Lock Wall at Lake Simcoe to Lock 42 Couchiching

Date               August 2, 2011

Day                35

Departure     Lock Wall at Lake Simcoe 6:35 am

Arrival          Lock Wall at Lock 42 Couchiching 2:00 pm

Miles               27

Cumulative  798.5

We got an early start today and the crossing of Lake Simcoe was uneventful.  A short (two-hour) reprovisioning stop was made in Orillia (we were told they have the BEST cinnamon rolls there!).  While Bob did chores on the boat, Lynda, Ken and Pinky (from BraveHeart) went into town.  First stop was the bakery and then on to the grocery store.  Getting to and off the dock in Orillia was a bit tricky due to the weeds and the skinny (shallow) water.  The mud churned up making the water look like a frozen mudslide cocktail!!  After we got underway, the next obstacle was a railroad swing bridge.  Normally, you call the bridge operator to request an opening.  This bridge does not have a radio, you need to blow your horn!  After a short wait, the bridge operator left his station on land, walked across the railroad bridge, climbed the stairs to the operator’s station on the bridge and fired up the engine to open the bridge.  Slowly the bridge began to swing open and we were on our way again.  Our plan was to stay the night at the top of Lock 42, as Skipper Bob writes that due to a “bridge virtually overhead of the moorings below the lock it is very noisy at night”.  However, when we arrived, we found only enough space at the top for one boat, so we went to the wall below the lock and BraveHeart stayed at the top.  We were very glad to have found space as this is a very busy lock.  Many boaters make the trip from Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay for the holiday and return.  Our night was very peaceful and the “noisy bridge” was not noisy at all.

Ken (BraveHeart) crossing Lock 42 (noisy bridge above his head)

Erika Lin at the bottom of Lock 42 in the shade

Lock 42 Couchiching, very full!