Civic Holiday 2011

Having boated in Georgian Bay for more than eight years, we still take every opportunity to visit marinas, watch boaters at launch ramps, and visit some of our favorite locks on the Trent Severn canal system.  During those boating years we often took advantage of the Civic Holiday long weekend to make a trek up the Trent Severn canal system, starting with lock 45 at Port Severn and ending at the Port of Orillia on the South shore of Lake Couchiching.

For the August 2011 Civic Holiday we took a day trip to Orillia followed by a visit to the Couchiching Lock (#42) a few kilometres from the North end of Lake Couchiching.  It certainly brought back a lot of memories.

Some of the prettiest and unique locks are off the "beaten path" and hence many tourists never see them.  An example is the Swift Rapids lock (#43) which is the highest conventional lock on the Trent Severn system and is only accessible by boat.  Another very unique lock is the Big Chute Marine Railway (Lock 44) for which we have included a 2005 photograph.

Port of Orillia facing Southward

Port of Orillia facing Northward

A couple of beautiful hanging pots

The Boardwalk

Hobby Boats

"Hotdog Run"

On the Boardwalk again

Lined up for the Launch Ramp

Lock 42 Sign

Waiting to Enter the Lock

Entering Lock 42

Lock 42 Upper Entrance

In the Lock

Lock 42 Lower Entrance

Big Chute Marine Railway (2005)



Sunset View during Homeward Trip