July 31

July 31, Killarney

Thank goodness Georgian Bay was minding her manners today because we were in an exposed portion of Lake Huron.  We entered Collins Inlet passage and made it through the ½ mile of shallow water to the protected inlet.  The water was like glass and the rock formations varied along the way.  This was a pristine area and I only wished I had my water ski to take advantage of long smooth run!

We docked at the Sportsman Inn and enjoyed dinner at Herbert's, a quaint fish and chip restaurant where you walked up to a red and white bus to place your order.

 

 

 

 

Killarney Lighthouse

Herbert's Fish and Chips served out of a bus.

July 30

July 30, Bustard Islands

After visiting with a couple at dinner last night we decided to bypass Rogers Cut and Cunningham’s Channel.   We left at 8AM to cruise the open, deep waters of Georgian Bay.  We turned into Gun Barrel channel and slowly worked our way to anchor in Bustard Islands.  John and Lewis were already tied to a rock, or should I say it looked like their boat was wrapped as a Christmas present with lines going under the boat and secured to a big bolder.   We anchored out in the middle of the bay using two anchors to help prevent swinging.  There were a number of boats that anchored med mooring style in the clear water.

Once situated, Ken and I took a dingy ride to explore the islands.  On the shoreline was a rainbow of colorful granite, with smooth and jagged edges, with towering trees shooting up to the sky.  We ran the dingy up to shore, as we watched for boulders, and discovered wild blueberries growing in the forest.  We got busy picking the berries.

Later that evening John and Lewis came to our boat for a pot luck dinner.  John brought a batch of home-made stew and I cooked chili and for dessert, fresh blue berry cobbler.   We had a feast.

The guys went fishing after dinner, but came back empty handed.  That evening we enjoyed a camp fire, compliments of John and Lewis.   We had a great day of boating and fun!

 

Boulders to watch for on the shore.

John's Elminator

 

 

 

 

July 29, 2013

July 29, St. Armnt’s Marina

Woke up to a rain shower and off we went to cross the smooth waters of Parry Sound.  We rejoined the small craft route and headed to Point Au Brail Lighthouse.   There were two small docks to tie up to but we decided to move on and not tour the lighthouse.  Ken had charted to cruise Hangdog Channel, but after reading the cautions, he decided to go back to open water.  John and Lewis, who is married to John’s niece, hailed us as we were leaving the channel. Traveling on a 24 ' Limestone they caught up with us and the plan is to rendezvous at St. Armnt’s.

Back to cruising in deep waters we were able to relax.  The seas were about 1 ½ feet and the rain that was predicted for the afternoon stayed away.   We turned into Byng Inlet and passed a fisherman that proudly displayed his catch of the day, while the hungry sea gulls were waiting for the scraps.

We docked in front of John’s boat and went to check out the restaurants.  Pickerel, or as we know it wall eye was on the menu, so we had dinner out.  Listening to John and Lewis at the dinner table, we decided that it was best that we bypassed Hangdog Channel. They reported they had tight hair-pen turns and even had to deal with on-coming traffic.  John said that our large vessel would not have fit between the tight buoys, and we definitely made the right decision to stay on the outside. 

Point Au Brail Lighthouse

 

I got my bear hug today!!!

 

 

 

July 28

July 28, Parry Sound, Ontario

Leaving Midland and with float plan in hand we are off to cruise Georgian Bay, which is also known as the “Sixth Great Lake.”  The topography is striking with over 30,000 granite islands and an unforgiving bottom.  Starting off in open water and mid way through the wind kicked up and we were in 4+ feet seas.  Running downstairs to put a few things away we had drawers flinging open and pictures swinging.  Nothing was broken, but by the end of the day it looked like a tornado went through the boat.

 We entered the small craft route and with a very narrow opening Ken started navigating the sharp turns. The tight twist and turns through the rocks were a white knuckle experience.  I took a picture of well known Henry’s Restaurant on Fryingpan Island and we decided not to stop for lunch since we went to the one in Midland.  We arrived at Rose Point Bridge which only opens on the hour and waited for 10 minutes with 2 other trawlers.  All of a sudden there was a grinding noise…did we hit a rock in 30 feet of water???  No, the first mate did not pull in the stern line and it got wrapped around the starboard prop.   With all the locks we have been doing I have been in the habit of just leaving the line attached to the cleat on the swim platform.  We lucked out and after several attempts of throwing Loop Dreams in reverse Ken spun the line off the prop.  Lesson learned.

We docked at Big Sound Marina and went to walk the town.  Most shops were starting to close at 4PM so we headed back to the boat and I put on some comfort food…spaghetti.

Henry's on the water

Float plans were landing and taking off right were we were docked.

 

July 27, Leaving our friends

John and Ken took off for another morning fishing trip and came home with a few large-mouth bass.  They had a future in-law party to attend that afternoon and they dropped us off at the boat.  Sad to say our good byes.  As a memento Rita gave us one of her many beautiful water colors which I will proudly display in our home.

We had Wi Fi at the marina and I hoped to catch up posting some pictures to my blog.  We no more arrived at the boat and Ken informed me that we had a couple coming by that were interested in doing the loop. His plan was to leave in September and attend the Fall Rendezvous.  Their enthusiasm was contagious.  I remember those days when we were so excited about this adventure.  Now it seems like a way of life lately.  Lately, I have been taking for granted the blessings and wonders of this trip, or maybe I am just home sick. It does not help that with the Canadian cell plan the calls and data usage is limited. Part of the fun for me was sharing my experiences with family and friends.

Unfortunately, the Wi Fi was acting up, but I managed to get a few pictures posted.

Rita at the cottage

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July 26, John and Rita's cottage

 Visiting John and Rita’s cottage was like being at a resort.  The guys went fishing several times and we had fresh fish for lunch.  The fish was delicately battered with a secret sauce that Rita created and it was delicious.  That afternoon we played bocce ball and the girls rocked!! The evening was complete with a steak dinner and listening to tunes around a camp fire.  John even serenaded us as the evening wore on and the logs turned to embers.

                                     

July 25, Trent Severn coming to an end

Up early and off to the last lock on the Trent!  John and Rita met us at the lock and I twisted John’s arm to ride with Ken to the next marina.  Once out of this lock the currents are swift and the 10 buoys line up in rapid succession with a blind turn under the bridge.  Ken called me to let me know that he made it through the tricky passage.  In the meantime, Rita took me to Wal Mart so I could load up with provisions for Georgian Bay while the guys cruised to the marina.   We met the guys at the marina and it was great that I had help unloading the groceries.

Later that afternoon Rita and John came back to pick us up to go to the movie The Conjuring…a spooky movie that was based on a true story.  We ate at Henry's, a well known fish and chip restaurant, and enjoyed sitting on the patio.  That evening we crashed at their cottage. 

Leaving Big Chute

 

Last Lock on the Trent

 

 

July 24, Big Chute Marine Railway

July 24, Big Chute Marine Railway Lock

Our next adventure was lock 44, The Big Chute Marine Railway which is not technically a lock.  The Big Chute portages vessels from Upper Severn River to Gloucester Pool.  We looked for room to tie up at one of the two floating docks and they were full.  The railway carriage was submerged and had two boats positioned in front of the cradle.  The lockmaster was hailing us on the horn that he had room for us.  We were hoping to tie up at the docks to watch the operation, but no room or time for that.  Ken turned Loop Dreams toward the chute and we slid her in as the staff lined her up to put the slings in the proper place.  Before you know it the carriage was hoisted up the slope by wire ropes attached to winches on a double track. Up up and away!!! Once we past the summit, the carriage lowered into the water by wire cables.  Loop Dreams floated off the slings and we found a long dock near the old railway where we tied up for the night.  What a thrill!!!

We scurried up the observation tower to watch other boats take a ride across land to enter into another body of water.  It was a fun day boating.

July 24, Giant Lock

We left Bridge Port Marina and soon we were in the narrow canal traveling the 6 MPH speed limit to Couchiching Lock.  We were delayed at several swing bridges and one took over 15 minutes to open.  Later, we were informed that the bridge tender has to wait at least 20 minutes after a train uses the track before he can open the bridge.

The Severn River was towered by red and gray granite walls and soon we were entering Mc Donald’s Cut which was excavated by hand in 1905.  After six miles of remote scenery, the waterway opens into the headwaters of Swift Rapids power dam.  Lock 43 is the most isolated of all the locks and because of its 47-foot vertical drop it is known as “The Giant” of the Trent Severn.