R Island: June 15-19, 2016: Young's Point and Buckhorn, Ontario CA

Left at 9:10 to get a free pump out (because we are loopers) and headed for our first of 8 locks (and 15 miles) today. The lock crew must have had a late night because things moved a little slow and it took 40 minutes to complete the process. Next we came to Lock 21 - the Peterborough Lift Lock. The lock was completed in 1904 and is an still appears to be in great shape today. The lock is much like an old fashioned scale with two large pans to hold the boats. With one pan up and the other down, they balance each other. When it is time to lower, or raise, a pan; an extra foot of water is added to the upper pan. This extra weight allows the upper pan to push down and raises the lower pan. The two pans are then locked in place, the extra water let out, the boats come and go, and the process is repeated. It feels like you are riding in a large freight elevator.

Peterborough lift lock with one pan up, the other down.

Looking backward near the top, 65 feet high.

At lock 24, Judie's line got caught between a fender and the lock cable. It popped loose and Judie fell backwards to the deck - unharmed except for a few scratches, but proudly proclaimed " I got the line!" and we continued on. After the first 7 locks we got an hour break and had lunch while cruising past beautiful homes and wilderness. Saw a majestic bald eagle pair and a loon on her nest barely 4" above the lake level. This is beautiful country! We arrived at Young's Point and stayed at the lock wall. Made a quick exit for ice for the coolers, and ice cream for the crew. Returned to the boat for a nap and then dinner.

Next morning it was up and away by 8:15 as we had no locks for about an 1.5 hours (the locks only operate from 10-4 since we are not in the summer season yet). We locked thru our first two locks with a pontoon boat, a small houseboat, and a large houseboat. At the last lock we were spread out a little and went thru by ourselves. We went thru "Hells Gate". a winding narrow passage of about 3 miles where everyone paid close attention to the chart and the buoys. Many, many small islands with cottages or big houses. More crystal clear water and beautiful scenery.

We arrived at Buckhorn Yacht Harbor about 12:30 and immediately met with Luke, the service manager to plan the installation of the new refrigerator. We needed to take one of our doors off the boat to widen the opening: and take doors, shelves and drawers out of the old unit to make removal easier. The replacement went very well and only took a hour and 15 minutes. The crew did scratch the newly finished floor hatch that goes to the engine compartment - but Peter the Owner, contacted a canoe refinishing guy who was able to repair it by Saturday morning. no harm - no foul and great service. We moved to a slip near the gas dock and spent the busy weekend watch boats come and go. We did not want to travel on Sat or Sunday as all the weekend warriors from Toronto show up to have fun. Spent the time polishing bright-work, washing the boat, and writing this blog. Borrowed a truck twice - one time to go to dinner the first night and another the next day to get groceries for our new refrigerator.