The Trent-Severn Canal glides across central Canada’s rivers, bays, marshlands and lakes and then fills in the connecting pieces with the canal to link Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. It was built over an 87 year period as a commercial waterway, follows the route of many of the voyageurs and has locks ranging from simple limestone to the sublime lift locks at Peterborough and Kirkfield as well as ending in a flourish at the Big Chute. Come along on the ride.
We started the Trent-Severn Canal on Wednesday, July 14th after picking up a load of diesel ($1.10 Canadian per liter) and having a great night at Fraser Park Marina. Craig, the dock master, is outstanding and even gave us two great food tips: Tomasso’s for dinner and “You have to try Tim Horton’s (like Dunkin’ Donuts but better)—it’s the Canadian way.” I can’t believe that we’ve been in Canada for 6 weeks, toured lots of museums but overlooked this national treasure. We’ve only wimped out on one food tip so far—potine in Quebec Province. It’s made from fried potatoes with cheese curds and gravy poured over the top and guaranteed to stop your heart.
In our 2005 trip, we did the first 17 locks in 1 day; now, we’re taking 4 days. Locks are hand-cranked by a senior lockkeeper and fresh-faced summer hires who are all Canadian good will ambassadors. Each lock has a cottage with a well-tended garden. This year they are distributing lock cards with depictions of flora and fauna along the canal. This lock we got a rattlesnake card but Bob now has snake experience on his Captain’s resume from the 1,000 Islands so not to worry.
We stopped for the day along the mooring wall below Lock 7. Most boaters stay at Lock 6 for power, but this lock has peace and quiet, and with a willow tree for shade, a beautiful garden, and a picnic table, it was a perfect place to while away a hot summer afternoon. It brought back memories of long carefree summer days. Visits by locals, a short walk to Richard and Donna’s General Store for ice cream and the neon dots of lightning bugs at night made this a very memorable stay.
We started the Trent-Severn Canal on Wednesday, July 14th after picking up a load of diesel ($1.10 Canadian per liter) and having a great night at Fraser Park Marina. Craig, the dock master, is outstanding and even gave us two great food tips: Tomasso’s for dinner and “You have to try Tim Horton’s (like Dunkin’ Donuts but better)—it’s the Canadian way.” I can’t believe that we’ve been in Canada for 6 weeks, toured lots of museums but overlooked this national treasure. We’ve only wimped out on one food tip so far—potine in Quebec Province. It’s made from fried potatoes with cheese curds and gravy poured over the top and guaranteed to stop your heart.
In our 2005 trip, we did the first 17 locks in 1 day; now, we’re taking 4 days. Locks are hand-cranked by a senior lockkeeper and fresh-faced summer hires who are all Canadian good will ambassadors. Each lock has a cottage with a well-tended garden. This year they are distributing lock cards with depictions of flora and fauna along the canal. This lock we got a rattlesnake card but Bob now has snake experience on his Captain’s resume from the 1,000 Islands so not to worry.
We stopped for the day along the mooring wall below Lock 7. Most boaters stay at Lock 6 for power, but this lock has peace and quiet, and with a willow tree for shade, a beautiful garden, and a picnic table, it was a perfect place to while away a hot summer afternoon. It brought back memories of long carefree summer days. Visits by locals, a short walk to Richard and Donna’s General Store for ice cream and the neon dots of lightning bugs at night made this a very memorable stay.
