Our stay at Trent Port Marina – July 15 – 17 – in Trenton, Ontario

Our introduction to Canadian marina living was an exceptional one. Trent Port Marina in Trenton, Ontario, proved to be quite the upscale experience – big improvement over the United States. The expansive grounds are perfectly manicured, with lots of flowers, Canadian geese, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables and grills. The bath facilities are modern and clean, as is the laundry room (with detergent and dryer sheets provided and no charge for laundry!)

There’s a beautiful resident lounge with television and comfy chairs to do your computer work on. Ice cream and snacks are available and there’s even an herb garden. The staff is professional and friendly (and there are many) and the wifi connection actually works!

Friday night was an unexpected treat. A local gentleman who owns many businesses, one of them fireworks, feels slighted as Canada doesn’t use his fireworks for Canada Day. So every year he puts on a spectacular show for his hometown residents of Quinte West (in Trenton.) We couldn’t believe all the people who piled into the marina for the show – all lined up along the marina shores.

We sat up top on Mitch and Anne’s boat (Pat calls it “the perch”) and had a bird’s eye view. What a show! It started with a drone show, followed by the fireworks. Amazing.

Saturday morning we walked to the downtown festival for their pancake breakfast. We were surprised they served Mrs. Butterworth syrup – not real Canadian maple syrup! The cook said he’d have to charge double if that were the case! There were Irish singers and lots of arts and crafts.

We also walked to the farmer’s market just down the street, and purchased home raised steaks from a young woman who runs a “regenerative farm.” Mitch grilled the steaks that evening. We ate at a picnic table up by the marina facility. What a view and those steaks were tasty. And Mitch and Ann brought “butter tarts” from a local bakery that touts they have the best ones. Butter tarts are a specialty in this part of Canada. They remind me of pecan pie, with double the butter.

There was a “Metro” grocery within walking distance – so of course I visited that many times. I have fallen in love with grocery stores. We walked to afternoon Mass at an old Catholic church downtown – St. Peter’s. Huge Catholic complex that looks sadly pretty vacant now.

Saturday morning proved to be a harrowing one for Captain Patrick. He should stick to captaining a boat and not riding a bike! He and Mitch rode to the lock to purchase the Canadian Lock Pass and Park Pass. These will save us money as we traverse the Trent Severn Waterway and cruise Georgian Bay. Patrick unfortunately took a tumble exiting a bridge, hitting some sand. It could have been much worse. He fell on the knee (with the knee replacement), hurt his hip and cracked a rib – and bruised his ego. He laid low the rest of the day to nurse his injuries.  As Uncle Bill says “is he trying to be Joe Biden?”

Because of his injuries, we decided to stay another day and begin the Trent Severn Waterway on Monday, not Sunday. I have to admit I was delighted!  Another day in a marina (especially this one that was so nice) is a big win for me.  Dancing Bear joined us for the one evening. The next morning our two boats departed for our next journey with more locks – the Trent Severn Waterway.

Here are more photos of our visit to Trent Port Marina in Trenton.