Buckhorn and The Kawarthas

 

My sister lives up in the Kawarthas, in Ontario, Canada.  The Kawarthas is part of Ontario cottage country and features a stunning network of interconnected lakes and rivers that make up the Trent-Severn Waterway. The Kawarthas, and nearby Muskoka region, are famous for their charming cottages and expansive forests, and are contrasted with the ruggedness of the rock of the Canadian Shield.

My sister is on a European trip, and John and I were pleased to stay at her charming home for the week to look after her cats. Although we've spent a considerable amount of time there before, this time, being alone, we chose to venture out and explore the surroundings a bit.

Our first couple of days we were joined by our friends , Blair and Dianne. We took our e-bikes out onto one of the rail trails in the area.  We drove to Fenlon Falls to pick up Victoria Rail Trail, going north towards Kinmount.  This section of the trail is particularly beautiful, running alongside Cameron Lake for several kilometers. The surface is crushed gravel, and it is well-used by hikers, bicyclists, and ATVs.  There are a few potholes to navigate, but overall it is well-maintained.  We rode about 15 kms through the beautiful forest before turning around, stopping for our packed lunch on the bridge that crosses the Burnt River.  It was a picturesque stop where we watched several boats pass underneath. It was a great ride, ending with frozen yogurt at a local spots in Fenlon Falls.

One evening, we went to the small village of Buckhorn to have dinner and watch the boats  travel through Lock 31.  There are 44 locks in total along the Trent Severn Waterway, which starts at Lake Ontario and ends at Georgian Bay. 

After spending a couple of days in our bike saddles, we figured we decided to give our backsides a rest and take a scenic drive instead.  We left from Buckhorn and drove a large loop that took us up through Kinmount and back around through Fenlon Falls.  We made a stop in Kinmount to take some pictures of the old railway station,  built when the Victoria Railway arrived in 1876.  Today, the station holds a model rail line and the tourist information centre. In the same location, there is a memorial to the Islandic immigrants who came to the area to work on the Victoria Railroad.  Poor living conditions allowed illness to rage through their populations. Many of the settlers died, while others fled in search of a better life.

On our last day in the Kawarthas, we spent the day in Peterborough.  We took a lift lock cruise that sailed through a flood lock and then through the lift lock, which is the world's highest hydraulic lift lock, raising boats 19.8 meters (65 feet) above the city.  

The weather was beautiful, and the scenery spectacular.  Being elevated on the lift lock was an amazing experience.  If you're ever visiting Peterborough, it is a must-see.