Woke to another beautiful day.
First thing we locked through Swift Rapids, Lock 43 and dropped 47 feet. The turbulence at the bottom of the lock we were warned of did not materialize as little water was coming through the dam. So we had a smooth exit from the lock.
After the lock, we continue to travel on the Severn River, winding through the pine forest and granite shoreline. The homes that line this shore are a mixture of smaller older homes and larger new ones. I prefer the older homes- more character.
The Severn River continues past the small fishing village of Severn Falls to wind its way toward Port Severn. Along the way are lots of bays and coves great as swimming holes.
We then passed Pretty Channel and Lock 44, Marine Railway came into view. Locals call it the Big Chute. We tied up to a dock and walked through the museum and the railway site to get a feel for how the railway worked.
Originally formidable rapids occupied this cut and required portaging of boats up the steep rock incline. The first chute opened in 1916 to help with moving supplies for the war effort. The design was a railway car with travel lift slings to secure the boats. The car would be loaded on one side of the small neck of land and moved along the rails up and over the land to descend into the water on the other side.
In 1960, when the Trent Severn was improved and a second railway was built. This new railway can accommodate up to six medium sized boats at once and drops the boats down 58 feet.
We waited for our turn, as they were training new personnel on lock operation, they only took one large boat at a time. We watched a 36 foot trawler, 6 jet skis, and a 30 foot cruiser use the railway, before it was our turn. Boaters stay aboard your boat, driving the boat into the lowered slings on the railcar that is submerged in the water. Once the operators secure the boat in the slings, cables pull the rail up the incline, over a road and down the 58 feet on the other side. Was quite an experience! And we took lots of pictures.
After the Big Chute Marine Railroad we traveled further down the Severn River winding through two lakes and narrow channels between them.
The first lake is called Glouster Pool and it has several granite island and lots of homes along the forested and rocky shore, as well as marinas and restaurants.
The second is called Little Lake with fewer islands but filled with homes and businesses related to boating. Little Lake ends at the last lock, Lock 45, Port Severn. This lock is the smallest and busiest lock on the system. We tied up in the blue line to wait our turn as only one big boat at a time could lock through.
Once through the lock we entered a channel that is quite narrow and windy as we traversed granite islands and into Georgian Bay proper and then head northwest to our destination tonight, Beausoleil Island (beautiful sun)
We cruised the last 6 miles in Georgian Bay to turn into Cedar Springs a PARC Canada National Park. The island has several docks, campsites, hiking trails and a beach and swim area.
Once we tied up to the dock, with the help of a few Canadian boaters, we signed in and went for a hike. Found the famous rock seat near our dock and took pictures. We continued on the trail through forest and granite boulders. Bill enjoyed rock climbing.
Thanks to Twyla and Andy for the excellent shots of our boat going through the Chute and on the water!
