Mer Sea

We left Orillia bright and early in order to have plenty of time to get as far as the Big Chute Marine Railway, where we were booked in a marina for the night. It being a holiday weekend here in Canada, and the height of the short boating season, the waterway is quite crowded, and there’s sometimes a bit of a wait at the locks.

 

“Big Chute Marine Railway??” I hear you ask. “Whatever is that?” Well you might ask. It’s amazing! In order to keep the lamprey eels that live in Georgian Bay out of the Trent Severn and connecting waterways, they have opted not to build a lock, which requires a transfer of water (and anything living therein), but have kept this amazing railway system. A carriage on railroad tracks lowers into the water, the boats drive onto it, get snugged underneath by lift straps, then the carriage lifts out of the water, drives on the tracks across the street (literally, I’m not kidding!) and lowers back into the water on the other side of the street. Then the boats are floated off and they drive away. It’s absolutely amazing!

 

Of course, we wanted some time to watch the whole process from various vantage points on land before having to do it ourselves – it’s the kind of thing that can make you a bit anxious! So we made it to the Big Chute in plenty of time to do that, and while we were watching a load of boats there were suddenly sparks flying like mad and the carriage stopped – with the boats on it! There was mad rushing around to cut the power, Parks Service guys running around with fire extinguishers, and then all was still. There those boats were, stuck in limbo!

 

Fortunately for all concerned, they were able to lower the carriage back into the water and float off the boats that had been loaded, and they went back to the “blue line”, where one waits for the next lockage or whatever (in this case). An electrician was called in, and he left his pig roast (this was a holiday weekend) and came over and was able to fix the thing. Apparently there had been something started during the massive summer storms the other night, and the job had just finished itself with those poor unfortunates (or should I say fortunates?) aboard. They finally had it fixed and took one load of boats in each direction at about 9:00 at night before putting it all to bed for the night.

 

Our plan was to get going as early as possible the next day to get to Penetanguishene for our rendezvous with Dad and Joy. We got up early, as usual, and Roy noticed that there was a big empty spot on the “blue line”, right at the front, where we could fit. We hustled and got ourselves over there well before the chute opened at 8:30. I was a bit concerned about the appearance of butting in line, but the Parks Canada guys took care of that when they got there. They try really hard to take people in groups in the order they’ve gotten in line, so they asked a couple of questions over the loudspeaker to determine what that order was, and put us in the second load of boats to go over.

 

Those guys are really professional! They direct you in exactly to where they want you, and are so calm and clear in their instructions, and so helpful, it went like a snap! The next thing we knew we were headed over the road, and being lowered down to the river below! It was really amazing! I sat on the bow and took photos as we made the short (maybe 10 minutes) trip. Look for photos in an album coming soon!

 

We were lowered into the water and floated off the carriage, and off we went to Port Severn and beyond, to Georgian Bay! Georgian Bay is rocky both above and below the water, which makes for dramatic scenery and treacherous going should you run aground. It is supposedly well-marked, you just have to make sure you’re lined up properly in the channel, and take your time and watch your charts! We both have a bit of trepidation about this part of the trip, but I think we’re both really excited about the gorgeous cruising this body of water offers.

 

On our way to Penetanguishene, after the last lock at Port Severn, Roy asked me to check the exit holes while he operated the bilge pumps. Lo and behold, there was a lot of water pouring out! I looked in the engine room to find about 10 inches of water in the bilge! This time we knew to turn off the fresh water pump, (we assumed that it was the fresh water line that had come unclamped again), and Roy operated the pumps manually for a bit, then we put together the extra bilge pump setup that he’d rigged for just such an occasion, and were able to pump out most of the water with that. And no more was coming in, so this confirmed our suspicion about the cause.

 

Well, all’s well that ends well, but we’d had way too much excitement for one day! We were so happy to find our way to this marina in Penetang, where we fueled up and pumped out. This is one of the finest marinas we’ve encountered anywhere! The owners and managers both live on site, are wonderfully friendly and helpful, and all the staff is well-trained and polite and helpful. If you have to find yourself staying somewhere waiting for a repair, this is definitely the place to do it!

 

The next morning I took my bike into town to do some grocery shopping and to locate Dad and Joy’s Bed and Breakfast inn. Dad and Joy got here around lunch time, and we had a fun time catching up as we had a picnic sort of lunch on Mer Sea. We all drove over to the Bed and Breakfast and Dad and Joy got squared away there, then we did a bit of touring around in the car. We ended up back at Mer Sea for cocktails, then went to “Henry’s South”, one of two famous “fish and chips” restaurants here on Georgian Bay. There was quite a line to get in, but it moved along, and we were seated within 45 minutes.

 

The meal got mixed reviews, but I can say that my pan-fried pickerel was delicious! At any rate, it was one of those touristy things you have to do if you’re here! Now Roy and I don’t have to stop on our way at the other one on Frying Pan Island, as we’ve done the deal! We headed back to Mer Sea to drop us off, and Dad and Joy headed to their B & B.

 

We were hoping that the wind would calm down a bit on Tuesday so that we could take a ride and show Dad and Joy a bit of what Georgian Bay is like. Fortunately, there was a marked improvement in the weather, so off we went to anchor out at Beausoleil Island, and possibly take the dinghy from there to Honey Harbor for ice cream! We had a lovely ride to the anchorage – it was breezy without being rough – and we anchored in a perfect spot (except for the weeds…). We had lunch, then decided to launch the dinghy and go get ice cream.

 

The weather prediction was for the wind to decrease as the afternoon wore on, but someone forgot to send a memo to the one in charge of such things! The wind seemed to increase as we pulled into Honey Harbor, about a 40 minute ride on the dink. It had been very pleasant, but was somewhat less so once that wind picked up! The good news is that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and although it wasn’t hot, by any means, the sun kept it from being uncomfortable, even with the wind.

 

We had a fun time in Honey Harbor, where Roy found some lures that he’d been looking for, and the rest of us had some great ice cream! The ride back to Mer Sea was considerably rougher than coming over had been, and poor Dad, sitting in the bow on the pontoon, took the brunt of it, because of the wind direction. Poor guy was absolutely soaked! Roy finally had him sit down on the bench seat with Joy, but at some point during the ride, each of us got some full-on wash from the waves. I even got out the little pump bailer and pumped out the water a couple of times – we were taking that much splash! It wasn’t unsafe, and we were all having fun, but it wasn’t exactly the ride I’d have chosen to give my parents!

 

We got back to Mer Sea and then began the arduous process of raising the anchor through the weeds. Roy seems to have developed a technique that I lack, so I pilot the boat while he does his thing with the boat hook. It was slow, but we worked together and got it done. Meanwhile, everyone had put on something dry, and we were at least all toasty warm. The ride back was quick and easy.

 

We all worked together assemble a delicious meal for dinner, with Dad grilling the chicken, ably assisted by Roy, and Joy and I tending to the veggies. It was fun and yummy, and great camaraderie. Delicious wild blueberries, brought as a gift by Dad and Joy, made a fine dessert, and we were all feeling fat and happy!

 

Now Dad and Joy have left, and we’re waiting for the generator repair. I’m perusing the float plan to anticipate the changes I might make so that we don’t get too far behind, without missing anything either. A delicate balance. I’ll of course be better able to do the job as soon as I know exactly when the repair will be taking place. Stay tuned for that part of the story!