Gray Fox on the Great Loop: Up the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW)

We left Frazier Park Marina with two other boats at 8:30 am and proceeded to Lock 1 on the TSW. We arrived a little early and tied up to the wall with the painted blue line indicating that we wanted to lock through. There were two guys on personal watercraft that were also waiting. They are going to Georgian Bay. We all had a nice visit and the lock master came down when he arrived and gave us the locking instructions. We were to go first since we were the biggest and pull in all the way to the front. The others would come in after us. He wanted us all on the starboard side and if we couldn't all fit then someone would have to wait for the next lockage that probably wouldn't occur until 11:30. The park system has been operating on a reduced staff program and some personnel tend multiple locks as well as the dams. Work on the dams takes priority.

The locks are a little smaller than those on the New York canal system but we all squeezed in. After lifting up at lock 1 everyone that didn't have a pass went into the lock master's office and purchased one before the gates were opened. We now have a triangle-shaped tag to go with our square one from the New York Canal System.

We all proceeded through the first 6 locks together. We were the first of the group to drop off as we stopped at the top of lock 6 in Frankford. All the locks generally have nice walls with mowed grass to tie up on for the night for a fee. Frankford also has several 30 amp power (hydro) pedestals the city installed to entice boaters to stay. Power is available on both sides of the lock for an extra charge. The 30 amp adapter we have worked so we splurged and plugged in. There was a Blues Festival at the campground next to the lock so we stayed to listen to some music and Jim started getting some use out of his Ontario fishing license. More music than fish.