Ram Island, Ontario – Trenton, Ontario - July 9, 2008

There was a storm last night, with a lot of wind. There were a few gusts up to 50 mph. We dragged about 150’ before our anchor caught again. Bob and Margaret started their engine in case they needed to break away from us. After our anchor dug in again, Bob dropped his anchor to help keep us in one place. The 9 boats that were rafted together started to drift and ended up breaking into 3 groups of 3.

We left this morning at 9:00 a.m. in overcast skies and light drizzle. Luckily, the heavy rain had stopped. We arrived in Trenton, Ontario at 1:45. We stayed at one of the marinas that was next to a park. The park was very pretty, with flowers, benches, memorials and a gazebo. Concerts are held every Sunday and Wednesday evenings throughout the summer at a band shell about a block away.

We went walking in downtown Trenton. We found a NAPA store where Darrell picked up a part for the boat. Then we had a late lunch at a café in the area. We stopped in the library where we checked our e-mail before going back to the boat. We played cards with Bob and Margaret tonight. Margaret and Beth are not having very good luck.

Trenton is the gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway. The Trent-Severn Waterway is made of a number of canals and locks connecting lakes and rivers. There are 44 locks over 240 miles. Trenton is 243 feet above sea level. We will be locking up for the first 35 locks and will eventually reach a high water point at Balsam Lake at 840 feet above sea level. From then on we will be locking down until we arrive at Port Severn and 576 feet above sea level.

We plan on starting the canal tomorrow.