Frankford to Campellford, ON

After Friday’s heavy rain kept us cooped up most of the day, we were eager to be outside and get moving again. Today began clear and cool, with a light west wind that built steadily throughout the day. We traveled 23 miles and went through six locks, including an impressive 48-foot lift at the Ranney Falls flight. We’re docked for the night at the town wall in Campbellford, ON, with four other boats. The adjacent park has the world’s largest Toonie coin—the artist who designed it is from the area and the Royal Canadian Mint honored the community with this 18-foot diameter, 27-foot high replica of its two-dollar coin. Map Link: Campbellford, ON

After settling in, we had lunch at The Dockside Bistro (great food, slow service), then took a hike to nearby Ferris Provincial Park and the Ranney Falls Suspension Bridge, a 300-foot steel bridge hovering 30 feet above a beautiful gorge. We returned to Campbellford along the Rotary Trail, which follows the Trent-Severn waterway, and made one more stop at Dooher’s Bakery, where we sampled our first butter tarts, before returning to Dragonfly for the evening. We lucked out with fireworks again, and watched the Campbellford Fair celebration from the cockpit—about a mile away and partially obscured, but fun nevertheless. 

Photo Journal:

Ranney Falls flight lock—we’re at the bottom of
the first lock looking up at the doors of the second

We love tiny fake lighthouses

Welcome mat for sale

Campbellford town hall

Ranney Falls Gorge

Ranney Falls

Ranney Falls Suspension Bridge

Rotary Trail rest stop

Canal Library on the Rotary Trail

The minimum age wasn’t specified, so we didn’t cross here

Chocolate butter tart. I do recommend!