End of the Trent Severn

August 8

Trent Severn, Finally

So I missed something really important in my last post.  I wrote about how beautiful and wonderful the Trent Severn was....and it was.  But in my joy, I neglected (or perhaps it was PTSD memory loss) to mention the canals.

There were two 10+mile canals that were so narrow that I could see rocks in the water within 5 feet of each side of the boat.  THEN, we met not one but 6 boats coming at us.  The dance to get around each other without bumping was the definition of STRESS! We had to call Securite to coordinate passing with all these boats.  It was challenging to hold station in a narrow canal to let them pass but it worked with the skills of Aubrey, our able captain.  Admiral Terri was lookout. 

I am going to make these pictures big so you can see just how intense this was:

Other than that, it was a blast!!!

So we left Orillia, a simply GREAT town with a huge bakery (yum), and headed to the infamous BIG CHUTE. But, before we get to that, I have to talk about this section of the Trent Severn.  It might be the prettiest segment yet.  Rather than a bunch of still pics,  look at this quick video.  It might do a better job capturing the beauty of this place.  Do yourself a favor and expand it to full screen. 

Now to the Big Chute.  So what is it.  Here is the Wiki explanation:

Big Chute Marine Railway is a patent slip at lock 44 (in the township of Georgian Bay) of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada. It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet (18 m). It is the only marine railway (or canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America still in use, and is overseen by federally operated Parks Canada. This railway is vital for those cruising the 6,000-mile (9,700 km) Great Loop route.

In 1914, contracts were let to have 3 locks built to connect the Severn River to Georgian Bay at Port Severn, Big Chute, and Swift Rapids. With the start of World War I, however, there was a shortage of manpower and resources. Lock 45 at Port Severn was nearing completion, so it was finished as a small, "temporary" lock. (It remains in use to this day.) The locks at Big Chute and Swift Rapids were not completed, with "temporary" marine railways being built instead. The original Big Chute Marine Railway was completed in 1917, and could only carry boats up to 35 feet (10.67 m) long, preventing navigation by large commercial vessels. The Swift Rapids Marine Railway was completed in 1919, using the same plans as the Big Chute railway.

In 1921, plans were once again made to build three locks at Big Chute, to be part of a new section of canal which would take boats from Big Chute and rejoin the existing waterway downstream from the Little Chute, avoiding the fast water in the Little Chute. However because of the post-war recession the scheme was put on hold once more, although remains of the beginning of the dams required to maintain the water levels can still be found in the surrounding forest. In 1923, the original railway at Big Chute was replaced, as the size and number of boats had increased, with the second carriage being able to carry boats up to 60 feet (18.29 m) long. The 1923 carriage was used up until around 2003, on days of extremely heavy traffic, or as a backup for the new carriage. Although the old carriage is no longer used, it remains on display.

In the 1960s, surveys of the area were done yet again. The old, outdated Swift Rapids Marine Railway was replaced with a single conventional lock in 1964, and plans were made for a single lock at Big Chute.

Before construction began the sea lamprey, which had been devastating the fishing industry in the Great Lakes, was found in Gloucester Pool—at the bottom of the railway—and plans were put on hold. Several impractical ideas were suggested, but no practical solution could be found. By the end of the 1960s, the old marine railway could not keep up with the amount of boating traffic in the area. Long lines formed at either end of the railway, with waits often being overnight. Research was done to find a way to prevent the migration of the sea lamprey into Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, while still effectively increasing the flow of traffic. A biologist sat at the bottom of the railway for days, checking the bottom of boats that locked through, and finally saw a lamprey attached to the bottom of a boat. The lamprey fell off after less than 6 meters, so the railway was determined to be effective at preventing the sea lamprey's migration. In 1976, it was finally decided that a new, enlarged railway would be built. The current carriage was opened to the public in 1978, and can carry a boat up to 100 feet (30.48 m) long and 24 feet (7.32 m) beam.[1] It cost $3 million to build.

Blaaa blaaaa blaaa...What does that mean? 

Basically, it is a marine train that picks up the boats and carries them across land and then places it back in the water.  It is incredibly cool!  

                        (Fellow Looper on Big Chute)            (View from Shorebilly Too on Big Chute)

Here is a super time lapse of the Shorebilly going over the Big Chute.  The actual trip takes about 6 minutes but this video is ~25 seconds. Yes, we stayed on the boat.. It was one of the coolest experiences we  have ever done.  We are the tan boat in the back. 

For those that really want to see it in action, I put the drone in the air and took some regular speed videos.  These take about 5 minutes to watch.  There is no sound.

     

Once on the other side, it was back to boring old stunningly beautiful cruising.  And thus, we made it to Port Severn, the end of the Trent Severn waterway.  Tons of gorgeous cottages and clear green water. Weather turned so we have been held up here for a few days giving us time to explore.  We found some of the oddest things ... like a TIME MACHINE!  (Notice the propeller in the back is a clock).

Or even more strange, A WORKING PHONE BOOTH!  (Micaela, please explain to your kids that this is not just a place for Superman to change clothes.) 

Or perhaps the most strange, how about a Pizza Vending machine.  Yes, put your money in 24/7 and wait 3 mins and out pops a pizza hot and fresh.  You can't make this stuff up!  The snowmobilers love it for easy in/out in the winter.  (George, I think you need one of these at your house!)

Met an incredibly kind gentleman who turned out to be a legend in motorcycle sport racing.  He is in the Canadian racing Hall of Fame.  He gave us his charts and shared tips on the Georgian Bay.  Tomorrow we head to the Georgian Bay.  As amazing as this all has been, the next two segments (Georgian Bay and North Channel) are supposed to be even better!  We can't wait!

Take care 

With Love,

Terri and Aubrey

(PS, Someone had a birthday today!!!)