Lagoon City and the Big Chute!

On Saturday the 14, we left Bobcaygeon and headed to Lagoon City.  We keep remarking to each other how much these waters remind us of northern Minnesota. We are seeing more hills and pine trees.

The rock formations you see are part of the Canadian Shield, a rock formation that covers half the country.

At mile 158 of the Trent Severn, we entered Balsam Lake. We are now at the highest point in our journey at 840 feet above sea level. I was told by another Looper that this is the highest point in the world that a boat can get to under its own power, and floating on its own bottom, from the ocean. I tried to google it, but could not come up with an answer. 

From this point, we enter some very skinny canals that were hand cut through the rock. A “Security” call on the radio is a must to inform other boaters you are entering the canal, and to arrange  passage so two large boats do not meet. 

These canals are about 6’ deep, and have exposed rock on both sides. You don’t want to get too close!!!

Of course, “What Goes Up Must Come Down”! Are you thinking we took this picture off a bridge???
NOPE - we took it from the bow of the boat!!!

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is a twin to the Peterborough “bathtub” lock we showed you earlier. However, this time we are locking down 50’. The view from here was spectacular! We did a total of 8 locks that day, before we got to Lake Simcoe. 

The Fenelon Falls lock gets my vote for best kept grounds!

The day was filled with spectacular scenery and pristine waterways! 

When we got to Lake Simcoe, we let the 20BUCK$ get up and stretch her legs for the ride across. We stayed at Crates Lagoon City Marina, where I was able to purchase oil and do an oil and filter change on the engines.  Jackets ll and Seabaticle stayed at Lock 40, and CBAY went to Orillia.

Upon leaving Crates on Sunday the 15th, we got a radio call as we were exiting the channel. Turns out it was an acquaintance of mine from the Cruisers Owners Forum on the internet!  They slip at Crates, and saw us leaving. Small World! We would have turned back to meet them, but were committed to meet our buddy boats at the narrows at the top of the lake for the days run. 

It  was an easy run with only two locks, and nice scenery. But it was HOT!!!! 

We ended the day early, and stayed at the top of the Big Chute lock  where we took a swim - 

and docktails! 

We wanted to check out the lock we had to do in the morning, but all we could find was this contraption!!! How the heck are we gonna get to the next body of water????

I guess you will just have to check back and see how we did!

Cap'n Ken