Today we were scheduled to cross Rice Lake. We were told by multiple people that the lake can get choppy when there is a west wind. Since the forecast called for a north-northwest wind during the day, we decided to cross the lake early. So we got up at 5:45am and spent the next three hours crossing the lake.

It turned out to not be bad at all and we were glad we got the early start because boats that we talked to who went later said that the lake was pretty choppy by noon.

The rest of today’s trip was very peaceful on the narrow, winding and scenic Otonabee river. It reminded us of the lower St. John’s River. 

We arrived at the one lock we were going to be transiting and found it open and waiting for us with one other small boat sharing the lock. Our final destination was the lower wall of the Ashburnham Lock in the city of Peterborough. This wall is in a city park, and there is plenty to see and do. We rode our bikes on the trail and found a campground nearby.

Tomorrow will be the Peterborough Lift Lock, one of the signature locks on the Trent/Severn waterway.