Don & Rachel's Great Loop AdventurE

Disclaimer: Don’t read while hungry 😋

So for the last few days we’ve just been chugging along as far as we can get each day. Wednesday we made it through lock 12 and went to check out a suspension bridge overlooking a small “waterfall” as they refer to it. I would have to challenge the use of the word waterfall, but whatever works for them.

Lock 12 is also the tallest double lock. You go up in one chamber, then immediately into the next and go up again.

We tied up along the wall between lock 12 & 13. In the park next to the wall was a giant Toony.

There was a particular place we were told we should check out first thing in the morning. So Thursday morning we headed to Dooher’s Bakery. We were the first ones there a few minutes before they opened but soon others arrived to wait also. They let us in and O.M.G! They had an abundant selection of the most delicious looking things. We walked out with blueberry and raspberry tarts, a vanilla cream donut sandwich, an apple cheddar muffin, a mini raspberry cheesecake, and fresh baked bagels with cream cheese. They were soooo good!

Apparently Canada is known for their butter tarts but they only sold them in packages of 6 and never having had them before I didn’t want to get that many just in case we didn’t care for them. As we walked back, our neighbor boat Tug Bussle had gotten 2 packages of the butter tarts and let us try one. AMAZEBALLS! I then half regretted not getting some aaaand we weren’t too far away we couldn’t go back. But I thought we’d better eat what we got and hopefully find another bakery along the way to get those later.

After the bakery we went to check out this chocolate outlet, the factory is right next door. They had barrels full of wrapped chocolate and a BOGO sale going on. So I also ended up with 2 1lb bags of mini salted caramel chocolate squares.

We decided we’d better continue on before we got any more treats. We made through lock 18, but the top was very full. We ended up rafting up with another boat for the night. They were from South Carolina and gave us a package of these specialty sesame seed cookies called Benne wafers, which were very tasty and we finished in a day and a half lol. Will definitely have to pick some more up when we pass through SC next Spring. There was a pretty neat fish sculpture we walked to see and had cheesecake for dinner 😄.

Friday we set off early as lock 19 was about 38 miles away. Going an average 6.5 mph that takes a while. We made it there and past to lock 21 at Peterborough. It was the largest hydrologic lift lock. So there are 2 chambers side by side, and instead of yours filling up with water to raise your water level, they add 1 foot of water to the other chamber which then falls and your chamber goes up. More like a scale ⚖️.

We made it to lock 23 and they said there was a pretty big back up at lock 24 so we decided to stay on the wall at 23. A bunch of the other boats we have met along the way were there also and we sat in the picnic area and had lock-tails.

Today we were aiming to stay at lock 30, but again, when we got to lock 28 we heard 30 was full already. Oh and apparently there is no lock 29. There once was, but then they replaced 28 with a larger hydraulic lock eliminating 29. Once we had passed Youngs Point the area became the classic lake side cabin scene. Dense pine wood forest with mini islands dotting the lake. We found a spot off the main channel, tucked between a few mini islands that was quiet and secluded to anchor out. We got there still early in the day so we spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. It was a nice to just enjoy our surroundings and hang out. A break from just go go go.

45 Locks in this waterway!

We had gotten up early Sunday morning and set off towards Trenton. Thankfully the wind had calmed down and so did the lake. We got to Port Trent Marina later in the afternoon and decided to stay two nights. When we arrived we quickly noticed a lot of other “Looper” boats flying the AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruising Association) burgee. Including the President of the AGLCA who is currently doing the loop as well. There were also several other Ranger Tugs in different sizes. The marina was super nice with free wi-fi and laundry. The showers were as nice as any nice hotels.

Monday morning we walked up to the local grocery store called “Metro”. Which definitely had me confused at first. The locals kept telling us oh the Metro is right there and I thought, oh that’s convenient for for getting around…orrrrr just getting food lol. Anyway, we picked up a few things, including a few throw backs.

After bringing the groceries back we broke out the scooters and went a little further into town to the hardware store. The sidewalks were a little rough, but we managed. We passed a movie theater and decided to go see Thor later, which was really good. As we walked to the theater we passed a cafe called The Grind & Vine.

This morning we headed to the first lock going up. I was definitely nervous! Thankfully we were the first and only boat in the lock. They have cables running down the wall and you loop your line around them, front and back to hold your boat in place. The flow of water into the lock was much smoother than anticipated, much to my relief!

Along the lock walls live colonies of small mussels.

These locks are opened and closed by man power. These guys just walk in circles all day.

We went up and through lock 6, tied off along the wall and walked to town. There was not too much to see but there was a neat cafe called The Old Bank Cafe, which if you couldn’t tell by the name, used to be a bank. Apparently they still have the original vault inside and everything.

It was still early in the day so we continued up to lock 7. The locks close at 5:30 and you can tie up for free along the wall in front of them for the night while waiting. Luckily just down the road from this one was an ice cream shop! It had a cool old I Love Lucy slot machine too.

Got to try a new flavor too, Wolf Tracks. Vanilla ice cream with fudge and brownie chunks, soooo good! 😋

All in all it was a pretty chill but positive day. 39 locks to go. Gonna be on this canal system for a few days. But I’ll let ya know about anything cool we see along the way!

PS. Canada’s internet system has been having issues we’ve been told, so the Nebo tracking link may be laggy.

It was an uneventful yet very eventful few days all at the same time….

We learned that most if not all of the Toronto area marinas want you to have a 2 million dollar insurance policy! We found one on Friday that was willing to take us for one night though ours isn’t quite that much. Bluffer’s Point Marina.

It was a very nice marina that had a walking path along the lake. It also had all the needed amenities, shower, laundry, 3 restaurants, marina supple store, fuel and pump out station. The last being of benefit for the second thing we just learned.

So without going into too much detail, we learned that our toilet should only be used for number 1. So that took up the day Friday and let’s leave it at that. Skia got to go for a nice swim in the lake and there were swans all over the water. We saw a cute lill family with fluffy babies.

The next morning we were aiming for Presqu’ile Bay, ON, which is at the start of the Trent Severn Waterway that will eventually take us to Lake Huron. Though the weather report said 1 to 2 foot waves, we quickly realized it was rougher than that. So the third and fourth things we learned are that the wave report is grossly underestimated and my rough water tolerance maxes out at 5 foot waves…and that was pushing it! So we only made it 8 miles to the next marina, Frenchman’s Marina. We didn’t get a slip this time, they had a good anchorage. So we were able to test out the dingy and upgraded motor Don got for it. Again swans were in mass and so was the seaweed! We were able to find a place to pull the dingy ashore and go up the hill, across the road and down to the beach lake side. Skia had so much fun playing in the waves and I of course picked up rocks 😄.

While the wind/waves were to much on the lake, the weather in the harbor was beautiful. We found an ice cream place within walking distance so went and tried it out. Blueberry cheesecake ice cream, yum!

When we were getting ready to leave for our trip we ran out of time and opportunity to teach Skia to use the pee pad we had got for her to go on the boat. So that isn’t really working. Can’t blame her, it looks like a blanket and she doesn’t understand she can pee on it, though Don tried to rub her scent on it. So before bed last night we took the dingy to the docks to let her go potty. Leading to the fifth and sixth things we learned. A very important one is to remember to check the gas level in the dingy you used all day…cut to us paddling back to the boat. Luckily it wasn’t too far out. Another thing to keep in mind, when jumping off a floating dock, it moves. Seems obvious, but in the moment later at night just trying to find a spot for the fluff to pee so you can go to bed, things slip through the cracks in your mind. Cut to a wet dog right before bed. Sigh.

Today is a new day, the sun is shining, and the lake is flat. So we got an early start and are headed towards the Trent Severn. Wish us luck! 🍀

27.6 miles, 11 hours, 8 locks, 327 foot descent, 2 very tired people…and 1 fluff who is just happy to be included 😄.

Well this one was quite a long day of travel. Though we didn’t have a great distance to go, it was slow going. Max speed was 6 knots. We entered the canal at 7:30 am. The first part was actually pretty special. For many years I’ve gone to Long Beach along Lake Erie in Canada with two of my best friends, Joy and Lindsey. It was always exciting when we reached Port Colborne along rout 3 because we knew we were close. When we came to a certain bridge sometimes we would have to wait for it because it had been raised to let a boat through….Only once we started really planning our route for this trip did I realize where I would be going. It was pretty cool to be one of the boats crossing under. Apologies to anyone who got held up on our behalf this time, especially if they were going to the beach 🏖️.

After that the first lock we came to we just floated through. I didn’t even notice anything happened lol. The rest of the locks however were much more involved. We followed behind the largest boat of our group, the Nevermore, who had been through the canal before. I was very glad to just play follow the leader. The Nevermore would tie up to the lock wall and we would then tie to them, and just be a long for the ride down. They definitely did most of the work, having to run lines as we descended in the locks. They were also kind enough to take pictures of us as we traveled through the canal.

It was pretty incredible to witness the chance from inside the lock. And the great height difference at the end. I don’t think I’ve been through a lock on a boat since an Elementary School field trip to the Lockport locks.

Going through the canal everyone had to wear a life jacket.

We were passed by a few tankers going the opposite direction. I was quite impressed at their being able to fit!

After having to play the waiting game a few times, we FINALLY made it through all 8 locks.

The currant in some spots was pretty strong and we had to line ourselves up with the Nevermore just right to tie up, but going through the lock itself was pretty smooth. Though going down that makes sense. I’ll get back to you when we have to go up in the locks 🫣. We tied up just passed lock 1 at the pleasure craft dock where you wait for your turn to go through the canal. Non commercial vessels are only allowed to go each way on certain days. Don fired up the grill, cooked up some hot dogs, and we are hunkered down for the night. Crossing Lake Ontario to Toronto tomorrow. ✌️🌚😴

Well we successfully set off on our new adventure! My dad, Don’s mom and Uncle Tom came down to see us off.

It was a pretty simple first day. We left North Tonawanda and came straight to Port Colborne Canada. It was a beautiful day and smooth “sailing”. Although Skis’s bed is in the back, we let her ride up front on our bed, which is tucked in front of and between the helm seats so she could be with the people, as she loves to be.

Finding the correct phone number to check into customs took some doing, but we got it. We tied up at the city dock just inside the Welland Canal for the night. We will take the Welland Canal into Lake Ontario tomorrow morning. I’m a bit nervous about going through the locks….

Overall today was a very successful first day!

I promise I won’t bombard you with daily posts but had to share our first day! Also pardon any glitches, still figuring this out, plus we are now in Canada and although I have the international plan service is still spotty.

If you’d like to know where exactly we are you can use this link to find us!

https://trackme.nebo.global/?link=LIM5YY1BQ7WTM1GKG7U7Q80QV3