August 27, 2017 - Georgian Bay thru North Channel, Canada

We just finished our last leg of the cruising in Canada.  We experienced a lot of firsts that we hadn't been able to so far on the trip.....anchoring FINALLY (inverter issues resolved for now), swimming off the back of the boat, granite mountain ranges, beautiful water, rafting with friends (of the boat kind, not the people kind), hiking and moments so quiet, I could hear Roofus breathing....great times!!

This last section was a combination of the Georgian Bay and the North Channel.  These areas make up the northern shore of Lake Huron and are about 300 miles from one end to the other.  We entered the Georgian Bay on August 15th and two weeks later we were leaving the Northern Channel, heading back to America.  The topography is the most striking feature of our time here.  All along the way there are granite outcroppings, some large enough for towns and communities, some only room enough for a cabin, others only barely above the water and thousands just below the surface.  Needless to say that last category had us minding the channel markers closely and on constant vigilance.  I am proud to say we made it though with no bumps, bangs and our props intact.

We started in Port Severn where we encountered the first test of nerves....the very narrow channel known as Potato Island Channel.  There was barely enough room to cruise through let alone make the tight turns required.  Our thought was that if this is how it starts, then the next 300 miles will either be a charm or a nightmare. 

Port Severn - Potato Channel, notice the how close the green and red buoys are!!!

Our first port of call was Midland.  We were here 4 days getting the inverter installed.  And of course, it was not easy but nothing has been when it comes to mechanical and electrical issues.  But we left with a working inverter and ready to start anchoring out.

In Midland Ken pulled out his last Canadian diet coke, hmmm, probably too many docktails as well as inverter frustration drinking.

A day out of Midland we did our first successful anchoring!  Our first one on the loop.  Yoohoo!  We found a lovely cove off Monument Channel, near Bernadette Island.  Great protection from wind and currents.  One really unexpected treat was a protected Osprey nest on one of granite outcroppings.  Though Ken got little sleep and me, just slightly more, our anchor held.  Better yet, the anchor came up easily and pretty clean.  No water grass beard to fight with.  I must say that the reason we tucked into Monument Channel is the water and wind got a bit rough, and after taking it on our beam for about an hour, Roofus had had enough.  She got sick and was miserable.  I was right there with her on the miserable.  To keep our little family together we agreed to find a safe harbor.  It was worth it in the end as we found this little gem of place to spend the night.

View off the stern on our first anchorage.

To the left a protected Osprey nest.  To the right, love the reflection of sun on the water.  So peaceful.

The next day took us to Parry Sound.  Our destination was Kilcoursie Bay at Kilbear Point Provincial Park.  Unlike last night's anchorage we were definitely not alone.  There were a dozen or so boats, already anchored, beach goers in the water, and lots of small craft including row boats, dinghies, paddle boards, sea-doos, swimmers off the anchored boats and lots of activity.  We managed to anchor amid it all, without incident or embarrassing ourselves.  Yeah us!  The highlight of this day was that we decided to make like the tourists and hit the water.  It was chilly but refreshing and the water was clear enough to see your feet under you. 

Kilcoursie Bay - Popular vacation destination with long sandy beaches.

Ready, set, go....so cold but only for a moment.  Was really refreshing.

Ken after his dip in the bay but had to check out the running gear and zinks while he was in.

By sunset all the beach goers and small craft were gone.  So peaceful.

The next few days brought high winds and rain so we decided to marina in rather than anchor out.  This brought us into Byng Inlet where we met Terry and Pat Moy, loopers from Atlanta, GA.  Lovely people, very knowledgeable and easy to be with.  We all enjoyed our docktails and sharing adventures.  The boys talked boat, navigation, mechanics, destinations, more boat and oh, a little more boat.  Pat and I didn't mind in the least, and we settled in to get to know each other and talk about both our 2 legged and 4 legged children.  To our great fortune we ended up traveling together to the next three spots along the way.  After a week we went our separate ways, Terry and Pat to meet up with Terry's brother and his family, Ken and I to head back to America.  I will cherish our time with them and the great memories we made.

On our way to Byng Inlet we past Pointe Au Baril Station Lighthouse.  In the mid-1800s to better aid navigation the locals erected a barrel with a lantern on top at the point of land to be called Pointe Au Baril, meaning 'point with the barrel'.  In 1889, the barrel was replaced with the lighthouse that is still in service.  Below is the current lighthouse and a reconstruction of the barrel. 

Our first day in Byng Inlet at Wright's Marina.  The weather had not kicked up yet so had docktails with the Moys.  Below Terry and Ken getting to know each other with their respective boats in the background.  Both Bayliners!

Yes, we were officially in bear country.  Bear proof containers everywhere.  Makes you feel safe, right!?

Beautiful sunrise over Wright's Marina

After the weather past through and wind died down, Independence and Happy-Happy cruised on together to Collins Inlet and Keyhole Island to anchor out.  This was our last stop along the Georgian Bay before entering the North Channel.  It was the trip up the Collins Inlet that we started to see the granite walls and higher elevations of hills around us.  Absolutely gorgeous.

Heading to Collins Inlet with Happy-Happy in the lead.

White granite hills in Collins Inlet.

Collins Inlet - Small waterfalls everywhere along the way.

Collins Inlet - Remains of logging industry that prospered around 1900.

Collins Inlet - Fascinating how the pines grow out of and cling to the granite walls.

Collins Inlet - Some areas of granite so smooth that it shines in sunlight.

Collins Inlet - See the rock statue in the sitting on top of the ledge?  This is an 'inukshuk'.  Historically these are monuments made of unworked stones by the Inuit for communication and survival.  They signify that someone was here or that you are on the right path.  They are seen frequently but not sure this one is by the Inuit or other adventurous travelers.

Keyhole Island - After anchoring, Terry, Pat and puppy Jude came over for docktails.

Keyhole Island Anchorage was beautiful, calm and quiet

Sunrise at Keyhole Island over the water with mists rising.  Happy-Happy in the foreground.

Sunrise at Keyhole Island with Independence.  One of the advantages of traveling together, is getting pics of your own boat that you can't get alone.

Our next day took us into the North Channel as we headed to Baie Fine.  As soon as we entered this narrow channel we saw white quartz mountains on either side.  These are the La Cloche Mountains that are one of the oldest on earth, at approximately 3.5 billion years.  They were absolutely stunning.  They ran the entire length, 9 nautical miles, of the channel.  At the end was our destination, 'The Pool'.  The Pool is a small bay with mountains on 3 sides.  There are hiking trails with one leading to Topaz Lake, which we did that afternoon.  YES, I took my poor left knee for some exercise it did not expect or want but we both survived.  :)  But I get ahead of myself.  Upon arriving at 'The Pool' we decided to raft up with Happy-Happy.  Independence being the larger of the two vessels anchored then Happy-Happy rafted up next to her.  Our first time rafting while at anchor

!  We did have to go for a second try as Terry pointed out that in order to launch Sparkler (our dinghy), Happy-Happy had to raft on Independence's starboard side.  Rafting certainly made it so much easier for docktails and dinner....just a step away from either boat.  Terry later tied Happy-Happy to a tree which kept both boats from swinging which was great.  All went smoothly and soon we were talking about what to do next.  Launching the dinghies and finding Topaz Lake was the adventure for the afternoon.  So glad we did this as the lake was breathtaking to see from the top of the mountain.  The day ended too quickly but left us all with memories of a life time.

Baie Fine and the white quartz 'La Cloche' Mountains

Baie Fine heading to 'The Pool', our anchorage for the night.

'The Pool' - A popular anchorage but room for all of us.

'The Pool' - view from our stern, about 20' away from the rock wall.

Happy-Happy and Independence rafted together

Ken and Linda on Sparkler heading out to hike to Topaz Lake

Hiking to Topaz Lake - Now this is a gnarly tree.

Me, Ken, Jude (in Pat's lap), Pat and Terry at the top of the mountain overlooking Topaz Lake. 

Topaz Lake - Absolutely beautiful.  The water is so clear.

Back to our boats.

Sunrise on 'The Pool' with the mists starting to lift.  Notice how calm the water is, like glass.

'The Pool' - Only downside was the beard of water grass that Ken had to wrangle to remove.

Independence heading out of 'The Pool'.  Hated to leave!

We ended our time together with Terry and Pat at Little Current but not before we had the opportunity to attend Roy Eaton's Cruisers' Net broadcast.  Roy is the voice of the Little Current Cruisers' Net - a daily broadcast he runs every morning during July and August.  He shares news, marine weather and messages for boaters in the North Channel of Georgian Bay.  It is a great public service and for us loopers, gives us an opportunity to find out where everyone is at the moment.  We really enjoyed both his broadcast and getting to meet him.  Ken noticed that he had burgees from many different boating organizations but not one for the AGLCA.  We had two so decided to give him one of his own.  He was very gracious and happy to add our looper burgee to his wall.  So glad we made time to do this. 

Roy Eaton (center) after doing the Cruisers' Net broadcast on August 27th

Roy with the AGLCA burgee on the wall

With a fond farewell and hopes for calm seas and fair winds, we said goodbye to Terry and Pat.  We then headed to our last stop in Canada, Blind River, before returning to America.  We were in Canada just over two months and it is hard to believe it's over.  I'm very glad we have kept this blog so we can go back and remember all the wonderful places we have seen, anchorages & marinas we have stayed and the people we have met.  It has been a fabulous adventure so far.

Post Scripts from Roofus:

Not to be a Debbie-Downer in this happy-happy, joy-joy cruise in the Georgian Bay but I want to take you back to the beginning of this trip out of Midland.  First, let me say there was not just one day of rough weather but two.  I did not complain the first day (this was on our way to Midland).  I bucked it up and handled it like this was normal everyday cruising but the second day, I couldn't keep up the charade.  I tried my best, I really did.  I know I started out being fussy by refusing to go back up in the pilot house but the time before it was so rough I thought I was going to get pitched right out the wide open side door.  So here I was thinking I was safe in salon with my Mom human, all tucked in my blanket and snuggled in but NOOO, this pitching started again.  I tried to sleep to ignore it, tried to get my Mom human to snuggle harder to take my mind off it.  I finally moved to the center of the salon and curled up to wait it out while sending pleading looks at my Mom human (my pic this week, don't I look pitiful?!).  BTW, I am smarter than you think because the rocking is not as bad in the center of the boat, which is why I did not want to go back up in the pilot house, my humans did not seem to get that.  Well, my stomach finally had enough and good thing too because if I hadn't gotten sick, we would probably still be out there rockin' and rollin'.  And that's the truth!