The Big Chute to Midland

The red line is where we opened up the engines a bit. Wee!

We experienced a genuine squall around 7:30 pm last night. We saw the skies turn dark while sitting on the fly deck, hanging out. On a hunch I took the bimini top down in front. We also moved the boat forward a bit to put it closer to shore (better cleats were on that part of the dock). Within minutes a rockin' wind came up, tossing us and all the other boats around. It didn't last long, but it was intimidating. Rain came soon after. By 10 pm, it was over.

The Big Chute rides like a really slow Disney ride. Kinda bouncy, a little scary, but amazing to do. When you queue up for the passing you tie on a blue line, just like all the other locks. Then they call you, so you may not get to go first, even if you got to the line before everyone else.

We chuted with the Jill Kristy, fellow loopers we met months ago on the Wahoo (wahoo!). They loaded first, and we tucked in behind them. Most boats have keels, or a v-shape to their hulls. The carriage has both slings and pistons that rise from the bottom to hold them in place as they travel. Not us. Since we have a flat bottom, we simply sat on the carriage without help. In other words, we rode the roller coaster without our seat belts.

Out the last lock. #45

Today marked the farewell to the Trent Severn. After The Big Chute there was only one lock, and then you're in the Georgian Bay, back to swollen waters. 

The journey was lovely -- narrow channels that weave their way between rocky island. One of the prettier rides on the waterway.

We're staying a Bay Port Marina, which is more sheltered and newer than the town marina. But it's about a mile from town. So, I'll get to use my brandy-spankin'-new bike!

Just the start of rocky islands here on the Georgian Bay