Day 43 Monday July 19 To Severn Falls Govmt Dock

Today we are leaving Orilla on Lake Couchiching after a night of on and off rain and lightning shows. Looks like we might have some showers on the way, however, at this point the rain feels good. Talked with John and Fran about some upcoming hazards  and took off around 9AM.
The water color has changed to a clear green, almost citron color and we can see the rocky bottom very clearly at 10'.
In the upcoming landscape there's an island with sparse trees and a lot of activity. They almost look like the trees you would see in a Halloween scene. As we get closer, it turns out to be sort of what I would call "bird island".
The rocks begin to show as we get closer to Georgian Bay and I wish the sun was shining so that the colors show up in the photo's.
We knew when we left that our timing would be off a little for the hourly opening of the railroad bridge, and we were first in line of many trawlers as we waited for a little less than a half hour.
Our next challenge will be the Lock #42 Couchiching where we now have about 10 boats ready to go through. They put 8 of us through together after a long wait and it was a sight to be seen. Mas Bueno with Hal and Cheryl aboard stay with us most of this day. They are one of 5 boats from Tennessee doing The Great Loop, yet the boats and owners did not all know each other prior to leaving months ago.
We still have a swing bridge and Lock #43 Swift Rapids to go before reaching the Government Dock.
 The Riverside Restaurant which has new owners this past year have really fixed it up and has a very nice menu. It's simple, with a touch of gourmet. They are booked for the night, so I ordered some side dishes of salad and brushetta while Captain Ron gets his favorite spaghetti dinner started on board.
After dinner, we walk to the office where we have ice cream and play a ring toss game with the owners and a family that also came in for ice cream.