Severn Falls to Port Severn

We came a short but interesting distance today – through the Big Chute, the only portage on the Trent Severn.   The boat is driven into a railway/sling car and carried over an enormous stone outcropping and gently placed into the water below.   Its like a railway car and hard to imagine – but we have plenty of photos.  It was very fun looking over that big “cliff” and riding the boat to the bottom.   We stopped at a nearby dock before going down to watch how it worked and get some pictures.  The only advice was “drive on in”.  The lock tenders knew just how to arrange the giant slings to keep the boat level while being lowered over the chute. It was all mechanized but they did seem very expert at directing the process.  The only downside was that it rained all the way through the day and so we enjoyed it all while pretty much getting soaking wet every time we ventured out to tie a line or dock the boat.

Recently Kari, from Racine, contacted us regarding our trip on the Trent Severn.  Her

Great, great, great grandfather, Nichol Hugh Baird was an early engineer who was instrumental in the development of the Trent Severn Waterway.  Her ancestor, Anthony Bliss Kittermaster was a surveyor in the 1800’s in the Trent Severn region and they purchased several islands in Gloucester Pool.  One of those islands is still in her family and we got some photos of it.  We would have dropped in at Llanberris Island for dinner, but it appeared no one was home. What a great place for a family cottage.  We will look forward to meeting Kari when we get back to Racine –

We came to a nice stop to spend the evening.  Rawley’s Resort and Marina is just above the last lock on the Trent Severn at Port Severn.  It is first a small hotel with a first class restaurant and it also has a dock for visitors.  It is an AGLCA sponsor so you get a really good rate – and it has showers, wi-fi etc.  (no laundry).  But we came in for dinner and feel absolutely spoiled.  I had veal piccata, and for dessert the best flourless chocolate cake ever – served on caramel sauce, with whipped cream and strawberries for garnish.  My four favorite dessert things all on one plate! Fabulous.  Dennis had salmon and crème brulee so he was also feeling very satisfied and treated.   Now we are sitting in the dining room-lounge, listening to the piano player and catching up on wi-fi.  Life is good. 

Llanberris Island

The Rail Car

Ready to unload at the top

Ready to float off the slings

The Expert at work, he climbed down the ladder to check
 our position and said sometimes I amaze myself

Over the top

Fantastic machinery, simple effective

Moving down the hill, 59 feet

Right over the rocks, two tracks front and back

Gently into the water

Next 

A wigwam on an island