The Great Loop

This web site is an attempt to provide a quick and easy way for our family and freinds to keep up with us on "The Loop"

The Great Loop is a 6000 mile jouney down the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile, Alabama. From there around the coast of Florida via Key West with a side trip to the Bahamas. Back to the coast of Florida we head up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay. From the Chesapeake we continue up the east coast through New York Harbour, up the Hudon River, and across the Erie Canal. Through a series of canals we go across Lake Ontario into Canada. We will spend a month in Canada. Back to the US, we will cross Lake Michigan to Chicago. Following the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers back to Tennesse.


LOOP CLOSED: 8/12/09: 310 days, 6170 miles, 107 locks, 3 countries, 16 states, 85 different marinas, 10,050 gallons of diesel fuel, thousands of photos, countless new friends, and priceless memories...

Monday, July 6, 2009

Campbellford

Leaving Trenton headed for Campbellford.....The title of this entry to the blog is LOCKS ...LOCKS AND MORE LOCKS...........


As we enter the first lock...you can see how narrow it looks......we are getting more use to this...... We just put a dozen fenders on each side...heehee

So it isn't enough to have to worry about both sides of the boat.....lets worry about the height too!!!! I finally understand why boaters drink so much.

All of these locks are bringing us UP.....that seems to be a little easier to me... So far there have been ropes hanging to hold onto...or cables to to run your line behind...it seems to work well.

There she is....looking proud.....who wouldn't be after going thru all of these?
(Thought I was teasing about the 12 fenders?)


And away we go once again...............................


12 Locks in all today.................Will I get a badge or something for this later?.......Maybe a book about my locking thru skills?????


The channels were well marked with tiny red and green markers....and in a few places as shallow as 2 feet....fun .....fun.....


I have become accustomed to the binoculars.....searching for those signs hiding in the bushes and trees........I know this is really a test?
The lock masters were all so nice and helpful.....they open and close some locks manually........

Jerry looks like he is having way too much fun........should I worry that I am moving to Canada ??My tool of choice.....the good ole' boat hook........couldn't live without it!!


And of course Jerry had to have one too....he always wants what I have....hiss.....


Guess what this is????? Another Lock??? NO....Two locks together. Just when I thought we had the system figured out! You go into the first lock...it lifts you up...opens the door...and into lock number 2 you go......double whammy....


The water levels out and we are FINALLY in the pretty wandering canal that takes us into
Campellford..................
We docked at the city dock.....right downtown....but arrived late. We walked across to meet some of the other boaters and talk.......always fun .....This couple had just purchased their Carver a few months ago...and are having a great time....they live in Toronto.......They came by the morning we were leaving to see our hardwood floors on the boat.....they want to do them in theirs................and then off we go for breakfast.....................


All the way here.....Dooher's Bakery is all we heard about....the real highlight of the city! So here we are for a fat free doughnut and bagel.....of course we had to have warm bread and oatmeal -jam cookies to go.....................


He even looks guilty......................Really fantastic bakery..........Well worth the calories!
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