful morning on the Trent-Severn Waterway. 

CNR Railroad Bridge where "Parrot Bay" was told if we blew our horn one more time they would be sitting there the rest of the day. 

Robin from "The Lower Place" in TSW Lock 42.

View for "Parrot Bay" as they exited TSW Lock 42 (Cochinching).

                                                                                

                       A cabin that looked like a train car. (or a train car functioning as a cabin).

Beautiful wooden canoe. 

                                                                                     

             See this is exactly what "Parrot Bay" did at the railroad bridge but we got scolded.

A pontoon made to look like a tugboat.  

Mike and I have never seen a sign for a sunken island. 

I just love these cabins on islands. This one is on the rock.
 

Here comes the rock pictures!! 

TSW Lock 43 (Swift Rapids). 

The view from the top of TSW Lock 43. 

                                                                                  

                                                    "Alysana" exiting TSW Lock 43. 

Looks like fun!

                                                                                   

      Just a small beautiful cabin on an island of rock. 

"The Lower Place" heading into TSW Lock 44 (Big Chute).

"The Lower Place" stern hung out the back of the lift. 

There they go!

How cool is this!!!

NEBO trip Orillia, ON to Coldwater, ON

One of the old lock rail cars.

                                                                                  

                                       This is the road that the Big Chute takes boats over. 

The Big Chute railcar loading up a jet skier. 

The Big Chute over the road. 

Beautiful spillway rapids at the Big Chute. 

The railcar as it was heading down the hill. 

As the railcar gets close to the water the watercraft head into the water.

Beautiful view on the side of the Big Chute. Gina from "Alysana" enjoying watching the Big Chute.
 

The Big Chute heading back up the hill. 

                                                             Inside the control room.

   

Gina, John, myself and Mike at the Big Chute. 

Tiger the dog of one of the owners of The Big Chute Marina being feed an ice cream cone by Charlie from "The Lower Place."