July 2021
Vehicle:
2021 Ford F-150 Powerboost
Forest River No Boundaries 10.6
Notable Locations:
Trent-Severn Waterway
Ferris Provincial Park
Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge
Peterborough Lift Lock
Kawartha Country Wines
Kirkfield Lift Lock
Big Chute Marine Railway
Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site
It’s a surreal feeling to see a boat up above you and watch it descend to be deposited into water far below. On the Trent-Severn Waterway, this happens all the time. Whether it’s through the towering gates of a flight lock, the caissons of a lift lock that seem like ponds suspended in mid-air, or a marine railway that’s unique in North America, the waterway is designed to allow boats to overcome the elevation changes of inland rivers and lakes while traveling from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. But you don’t need a boat to explore most of this historic waterway: check out these three itinerary ideas for a single day, a weekend, and a longer-term approach to discover much of the waterway’s 44 locks and nearly 400 kilometres by road.
Additional Notes:
I’m delighted and honoured that this story is the runner-up for the 2021 Travel and Adventure Journalism Award as presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.
The original story mentions a 20-page guide to exploring the Trent-Severn Waterway with a trailer. I still have this document, but I need to get it scanned. I’ll be sure to share this very soon!
