Day 38 July 28, 2022

Day 38 Thursday July 28, 2022

Starport Marina, Port Severn to Midland Harbor Town Dock. 

We fueled at Starport at $2.45/liter, 230 liters.  We considered getting a pump out but thought twice when the marina quoted $55.00!! We’ll wait until it's more important……

Lock 45 Port Severn is the LAST lock on the Trent Severen, another milestone.  It is also the smallest lock, only 23 feet wide so it was a TIGHT squeeze with Tug Bussle, a See doo, an 18 footer and us.  Only a 14 foot drop but it was a struggle to keep our stern from hitting the boat beside us.  Stressful.

We are off to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay!  We hope to spend some time exploring some of the anchorages and enjoying the picturesque scenery.  And avoid hitting granite in the narrow channels.

We crossed Lake Huron to Midland Bay after cruising through some narrow spots.  Potato Channel has two 90 degree turns with limited visibility.  The narrow channel makes it difficult for 2 boats to pass by each other.  It is recommended that you radio a “Securite” bulletin announcing your entry and travel direction to warn oncoming boats.  We actually met 2 boats but were far enough from the channel that we could see them. 

I’m guessing the channel got it’s name from the rocks sticking out of the water that look like potatoes.  No mashed potatoes today….

Weather started to build as we continued our crossing with wind and a storm brewing.  We picked up speed but didn’t make it before the sky opened up.  Driving rain, wind and fog 40 minutes before we docked.  We successfully docked with the help of Russ and 2 dock hands.  Thirty minutes later the storm was over and there was sunshine the rest of the day.  Timing is everything....

Dried off, we walked to the Honoria Museum with Janet and Russ.  We learned about the indigenous peoples of the area, how they lived and the European influence on them.  Samuel de Champlain admired them and worked to partner with them in trade.  We also toured a replica of a Wendat village complete with a longhouse, wigwam, sweat lodge, Shaman’s lodge and burial rack.  The Wendats were a confederacy of 4 separate nations.

Midland is known for its murals.

  Back at the boats we joined Janet and Russ for cocktails, dinner at the Boat House Eatery, and then a nightcap.  Boaters do a lot of socializing.

One of the toughest parts of the day is planning for the next day -- possible destinations, possible routes and the WEATHER.  If it’s a weekend there is additional stress due to recreational boaters.

This is a Canadian holiday weekend…………………