Tuesday, July 28, 2015

July 26-27, 2015 - The Big Chute


We left Bridge Port Marina at 8:00.  We only had two locks to go through but ended up waiting about an hour at each lock.  A rule of thumb for Loopers is never travel on a weekend and today was a good example of that.  There were weekenders all over the place.  We did enjoy some very beautiful scenery though.  We got to the Big Chute around 3:00, tied up at the free dock, and walked around watching the loading and unloading of boats.  Instead of a regular lock, the Big Chute is a rail car with straps that pulls the boat out of the water and transports it by rail over a hill to the water below.  After dinner, we moved to the blue line (the waiting line for locks) so we could be first in the morning.  Plane 2 Sea and Tumbleweed were behind us.  On Monday morning, everyone got up, got ready, and at a little after 9:00 they called Tumbleweed into the Chute first, and then us.  However, when we got in, they were having electrical issues and we had to back out and go back to the blue line.  Eventually Tumbleweed backed out and rafted to us while we waited for an electrician.  At 2:30 (a mere 5-1/2 hours later) the problem was solved, and we once again were able to enter and take our ride over  the hill to the water below.  It was an absolutely amazing sight.  We then went through our last lock and out into Georgian Bay. After going through 43 locks (2 lift locks and the Big Chute), we were done with the Trent Severn.  It was an absolutely beautiful experience.  We then made our way to Bay Port Marina in Midland around 5:00 and settled in.
Beautiful, clear water 6 feet under the boat

Solid rock walls all along this part of the Trent Severn
(sold rocks under the water too!)

Narrow canals



Busy boating weekend

Wow - this is a deep lock

More rock cliffs

The Big Chute!!

Loading a boat at the bottom



Yeah -- it's our turn to go in!!
(unfortunately our view was blocked by the boat in front of us)




Tumbleweed safely tucked in




We all sat on the bow of the boat for the ride over the hill

Yip - we're completely out of the water

We're the second boat
(thanks Martha from Aunt Aggie for the last 4 pictures)

Going up the hill

Getting ready to go down

Almost there - what a ride!

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