This is Jake Stachovak from Wausau, WI. He is kayaking practically the entire Great Loop. I came up beside him after we went through a lock and asked where he was going. Felt fortunate to have met him. We took each other's pic. He does about 30 miles a day and started last year, will finish in Aug. Taking lower route back to Michigan

Trent Severn Waterway sign

This lock raised me about 40 feet; looking back down the waterway.

Great motel right on the water in Campbellford, Ontario

Ok Lyn, lets get it together. I was coming up the Trent Severn Waterway in Ontario behind some other boats going to the next lock. There was a zone of "no wake speed" which is about 5 mph. There were red channel markers to the right and green to the left. Most boats don't steer in a straight line at low speeds. I was checking on a phone number for a motel and when I looked up I was about to strike the green buoy; decided going around it to the left was best at that point. Bang!! ##**&&#. Hit what probably was a rock obstruction. I immediately killed the engine and raised the motor **##%&%. Checked out the motor and looked at prop and it seemed to have same nicks as before. Throttled up to 8-10 mph and engine would rev but I could only do 8 mph until the prop began to slip. Had to have mechanic look at it this AM (Monday) and I had sheared the bushing in the prop - thank God that’s what it was. This prevents more serious damage to the motor transmission. Technician had to travel an hour round trip to pick up a new prop. To be honest, we weren't sure this was the problem. It was, and I'm back in the saddle after a day off here in Campbellford, Ontario. The town was founded by two brothers in the early 1800s. Rural and very scenic - I'm at a motel on the Trent Severn Canal - what a great place. Road trip someday??

Went across Lake Ontario yesterday morning from Oswego at 6:00 AM in calm waters. Used a GPS bearing for 1.5 hours to Duck Island as there was no land in sight anywhere. Duck is just a small uninhabited island and was my first waypoint - then waypoint #2 got me into the Adoulphus Reach between Kingston and Picton, Ontario. Then on to Trenton before noon - then into the Trent Severn to Campbellford. Hit the obstruction several locks before town but due to no wake zones between the locks I made it ok with the injured motor. So far the Canadians have been quite friendly and helpful - complain a lot about their taxes. Listen up Washington!!

So many things to mention and so little space - certainly there are down days when things don't go as planned but have not wished for this adventure to be over, yet. I miss Joanne a lot and our Avon home - and all of you. Thanks for checking in.