The Sterling Lady
on America's Great loop
For the Secound time!
7/28/09 continues
Did I mention you have to stay in the chanel, it's pretty improtant here!
The bolders are pink, and right outside the chanel.
Definatly , stay in the chanel!!
Our home for tonight, Buckhorn, lock wall 31.
Been to Disney land, Been to Dollyland, now I have been to Foodland. By the way, the manager will give you and your groceries a ride back to the marina, if you ask em first. The Lady is now Stocked up.
Had dinner at the olde Ale House, and I truly suspect, they recycle there Heinz ketchup bottles with non Heinz ketchup,,,but the food was good and not expensive. '
Note the "water" bottle on the table.

Ask me when you see me.
May  I present, the town of Buckhorn.
The m/v Fuddy Duddy, hailing from Bokelia Florida, tied up across from us. They are doing the loop in 6 week segments on their 34 mainship.
7/29/09
Today's journey started by dodging rocks and boulders just outside of the channel. This sign may qualify for "most obvious"
Tonite we will sleep at the Bobcaygon Lock wall.
It's another rainy day, but we did have some trafic, for example, the "Captain and Ta Mike" rode by along with.....
Jet Ski Dog.
The town of BobCaygeon
Another  necessary sign??
From our dock, it's an easy walk to the laundry matt, the grocery store, and town. Also the library, and WiFi was available.
Some Loopers, Bob and Kathy aboard "Sootsus @ Sea" shared the wall with us.
While traversing Sturgeon Lake, this Momma Dear and her fawn where trying to cross, zigzagging back and forth avoiding boats. This Jet skier,  guided and protected them from boats as the finally cross the wide lake.
Since these waters freeze in the winter, the docks are removed or raised to prevent damage.  This one hasn't been put back in yet.
Approaching Fenelon Falls
Some pretty nice cottages align the channel.
The looper "Higher Ground" with Kendall and Kray on board, where moored at the lower lock wall, which over looks these falls.
We locked thru Fenelon Falls lock with "Another Compromise". Note the Platinum Looper flag on their bow, indicating they have done the Great loop two times!
I have a platinum looper flag under my bunk, with will be ceremoniously hoisted when we arrive back in Florida.
The Sterling Lady is moored here on the upper wall of lock 34, Fenelon Falls. Wifi is here, excellent down town location, walkable to groceries, shopping,etc. Great stop.This is a Canadian 3 day Holiday weekend. Not sure weather we will move on tomorrow, or stay a day or two.
The view from your dock at the lower lock wall
Lots of traffic today, big and small.
With our mooring pass, we can tie up for free at most all the Locks, however, there is no electric, nor water. Upon leaving Fenelon Falls,we had to stop at this marina for water. I only hold 100 gallons of water, but it took an hour and a half to fill my three tanks with this  S L O W flowing small hose!
So that's how today's traveling started.
Entering the Trent Canal
Wow!
Michel Lake, better know as Stump Lake.
Miles and Miles of long , manmade canals.
It just KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!  I am gonna have to come back here again.
Wild flowers abound!
And now, for your viewing pleasure, a pictorial essay of the Historic, Kirkfield Lock.
The road actually goes UNDEDR the waterway and lock.
Below the lock , we came here for One drink (truth is, they ran out of rum) and also discovered.....
One of Canada's favorites,, Pootine. (I know)
Diet be damned, it's french fries, smothered in Gravy and Cheese.
I did only have a few though.
On the wall at Kirkfield Lock. BTW we are at the Trent Severn's HIGHEST POINT, 840 above sea level!! And here is the surveyors Bench Mark to prove it.
7/30/09
8/1/09
Going down in this 100 year old pan lock is freakier than going up.
Since we are going down stream, Red is now on our port.
Long man made narrow channels.
The chanel goes thru the "hole in the wall"
and more man made chanels..
The Skipper Bob cruising guide book, the Bible, said our destination for the evening, Lock 40 was very quiet and rural. IT WAS!
Lock 40 wall
8/2/09
First, a word about Canada's Weather network.
They are just as inaccurate as ours! We had to cross Lake Simpco, which can get rough, checked the forecast, winds out of the south west, 10 knots, building to 15 N>W this evening.
Got to the lake at 9:30, blowing 15 plus out of the N W.
typical.
It was Bumpy!! But to show you how Rain X works,  the window on the left, no Rain X, on the right, Rain X. Huge difference, and they were getting soaked with splash.
The Narrows, at the top of the lake. Lots of current.
We will be staying at the Orillia Marina, right downtown, for 3 days. Why, because
1. It's a Canadian Holiday weekend, every weekend warrior is out in his boat
2. The winds are suppose to suck
3. It's only $1.40 a foot
and most importantly
4. They give you the third day free if you pay for two.
Ths link should work now   -------->