Perry Reach, Lock 8
Eight locks today which was probably one lock too many. Last year we tried to limit ourselves to a maximum of six locks per day which seems about right. It was really hot and took a lot of effort running up and down and managing the lines but we survived.
One difference compared to last year was that we were the only boat going up in the locks so once we got going in Lock 1, the lock keepers called ahead and Locks 2 - 6 were all open waiting for us. when we got there. This was a dream scenario for locking because no other boats had to get tied off in the lock, so we were all the way through Lock 6 in a little less than 2 ½ hours which is generally fast. We had a bit of a wait at Lock 7 because other boats were coming down, and once we were through Lock 7 we had another hour and a half to Lock 8 , which we decided after the fact, was one too many for the day. By the time we got to Lock 8, our fun meter was pegged and we were beat. We slogged through nonetheless, and stopped at the top of Lock 8. No more than six locks a day from now on - assuming we can control it and can find a reasonable place to stop. Some days will be dictated by the lock hours, which weekdays until June 19, are 10:00 - 3:30. so you have to ensure we have time to get through the locks to your destination.
As usual, the Lock 7 lock keeper, Janice, keeps her garden in gorgeous condition. You can see it on the hill in one of the photos. We stayed on “her lock” last summer twice and enjoyed it both times because our boat was situated under a beautiful weeping willow and right next to a little general store that served the famous Canadian Karwathia ice cream we became so addicted to last year. For our health, it’s probably a good thing we didn’t stop there again this year
Another photo shows the reason for the locks. The dams along the Trent Severn are used for flood management and some of them also produce electrical power. Since you can’t take a boat up (or down) a dam, you get to lock instead. Some of the locks also bypass waterfalls. The canals and locks were dug and built to go around the falls.
Ann is shown holding the bow line which is wrapped around the 3/4” cable attached to the lock wall. We are about half way up the first lock here, and you can see the shade change on the gate where the water stops. The lock keeper opens the gates and away we go. Will also holds a stern line as they like you to be attached at two places to maintain control of the boat.
Perry Reach, Lock 8 is a nice stop. After we went through the lock we tied up in the shade of several large Canadian Maples. The shade was nice but the breeze stopped, the water was like glass and the humidity felt like Virginia in the summer.
The highlight of the evening was the four families of Canadian Geese that were swimming and waddling near by in perfect view. The goslings had no wing feathers and the parents were watching them very carefully. We learned the mom and dad watch their babies very carefully (usually 5 to 6 goslings per couple, and often team up with other goose families and ban together to make sure their young don’t get attached by predators. Apparently snapping turtles, bald eagles and raccoons are the biggest threats to their young. We had a great time watching them, and took some great pictures.
