THORAH, ONTARIO TO SEVERN FALLS, ONTARIO

Friday, July 24th, 2015

Day 354

Miles Traveled: 47

Total Miles Traveled: 5325

  We had a very short trip to the next lock, less than 1/2 mile.  We were the first to lock through.  Several lakes were part of our journey this day.  The first was Lake Simcoe.  This is the largest lake on the Trent Severn Waterway at 20 miles long and 16 miles wide.  We choose today to cross this lake because the wind was predicted to be light.  On a very windy day, this lake has been known to have 8 foot waves.  We only experienced waves about one foot.

Lake Simcoe

  We also traveled across Lake Couchiching and Sparrow Lake.  Again there were many islands with homes and cottages built among the rocks.  Hopefully, there was not a cottage on this island.

How sad, a sunken island

  In addition to the larger lakes, we also traveled through some narrow and winding cuts - Sparrow Lake Chute and McDonald's Cut.  We held our breath hoping not to have to pass a boat coming from the other direction.

Sparrow Lake Chute

  Our last lock of the day was the deepest lock on the Trent Severn Waterway - Lock #43 Swift Rapids.  This locked dropped us 47 feet.  At the bottom we got some much needed shade from the sunny day.

Trent Severn Lock #43 Swift Rapids
largest lift/drop on Trent Severn Waterway

  Our stop for the day was not at a lock wall or at a marina.  At the second lock of the day, some local boaters gave us a tip about a restaurant with great docks that even had power.  We were told the food was good and the butter tarts were the best around.  We called and were pleased to hear that they had space available for the evening.  The restaurant was called The Waubic Inn.  It is a family owned business and has been in operation since 1913.

The Waubic Inn

  We were not disappointed.  The fish and chips were great and the butter tart was the best so far. We also enjoyed a delicious turtle tart.  This place was an excellent find.  It is always good to get local knowledge.