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