Trent Severn, Orillia, ON - made it through Lake Simcoe!

Lake Simcoe is the largest lake along the Trent Severn. The Lake is shallow and can become nasty in a short time. Our friends Pete and Anna Gulick on Blue Yonder are known as the Simcoe Kids for crossing on a bad day.  We had heard the story and we paid attention, but we were lucky and had a perfect day for our crossing.

Lake Simcoe. As you can see, we had a picture perfect day.

At each Lock cards and stickers are distributed. Most of the time we remember. Jim has found we are missing a few cards. Birds, plants and other Canadian "things"....on the cards.

Shallow and narrow channel. Good place for a fisherman.

Grass growing next to a buoy usually means......trouble!  Perhaps this seagull is there to tell us.

Lots of farms and farm animals. Guess they don't want us to see their faces.

Strangest thing...when there are only two geese, they do exactly the same things. It is like a dance!

Wild Tiger Lillies.

Swing automobile bridge as we enter Lake Simcoe. Only opens hours of the Locks, which means you are "stuck" behind it early in the morning until 830AM.

The Canadian Park System has attractive uniforms, including hats and socks. This employee has his own idea of what should be "lock attire". 

Water flow is controlled by this valve. The lock master controls the turbulence by opening or closing the valve. When there are many boats, the water enters or leaves the chamber more slowly to help those in the lock keep control of their boats.

Cottages come in all sizes and shapes, but many cottages have a Canadian flag. A great sense of national pride is evident.

Many of the Lockmasters take great pride in their flower beds. Just beautiful.

For the first time, we experienced a waterfall over the top of the lock wall as we locked down. Something isn't working just right.

After 5 locks and extremely shallow waters along the canal,  plus the trip across Lake Simcoe, we arrived at Port of Orillia. After mooring on the lock wall, it is a pleasure to plug in, enjoy air conditioning and not worry about turning on the generator. When moored on the lock wall, we try to run the generator 3 hours two times a day. When we arrived, we found Pilgrim, Tourist and Coconuts. Seems like we run into Loopers we know at many marinas.

Well maintained Victorian homes abound in Orillia, ON.

Downtown Orillia

Off to the supermarket and LCBO and a ride around town on our bikes. Beautiful Victorian homes and a hilly charming downtown. Our thighs got a workout and we enjoyed the ride.  Later we once again chose a Brew Pub and enjoyed dinner with Greg and Kate.  The four decided today was a near perfect day.

Another great meal with Greg and Kate.