Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Watched a plane taxi from where I ate lunch.

Thanks to Vanessa who has made sure Joanne gets flowers on those special occasions. Vanessa was a highly trained paramedic and then decided to start her own floral business called Vintage Magnolia in Edwards, CO. She and partners do outstanding work and their reputation and success reflects their talent so if you need gifts or floral work stop by her business next to the Bookworm in Edwards or call 970-926-5000.

Today was 100 miles from Honey Harbor at the beginning of Georgian Bay, Ontario to Britt, on the Byng Inlet. A very small town and several marinas, restaurants and post office. If you enlarge my last SPOT location on "terrain" you will see the Trans-Canada Highway crossing over the inlet to the right. This is otherwise remote country except for summer cottages on the numerous small islands. There was a large timber industry here beginning in the 1800s until the early 1900s then the town became a coal receiving point for the locomotives on the emerging Trans Canadian Railway system.

The navigation in this region is nerve wracking as there are rocks just under the surface, even in the big water away from shore. If you do not closely follow the red and green navigation aides and keep your "other two eyes" on the GPS and chart you can run into trouble quickly. When you are on route and look down and see the bottom passing 5 to 10 feet under your boat, it gets your attention. So, not much chance for pictures today. I have traveled over the Canadian Shield most of my trip since entering Trenton, Ontario from the U.S. Here is a description and reasons for the shallow water in many locations, not to mention its unforgiving nature compared to mostly mud bottoms on the east coast waterways. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Shield

Since I don’t have to wait for locks to open at 8:30 on the Trent-Severn system (yes, they have unions!) I am now free to leave in the morning anytime I like which is usually between 6 and 7 AM. If there is any secret to such a trip as this, it is getting an early start in order to get some mileage before the winds get too strong and thunderstorms begin to form. It is a safety factor for obvious reasons and a chance to relax in the mid afternoon/evening, update the blog, see a little of the town I'm in, read charts and plan stops and lodging, wash out clothes, watch the weather channel and eat, after what is often a one meal day. From the time I get up at 5:00 I really don't have a lot of free time and still get to bed by 10. Many of the places I view from the water, and what's unseen beyond the shore, warrant a road trip and several lifetimes.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Lyn,
    As you contemplate every precarious move with rocks lurking beneath the surface, "Be realistic and plan for a miracle."

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  2. CONGRATULATIONS TO JOANNE for designing the book that won the Colorado non-fiction award: VOICES OF THE AMERICAN WEST. I have only seen the cover, but I know it's beaultifully done.

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  3. The web site for the Canadian Shield explains the dangers that lurk when being in those waters. Interesting to know where it got its name and also the fact it extends into parts of the US. Can understand your need to keep your eyes peeled on the markers as you sail along - your previous days of experience may come in handy.
    Brenda and Jerry

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  4. Thank Lynn for the shout out! I love reading every little detail! The pictures are amazing!!

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