Little Current to USA Border

Kagawang Museum

July 26

Little Current is a lovely little town on Manitou Island. We did a little grocery shopping and some laundry. We enjoyed fish and chips at a waterfront take-out place that wasn't half bad.I had a poutine, cause you never know when you will be able to have another one once you are in the States. It rained a little but it was a welcome as the whole area is dry.

I have learnt so much in the past 45 + days, but here is my latest lesson. Don’t have a big greasy bacon, egg, home fries (with onions) breakfast if you are about to cross a big stretch of water.

With the seas hitting us on the port- stern , every ride wave became an up , right, down, left roller-coaster ride and the breakfast soon starts to grumble in your  belly while everything is turning a nasty green, or at least that is how it feels.

The breakfast was in celebration of our new friend Jim’s 45^th (plus tax) birthday. (MV Wild Goose) The big stretch of water was West Bay towards Clapperton Channel and then south through Mudge Bay to Kagawang.

 Neither one of us felt like anchoring with the whooptey- doo feeling in our bellies so we tied to the Public Dock wall.

The pulpit in the Saint John’s church in 

Kagawang

 is a bow off an old wooden boat. The whole church is full of nautical references.

This wall is so high that we had to use the upper aft deck to step off the boat. With the winds coming straight down the bay from the north it made for a bumpy spot to be tied to.

The public dock at Kagawang. The tie-up walls were so high we had to use the top of the aft area to step on and off the boat. The wind was coming straight out of the north and just pounding us against the dock but we stayed for a visit and we are glad we did.

Lovely walk to Bridal Veil Falls

                                                 Gary behind Bridal Veil Falls – Kagawang

Bridal Veil Falls

At about 330 we headed into the north wind towards Clapperton Island and a sheltered anchorage.

Exploring the island, we saw an abandoned lodge and the ruins of a resort on the opposite side of the bay on Harbour Island.

                                        Ruins of an old resort on Clapperton Harbour Island

                             

July 27

The bad weather we expected didn’t arrive (or perhaps we are becoming more seasoned sailors?) so we headed out on a nice cruise to Barrie Island and a little anchorage in Sturgeon Bay for the afternoon. We had the place all for ourselves again. The water was gorgeous clear and plenty of fish swam around the boat. I took a bath in the cold water and we enjoyed a spectacular sunset.

                         Rising Moon over Barrie Island - Sturgeon Bay anchorage

Sunset Sturgeon Bay

July 28

The North Channel was a little rocky but we decided to push through and went as far as Vidal Island. We had a seagull following us part of the way. 

Follower

Again we anchored in clear water and we saw the fish swimming around the boat. Gary spotted our first bald eagle

Sunset Vidal Bay

     

                                                             

July 29

Got up early and headed into Lake Huron. The day was sunny and warm and the water, calm and clear. We stopped in Mississauga Channel to try and catch one of the big fish we kept seeing on the fishfinder. We tried trolling as we travelled but gave up after a half an hour. The wind was forecasted to come from the south-west so we ducked around Kitchener Island off Cockburn Island for shelter and found a paradise. The water looks like tropical water, different shades of greens and blue. We went exploring in the dingy and took a long walk along the shore rock hunting.  Tomorrow we are crossing the border into the States. We look forward to the next leg of our journey.

Rock hunting –Kitchener Island –Cockburn Island 

……………………………to be continued

Bayfield Inlet - Little Current

July 18

We left Bayfield Inlet and headed to the Bustard Islands via the dreaded Hangdog Channel. The channel is named after the sad hang-dog faces of all the boaters who have lost a prop or two on the rocks in this very narrow and shallow channel. Of course ( just our luck) that ended up sharing the channel with a big power boat , he was making a huge wake and almost put us on the rocks. We tried calling him on the VHF but he never answered, just scooted by and didn't slow down at all .....We met him again the next day in Collins Inlet , another narrow channel and he did exactly the same.....this time we were better prepared and he didn't wake us too badly but the poor folks on a little dingy, sightseeing, got knocked about big time.

Hangdog Light House

Narrow passage through
Hangdog Channel

A Barrel was used to mark "Safe Passage"
This is the sight of the original Barrel- Hangdog

Sandhill Cranes -Hangdog

Pictures just don't do it justice. Hangdog Reef

Anyway, Hangdog , for all it's scariness is absolutely gorgeous. I wish my pictures could show you exactly what it is like there.....you will just have to get your own boat and come and do the Loop with us:)

Bustard Island Light House

Our plans were to anchor in The Bustard, however we decided to take advantage of the great weather window and calm wind and push through the North East Passage to Beaverstone Bay. 
It was a glorious crossing and it only took us a couple of hours. Gary turned on the auto pilot which running is very well now that we figured out how to work it. We tried a few spots in Beaverstone Bay and finally dropped the anchor in Muskrat Bay, a shallow but great little anchorage. We shared this spot with MV Fur Flying, a 24Ft sundeck with 3 dogs on board. They had to tie to shore to let the dogs run free. Unfortunately in the process of tying 4 lines to shore; their dingy got away from them, Gary saved the day buy fetching it for the skipper, cause it was heading out to open water.  Muskrat Bay‘s water was warm but murky. There weren't half as many deer flies which made me very happy.(YAH!)

Swimming in Muskrat Bay

Anchored in Muskrat

July 19

Left Muskrat Bay for Collins Inlet a lovely scenic passage with high granite cliffs on both ends the channel. At the entrance we slowed down to give a zodiac a soft pass when we were waked by a boat we had run into the previous day well. The skipper was not answering any radio calls requesting soft passes and was heading full speed out of Collins Inlet. I guess just like there are bad drivers on the road, there are bad and careless skippers out there on boats.

Narrow Collins Inlet

Ok, on these rocks there are suppose
to be Indian drawings, I don't see them, do you?

 From Collins Inlet to Killarney Bay we had a rough couple of minutes crossing an open stretch in bad beam seas. We were giving each other a high five for doing the Eastern passage the day before in calm winds as oppose to crossing in high winds. I hate beam seas as much as I hate deer flies…Yes, I know Hate is a strong word but that is how I feel.

Killarney is a quaint little harbour town. It was packed chock a block with boats that we later found out were the Great Lake cruisers all heading into the same direction for the annual rendezvous.

Instead of a Drive-In , this is a Boat-In where they show movies
for boaters who tune their radios to a local FM station
ISN'T IT NEAT!!!?

An old school bus that sells fish and chips - Mr Perch
 where we enjoy another great meal

We were entering Covered Portage anchorage when we received a call on the radio form other Loopers. MV Next to Me., Cathryn and Bob are a lovely couple from Seattle and are looping in a gorgeous Jefferson 42’ that they purchased in Stuart Fl. What a beautiful boat! We were invited for cocktails and ended up visiting till almost midnight. We shared many stories and Bob gave me some Starbucks coffee as I had just ran out of the last Starbucks got from Sandi on MVTarqin. 
The next day we took the dingy to Killarney where we did some laundry and had lunch at Mr. Perch, a fish and chip truck. Back at the anchorage we saw another Looper had arrived. MV 20Buck$ with Ken and Pat are almost done their loop as Pat has to be back to work in Minnesota on the 20^th of September. We ended another glorious day with cocktails and new friends. These Loopers sure know how to do the cocktails thing!

A easy climb for an amazing view, Time & Tide at anchor
in Covered Portage

King of the Hill

July 21

This morning Gary decided we had to climb a mountain, literally!! 2 Minutes into the “walk” I told Gray I was NOT having fun but when we reached the top of the climb it was worth all the hard work. I was later told it is called "bush-whacking" The previous day we also went for a walk but it was a nice easy well-worn path....this was HARD!

After bush-whacking our way to the top of the
mountain, what a  view!

Gary 

You can hardly see the boat from here...

This evening we had 8 Loopers for cocktails on Time and Tide. It was a tight fit but we had a great time.  Everyone brings something to eat and something to drink. We share all the snacks and you drink your own booze. It works out very well. Every evening we have been too full to have dinner and a veteran Looper suggested having a good meal at lunch time as every evening is cocktails and snacks and then you don’t feel like eating dinner.

Ken, Bob and Cathryn

Ann, Jim and Gary

The evening ended on a high note when Pat (MV 20 Buck$) blew the conch shell at sunset.

Pat (MV 20 Buck$) blowing the conk at Sunset
apparently that is what people do in the Bahamas! I can't wait!!

July 22

An easy day at anchor. The bay filled up with so many sailboats we were afraid we might touch if the wind slacked off at night. Ann, Jim (MV Wild Goose) Gary and I went into Killarney on the dinghies and had ice-cream at the Sportsman Marina where we ran into MV Flight Plan who we haven’t seen since Frankfort. They came over to the anchorage and joined us for cocktails on MV Wild Goose.

The Trailer Sailors arrived and filled the anchorage, we were like sardines
in a can. 

July 23
We headed back to Killarney to pick up the part for the generator. The wind had picked up so much that we decided to take cover in Snug Harbour. We were anchored there with about 10 other boats as the wind blasted through from Lake Huron.

As we got into the cove and Gary began to drop the anchor; we saw yet another bear swimming from one end of the island to the other end. We have now seen two bears and we can't believe our luck. This time I did take a picture (a quick one, as we were in the middle of anchoring and it is a time when you have to pay close attention to the instructions from the Captain, who is on the bow of the boat,doing all the hard work )

I made this picture x-large so you can see the small black dot in the water half way between the two little out cropping of land, that is the bear, swimming. trust me, I wouldn't lie to you.

July 24
We got up nice and early to make it to Bay Fine before the bay got too choppy. We anchored in The Pool, a weedy but beautiful spot. Gary and I went for a walk to Topaz Lake. Again, I was blown away by the beauty. You have to see this for yourself....words cannot describe who lovely it is. This part of the country has been terribly dry and we saw the remains from a forest fire. The blueberries that Gary had dreamed of picking for his cereal, are non existent due to the dryness. There is rain fore-casted for tomorrow which would be a great relief.

Time& Tide anchored in The Pool

Topaz Lake , high in the granite mountains

Bay Fine

We ended up another beautiful day with cocktails on MVJackets 2 with Stephen and Charlotte. Ann and Jim joined us from MV Wild Goose.


July 25
Another early morning and we set the course for Little Currant. Here we stocked up on groceries and because rain was in the forecast we decided to stay on the docks for tonight. Which gives me time to post my blog, update my charts on my iPad and tonight, hopefully we can Skype with the kids. Ahhh, I love free wi-fi...and the best thing about being in the North Channel, besides the magnificent beauty ???........no more deerflies :)

.........................................to be continued

Port Severn - Georgian Bay

Port Severn – Georgian Bay July 10-July 14

Our last day in Port Severn we did some laundry at the Severn Suds J (a name that struck us as quite amusing) and we also did some grocery shopping.

Gary was starting to look a little scruffy so I
gave him a #2 all over.

Sitting Pretty

Man, oh man, I find the prices of things up here to be crazy high!!  We wanted fruit and veggies but the quality was sad and the prices darn right outrageous.

It was pretty breezy and we wanted to get an early start the next morning, so we locked through and stayed on the bottom wall.

July 11

We were woken up around 0500 by Mexican fisherman, I kid you not!  They were so loud (and did I mention Mexican?) that we figured, what the hell, and casted off.  I was nervous to leave the safety of the Trent for the unfamiliar Georgian Bay with its rocks underwater biting at props and its winding channels and low water depth…

And sure enough, hardly 5 minutes into the trip we arrived at Potato Channel, so narrow and shallow one would almost think it unnavigable.

Narrow Potato Channel not even 5 miles out
of Port Severn where
many a boater has had the unfortunate luck of losing
 a prop or even a shaft.

Potato Channel;

But we made it through and when we arrived at Frying Pan Bay we were sad to see it was chock a block full of anchored boats and we weren’t able to find a spot.

We checked our charts and without even realising it we became gunk-hollers. We found a gorgeous anchorage and dropped our anchor thinking that surely more boats will show up to share our little paradise with us, but none came, we ended up having a lovely piece of Georgian Bay all to ourselves. We spent two days swimming and laying around. We took the tender and went exploring of some large rocks in a nearby channel. 

A short visit to Honey Harbour and we were we stocked up on a few more groceries and fish bait, cause so far the elusive Walleye( Pickerel) has evaded our lures and coaxing.

Rock climbing

Exploring

Honey Harbour smart worms

Gorgeous Georgian Bay

Anchored at Tomahawk Island

Pizza cooked on the boat at anchor

Striking a pose on a rock in Georgian Bay

We took some time and gave Time& Tide a good cleaning on the inside and outside.

July 13

We took off early and headed towards Frying Pan Island. For years now Gary has been telling me about Henry’s Fish Camp where he and Wayne spent a night 4 years ago when they brought Time & Tide home from Lake Huron.

Carolyn, Susan , Pattie and Carol
came for a visit

Henry's Fish camp

A few props damaged by the rocks

Gary enjoying his Fish and Chips

 We looked for an anchorage near the Island and found on off Jumbo Island. It was a tricky spot to get into, the water level going from a safe 16 feet to a scary 2 feet. We steered her in, me at the helm and Gary on the bow. We dropped the anchor and turned her around to tie her stern to the shore. This prevented us from swinging into the loving arms of a boulder underwater. I was torn between the gorgeous water and the scary rocks so close to the hull of the boat but Gary assured me everything was ok and as usual he was quite right. 

It was like having my own private pool. Off the swim platform there was 5 feet of water which shallowed to 2 feet. The water was crystal clear. It is so beautiful it is impossible to describe. 

Carol braved the cold water and went for a swim

Our Inukshuk, this one is a hockey player

Carol and me- proud of our little Inukshuk

Jimmie tied off behind Jumbo Island in crystal clear water

At lunch time we got into our dingy and headed for Henrys and a nice fish and chip lunch. When we arrived we saw Sojourner, a Selina 36 with Susan and Carolyn, who we met in Frankfort. It was wonderful to see familiar faces. We also met Pattie and Carol, friends of theirs who are visiting from Florida. We invited them to come and visit us at the anchorage and to swim in the lovely water.

Carol and I swam to the shore and built an inukshuk (this one is a hockey player)

July 14

Knowing that there is bad weather and high winds on the way we couldn’t stay at the anchorage on Jumbo Island with a stern line tied to shore, so we packed up and headed north on the small craft channel.

Canoe Narrows

As we were leaving the anchorage, Gary called out to me. He had noticed about 300 meters behind us a big black bear was swimming from one island to another. I was so awe struck I never even thought of taking a picture. We quietly waited for him to go ashore and as he walked out of the water we could see he was a big one. I kept saying WOW for about an hour!!

We passed through the dreaded Canoe Narrows without an incident and continued on to Hopewell Bay. 

Hopewell Bay

We found a great hidey hole where we planned to be for a few days waiting for the bad weather to pass. The place was swarming with little house flies that bite.


We had to close everything up and turn on the generator to be cool inside. The next morning we said to hell with it and left for Bayfield Inlet knowing that there would be safe harbour against the pending storm. 

We were anchored behind Gibraltar Island for 3 day waiting for the bad weather to pass.

Sunset- Gibraltar Island - Bayfield Inlet

Before we anchored we thought it best to top up with fuel so we went into Bayfield Inlet.  The lady at the marina told us it was more expensive as we go north so we ended up filling up and paying $1.79 for a liter of diesel. Afterwards we found out that she fibbed as the fuel in Killarney is only $1.48!

The bad weather blew in and we had a rocky night on the hook but she held tight and we were very safe. I was scared at times, especially when the gusts of 70Kmp winds pushed us around. Things always seem worse in the dark.

The rain never materialised so it stay warm and muggy. The deer flies were terrible. After attempting to fight them off with bug juice and fly swatters, I almost became disheartened. They don’t seem to bite Gary at all but love to feast on me. The bites hurt like heck and the itchiness can drive one crazy. There is a magical 45 minutes at around 8:15 pm when the deer flies have left for the day and the mosquitos haven’t arrived yet. It is my favourite time of day! I don’t want to sound like I am complaining; I am living a dream but those beasty little biters sure make life miserable.

                                           …to be continued