Day 387 – Big Chute, Ontario to Queen’s Cove Marina, Victoria Harbour, Ontario - July 27, 2012

Part of the reason we spent the night at Big Chute Marina was so that we would have a chance to watch some boats go through the marine railway before we went through on Boreas.  So, we walked over to the lock at 8:30am to check things out – unfortunately nothing was going on – there were no boats waiting to make the trip between the Upper Severn River and Gloucester Pool.  We walked around a bit and took pictures and still nothing.  Finally a jet ski approached the lower end of the railway and it was clear they would be coming up.  The carriage headed down the track and we watched the entire process.  It was fascinating, but not quite what we had hoped for – we wanted to see a boat our size.  We were in luck and right after the jet ski finished their ride, a forty foot Tiara headed to the carriage for their ride.  We took more pictures then headed back to Boreas so we could get started on our last section of the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Our ride on the marine railway went just great.  With boats our size, we often go one at a time and ride in the very back of the carriage with the props, shafts and struts hanging off the back of the carriage.  It is really something you have to experience to really understand.  The lock staff here are amazing and they do a great job getting you in and settled and answering any questions you have (yes, the captain had a few questions – the engineer in him needed to know more about how everything worked).

Once we were off the marina railway we completed the rest of the waterway and passed through Lock #45 at Port Severn.  Then it was just a short trip through the Waubaushene Channel to Queen’s Cove Marina.  John and Rita suggested this marina as it is just ten minutes from their cottage and they met us on the dock just after we got tied up.  Then it was off to run some errands – first to the grocery store and then to West Marine.  After we dropped our purchases off on the boat, John and Rita took us to their cottage for dinner (and a chance to do laundry without quarters) and relaxation.  It was another awesome day spent with good friends.
 
            Miles: 14.6      Bridges: 2        Locks: 1          Marine Railway: 1

the carriage that carries the boat over the rails - you can see there are inside
wheels and outside wheels on the carriage - this allows for two sets of rails
that help the carriage stay flat

the rails - if you look carefully you can see the rails at two different heights

the jet ski approaches the carriage

the jet ski is on the carriage and it is beginning to move up the rails

completely out of the water and moving up the hill

over the top of the hill and on the way back into the Upper Severn River

the jet ski leaves the carriage - it is now ready for the next boats

these were the next boats into the carriage

those same two boats headed down to Gloucester Pool

Boreas headed into the carriage

safely in the carriage and heading up over the road before heading down

on the carriage and heading down toward Gloucester Pool

our ride on the rails is done and we are just about to drive out of the carriage

looking out the back of Boreas at the carriage inthe water and the rails
we just traveled down

Georgian Bay is notorious for all the rocks we must navigate around

a fabulous sunset from the porch of John and Rita's cottage