Backwater Anchorage

July 2, 2019 – Finally, with the big Canada Day weekend behind us, we departed Campbellford. We were worried that a lot of the other boats would have the same plan, and we might get bogged down at the next lock, which was only a short distance from the town. So, we left early, about 7:30, to wait in first position at the lock; as it turned out, another boat with a slight mechanical issue arrived shortly afterward, and we agreed to let them go first into the lock, to minimize that any maneuvering problem could occur before we came into the chamber.

Everything went smoothly, although eventually they had to hang back when one of their engines kept quitting on them. We continued on alone, and had intended to anchor overnight in a tight little creek off the main channel.

Tight all right! It was a hard left turn, past some fallen-down trees, and back into a crooked little channel that looked like a sure route to disaster. But it opened up, and after some deliberation at the helm, we found a spot to our liking, and dropped the hook. Although the water was clear, and weed-free, the banks and surrounding areas were a bit too….swampy looking for Chantale’s liking, and so going for a quick dip was a pleasure that only Ben enjoyed tonight.

The next morning, we found that the anchor light had attracted hundreds of bugs to come land on the boat and die, so we would have a washing job when we next got to a hose spigot. The next morning we would travel the rest of the way to Peterborough, a relatively large town that is right before the famous Peterborough Lift Lock.