Kawartha!

It was 7:30 am, cloudy and dripping rain when Brenda tiptoed along the blue lock wall and knocked on Taras and Athena's 26-foot Sea Ray.  Taras unzipped the boat's enclosure and peaked his head out to hear Brenda:  "Hey, Mom and Dad.  I assume the boys are still sleeping and we've got coffee brewing on our boat.  You're welcome to come over for a cup."  At 9:15 am, the lockmaster's voice and open lock doors set us in fast motion.  Quickly, four coffee cups were set down and each of us rushed to our respective places to move our vessels into the lock.  Our day's journey had begun!

"Kawartha" means "bright waters and happy lands" which appropriately describes this area of south-central Ontario, its "cottage culture" and "lake country."  Besides appreciating the "Butter Tarts" and Kawartha premium ice cream, we welcome the changes in weather (clouds and some needed rain), landscape (more lakes, less canals, locks farther apart), and people we've met (families in smaller boats or houseboats; people who wish to do the Loop someday).

After we left Peterborough Lift Lock, we found the swing bridge and locks waiting and ready to pass us through without delays.

We saw this innovative pontoon boat as we passed through one of the small towns. 
Can't see a motor attached....or is it in under the hood?

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The small town of Youngs Point had this wonderful furniture/clothing/gift/kitchen/textile/ice cream store.
While we ate our Wolf Tracks Kawatha Ice Cream Cone, we visited with parents of 2 young boys from Nashville, TN.  Every summer they travel a nearby lake resort to spend a week with their parents, siblings and children.

We saw this.  Been there.  Done that.  You too?

Okay, hockey player Scott Brolsma.  This one's for you.  A new game!

As we cruise through the lakes, it's important to know your location and follow any markings to avoid a rock and a hard place!

Isn't this a cute house on a little island?

Couldn't help notice the beauty of the clouds later in the afternoon.  We're heading westward!

We tied up to the Buckhorn Lock and walked to a nearby restaurant for a burger.
After a cloudy day and bouts of rain, the sun shone during our dining time.

We spent the night on the lower side of Buckhorn Lock, right behind Taras and Athena.
After locking through, we tied on the upper side of the lock to walk to a bakery that, according to Taras and Athena, make the best butter tarts.  We got back on the boat with about $32 of sugar and gluten! (some for breakfast, some for later, some for the freezer)

Bird Rest Stop
The structures on the island are trees.  The dots in the trees are birds.  The white everywhere?
It's a rest stop.  What do YOU do at a rest stop?

Tied to the wall on the lower side of the Bobcaygeon Lock, we enjoyed visiting with George and Tracy Pidgen.  George and Tracy are preparing to purchase a boat so they can do America's Great Loop and wanted to take a look at a Mainship 40. 
We appreciated meeting them, hearing about their plans, and sharing our experiences with them. 

While we were visiting with George and Tracy, the Stows and Cricks were enjoying the company of their uncle Bret (Brenda's brother).  Allison, Brent and girls (Colorado) made a road trip to Minnesota to visit grandparents in Crookston and East Grand Forks, then to Stillwater to see Jordan, Jared and kids.  Being a perfect summer day in Minnesota, the families spent the day on the Stow's pontoon on the St. Croix River and met Bret along the way!