mvalwayshome

Good morning folks!!  Have you noticed that sunrise is not at 6:00am anymore?  It is now 6:30am.  When did that happen?  This must mean we are marching toward the shortest day of the year.  It also means that summer is fading and fall is right around the corner.  133 days till Christmas!!  Oh, my.

We have a short day planned.  A quick hop over to Meldrum Bay, ON.  A small marina that has new floating docks and a new breakwater to protect the little harbor from nasty winds.  Come cruise with us today.  We are expecting a wonderful day on the water!

Leaving Gore Bay Marina, Gore Bay, ON

This is our route today.  Looks simple enough.  Deep water.  Few rocks to drive around.

Gore Bay to Meldrum Bay

Look at that water!!  I know you may be tired of me talking about how flat the water is, but we did have that one experience of 1 meter sea.  So, flat is really attractive!

Sunrise in the North Channel

7 am – Light Waves

I was going to use software to straighten the picture, but then that would be cheating.  I took the picture on one of the light waves.  We are on a boat.  We move.  So, the pictures won’t be perfect.

Cruising past Barrie Island

Port Window view at 10am

We arrived at Meldrum Island by 10:30am.  A very short day for us.  The dock attendant was very helpful.  He said we have plenty of water at the dock.  I looked down and could see rocks.  The water is pretty clear and I see rocks!!  He said they are 8 feet below the surface. For sure.  No problem.  Ok.  We will not get too close to them, for sure!

Clear water of Meldrum Bay, ON

By the end of the day, there were several sail boats that pulled into the marina.  The wind was peaking into the 15-20mph again.  Glad we got here early.  Very quiet town.  Actually, I am not sure you could call it a town.  4 buildings and a few cottages.

The Marina building.  Showers, bathroom, laundry and such can be found here.

Marina Office

The Restaurant and Inn.  We didn’t eat there but I heard through the Looper grapevine that it served an excellent meal.

The first building is the restaurant and Inn

The second building is the Local food store and LCBO that are closed.  The woman who ran it for the last 2 years got pregnant and moved back to Gore.  The population of Gore Bay is now 851 with the birth of the new baby.  Unfortunately, the summer residents of Meldrum Bay are without their LCBO (liquor store) and have to drive all the way to Gore for more adult refreshments (20 minute drive).  The dock attendant didn’t seem a bit disturbed that there was no food in the town.  Just the liquor.

This is a summer town.  It closes up during the winter and is completely empty.  Ghost town, so to speak.  Interesting.  I wonder where all the boats go?  Winter storage at other locations?

These road signs seem quite appropriate.

At the End of the Road – Water Street Begins

We have WiFi!!  Finally catching up on this blog.  Thank you for your patience.  Back to civilization!

Good Morning!!  Up and at ’em.  Early day today so we can get to our destination by noon.  This morning is all about color.  Aren’t these the best?  If I hadn’t seen them with my own eyes, I would have thought they were photoshopped.  The other boaters that we sleeping in?  They really missed a gorgeous sunrise.  What do they say about early birds?

6:04am Purplish Sunrise

In just a few minutes, the colors changed dramatically.  It was really hard to concentrate on getting the boat ready to take off.  I was sneaking pictures between line handling, fender pulling up, and casting off.

6.09am – Reddish sunrise

As we left the marina, we went west on the Killarney Channel with the sunrising at our stern.  Did you get a look at that flat calm water?  Wow!  A cool 60°F started our day.

6:16am Yellow Sunrise

Then I looked forward to make sure Wayne was going the right way….

Red sunrise reflecting on the rocks ahead

6.40am – Yawn…. just a bit of yellow. 😉

Yep, it was cloudy, cool, but not raining.  The winds were calm.  The water was calm.  What more can you ask for?  We were supposed to be driving out of the clouds and into sunshine.

We were watching for the channel markers and trying to figure whether we should speed up for the 8am Little Current Swing Bridge opening or slow down for the 9am opening.  We settled for the let’s speed up till we get really close so we don’t miss the 8 and 9am opening.

Dark clouds behind us only allowing a little sunrise to peak through

We were too far away, yet, for the 8am opening.  We slowed down in the lake just before Little Current and hovered for almost an hour.

8 am – Where is that sunshine?

8:30am – The sun is fighting to get through!

While we were just waiting for the bridge opening, I was able to make a good breakfast for Wayne and I.  A hot cup of coffee, a ham and cheese english muffin, and beautiful scenery.  What a grand day to be on the water!

I have plotted our course for today in the map below.  Little Current is the largest city of the island towns seen in the map.  It boasts a population of 2700 people.  The town is situated in a small channel the separates the Georgian Bay with the North Channel.

Route from Killarney to Gore Bay, Ontario

The Little Current swing bridge has a height of 18 feet closed.  We weren’t sure of the water levels so we waited until it opened on the hour (only).  We have been told by many of the locals the water is up 1 -2 feet from normal – last year.  The bridge only stays open for 15 minutes.

Little Current Swing Bridge

Little Current

There must be homes back off the water’s edge for 2700 people to live here.  Small quaint town.

Out into the North Channel!!  We completed the Georgian Bay, rock free!!  Yea!  That is, we didn’t hit any rocks.  The North Channel runs east to west.  We see on the charts the water is deep.  Looks lovely today.  We have decided to go the southern route.  Gore Bay is our stop for the night.

Going around Clapperton Island toward Gore Bay

Entering Gore Bay

Gore Bay Marina is a very nice marina. Floating docks.  Clear water.  The wind did kick up a bit in the afternoon (in the high 10-18mph), as always.  We were secure in our slip and had no problems.

The crew of Spirit Journey arrived at the marina late in the afternoon.  We opted to go out to dinner with them.  The small town of Gore Bay has a restaurant, a hardware store, and a food store.  I am sure there is also a bar and a tattoo parlor.  From the marina we walked between two random buildings to the main street.  I was really pleased to see these murals.  They look like they need some touch up and new paint.  Very delightful.  If we had walked any other way, we wouldn’t have seen these.

Our evening closed with me eating my cherry pie slice on the boat.  I was too stuffed from dinner.  The walk back to the boat was just enough to fit in a slice between the ribs.  Wayne?  He had apple pie a la mode at the restaurant.  So no more for him!

Tomorrow we are off the Meldrum Bay.  The weather looks like it is holding well for another day.  Low winds, calm waters.  We just gotta go!

Good Morning!!  Early risers again today.  We have noticed, if I haven’t mentioned it before, that the waters of Georgian Bay are calmer in the mornings.  The wind picks up around 2 pm.  We like to be where we need to be before noon.

6 am Sunrise Greeting at Wright’ Marine, Britt, ON

I know they say “red sky in morning – sailors warning”.  I don’t believe that is true in Canada.  We have seen the best sunrises along our way.  It looks like the sky is on fire!!  Just a few minutes later….

6:45am – Cloud Reflections

We are going to Killarney, ON today.  We have to go on the outside since there is no inside route.  We will be crossing over the most northern part of the Georgian Bay.  Should be a 5 hour ride if the waves behave.  😉

Route from Byng Inlet to Killarney

Leaving Wright’s Marine

On the way back out of Byng Inlet to the Georgian Bay, I swear this tree was waving goodbye!  Come back again soon!  I waved back.

Can you see it wave at you?

Look at the calm waters!!  Wonderful!

Just leaving Byng Inlet and heading north to Killarney

When you see a bird out in the middle of the waterway, what do you think?  We are wondering…. is it floating or standing?  Rocks are just under the water…everywhere!  We weren’t sure so I waved at him anyway and we kept away from his position.

Is he swimming or sitting?

Clouds of all types dot the horizon

There are spiders everywhere!!  They are the most industrious critters that I know.  No sooner than we stop somewhere, there is a spider making a web.  They are mostly on the outside of the boat.  We keep them around so they will capture the mosquitos and other small flying bugs.

Stowaway?? Hanging by a thread!!

By noon we are approaching Killarney Channel

Red Rock Point – turn left into Killarney Channel

We have chosen The Sportsman Inn for our stay tonight.  It was quite congested when we arrived.  The woman on the radio mentioned that if we wanted to get out early in the morning, they would have to move some boats around to accommodate that.  That sounded very complicated.  So we quickly decided to be put on the south-side of the marina rather than the main-side of the marina.  The difference?  The south-side requires the use of Tinkerbell if you want to go to the marina to check in, the LCBO store, use the marina’s bathrooms/showers, restaurants, or post office.  Tinkerbell is the pontoon boat that takes boaters back and forth across the Killarney Channel.  We called the marina the first time we needed Tinkerbell.  Otherwise, there is a bell at the end of the western pier that you can ring.  Actually, you could just shout and say … hey there Tinkerbell!!  We were that close.

Sportsman’s Inn

The Killarney Channel is lined with several marinas, a couple of restaurants, and the LCBO store.  (liquor store).  I went into the LCBO just to say that I had done it.  Mostly hard liquor, obviously, with a few selections of wine and beer.  We still had a couple of beers left. I can wait on my wine until we get back to the states.

We had a late lunch with the crew of At Last at the marina’s pub.  Great beer.  Good sandwiches.  Wonderful company.

Nightfall at Killarney, ON

We found a wonderful day for our next travel.  Refreshed and ready to hit the Georgian Bay again.  We are expecting 0.25 meter or less waves.  That means less than a foot, right? We are excited to be going to Byng Inlet.  That is pronounced as Bing.  We expect to be going north for 4-5 hours in smooth water.  Fingers crossed.

Leaving Killbear Marina just before dawn

Into the Georgian Bay

A few minutes later …

Sun is finally up in the Georgian Bay, Ontario

We have decided to go on the “outside” rather than the “inside”.  The inside cruising path is for the small craft (less than 40 foot vessel) as they wind their way between rocks.  Actually, they are small islands and rocks everywhere.  It is more protected from the westerly winds for the most part and provides a safe route to go north.  We have decided we really don’t need that challenge of watching for rocks and hoping that our 47 ft boat can go inside.  So, we are going on the outside.  Into the Georgian Bay.

Our Cruising Plan for today…

Look!  A landmark!  We are glad to see the charted landmarks exactly where they are supposed to be.  How exciting.

Limestone Island to our port

Good trip to Byng Inlet

We have turned into Byng Inlet.  Looks like a river.   There are markers within the channel to ensure a safe route.

Trees bent away from Georgian Bay

See the trees?  There are quite a few near the mouth of the Byng Inlet that are bent away from the westerly winds.  How long would the wind have to blow constantly for the trees to never straighten back up?

Why we stay in the marked channel – rocks!

Cute Red Roof Log Cabin in the woods

A good day on the water.  The Loopers that were in Killbear also made it to Wright’s Marine by the end of the day.  The inside route taking longer due to the slower pace of the twists, turns, and rocks.

Sunset at Wright’s Marine in Britt, Ontario

Nightfall….

Good afternoon Sport Fans!!  I thought I would update you on where Killbear Marina is.  Just west of Parry Sound, ON.  Look it up in your favorite map or chart.  Very isolated.  Rustic in the sense of no wifi!!  No TV.  Just quiet solitude.  How is that for a modern term of “rustic”.

We are staying in Killbear Marina due to that weather we had coming up here.  High winds and a wicked storm is expected to blow through.

Some images of our stay…

One of the surprises with being a new cruiser is the amount of trash that accumulates out of nowhere.  We often have to visit the trash bin right after getting to a new marina.  Strange things.  In this marina, I saw a sign about going to the trash can around the corner.  Look for the big orange metal box.  Alrighty.

Bear sign at trash can Killbear marina 8-1-15

The dock attendant told me that a bear had been by this can recently.  Ripped off the lid and made a mess of everything.  So, they decided a bar across the top would slow the bear down.  Gotha!  I figure the bear will figure it out and just poke the bar through the opening.  Yogi was always smarter than the humans.

Orange Trash Bin

As we were recovering from our trip here, we heard someone shout…  Are you all battened down?  What?  I was napping!  Then I looked outside.  The storms cloud were very threatening.  Very beautiful.  We had more wind than rain with this storm.  The clouds are great, don’t you think?

Small boats were racing to come into shore as this storm advanced.

The next morning we woke to 11°C temperatures.  For us “southerners” it is around 52°F.  We got out our jackets and leggings.  Brrrr….  Cool brisk wind.  It stayed windy for several days.

Flora around the docks…

Fungi along the dock

Grasses along the water’s edge

We never saw the bear.  It might have dropped by.  I was on the lookout for scat and paths when we walked up and down the county roads just beyond the marina.  A very rural place that close down during the winter.  Did I mention no WiFi?  We didn’t see much wild life at all.  A few robins and a couple of geese.  Maybe the storm scared everyone away.  Even the local Canadians thought it was strange since they confirmed they hadn’t seen much either.

Morning reflections….

It wasn’t a storm but an excitement was in the air when we found out the on-site restaurant’s chef specialty was Wings!!  We Loopers met for lunch and enjoyed a hearty meal of wings, fries, and great company.  It is the little things that excite us Loopers!

On Tuesday, several Loopers and local Canadian boaters left the dock and went on their way.  We stayed a couple more nights waiting for better wind.  This picture was taken around 10:30am.  By 3:30pm, the marina was full again.

Always Home at the end of dock at Killbear Marina

Tomorrow we think we will have fair winds and weather.  For tonight….

Sunset at Killbear Marina