The Querrey's QUEST: 8/19/2010 PORTAGE LOCK 39 TO SWIFT RAPIDS LOCK 43

JUSTIN AND SCOTT

Another stunning morning as we made the lock down of Portage Lock 39 with Scott and Justin and their boat. Quickly, we traveled the .4 miles to Torah Lock 40 then the .8 miles to Gamebridge Lock 41. This area is rich with farms populating both sides of the narrow channel. After locking down lock 41 we pulled over to let another large boat pass us to enter and lock down. It would have been a tight fit for the two boats in the narrow channel. Next we had to creep by a wide maintenance barge dredging the canal.

THORAH LOCK 40

PARK CANADA STAFF TRAVELING BETWEEN

THE CLOSELY PLACED LOCKS 39, 40 AND 41

GAMEBRIDGE LOCK 41

SCOTT AND JUSTIN READYING TO LOCK DOWN

PASTORAL VISIONS

RED BARNS

DREDGE BARGE SMACK, DAB IN THE MIDDLE

OF THE NARROW CHANNEL

PLENTY OF ROOM!!?

We exited the slight channel, entered Lake Simco and began our 26 mile journey to the next lock. By now the wind had picked up and the lake was rough and choppy but it was no problem for the “Mighty Quest”. Justin and Scott, however, ended up closely following between our wakes to find a little calm. We tuned in the VHF weather channel and found an approaching storm with rain, winds to 15 knots and some thunder and lightning. Our Garmin Weather also showed some severe weather conditions.

ENTERING LAKE SIMCO

THREATENING SKIES

SCOTT AND JUSTIN IN OUR WAKE

IT'S WET NOW!

OK, so it’s really raining now! We made for a semi-protected cove where Dan sloshed out to the bow and dropped the anchor while I did my job at the helm, safe and dry. Justin and Scott took refuge off our stern and we all waited out the worst of the storm.

DAN DROPPING ANCHOR IN THE RAIN

Two hours later and the waters are still cranking but the skies have cleared up. On our way once again! We passed under the Atherley Narrows Bridge to enter Lake Couchiching where the shores were lined with cottages and resorts.

LAKE COUCHICHING RESORT

In the narrow channel leading to Lock 42, we were held up at the Canadian National Railroad Bridge waiting for a long freight train.

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY SWING BRIDGE

After locking down Couchiching Lock 42, we rounded the bend and found the channel lined with cottages, permanent camper sites, a B&B and a continuous row of boats.

COUCHICHING LOCK 42

B&B ON THE WATER

BOATS AFTER BOAT AFTER BOAT AFTER...........

BEAUTIFUL HANDCRAFTED WOODEN BOAT

In Sparrow Lake we again saw granite islands, some inhabited and some stand lonely guards for the waterways.

SPARROW LAKE ISLAND

We chose Swift Rapids Lock 43 as our nights mooring and tied on our starboard side after locking down. This hydraulically operated lock has a 47’ vertical lift which it accomplishes in just 8 minutes. Pretty cool, yes?

APPROACHING SWIFT RAPIDS LOCK 43

After tying up, chatting with our neighbors and making ready for the night, Dan foraged the area and came up with some wood for our campfire tonight. When dinner was done we huddled around the pit, coaxing the sparks into the perfect, blazing bonfire.