Orillia to Midland

A beautiful sunrise for August 4, 2011. The morning was warm and quickly heated up.

Chief Island

Lock 42 Couchiching

Rocks are everywhere. 

Lock 43 Swift Rapids

Lock 44 Big Chute Marine Railway 

We pulled up to check out how this railway works before entering the slings. The lockmasters make announcements of  who they want and in what order. When you arrive and where you are on the blue line does not  matter here. We arrived as a load was coming up over the hill. This lift is 58 feet and definitely the most thrilling ride on the whole canal.

It is our turn to go. Our spot is front and center so our bow is hanging off the front of the railway. Andrew drove onto the lift due to the quick currents. The lockmasters had the slings ready to go and we fit perfectly.  

We were enjoying the view and the accomplishment of making it this far in our journey. 

We are at the top of the lift and it is all downhill from here. What an adrenaline rush, sitting on the bow of the boat as it is heading down the rail while knowing you are hanging in a sling.

We are back in the water and Andrew quickly turns over the engines as we float out of the slings and into open water.

As we were coming into Port Severn Andrew and I were looking at the charts trying to find a spot to anchor out for the night when we both missed the markers. OOPS. At least we were cruising at no wake speeds and no one got hurt. The engines stalled out for a moment and quickly started back up. We pulled over before entering the last lock so Andrew could dive down to take a look at the damage. Thank goodness for clear water. Since the props weren't badly damaged. We decided to head over to Bay Port Marina in Midland a day early so we could arrange for a travel lift.

Lock 45 Port Severn the last lock in the Trent Severn Waterway.

We are out into the Severn Sound and weave our way through the Potato Channel as the sun is setting. So far the props are handling great considering we hit rocks. We count our blessings and know we are a short way from stopping for the night in Midland.