Sitting at the Kawartha Coffe Co. this morning having a cup and a muffin with the real motive being to use the free wifi.  There are two other boaters here on their laptops with the same motive.   Coffee and muffin are really good, so not much of a hardship.  Hello to everyone back home!

Trip Day:	119	Latitude:	44°32.23 ' N	Locks Today:	5
Miles Today:	38	Longitude:	078°32.86' W	Locks Total:	69
Total Miles:	2,377	Location:	Lock 32 – Bobcaygeon Village

SUNDAY - JULY 8, 2012 - BOBCAYGEON, ON

Today we witnessed a dramatic change in terrain as we entered Clear Lake and a granite island came into view.  The channel was well marked, but the above-water rock croppings were a  gentle reminder that this area has a non-forgiving rock bottom unlike Sarasota’s sand. 

 

Many of the small granite islands have single homes on them, we assume they use generator power.

We were thankful for a non-eventful passage through the area charted as Hell’s Gate due to the very narrow and winding channel.  

This section of the Kawartha Lakes region was just spectacular with one photo-moment shot after another.

As expected there was a lot of boat traffic on this beautiful Sunday including numerous rental houseboats.  Additionally, many people were enjoying the summer weather along the banks of the lakes picnicking or camping.

Lock 30, named Lovesick after the legend of an Indian boy spurned by an Irish red-headed girl, was unique in that it was located on an island and only accessible by boat.  Lock 31 at Buckhorn, marked our halfway point on the Trent-Severn Waterway.    

We ended our day at Lock 32, Bobcaygeon, which was the busiest lock we have encountered to date.  It is a popular destination for boaters since the town is literally at the lock wall. We are joined by 9 other boats docked at the lock wall for the night.  Downtown, the street lights  are hung with baskets of flowers and the merchants are very welcoming to the boaters. 

 

  Lock 32  was the first lock constructed on the Trent-Severn over 160 years ago and a restored original lock tender’s cottage is on display.  The picturesque setting is completed by a park with a pavilion, benches amongst the trees and picnic tables for all to enjoy.  We cooked dinner on the boat, but sat at one of the tables to eat while neighboring boats were grilling out and interacting with one another and the locals.