WANA KETA TO HINDSON MARINA

Aug 7- We were up early as Bob and Lenore are heading up Georgian Bay and heading home to Michigan City. They said they just loved their time at Wana Keta and are going to stop in a lot of places on their way up the Bay. They are a lovely couple and we are blessed to have met them. We said our goodbyes and watched as they headed towards Big Dog channel. We packed up our chairs and headed for Hindson Marina we are home! We have traveled about 6,000 miles and have done about 200 locks. The hardest part of the whole trip is having to say goodbye.  It is gut wrenching saying goodbye to these people you have traveled with through thick and thin for thousands of miles. To all the Loopers we have had the pleasure to meet and traveled with on and off we thank you for your kindness and friendship during this journey because without you all it would not have been as wonderful. I have to thank the first couple that took us under their wings John and Eunice from Harmony, a big thanks and love to the three time Loopers Charlie and Bonnie with whom we spent almost seven months and Bill and Bobbie (Mist ) who we traveled with for four months, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. A huge thanks to Syd and Evelyn (Something Special) who we first met in Green Turtle and who were our boat buddies doing the night crossing to Tarpon Springs and spent the month with in Dunedin and who we met up with again in Rock Hall and who we did a side trip to Ottawa with, we had many great times and hope there are many more to come.

MIDLAND TO WANA KETA

Aug 5/6- We all left Midland at 9:00 am. Mist is going up Georgian Bay and Miss Hattie and ourselves are heading to Wana Keta on Beausiliel Island. It is a lovely day but with a heavy heart we are saying goodbye to members of our family Bill and Bobbie we love you guys and hope you have a safe and uneventful journey back to Racine.  When we arrived at Wana Keta the end of the T dock was open and Miss Hattie wanted to anchor so they did so just off the sand bar at the Y camp. It is very hot so we headed for the shore and set up our chairs up under the trees and went for a quick swim. Bob and Lenore from Miss Hattie came in and joined us for the afternoon. Dave's aunt and uncle John and Pat arrived on the dock with some friends aboard. Shortly after that John's son arrived by himself so we all went to give him a hand into the dock. We all headed back to the shade on the beach and had a enjoyable afternoon. The next day we all jumped into our dingys so we could show Bob and Lenore some more of the area. We headed back into Bone Island and showed them our usual haunts until the wind began to make the ride a little uncomfortable. We had planned on having a bonfire but there is a fire ban on at present so thats not happening.

Miss Hattie arriving at Wana Keta

A quiet evening for Miss Hattie 

BIG CHUTE TO MIDLAND

Aug 3/4- We headed for the blue line at 8:00 am to get in line to go over the Big Chute. There was one boat waiting in front of us but they called us to go over first, so away we went. We told Bill and Bobbie we would meet them in Midland as it was going to be awhile for them to get over. We got to Port Severn and it was quite busy. They had just loaded the lock so we got on the blue line and waited for the next lock. By the time it got back up to the top Mist had arrived and we managed to get them on the dock to wait. We went through next, but with all the other boats that were there it took Mist about and hour or two to be called. They were not impressed by the lack of organization at Port Severn lock. We got to Midland at noon and were surprised to see another old family friend on the same dock. We noticed the dock was full and we still had Mist and Miss Hattie coming in that had reservations so we quickly told the people in charge and they moved two boats to another dock in short order. Mist arrived about an hour after us and Miss Hattie was about three hours, we were beginning to worry about them. It was very hot so every one just vegged out in their own boats in the air conditioning. The next day Dave and I ventured uptown in the stifling heat to get a couple of things and then right back to the boat. Bill and Bobbie are leaving us to head home so they have asked us to have a last dinner with them. The restaurant is right next to the marina and it was quite busy but we got right in and the service was fast. We had a wonderful last night with great friends that we are going to miss terribly. We have traveled with Mist since Daytona Beach almost four months and have loved every minute.

PORT OF ORILLIA TO BIG CHUTE

Aug 2- We left at 9:00 am and headed up Lake Couchiching towards Lock 42. It was busy at the lock when we got there so we pulled onto the blue line and waited. We had eight boats jammed into that lock with us and it was the same at the Swift lock. It was getting on in the day and we were a little worried that we might not find docking at the Big Chute but fortunately we did. We had just pulled out the chairs and drinks when Miss Hattie showed up. We all had just sat down to relax when Dave's mother, brother and sister-in-law surprised us with a visit. We huddled ourselves under umbrellas trying to get some relief from the sun and heat until dinner. We all  walked over to the Big Chute marina restaurant and had a wonderful dinner with family and friends. After dinner Dave's family headed back to Orillia and we all crashed.

They jammed us in at Lock 42

Our first barge we have seen since on the rivers in the States

A pretty area at Severn Falls

STARPORT TO PORT OF ORILLIA

July 31/Aug 1- We left Starport at 9:00 am heading for the Port of Orillia. When we arrived we were helped into our slip by an old family friend which was a pleasant surprise. Once we were settled we took Bill and Bobbie up the main street and showed off our "home town". Of course one of the places we took them to see was "Mariposa Market" for lunch which they just loved. By the time we headed back to the boats they were in love with Orillia. Later that day "Miss Hattie" had arrived and they were equally impressed despite the inconvenience of no permanent structure to shower at. Bill and Bobbie spent much of the next day uptown in various shops (Mariposa Market being one of the most popular). That evening we all went to dinner at Brewary Bay which they also enjoyed.

At the Port of Orillia

Manana at our home port

A beauty we saw sitting at French's stand

A beautiful sunset over Orillia

SUNSET COVE TO STARPORT MARINA

July 28/29- We left Sunset Cove Marina just before 9:00 am as we had a bridge we had to get through right around the corner from the marina. We have another five locks and we are in Lake Simcoe. We are planning to stop at Starport Marina as Mist had a problem with a vibration and thinks he may have to change a prop. We arrived at the marina at about 2:00 pm and received our slip assignments. Mist stayed on the gas dock as he will be pulled out in the morning and we were just around the corner in the outside slips. We live just around the corner from this marina so I called my sister to come and pick us up. We took Hunter and his things with us so his Mom could pick him up at our house. We opened the house and let things air out a little, turned the water system back on and I proceeded to cut back some of my bushes along side the garage that had become overgrown since we have been away. The next morning Dave got my car out of the garage and  headed into Orillia to get a new licence for my car. While he was gone I spent the day digging out grass that had grown up through our back patio. I washed down the spiders off the front of the house and washed the doorway and windows off. I was taking back my house! When we got back to the marina Mist was back in the water good as new.

We had a bridge just around the corner from the marina

Thorah Island in front of us as we enter Lake Simcoe

Mist crossing Lake Simcoe with us

BOBCAYGEN TO SUNSET COVE

July 27- We left Bobcaygen at 9:00 am on a very warm day. We have a few locks today - Rosedale, Fenlon Falls and Kirkfield. We were quite surprised by the improvements that have been made at Fenlon Falls. They have made a beautiful rock break wall from the lock out to the bridge. When we arrived at Kirkfield Lift lock we saw "Something Special" at the bottom of the lock, but they left before we got down. After Kirfield we entered into a very narrow section of ditch and we did meet two boats coming the other way. It was dicy but we managed to pass each other without incident. It was very hot so we pulled into Sunset Cove Marina for the night.

Leaving Bobcaygen

Coming into Fenelon Falls Lock

Coming up to Rosedale Lock 

Entering the ditch

Mist about to meet someone in the ditch

Coming up to Kirkfield Lift Lock

A view from the tub - Something Special was at the bottom

Mist heading through Hole in the Wall

LAKEFIELD TO BOBCAYGEN

July 25/26- I just want to apologize for just stopping my blog but unfortunately I have been under the weather as of late but I am now on the mend so here goes. We left at 9:00 am the next morning and the others had left before us so we will catch the next lock. We did another six locks today and when we arrived at Bobcaygen the bottom docks were filled so we headed to the top side and fortunately there were two spots left and we quickly grabbed them. We had passed "Chasing 80" and "Not Sew Easy" back at Buckhorn where they were staying for the night. We had a lovely spot with shade trees and picnic tables right outside the boat. We have decided to stay another day here as it is a nice little town. We sat for some time under the trees watching the dogs playing together on the grass but the heat had us tired and draggy so we are calling it a night. The next day Bobbie and I went uptown and browsed through the little shops. They have a huge shoe store here but the prices are crazy and so are some of the clothing stores. We met Dave and Hunter on the street so we all went for a late lunch. As we were heading back to the boats "Chasing 80 and Not Sew Easy were coming through the lock heading on through. We needed some things at the grocery store so Hunter and I headed there and on the way back he and I stopped for some ice cream. Another boat had come in behind us when we got back so we sat talking with them until dinner. The wind is up a little but it is helping to cool things off a little as it has been a very hot day today.

Grama and Hunter resting in front of one of the shops at Bobcagen

Hunter has found a friend

Grampa and Hunter sitting in the shade relaxing

PETERBOROUGH TO LAKEFIELD

July 24- We were off the dock at 8:00 am as we wanted to pump out before we left. We got to the first lock just as the doors were opening. There is a Nordic tug in the lock with us called "Lone Star" of course they are from Texas. We did 6 locks and decided to call it quits at the top of Lakefield lock. We got tied up and sat under the shade trees for awhile. Then three other Loopers arrived and we went to help them in and tied up. Bobbi and I took Hunter uptown to see if we could get some ice cream and sure enough up around the corner we found Kawartha ice cream. On our way back we were greeted by the gang off of "Chasing 80 and Not Sew Easy " walking toward us with their life jackets on. They were on the hunt for the place that you get into the water by the dam and the current takes you right down to the bottom of the lock. They found the place and away they all floated and on the next try they managed to talk Bill and Bobbi into trying it as well. Lakefield was a great spot to stop.

Mist heading into Peterborough Lift Lock

This is Lone Star who we traveled with for awhile

A look out the back of the lock

Holding onto Manana while we lift in the tub

Mist waiting to go into the Lakefield Lock

A couple of the gang floating down the river

Bill and Bobbie gave it a try as well

HASTINGS TO PETERBOROUGH

July 22/23- We left at 9:00 am heading for Peterborough. We had several locks and it was very warm and quite windy. We arrived at the Peterborough Municipal Marina about 2:00 pm. It is a fairly large marina right close to downtown. There is a large park there with a band stand where they have many concerts. We stayed inside the boat as it is stifling hot but we did venture out at 6:00 pm to take Hunter to the show. We only had to walk three blocks but it might as well have been ten in that heat. By the time the show was over and we had had a bite to eat it had cooled slightly so the walk back was a lot easier. The next day was just as warm and we just walked over to a small mall across from the marina. We did a little shopping and then quickly returned to the air conditioning on the boat. There is a concert scheduled for this evening at 8:00 pm and people are already gathering so we are taking Koby for his walk early as a lot of people just freak him out. We received a call from some friends Ralph and Sue Coe and they are on their way over for a visit. They arrived at about 8:30 pm and we sat talking on the aft dock until 12:00 pm. We walked them up to their car and said our goodbyes. It was great to see them again as it has been a long time.

Looking down our dock at Peterborough (very busy port)

Looking down towards downtown from the Marina

Hunter relaxing after a long hot walk

Looking towards the Marina office

Concert if the park tonight right next to the Marina

Friends Ralph and Sue Coe came to visit us

CAMPBELLFORD TO HASTINGS

July 21- There are several boats heading out this morning so we tried to stagger our times so we didn't end up milling around at the locks waiting. We left at 9:00 am and a group had left at 8:30 am and the other group planned to leave at 9:30 am. It worked out well and we did another six locks today. We got to Hastings at 2:00 pm and managed to get tied up on the wall of the lock. Mist and Miss Hattie decided they wanted to go to the marina across from us for the night. My daughter Nicole arrived that evening with our trailer for our dingy so we don't have to tow it through any more locks. She also dropped her son Hunter off with us so he can travel with us back to Orillia. We all went for dinner and then they left for home.

We got tied up at the topside of Hastings lock

A little variety and restaurant across from where we are tied

Our grandson Hunter has come to visit and ride to Orillia 

FRANKFORD TO CAMPBELLFORD

July 19/20- We all (Mist, Miss Hattie and Manana) left at 9:00 am heading for Campbellford today. We have six locks today and it is quite warm. When we got to the docks at Campbellford, two other Looper boats were already there. There was a large lot next to the boats so it was great for the dogs to get out and run around. It is a lovely little town with a bakery and a chocolate outlet (both of which we hit). We like the area so we decided to stay another day.

This is the double lock just before Campbellford

There were a lot of us Loopers in Cambellford at the same time

Bill from Mist standing in front of a Toonie coin

TRENTON TO FRANKFORD

July 18- We left at 9:00 am as we wanted to fuel up before we headed out. Our destination is Frankford. We arrived at the top of the Frankford lock at 3:00 pm. Another boat arrived after us and we sat talking with them for awhile then we walked over the bridge to check out the little town. We had a early dinner at the one and only restaurant and headed back to the boats for the night.

Manana at Frankford

Mist at Frankford

It was a very little town

BELLEVILLE TO TRENTON

July 17- We left the next morning at 9:00 am as Sid wanted to put on fuel. We pulled out and putted along waiting for him. Sid is not going to stop at Trenton with us as he had company to pick up at Frankford. We pulled into the brand new marina called Trent-Port at Trenton and it is beautiful. We have Dave's cousin Cathy and her husband Joe stopping by to see us here today. As soon as we were tied up I ran for the grocery store which was very close and picked up some snacks. I had just gotten back and put things away when they arrived. We sat talking for awhile and then they decided to drive us over to Belleville to have a late lunch. We had a great visit and hope to have them come and visit us aboard Manana when we are back in Georgian Bay. When we got back we went over to Mist to set up our plan for tomorrows departure.

Brand new facility at Trenton

The docks on the left are for transients

Mist leaving Trenton heading up the system