Locking Along to Peterborough

We have arrived in the big city - Peterborough, Ontario. We actually arrived yesterday. This is the biggest city we have been in since leaving New York City. Peterborough has 78,000 people according to their last census but more about here in a bit.
We have been a lot of place since our last blog entry. Since leaving Picton, Ontario we went to Trenton where we planned on staying on the lock wall but after finding out it was far out of town we decided to stay at a marina there. On of the loopers that Jeff knows on a boat called, "Rowe Boat" recommended a marina called Trent Port Marina saying it was so nice and their favorite marina to date. When we got there it was nice but we didn't see what was so special. We quickly learned after checking in and seeing all of the brand new facilities including a boaters lounge and laundry room with three washers and three dryers all which were free for boaters to use including detergent and dryer sheets. We were very impressed. We learned that they were having a street festive, farmers market and fireworks that night. We were very happy.

Fireworks from our boat

The next morning we got up and walked into town to a french bakery and had croissants and coffee. They were very good and reminded me of Izzy and his croissant phase. After that we went for a little hike up their mountain - Mount Pillian. It didn't turn out to be much of a hike but was good exercise non the less. It also provided a great view of the city and the waterway where we were staying.

After our hike we walked back into town to the local farmers market where we got lots of nice things - homemade rhubarb orange marmalade, English tea biscuits, hot sauce and homemade sea salt carmel chocolates. All in all it was a nice morning and good stop. Now it was time to head out. Around noon we pulled out of Trenton and headed toward Campbellford. The ride was scenic and full of lush green trees that lined the Trent River. While going through the locks we were talking to one of the lock masters whom all are so nice and friendly and want to tell you everything about their area and what to see and do and offer any help or advice that they can, told Jeff about all of these traditional Canadian things that we must try. One of them is Putine - french fries with cheese curds and gravy. Jeff being the adventurer that he is decided he needed to get some of these. When we tied up at Campbellford we went looking for a hardware store for a Canadian flag since we lost ours crossing Lake Ontario and low and behold in the parking lot was a food truck that made Putine. Jeff decided that this was his chance and got an order. I wish I had a picture to show you of this pile. He was a little confused and after a bit got really grossed out and ended up throwing half of it away. Oh well. The town of Campbellford turned out to be kinda blah and since it was a Sunday almost all of the shops and restaurants were closed so we came back to the boat, watched a movie and went to bed.

Another suggestion the lock master had told Jeff about was this bakery in Campbellford called Dooher's which has been there since 1949. A couple other loopers also mentioned this to us so we decided to check it out in the morning before leaving town. Boy were we glad that we did. We had really good bagels and coffee and got some other treats to bring with us. Everything was so fresh and delicious. 

With a good nights sleep and full bellies we were ready to head out. From here we would head to Hastings about 34 miles up the Trent River. Each day we go through 4-8 locks and cruise about 8mph. Hastings was somewhat uneventful. We tied up to a lock wall which was very close to town where we walked to the liquor store and got some wine for happy hour. Back to Jeff's lock buddy - she also recommend that we try this famous fish and chips place while we were Hastings. Jeff was all in. So that night we walked into town to Captain's Table to try their famous fish and chips. This place was quite the dump. You walk in and there were old ratty tables and chairs with really bright florescent light and tons and tons of friers which could all be viewed from each table. We sat down and ordered a Northumberland a Canadian beer and Jeff ordered his fish and chips. Needless to say when they came he was quite pleased.

After that load we had to go back to the boat and go to sleep. The next day (yesterday) we headed to Peterborough the big city. When we arrived early afternoon we planned on staying at lock 19  but after more conversation with the lock master she recommend we go up one more lock and stay there since it was in a prettier setting and a much nicer place to stay. She said it was also closer to town if we wanted to walk. As it turned out it was a great suggestion. We are in a lovely, lush green park setting right outside the lock wall and with a great view of the harbor.

Since we've been going at such a rapid pace I asked Jeff if we could stay here for two nights in order to settle in a bit and regroup. He agreed it was a good idea. We slept in this morning and had a slow morning of breakfast, coffee and reading. Late morning we got our bikes down from the boat and took off. We went to check out tomorrows lock which is the biggest lock in the world. It has a unique system of both up and down at the same time. We walked all around it and went into the visitors center too and saw a movie about it.

After this educational ride we returned to the boat had lunch then headed back out again. This time we rode all along this nature, people and bike trail that goes all through a green forest filled with trees and a stream and was so peaceful and quiet you thought you were the only person there. We rode on this for what felt like hours. When we returned to the boat, hauled our bikes back on top of the boat we were both pooped. We turned on the a.c. and settled in. We're pretty excited because tonight in town there is free live music and fireworks. We can see and hear everything from the boat and will be the perfect send off from this rejuvenating big city stop. Tomorrow we go only 10 miles which should take about 5 hours through 6 locks to Lakefield, Ontario.