We had a short day moving from Healey Falls to the bustling metropolis of Hastings, a distance of 12 miles in over two hours.
We agreed with a buddy boat that we would stop there, as we were faced with a very breezy 40 mile crossing on a shallow lake. Whereas 50 mph gusts weren’t in the forecast, they weren’t that other time either.
We chose to lay low and hang with other Loopers.
One of the fun things about doing the Loop is our routine when we arrive at a new place.
Once the boat is put away from the day’s voyage, two things generally happen.
1. We break out the folding bikes to do some exploration and shopping if we are tied up to something attached to land.
2. Regardless of where we are, the fishing tackle gets pulled out.
We’ve had a lot more productivity with biking than fishing.
But, as the old joke goes, that’s why they call it fishing, not catching.
Libbie, being the more inquisitive and social person between the two of us (at least when it comes to fishing), talks to most fisher-people she sees.
“How many have you caught?”
“What are you catching?”
“What sort of bait / lure / jig are you using?”
Fisher-people, particularly fishermen, are often loath to share information.
Libbie is so nonchalant and friendly about it that they not only soon open up, they often give her their favorite lure.
I just wish we could catch more fish!
Then again, that’s why they call it fishing.
Back to the bikes: it’s amazing how our little fold up bikes have gone so many miles and places.
We bought them in the early days of our sailing adventures in San Francisco Bay. They’ve seen the entire state of California.
They’ve been on camping trips around the country.
They’ve gone with me to the National Parks.
They are now on the Loop.
These bikes have gone more places than some people we know.
They have increased our ability to go shopping for goods that we need. They are also a great form of exercise.
They are strong enough to take me with a case of tall boy beer cans on my back.
Some fellow Loopers have Ebikes. But the horror stories of failed batteries, battery fires, bikes falling in the water, etc. make us glad we have our simple little Dahon folding bikes.
Other than that, we play a lot of Gin. It’s a tradition Libbie’s parents used to do every evening.
They played for quarters.
We don’t play for money, mostly because I’d lose my shirt if we did.
We have been having a lot of fun.
Tomorrow, it’s on to Peterborough, the 60 foot lift lock, which I’m very excited to see, and getting stocked up for the rest of the Trent Severn Waterway. We will use our bikes to get around.
We will probably buy more fishing gear too.
Selkie 