Days 102-107

Thursday-Monday July 30-August 4, 2025

THURSDAY-Trenton to Glen Ross

We got an early start today, heading out just before 9 AM for our journey from Trenton to Glen Ross. Along the way, we passed through seven locks—all of them operated manually. It’s fascinating to watch the lockmasters at work, using hand cranks and levers to open and close the gates. There’s a real sense of history in every turn.

At the final lock of the day, we had a fun surprise. After locking through and tying up, we walked back to help out our buddy boat, Sea Positive with Ken & Linda aboard. The lockmaster let us assist with operating the lock for their arrival—definitely a unique experience!

We’re all tied up on the wall just above the lock for the night. Before settling in, we wandered over to a nearby general store and treated ourselves to some ice cream made by Kawartha Dairy, a beloved local creamery. They had all the classic flavors—and I have to say, it was some of the best ice cream I’ve had in a long time!

FRIDAY – Glen Ross to Campbellford

We cast off just after 8 AM to make it in time for the 9 AM lock opening. It was another lock-filled day—five in total—all of which we shared with our buddy boat Sea Positive and a lone jet skier who kept pace with us most of the way.

Just after the Ranney Falls lock, we took a detour to explore the suspension bridge that spans the gorge. It’s known for offering spectacular views of the falls—but due to the dry summer, the water was barely trickling. Even so, the bridge was impressive and made for a fun stop.

A mile or so later, we arrived in Campbellford, our stop for the night. This charming little town has a cozy feel and plenty to explore right along the waterfront.

Back on the boat, I finally finished my first cushion! Jeff helped me get it all stapled and secured in place—teamwork at its finest.

We headed out for a casual dinner at Tonic & Taps, a local spot with surprisingly good fish and chips. After dinner, we wandered through the park next to our mooring and stumbled upon a giant Loonie sculpture—Canada’s iconic $1 coin, in super-sized form. Definitely a fun photo op!

It was a perfect night for sleeping, with the temperature dipping down into the 50s. Cool, crisp, and peaceful

SATURDAY – Sweet Treats & Swimming on Rice Lake

We kicked off the day with a much-anticipated visit to the famed Dooher’s Bakery—a true Campbellford institution. It’s the kind of place locals rave about and visitors are willing to line up for—and now we know why! Everything looked (and smelled) incredible. We picked up a fresh-baked loaf of sourdough, and Jeff scored some still-warm caramel rolls, along with a few other irresistible goodies.

We had hoped to check out the local cheese shop too, but after a closer look at the map, we realized it was over three miles out of town—not quite walking distance. Oh well, next time!

By around 10:30 AM, we cast off and set our sights on a 6-lock day with plans to anchor out for the night—and maybe sneak in a swim. We made it through five locks and crossed most of Rice Lake, enjoying the wide-open water and warm sunshine.

We eventually found a beautiful anchorage near where the Trent River reconnects with the lake, about two-thirds of the way down. It was quiet, scenic, and just right. We jumped in for a refreshing swim, had an easy dinner on board, and enjoyed a peaceful night under the stars. The kind of evening that reminds us why we’re doing this.

SUNDAY- Eight lock day to Lakefield, ON

We were sad to leave such a gorgeous spot, but we must go on.

Today was a much busier day in the locks than anticipated. We went through 8 locks, one was the Peterborough Lift Lock. It was more like a boat ride in an elevator. And not just any elevator, but one that lifts us 65 feet straight into the sky, using nothing but water and gravity.

As we approached, the structure itself looked like something out of a steampunk novel — massive concrete towers rising from the canal, flanking two enormous water-filled chambers. It’s hard to believe this was built back in 1904 — and even harder to believe it’s still operating using its original hydraulic system, entirely powered by water.

Here’s how it works (and it’s wild): there are two huge pans — think of them like floating bathtubs — each large enough to hold several boats. When we pulled into the lower pan and tied up, another boat entered the upper pan. Then the magic began.

The lock attendants added just one extra foot of water to the upper chamber, making it slightly heavier. That small difference was enough to set the system in motion. Slowly, smoothly, the upper pan began to descend… and with it, we rose — lifted by nothing more than balance and pressure. In about 90 seconds, we were 65 feet higher, looking out over the Peterborough skyline and the canal below.

It’s the highest hydraulic boat lift in the world and was the tallest lock ever built when it opened. Even today, over a century later, it’s a jaw-dropping experience. No motors, no electricity — just elegant, functional engineering.

For a boater, it’s not just a passage — it’s a performance.

We ended our day at the top of Lakefield lock. It was a long busy slow day, especially since it was a 3 day holiday weekend here in Canada. We tied up behind another looper boat we had met in Kingston and had a very low key night enjoying a home cooked meal followed by a walk to the ice cream shop in town. We are thinking of just staying put another night.

MONDAY-work day

We ended up staying an extra night in Lakefield and it worked out perfectly. With several boats leaving in the morning, we were able to back up just enough to hook into shore power. A small luxury that made a big difference!

It turned into a productive day aboard. Jeff finished building the housing around the generator—another big project officially checked off the list! Meanwhile, I dove into the rest of the bottom cushions. Taking them apart was no small task (and let’s just say they were well loved), but I managed to cut all the new foam and get everything prepped for the rebuild.

Of course, no project day is complete without a little mishap…

I was using my super nice new foam-cutting saw—carefully working inside—and everything was going great. That is, until the final piece. As I cut, I thought, “Hmm… this blade must be getting dull.” Turns out, it wasn’t the blade—it was me… cutting through the foam, my area rug, and the fridge power cable. 😳

Thankfully, the blade was fully extended but not dangerously sharp. And even more thankfully, Jeff of all trades came to the rescue! He quickly repaired the fridge wiring, and I managed to patch the rug so well you’d never know it happened. Crisis averted, and we’re still laughing about it.

By late afternoon, the lock wall filled up again—loopers and vacationers alike—and the place was buzzing once more. Oh and the smoke from the wildfires made its way here.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back on the move, recharged, refreshed, and a little more organized than when we arrived.