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.