Cruises in Ontario: RMS Segwun, Lake Julian, Peterborough Lift Locks

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Ontario (Canada) is big - 415,000 square miles. To get an idea of how big that is, Ontario is larger than France and Spain combined, and it is blessed with thousands of waterways, lakes, rivers and streams. The exact number of Ontario lakes is not known but we can boats approximately 250,000 lakes and almost 4,000 of these are larger than 3Km²

All of them offer their own beauty and are accessible to everyone.

For many people, the luxury of traveling on a singature cruise ship is way beyond their means. But that doesn't mean you cannot afford to take a day trip and see the beauty that surrounds you. Ontario also offers thousands of opportunities.

Many of our towns and cities offer great tours over these lakes and rivers. Having made it a point to visit other areas of Ontario, I can assure you that these cruises offer a wonderful way to see the beauty of this bountiful province. They are typically offered by local residents and generate revenue for much of the local areas.

The cost for each of these cruises was under $50.00 and these included lunch or dinner. If you prefer the shorter trips, it can cost as little as $6.95 (Cdn).

Each of these trips were for three very different reasons but each trip on the water was well worth the time and reason enough to always bring your camera.

If you have an event to plan and are looking for something a little different, why not book a local cruise. An office social, or even a business meeting on a chartered boat is a very nice change of pace.

We wanted to mark a kick off meeting where we pooled our resources from two companies to complete a major project, with something memorable. The 1 hour meeting took place while the boat was moored, and we finalized things with a tour of the lift locks on the Trent Severn Waterways.

This type of event offers a unique way to get to know each other. You are stuck on the boat together for the duration.  You either sequester yourself away in a corner somewhere to quietly enjoy the scenery or you take the opportunity to chat with your coworkers and get to know who you will be working with.  I suppose there is another alternative if they prove to be difficult people, but you need to know to how to swim.

Of course, once dinner starts and the bar is open, it seems much easier to converse.

I highly recommend it for all event planners. It is a memorable way to start a project.

The entire scenic trip through Peterborough and Kirkland offers two rather unique types of structures. The first is a swing bridge, and the other are the mechanics of the lift locks themselves. The two of interest I saw:

• The Peterborough lock is the most developed and is home to the Trent Severn Visitors centre.
• The Kirkfield hydraulic lift lock marks the highest point on the Trent Severn Waterway

"The unique lift locks operate by using hydraulic pressure. Within a closed system any displacement of volume in one container will transfer the equal amount to the other container. In the case of the Trent Severn Lift Locks those containers are the huge 140 foot long, steel tubs containing 330,000 gallons of water weighing 1,500 tonnes .

Beneath the lock tubs are located monster hydraulic rams which raise and lower the locks. Each ram is 65 feet long by 7.5 foot diameter extending some 75 feet below the lock to their footings on top of ten ton granite block, resting on bedrock. Both tubes are connected by high pressure pipe and other control pumps and fittings. In practice, the procedure used to raise boats is to fill the upper tub with an extra foot of water, and then vent this water volume into the lower locks chamber, the difference in weight then raises the lower lock." source

The construction and the history of the Trent Severn System is a story worth reading about.

Researching the internet for local areas to spend a couple days, lead us to the Muskoka's - more specifically -Gravenhurst.

This day trip was purely for relaxation. A few days to allows us to soak up some of the local history and culture.

Interesting Gravenhurst facts:

• They house a landmark 100 year old Opera House
• They still sail their antique steamships
• They still make original wooden hand made motor boats
• They offer local history in their museums,
• They boast an artistic and musical community with several antique shops for those who love to bargain and browse.

Gravenhurst is surrounded by three rather large lakes, so the entrepurial souls that live there take advantage of the the opportunity to offer tours of the lake(s).

You will likely see the handmade wooden motorboats, the sail boats, the water skiiers and swimmers.

Some of the wonderful summer homes are only accessible by boat. Or, if you are one of the rich and famous who reside in this lovely area, by plane.

To tour the the lakes of the region, there is a wonderful tour offered on the RMS Segwun, one of their fully functional antique steam ships. What an amazing experience.

The weather entertained us before we had to leave the hotel to traverse the board walk to the RMS Segwun. We were treated to an awe inspiring light and sound show that threatened to keep us in doors. But the sun fought through the clouds just long enough to let us enjoy this scenic tour.

Our Sunset Dinner Cruise on the RMS Segwun proved to be a feast for the eyes. The crew were knowledgeable in local history and folk lore. Some local residents on the cruise also provided rich conversation and entertaining facts.

This tour offers dinner, good wine, great company and a spectacular sunset with the cool evening wind in your face.

I remember standing at the bow (I think that pointy part at the front of the ship is called the bow right?) fighting the temptation to climb up and spread my arms and pretend to fly like Kate Winslett in Titanic.

Muskoka Lake is 300 feet deep connecting with Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka shoreline boasts some lavish homes for some of the rich and famous, drawn here for the beauty.

Some of the homes appear to be built right on the water itself, while others are perched on top of a sheer drop of a cliff with no visible way to get to the water.

We talked about the possibility that maybe they had a water slide to get to their equally impressive boat houses. But unless they built an elevator inside the cliff, we could see no way for them to return to the houses at the top. While the site was impressive it certainly seemed impractical.

But then if I was rich and famous, I think I would defy the laws of gravity for some privacy too.

Eleanor Island, Lake Muskoka

Only 0.6 hectares in size, this is a famous bird sanctuary which was first established to support the Great Blue Heron.

It has however become a sanctuary for Double-crested Cormorants, Herring Gulls and other migratory birds.

We did not see any Great Blue Heron’s while on our Tour, but did manage to see one up close on the board walk back to our hotel.

I asked my husband how the birds knew it was a sanctuary for them. Straight faced, he responded, “They have signs posted of course”.

Perhaps one of the nicest places to hold a wedding reception is here, on the Chippewa II. This is the largest cruise Boat in the Kawarthas, one of Ontario's most picturesque regions. You can host up to 140 guests, serve a wonderful dinner and see the beautiful countryside as you cruise along Stoney Lake.

After you have enjoyed your dinner, the top deck can be cleared away of tables and chairs to offer the worlds best dance floor. With the continual breeze coming off the lake you could dance the entire time with natures purest form of air conditioning.  If you are lucky you will witness a beautiful sunset followed by clear skies and the milky way.  If you are luckier still you might even see the Aurora Borealis.

Of course it's always tricky to hold any out of doors event, and especially one as important as this. But when it works - you couldn't ask for a better memorable wedding reception.

This cruise boat can be charted for such things and offers your guests an ever changing scenery as added mementoes. One more reason to take that camera with you - this will definitely provide some unique photo opps for the bride and groom.

Of course, if you are going to take this route and offer such a wonderful wedding reception, it's nice to have a list of the local resorts and Inns where your guests and wedding party can relax before and after the wedding.

The Kawaratha region is rich in beauty and culture, so spending an extra day in the area to see more of it's beauty is a wonderful treat for those with the time to take advantage of it.

Viamede Resort

Viamede Resort is just 30 minutes north of Peterborough Ontario on Spectacular Stoney Lake. This is a family resort features luxury Ontario resort accommodations including waterfront cottages perfect for your romantic getaway, family vacation, spa getaway or lakeside wedding.

Pine Vista Resort

Pine Vista Resort offers luxury cottage rental vacations in the Kawartha region of Ontario -- an ideal setting for family holidays, romantic couples' getaways and group retreats. Located in the Kawarthas overlooking beautiful Stoney Lake, Pine Vista Resort provides nature lovers of all ages with first-class cottage accommodations.

The Village Inn

The Village Inn is situated amidst the scenic little village of Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes. This charming country inn offers a wonderful balance of old and new, convenience and comfort, historic tradition and modern amenities.

Whether you are interested in planning an event to WOW your boss, relax and enjoy some time away, or hold a wedding reception that brings nature to you, choosing to charter a cruise or join one in your area will certainly provide you with some wonderful memories.

Ontario offers some of the best choices.

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