July 16-25, 2016: The North Channel, Ontario CA.

Killarney: Killarney is the transition between the Georgian Bay and the North Channel - with both groups wanting to claim it. Our trip from Wright's Marina on the Byng Inlet was mostly over the open waters of the North Georgian Bay - 40 of the 46 miles. The wind was generally on our nose and grew steadily from 4 knots to 8 as the day went on. We were able to use the charts that were given to us by Carol and Susan of "Why Knot" (the 38' catamaran). A big help. We had a slip at Sportsman's Inn reserved and took one on the "Island Side" across the channel from the mainland as it was quieter, less subject to the weather and easier in and out. They operate a pontoon boat to ferry you across from 7:00 in the morning until about midnight. We were in a big (relative) city so we had phone service - but no wifi. We watched a Fleming 55 powerboat tow a stranded vessel into port and later in the afternoon met the crew - Rod and Susie of "Bee Haven" - and together with Tom and Linda of "Mollie B" the towed boat - went to dinner at Herbert's Fisheries. More great white fish and fries. Next day we toured the town. there is a nice little Museum there with some things neither of us had seen, like a hand operated variable angle drill press and an old cast iron cook stove operated with individual kerosene burners. Han a nice lunch at "The Mountain Lodge" and returned to the boat to wait out the wind and rain. Next day was still windy and had lunch again at Herbert's and met Mark and Becka of "Melodie", a classic 60 foot 1978  Hatteras Sport Fisher. Great folks!

Neat church window.

Old stove with 4 burners.

The Mountain Lodge

the neat old church

Herbert's Fisheries

Sportsman's Inn.

Judie and Ger

Gore Bay: Finally able to leave, we were planning to stop in Little Current after about 25 miles, but it was early in spite of missing the 10:00 bridge opening by 5 minutes; that we decided to go an additional 30 mile to Gore Bay. The morning cruise was beautiful on a long stretch between two islands followed by some open water. The afternoon was all open water but went well as the winds stayed at about 6 knots. Gore Bay is a very nice marina full with lots of boats there on a permanent basis. We asked for an "easy in - easy out" slip and were given a 65 foot slip next to a "Florida Bay Coaster" - perfect. After checking in, we frequented the local pub- "Buoys Eatery" for a couple cold ones and some food. Great little place and the key lime pie with white chocolate shavings on top is fantastic. Chef Richard came out to ask how we liked it - as we were the first serving of his newest desert created by a local friend.

The "Florida Bay Coaster"

Meldrum Bay; We started the day about 7:00 by backing easily out of that 65' slip. The day was all big, wide water but at least light winds and a pretty day. We finished our 34 miles by noon and "feasted" on leftover salmon patties, fried potatoes and corn for lunch. The afternoon was a nap and visiting with the CA customs agents that stopped by along with the boaters who stopped to clear customs going into CA waters. We went to dinner at the Meldrum Bay Inn for some great tasting ribs that were a bit of work to get off of the bone. The wine and desert along with the great hostess who loves US politics made for a great evening. Next day, Thursday, was heavy rain about mid day followed by more in the evening and overnight. Friday we were still having big winds so we stayed put and from 2:00 until 3:30 helped the harbor master dock 13 boats that showed up - many on the return leg after finishing the Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race. Ger was helping to have something fun to do, and to keep from getting another boat behind us that would hem us in. That was all fine until about 7:30 when a late straggler showed up and no place to go but behind us. Oh well!

The Marina Office and Inn in the background.

The way it looked at 1:59 pm.

The way it looked at 3:31 pm.

De Tour Village: Another day on the open water with not much to see or do. The wind was a little "snotty" early on  but settled in after a couple hours to a nice 4 knots. We stopped after 37 miles at Drummond Island - the first US Customs stop - to clear in . Yea! Back in the USA! A simple process that took all of 10 minutes after we tied up to the dock. We then went another 9 miles to the De Tour Village Marina and stopped to get our waste tank pumped out before heading to the slip. It is another small town with good phone service, but with no wifi. We stayed three days to wait out the weather. Ger visited the local beauty shop for a haircut and Judie kept the local grocery store in business. Met a nice couple just getting into cruising that were headed into the area we just left, so we gave them the charts that we received from "Why Knot" to help them out, as we did not need them any longer.