On our seventh day we left our dock at Swift Rapids at 7:30 AM in order to get across Lake Simco and through the first lock in the canal on the other side of the lake. We were concerned about the weather on Lake Simco as we have read and heard that it can kick up and be treacherous quickly. The wind was about 15 mph out of the west and waves 1-2 feet, but at an angle to our stern which made us roll a bit on the crossing. We did fine, though and arrived at the other side in good shape.

We have left the narrow, twisted, channels through impressive rock formations for narrow, straight channels through farmland. We docked for the night below Lock 40 at Thorah in a very remote and quiet setting. Our friends on the trawler "Cast-a Net" stopped in a marina at “The Narrows” to change some crew so didn't cross the lake with us. Our other companion boat, a 23 foot sailboat with a Montreal family of 3 aboard caught up with us at Lock 40. They just happened to have a saw and axe aboard so they cut some firewood for a campfire. We had a pleasant evening chatting with them.

The lockmaster informed us that there would be some delay Thursday in locking through, so we think “Cast-A-Net” may catch up with us tomorrow.

We wish to take a few lines to thank some of you that have made our trip easier for us.

• Nick for printing a “Trip Tic” of chart pages we use as a back-up to our electronic charts, though we find ourselves turning each page as a fun way to track our meanderings.
• Lina for the jigsaw puzzle, which Camille uses as therapy on the not-so-calm waters of the passage.
• Diane and Jeffrey for their letting us use their dock (an especially nice place to prepare for this trip), loaning us the Saab, and for checking our mail and watching our house while we’re away.
• Mary and Dick for having our mail forwarded to their house, and Jeff and Dick for the fishing tackle, which still awaits use.
• • Armin and Rosealie for watering our outside plants and watching over the condo (and us).
  • Bill and Kay for the fresh vegetables for the trip. Our meals have been especially delicious because of them!
  • Jim and Jane for leaving so many nice and useful necessities aboard the Meander when they sold her to us.
  • Daughter Mary for her help with food ideas and meal planning, as well as the Games magazine subscription so we get some mental (and fun) exersise along the way.
  • Bill G. for the four small fenders that have been VERY useful.
  • Mary S. for helping Camille learn all the fun and useful French. So far, everything has been in English and French! Of course, she only reads the French.
  • Mike, for all his help with the giant engine room fire extinguisher, and with the mast and boom. Yes, we fit under the bridges, and just barely!
  • Micki for your electric skillet recommendation. Wow – is that ever useful!
  We appreciate all of you - reading these meandering words, of our meandering voyage –  We sure have special friends and family.