Trent Port Marina was large and very nice. Everyone was friendly and would stop to talk. But it was nice weather and we were ready to begin to cruise the Trent -Severn Waterway.
We had a big day ahead of us – we wanted to travel through 12 locks and go 38 miles to Campbell Ford.
We started up the canal from Trent and was welcomed by the Trent -Severn Sign on the bridge. There was a number of businesses and such along the way to the first lock.
We reached the first lock early. They do not open until 9AM but we wanted to be first so we could make sure we could complete the days travel plans. The first lock took longer than the other because we needed to purchase a pass for the canal and they did a great job explaining how the canal and lock systems work. The locks are managed by the Canada Park system and the staff are mostly college kids working for the summer. The locks are opened manually which was interesting to watch. One down – 11 more to go.
Lock 2 we were still getting a feel for the technique.
As we followed the canal we noticed that the markers were a bit different. They are taller and since this is a recreational waterway they have placed more than enough so you do not get lost. Signs a a bit different also.
After lock 3 and 4 they all started to look the same. We made pretty good time as we went. The first 6 locks were within the first 5 miles of the canal. We were glad to get a bit of a break between Lock 6 and 7 because there was 6 miles between the locks.
In the longer stretches between locks we got to see some of the country side. Wild life and the houses and docks that people put on the river. We had never seen swans outside a zoo before!
A few more locks (12 total) we reached our destination. Campbell Ford, ON.
Campbell Ford is known for being the home of the person who designed the two dollar Canadian Coin,. They had a wall that you could tie up to and spend the night,
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