Trent-Severn Waterway
Here is our route from Keewayden State Park to the Trent Severn Waterway, Locks 1 through 35 to Rosedale, Ontario. The Trent Severn Waterway consists of 45 locks.
Tuesday, July 23. We left early and were greeted with calm, quiet water. There are many cottages and RVs along the Trent-Severn most have the Canadian Flag out front. Alot of folks wave and ask us where we are from—it’s a very friendly waterway. When traveling through communities the speed limit is 10km = 5.2knots so its easy to say hello when the channels are narrow.
This is a double lock—Locks 11 & 12. A bit intimidating —especially when your imagination runs into full swing thinking what if the doors suddenly open. 😮
The town of Campbellford’s giant $2 coin right by the dockwall.
The Royal Canadian Mint proclaimed Campbellford “The Home of the Two Dollar Coin” in 1997. The most famous bear in Canada, the one stamped on toonie, was named after turning 21 in 2017—his name is Churchill. Loonies are $1 coins and Toonies $2.
We walked to the World’s Finest Chocolate Factory and took advantage of the buy 1 get 2 free bag sale. Campbellford Ontario has been home to the Canadian Head Office of World's Finest Chocolate Canada company since 1958.
More info from Wikipedia, because I was curious, as most of us have purchased a bar from a young person selling them for a school or team fundraiser.
World's Finest Chocolate was founded under the name Cook Chocolate Company by Edmond Opler Sr. in 1939. He started the division that produced chocolate bars for fundraising in 1949 and called it "World's Finest Chocolate".
We liked Campbellford—not pictured are the butter tarts and bagels purchased from the Doorhy Bakery—actually famous for their donuts but they had a sign saying they were sold out. Bummer. A fellow looper described butter tarts as small pecan pies without the pecans.
Dinner was at the Capers Tap House that showed it was closed but they set up a BBQ outside anyway. We met two sets of loopers and had delicious burgers and wings.
This was our spot at the Old Mill Park-Campbellford Town Dock.
Wednesday, July 24. We left early to arrive at lock 13 before they opened. We pulled up the the blue wall which signals our intent to lock through the next opening. The lockmaster matched us up with one of the larger boats and we locked through with them for six locks. We pulled up to dock just above lock 18 and stayed the night. Oddly, no photos this day—we traveled 18NM and went through 6 locks.
Thursday, July 25. We left early for lock 19. This involved crossing Rice Lake which was choppy and would continue to get choppier as the wind picked up. Once we entered the Otanabee River the water was calm. Our destination was to dock below lock 20 in Ashburnham 33NM away.
Our spot below lock 20 across from Terrie and Richard (Avalon). This spot fills up so we felt lucky that a spot opened up just before we arrived.
We rode our bikes up to lock 21 to the famous Peterborough Lift Lock—we wanted to check it out before going up Friday.
The Peterborough Lock was constructed 1896-1904. Superintendent R.B. Rogers advocated a hydraulic lift lock to overcome the 65-foot change in elevation at this site. After examining lift locks in England and Europe, he supervised the 8-year process to construct the walls and towers and erect the metal tubs on steel rams. Built mainly by Canadian companies, it remains a world-class engineering feat and is a National Historic Site of Canada.
We read that Parks Canada places two red Adirondack chairs in peaceful, breathtaking locations from coast to coast to coast. These chairs were at the top of the Peterborough lock.
Friday, July 26. Here is our view as we entered Peterborough Lock.
We will lift up 65’.
Almost to the top.
Our view behind us.
And we’re off!
We cruised by Trent University. There are several buildings right on the water. Very pretty setting.
We locked through 6 locks and only traveled 8NM. It was hot. This is our spot for the night at the Lakeside upper wall. It was a short walk to ice cream.
Saturday, July 27. We left early with Avalon and arrived at lock 27 before it opened.
Very scenic cruise. Love this church on a rock.
I see a winner of the segulls king of the rock game.
What a setting for paddlers and kayakers.
The homes built on rocks never get old.
This part of the Trent Severn is popular for house boats. Looks like alot of fun.
As we entered one of the highlights on the Trent Severn - the town of Bobcaygeon the canal had many similar homes. Imagine all the boats, wave runners, kayaks, paddle boards darting in and out as we came into this narrow channel.
We stayed at Gordon’s Yacht Harbor right by the row of houseboats that are rented out for vacationers. This is below lock 32—we lock through 27, 28, there is no 29, 30 & 31 traveling 34NM.
Bobcaygeon was a fun spot. They are famous for Bigley Shoes and Clothing stores as well as many cute little shops. Its a very picturesque town. We enjoyed drinks and appetizers with Katie & Darryl (Bella Remore)—we met them a few days prior as we rafted to their boat on lock 1 - 6. We stopped at Bigley’s Ice Cream shop after—-of course!
It was nice to be at a marina to refill water, pump out and Darth cleaned the cockpit flooring. For a small boat—there are always chores to keep it up.
Sunday, July 28. Bobcaygeon is also home to the Kawartha Dairy known for the ice cream I keep talking about. We did not buy shoes or clothing from a Bigley store in town but we did walk to buy a t-shirt from the dairy.
We walked by the lock we would go through—this is the lock house above the lock.
This is the Fenelon Falls lock 34—we could not find a spot and actually were not disappointed—too busy.
And I forgot to mention the pontoon boats. There were three boys and an adult presumedly their dad jumping off the end of the bridge. Seriously—what could go wrong?
Our spot above Rosedale lock 35. By far one of our favorite spots so far on the T-S.
We have 10 locks to go on the Trent Severn. Up ahead is the Big Chute lock 44.
This was on a telephone pole on our walk. ❤️