Someone should invent a cruise-through boatwash

Yesterday was supposed to take us to Trenton, which is the western point of The Bay of Quinte and eastern terminus of the Trent-Severn Waterway.  The day was perfect for traveling.  Except for the 15- to 18-knot winds.  So basically the day was horrible for traveling.  At least it was cool enough to walk around Belleville, which didn’t take very long but long enough to photograph the scenic Moira River as it passes through.

Also Canada Geese.  We’re used to seeing these guys flying overhead so it’s weird to realize that this is where they head for the summer.  Mostly here they just swim around, often with babies.  They also put their butts in the air a lot.

Once in a while, even beautiful days turn rotten.  Those are the days one of us (usually not Doug) thinks we should deep clean.  The other one of us may or may not respond with something that sounds like “waaaaa” but with a sprinkle of light profanity.  Yesterday was one of those days.   Most of our crusty-bug collection came off with some heavy scrubbing and another dash of light profanity, but despite the huge volume it seems unlikely that in the past week we finished our year’s allotment.  So basically we’ll have to do it all again in a week or two.  That said, Misty Pearl did seem happier.

We also were happier after a taco picnic with Brent and Karen, although our joy ended a few hours later when we learned that cousin Matthew had been killed in a freak motorcar crash moments after Mary gave birth to his son and heir.

Today was a bit warmer but much less windy, so off we went through the unmowed forest of aquatic growth surrounding our slip.  The boys barely had time to settle into cruising position before we reached Trenton.  10.2 nm is our shortest day yet but we need to stage for the Waterway.

A couple of days ago Crossroads posted a photo of tight docking.  But Barry and Robin are pros.  Ignoring our rank amateurism, the Trent Port folks decided we should shoe-horn up beside scared-to-death owners of a sailboat that Misty Pearl outweighs by about twenty tons, bless its heart.  They and we hastily started adding fenders before we squeaked in.  Any time two boats are rubbing fenders it’s not a good thing.

Since we’re staying here for another day, we hiked up to TSW Lock no. 1.  Beautiful trail along the Trent River to get there.

The Canadians don’t need modern conveniences like mules or steam engines to power the gates on the lock.  No siree.  They open and close just like they’ve opened and closed since the lock was built in 1910: with spunky college kids pushing a turnstile.

In any event, we greatly look forward to this stretch of the Loop.