Great Loop: Kingston to Campbellford

-



Beth Meets Ollie on the Good Ship Pivot

After completing our re-provisioning in Trenton, we awoke to marginal weather and the need to make a Go, No-Go travel decision.  Severe Thunderstorms were forecast, with high winds.  We studied the weather data and interpreted that the weather would pass north of our route.  So we cast off at 8:30am to be at the first lock for it’s 9am opening.


This sign, in Trenton, designates the start of the Trent-Severn Waterway


When we got to the lock, we could see that we were the sixth boat in line and would be in the second group to lock through.  At the last minute, a boat in the first group asked to swap with us so they could travel with their friends in the second group.  This kind, simple act, set us up for a very easy travel day.  Being in the first group means the lock masters will call ahead and subsequent locks will have their gates open as you approach.  This expedites travel greatly. 


We motored into the locks as the doors were open when we approached



The "Canadian Shield" rock  was just below the surface of the forest



Storm Clouds threatened throughout the day, but never delivered

Our ad-hoc interpretation of the weather played out and the storm moved north of our position.  All our travelling companions stopped at lock 6.  So, we travelled solo to Campbellford at lock 13!  What started as a potentially very nasty day, was transformed into one of our most pleasant cruising days.  While the sky remained overcast, the winds were light and the temperatures cool.  Lock doors were open and waiting for us as the lock masters communicated forward to let their colleagues know we were on our way.


The last lock prior to entering Campbellford
We were the only vessel in the lock
This was a double lock, two chambers, in order to achieve the desired lift height



The pilings of an abandoned railroad bridge signal we are entering Campbellford



We tied to the city wall for the night



Homes in Campbellford lined the shore



Amy Marie tied to the city wall


Campbellford's City Hall

In Campbellford, we re-united with Loopers we had not seen in months.  To catch up we went to dinner at Capers Restaurant.  We were amazed at the quality of the food.  It was terrific!  We had Mongolian Beef Stroganoff and a very tasty chocolate dessert. Both were 10’s!

There is also a gas station, very close to the city wall where we docked Amy Marie, at which  they fill propane bottles.  This is often a difficult service to find.  So if you have a bottle that needs to be filled - this is a good spot to do so.

Evidently, the storm hit after we went to bed.  It was fairly intense with much lightning.  We found, the next morning, that power was out in town for much of the night.  We slept through the storm, snug in our bed on Amy Marie.

Beth and I were also fortunate to meet the crew of Pivot, Elliot, Jen and Ollie.  We have been following their excellent YouTube series on their Loop Trip.  By all means check it out!  It is filled with tons of good information on Looping and the Looper lifestyle.  You'll find answers to any questions.

__________________________________________________

Berthing Information

  • We stayed on the city wall in Campbellford
  • It is known as the "Old Mill Park/Campbellford Town Dock"
  • https://www.visittrenthills.ca/bookings/
  • Phone: 705-653-1551
  • Propane bottles can be filled at a nearby gas station!
__________________________________________________

Trip Log

Note:  Each one of the red "time stamps" on the map is a lock.  We have to shut the engine off while in the lock.  Stopping the engine creates a "time stamp".





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summer 2024: Amy Marie Returns to the Pacific Northwest

-
Image
Kingston Washington Waterfront The majestic terrain and contrast of mountains, forests, and water have lured us back to the Pacific Northwest for another summer of cruising.  It is simultaneously peaceful and powerful.  It is the essence of harmony until a storm arrives and then it is the chaos and fury of wind, rain, and tumultuous seas.  All attract us to visit.  We are outdoor people and spend as much time as possible outside.  However nothing, with the exception of backpacking, has ever brought us continuously closer to nature than boating the PNW.   It's second virtue is it ability to slow and focus your life.  The stress of city living melts away as soon as we splash the boat.  The many competing electronic connections of our overly intrusive push communication world are put on hold.  It is such a relief.  Have we perhaps overdone it?  Instead the focus is on weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, winds, provisioning, anchorages, whales, birds, bears, eagles, minks, otters
Read more

Amy Marie Visits: The Day the Diesel Died...

-
Image
Every boater dreads the day their trusty diesel quits singing its sweet tune.  We experienced this once before in a boat with twin diesels.  Much less drama as you can easily travel on a single engine.  Amy Marie is equipped with one diesel, any unexpected stoppage is cause for concern.  Especially when you are in the middle of a bay in Desolation Sound with eight hundred feet of water under the keel.  You can't just drop the anchor and begin troubleshooting.  You drift at the whim of the currents and wind. Once a diesel is running, only one thing will cause it to cease operation.  That is the lack of fuel.  Combustion occurs as the piston compresses air to a temperature sufficient to ignite the diesel fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber.  Our task was to discover why the engine was experiencing fuel starvation.  The most common reason is contaminated fuel which can cause fuel filters to become clogged and prevent fuel from reaching the engine.  We changed the fuel fi
Read more

August PNW Cruise: Hood Canal to Alderbrook

-
Image
In 1792, George Vancouver, British Royal Navy,  ventured into Hood Canal in longboats. He left his ships, the  Discovery  and  Chatham , in nearby Port Townsend. Vancouver and his crew journeyed as far as the mouth of the Skokomish River, near the present day town of Union, where Menzies, his botanist, was amazed by the rich vegetation as well as the natural beauty of the area. He wrote in his journal, “here the arm was hemmed in by lofty Mountains on one side and low flat country of considerable extent on the other.” We also have been captivated by the beauty of Hood Canal.  There are no large towns, so it looks much the same today as it did when initially explored.  Its beauty continues to be defined by the clear blue skies, blue water and lush green forests descending all the way to the water.  The Fjord, which is often more than 500 feet deep, separates the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic  Peninsula.  The towering mountains of the Olympic Range dominate the skyline to the west. 
Read more