Sept 6-7, Orillia, ON

We motored only three miles today from the narrows at the north end of Lake Simcoe into Lake Couchiching and then to the town of Orillia, Ontario. We entered the large rock breakwater at the foot of the main street and called the dockmaster for the Port of Orillia on vhf channel 68 (which all the marina’s here monitor) and then tried to get them on our cel phone. No answer.

So we just pulled up to the end of one of the nice docks and got a hand with our lines from several of the other boaters already tied up in the marina. Everyone on our trip in Canada at the docks has been very friendly and the port of Orillia was no exception. We found 30 amp power available and plugged in using our double 30 adapter and found everything working perfectly. Nice setting downtown. Once docked we asked about checking in with the dockmaster and found that the docks here are only rented from the dockmaster through August 31. After that, beginning Labor Day, the docks are no longer rented, but are free to anyone who wants to tie up. Electric (called hydro in Canada) is still available and is also free. The town has shut off the internet connection, otherwise this would be a perfect stop. We have no internet connection in Orillia.

KOKOMO II at the Orillia Marina

There must be 50 boats here enjoying the end of the boating season and the free downtown docks. Lots of the boaters are sitting in deck chairs on the docks, playing music and socializing. People are walking the docks and come by our boat and want to know all about the “loop”. These dock are the most active of our trip this summer.

We plan to be here several days as we will pick up Linda’s sister Jodie and brother Ken in Toronto on Sunday and we expect to have the generator fixed on Monday.

Bronze side group

French explorer Champlain is the top bronze

Linda admires a hibiscus plant in bloom. It must winter in a greenhouse

Owen with a cannon

One of the highlights of Orillia is the landscaped park and waterfront boardwalk beginning just onshore at the marina. Adjacent is the Couchiching beach Park which has a sandy beach (water is 72 today), playgrounds, picnic tables, gardens and an historical area celebrating Samuel de Champlain and the French explorers from 1615. There is a large bronze statue, unveiled in 1925, of Champlain and two side groups of Indians and Europeans, one commemorating “commerce” and the other “religion”. This bronze is said to be one of the finest in North America and we agree. Very large, very detailed and very beautiful.

Linda with a wood carving

Orillia Playhouse

Downtown Orillia

We rented a car Saturday (can’t rent one on Sunday when we need it) and we drive around town and see the sights. Saturday evening we watch the Florida Gators beat the Miami Hurricanes in Gainesville 26-3 on ESPN. Our satellite TV reception is very good even this far into Canada. Great to stay in touch. Sunday we have breakfast at the Canadian Veterans Hall and have a quiet day as it rains almost all. Sunday afternoon we head to Toronto to pick up Jodie and Ken and bring them back Orillia for dinner in an old fashioned rail dining car restaurant across from the marina and then to the boat.

Ken and Jodie arrive and find a chocolate store with Linda

Restored train cars make a nice setting for an upscale restaurant