The Kawartha Lakes - Lock 28 - 36

Here we are docked for the day above Lock #28 in Lakefield, ON.  It is another night where we just tie up to the cement wall without power.  We are now in an area called the Kawartha Region that is comprised of a series of lakes connected by narrow passages.  These lakes were once known to the Indians as "happy lands and bright waters".  They stretch across Ontario in a series of long loop-like passages.

Vegetables and herbs planted in canoes.

When we are in the locks we ask the lockmaster what the best restaurant is in the little towns we are going to stop in.  Canoe & Paddle got all the votes this time.

The next morning we were off again traversing through the narrow channels and enjoying the beautiful protected scenery.  We were headed to Buckhorn.

We have now been through 3 Hell's Gates during our Loop!!  Look for all the places that "rock" is labeled.  Veering out of the channel will result in prop damage all through this area.

Ever seen a glass house?

Buckhorn ended up not being our destination after all today because the area above that lock was way too crazy busy with houseboats and all the locals still on "holiday".  We are convinced Canadians never go to work.  

We scrambled to decide how far to travel with the next several locks and find a place to stay before it got too late in the day.  Bobcaygeon, ON became our new destination.

Some of the nicest kiosk rental bikes we've seen.

Bobcaygeon turned out to be more than expected. The town offered more quality merchandise and more of a variety of stores.

Still love my shoes even though I haven't purchased but one pair on our whole trip.

Waiting for another meal!!!!

And we were off again the next morning going through another lock right after leaving the marina.

As we exited the Lock at Fenelon Falls we saw that all of the wall space was already taken so we had to keep moving on.

Tied to the "blue line" awaiting our turn to go through the lock below.  If you are on the blue line that is your signal to the lockmaster that you are ready to go through.  Notice I have a coat on, again!!! Still cool or even cold!

The sign below is at the entrance to a narrow part of the waterway. It instructs larger boats to use their VHF radios to alert any other boat traffic that may be traveling in the opposite direction that you are about to enter the same channel. We did as instructed.

And this is why. Although the picture is deceiving, the channel is even more narrow because of the rocks that line its edges.

Don't get too close to those rocks that are unforgiving with absolutely no coast guard rescue boats around.

Narrow and shallow!!

But also very scenic!

Last lock of the day, the Kirkfield Lift lock #36. This is considered the summit of the waterway.  From here everything is downhill.  You are now going down in the remaining TSW locks. This lift lock is operated like the Peterborough Lock where there are pans that the boats sit in.  The decent is only 45 feet so it is not a large as Peterborough.

The lockmaster was sure to collect payment before we went down for our dockage at the bottom of the lock.  We're trying to tie up the boat in the lock and he is asking for our credit card.

This is at the bottom and we are snuggly tied to the wall for the night.