Before reaching Kirkfield Lift Lock there are two areas of concern for boaters. The first is the Trent Channel which is extremely narrow and extremely shallow. Water depths averaged six feet. As we entered the channel I made a Security Call to notify any oncoming boats in the vicinity that we were approaching. This is NOT an area where one wants to encounter a boat of our size or larger coming toward us – there simply would not be enough water or room to maneuver. 
We did meet a small twenty foot boat about mid-channel and it was obvious that they did not have a VHF radio onboard, but we made the pass without incident. Next up was the infamous Hole in the Wall pass through. Again we made it through without incident. Finally we came to the Kirkfield Lift Lock. This is the first lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway where we will be lowered rather than raised. This is significant because this means that the red and green buoy markers switch sides to reflect the “return to sea” positions. Captain Mark has always had a good grasp of this concept but it causes concern for many boaters. An easy way to remember the concept that we learned in our Coast Guard training was “Red, Right, Returning” which means keep the red buoys on your right when you are returning to sea. The hardest part for some people is to accept the concept of which direction water is flowing that represents the return to sea issue. They just do not understand how you can be miles from the sea yet still be returning when an actual sea may be closer as the crow flies. There are all sorts of little gizmos to help boaters with this issue but being aware of ones surroundings and following the charts is always the best way to navigate.
Knowing what to expect, I was really excited to enter the Kirkfield Lift Lock. And it was as much fun as the Peterborough Lift Lock. In fact, I seemed to be able to see the operations better this time since we were being lowered rather than raised. We decided to stay on the lock wall overnight at Kirkfield so that we could watch the lock in operation and explore the area.
Hours on the water: 5.5
Nautical miles traveled: 27
Number of bridges to be opened: 1
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Number of locks: 4
Next Destination: Orillia
What we are listening to: Finished Envy the Night by Michael Kortya and started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
Lesson for the day: I love Lift Locks
Obligatory knitting report: socks for me
1 comment:
Saw you getting all hitched up for the skydiving. I don't know if I could do that or not. I guess it is almost like bungy jumping. When did you know when to pull the thing for the shute to come out? Hope you have some pics to show me when you get home. To get the scoop on Kay she is doing fine I haven't talked to her yet but Fay tells me she is doing good. She had gone back to florida and I think she is home again. But she is going back again sometime in Aug. don't know when. guess what Fay's husband Chris calls at the bingo at the K of C now so when he calls we will go. I think they have certain times to do the calling. I'll have to call Fay and ask her when he calls again. Enjoyed seeing your pictures and I got some of those scrap cards I gave to Dianna the last time now she has enough for a long time. She was glad to get them. talk to you later enjoy your trip and will be ready to walk when you get back. I really need to get walking too. Love you Mae.
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