Peterborough, ON

Today we traveled to Peterborough via Rice Lake and the Otonabee River/Trent Canal. Leaving Hastings, we had to thread our way thru old railway bridge abutments and narrow channels marked by concrete pilings, making for an interesting navigational challenge.

Kids, we've found,  are the same in Canada as in the US. We noticed this group jumping off a 40ft high overpass just as we passed under. If you look closely you can see the first jumper in the water to the left. We hope they know what's under the water below.

 

 

Here's the others getting ready for their turn.

 

 

Rice Lake, 20 miles long and 3 miles wide, got its name from the extensive wild rice beds which have since died out due to fluctuating water levels. After 60 miles of river travel it's nice to have "vistas" and to be able to open the throttle a bit.

 

 

It seems that every island or tree in the rivers and lakes become resting places for all types of birds. Rice Lake is no exception.

 

The entrance to the Otonabee River leads us to Peterborough and is site of the Hiawatha First Nation Indian reservation. Now autonomous, it dates back to 1818. The river is similar to a Louisiana bayou and is lined with cottages, RV parks, and camp grounds.

Arriving in Peterborough's Little Lake we are greeted by a huge fountain ... impressive.