Day #359 – Orillia, ON

Guess anyone can get a driver’s license in Canada.

We left Fenelon Falls as soon as the lock opened at 8:30.

Today we traveled 45 miles and locked through eight locks to get to Orillia.

The Trent Canal is only six feet deep and carved out of rock.

You can see by the photos that the rock just sits on either side making it very tight.

You announce on the VHF radio when you enter so that other boats know if any others are coming or going.  You hope not to meet anyone traveling around a corner as it is so narrow.

The most spectacular of the locks today was the Kirkfield Lift Lock (Lock #36).

You approach and a light tells you when to enter and which side to go on.

It really gets your attention when you pull ahead and look down 49 feet.

It is the same design as the Peterborough Lift Lock and has the gravity pan system.  It is situated on the far side of Balsam Lake and is the highest point on the Trent-Severn Canal System.

The lock lowered us 49 feet in less than 10 minutes and out we went.

This bridge was built in 1905.  Glad to report we fit through.

Someone displays some anger here.

After leaving the Trent-Severn for the day we enter Lake Simcoe.  Its proximity to Toronto makes it a very popular destination.  It is about 19 miles long and 16 miles wide.

The lake is lined with beautiful cottages and homes.

We arrived at Port of Orillia Marina and are glad to be here even if it was in the rain.  We plan a non-travel day tomorrow to catch up on errands, laundry, etc. before we complete the Trent-Severn and entering Georgian Bay.