From the cottage window …

This is the view from the cottage window. This is what Chas and Lou look at while they are at rest.

Chas: “It’s a lot better than being bagged and bound.”

The cottage is on the Trent-Severn Waterway, a 386 km long recreational system interconnecting lakes and rivers from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. The system was built in 1833 and is considered a National Historic Site.

During the summer months, cruisers of all shapes and sizes pass by. For years, I have been fascinated with The Loopers –

The circumnavigation of Eastern North America by water is known as The Great Loop. Also referred to as the Great Circle Route, the trip varies from 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,100 km) depending on the options used. The boats used range from personal watercraft (jet-skis) to 60-foot (18 m) yachts. Both sailboats and powerboats are used but the most common boats are 34–45-foot (10–14 m) recreational trawlers. The main factors that govern the size of the boat are the limited draft (5 feet (1.5 m)) in some locations on the loop and the height of one bridge (19 feet (5.8 m)) in Chicago. People traveling The Great Loop are known as “loopers.” The number of people attempting this voyage is growing with the baby boomers reaching retirement age. In 2007, more than 150 boat owners notified America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association that they were planning to attempt the loop in the coming season.

I am fascinated with these free spirited loopers and will frequently visit with them while they are docked for the evening at the locks and marinas in the area.

I have setup a ‘WindowCam” to record the passage of these trawlers (and other things of interest) throughout the summer.

If you remember, I setup a “DashCam” during the trip here. I have 450 images over 6 days that I am currently reviewing. I wonder how many “WindowCam” images I will have after 2 months.

There is a lot to record. Early morning mist on the water. Sunsets reflecting on the trees across the way. The loon family that passes by most evenings. The heron that lives nearby. The Canadian Geese that like to feed (and shit) on the front lawn. The black bear that likes to swim across to the other side. The deer that like to drink at the waterfront. And, the osprey that nest at the swing bridge just west of here.

This area is close to the Carden Plain which:

offers globally rare alvar habitat supporting an abundance of grassland birds, including the endangered Loggerhead Shrike and the rare Golden-wing Warbler plus Osprey, Black Terns, Sedge Wrens, Yellow Rails, Upland Sandpipers, Blue Birds, Eastern Towhees, and Brown Thrashers. Indian Paint Brush, Prairie Smoke, Tufted Hairgrass, Northern Dropseed, Little Bluestem, False Pennyroyal, Balsam Ragwort, Fragrant Sumac and Shrubby Cinquefoil are typical alvar plants.

The plain is a short ride from here. A route that Chas and I regularly take.

Lou: “I’ve never seen it.”

I don’t take Lou this way. There is a section of road that is quite rough with several potholes. Chas has a wider profile set of tires, and besides Lou’s carbon wheels are too expensive to take a chance. I save his rides for the smoother roads of which there are lots.

Lou: “That makes sense. I don’t want to get injured over a bird.”

So, this is home for 2 months. I will have visitors but for the most part will be alone reading, writing, working some, and renovating the back entrance and laundry room.

And, this is the view from my summer desk.