A clear cool sunny morning greeted today.  It was in the low 50°F.  Even the geese were out early.

Geese all in a line…keeping it orderly!

We left around 8:30am to get across Rice Lake in the early part of the day.  Winds are calmer and we are expecting a fabulous day on the water.

Leaving Hastings Village Marina

Abandoned Swing Bridge left in the open position

Rice Lake is 20 miles long, 3 miles wide and not too deep.  Winds can whip up some nasty waves, we read in the guidebooks.  Today, very little wind.  Can’t you tell.  Look how pristine the water is this morning!  This is the second largest lake in the Trent-Severn Waterway.  

Entering Rice Lake…

Looking off to the port side entering Rice Lake – all the little cottages along the water’s edge

Calm Rice Lake at 9:30am

Our trip across the lake was over too soon it seemed.  Very little boat traffic.

Across Rice Lake and making our turn into Otonabee River

After the lake, this entrance looks so small.  Perceptions of size.  Always cracks me up! 😉

Otonabee River

We have seen dozens of these docks that cater to the small ‘go-fast’ and fishing boats.  The water depth around these cute little places are less than 3 feet.  Far too shallow for us!

Small dock along the Otonabee River

Wayne spotted the “house boat” he was talking about years ago.  Unfortunately, it is on land!!  Can’t do much cruising with it.  However, it would make a great camp site for fishing and hunting, don’t you think?

Land based House Boat

More river scenery along our route today – love all the shades of green!

What?  Only one lock for today??  How did that happen?

Lock 19 – UP 8 feet

Behind us in the lock are two Loopers rafting together.  Spirit and Nearly Perfect.  It might look like a tight fit, but they go through the locks together often enough they know they can make it work.

Double up and get through together

Right out of Lock 19 is the Rail road Bridge.  Watch out for kids jumping into the water off the rails!  Yep.  We barely squeezed by and held our breath hoping the kids wouldn’t jump in front of us.  The current caught Wayne and we fished tailed a bit.  Whew! Came through ok.  I am so busy watching for the kids, I didn’t get a picture of them.  Boys!

Rail Road Bridge!!

Around the corner and we are in Peterborough, ON.  Look at the fountain that greats all visitors right out of Lock 19.

Peterborough, ON

There are three Loopers arriving minutes together each other looking for transient dockage. The staff at Peterbough Marina placed two of us on a T end dock tail to tail … uhm… stern to stern.  The third Looper was put closer to the marina office.  We were safe and comfortable.  We plan on being here for 4 nights.  We read that the Peterborough is a very busy place on the weekends so why not just wait the weekend out.  We have plans to go to the Peterborough Lift Lock to see it before we experience it.  Ohhh can’t wait!

ssshhhh…. I think these ducks are following me along the dock…..

Ducks spoiled by humans feeding them