Day 20-21 2nd year. June 9-10 Lay day in Peterborough and on to Lakefield. Miles. 7.6 Total miles 3064
We slept late and enjoyed a Tim Horton breakfast, then tackled some chores and made a small grocery run. Bill cleaned the boat and did maintenance. As we were working, the Lockmaster Ed approached us with a film crew from a local TV station and asked if we’d participate in their news segment highlighting the Trent Severn. Questions ranged from the boat we are cruising on, to our Great Loop adventure on the Trent Severn. So we are now celebrities is Peterborough. Our clip will air next week.
Then to top that Ed and Bill operated the swing bridge just past the lock.
And to top that, Ed trusted me to operate the lift lock with very specific directions! Bill took a video but it is too long to include on the post.
Ed was a wonderful host and lockmaster, providing transportation to town, twice. Also providing advice on things to do in town and information about the lock and its operation. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know him. You are a kind, friendly soul. Thanks, Ed!!
In the afternoon, we walked to the Peterborough Museum which gave us more details on the history of the town. Peterborough and the surrounding lakes were known for their wild rice- thus Rice Lake. Prime hunting grounds and fertile soil also made the area ripe for settlement. The Irish moved into this area in the 1820's, fleeing the famine and depression in their homeland. Trade in Peterborough began with fur, then lumber and grains, and then to milling, marine engines, plastics, and electronics Quaker still has a plant here.
Below are shots of us walking to the museum. Lots of stairs to cover the 65 feet to the top of the lock.
The museum also had an exhibit of the birch bark and porcupine quill baskets from the native Indians of this area, that were presented to Prince Albert when he visited Canada in 1860. Beautiful work!
On our way back Bill had to take a few more shots of the lock.
Day 21 June 10 On to Lakefield
As yesterday was a mixture of sun and drizzles- it’s nice to have the sun out is full force this morning.
Will leave Peterborough Lock and transit 5 locks and one swing bridge to tie up at the town of Lakefield. Not a long trip, but each lock can be 20-40 minutes depending on boat traffic.
Leaving the wall at Peterborough, we move through a narrow canal portion of the waterway and encounter the swing bridge which our Lockmaster friend Ed opened for us.
After the bridge, the waterway widens back to the natural river width, with forested shores. Then the waterways winds through the middle of Trent University. When passing we interrupted crewing instructions.
Right after the university campus we came to Lock 22, Nassau Mills and rose 14 feet. A half mile later we locked through Lock 23, Otonabee with a thirty foot cruiser, Zeus and rose 12 feet.
Will lock through the next few locks with Zeus as we head to Lakefield, except Zeus had trouble starting an engine and had to be walked out of the Lock 24, Duoro (12feet). So we headed on to the next lock, Lock 25 Sawer Creek and rose 10 feet by ourselves.
The scenery changes to very rural with farms and fields and only a few cottages.
One mile later, we locked through Lock 26 Lakefield and we pulled over to the wall and tied up for the night.
As we returned from checking in, we joined the Canadian cruisers from the other two boats tied up to the wall at a common picnic table. They enjoyed sharing their cruising stories and favorite haunts on the Trent Severn and Georgian Bay. One of the couples from Winnipeg had completed the Loop in 2019-Andy and Twylla McKendry. Thanks to the McKendrys for sharing their knowledge and marked charts!
After lunch we headed out to walk the small town and try the ice cream that came highly recommended. We discovered the 1854 Anglican Church, the oldest in the area and had some delicious ice cream. Bill ate 2 of the three scoops and I had the rest! Yummy!!
Bill's artistic shot of the day!!
