Government Bay

We got our clearance to leave Drummond Island just after noon today. Pulled out with Ladybug and General Delivery and came as far as Government Bay on the north shore of Lake Huron. Pretty trip, light breeze and sunny. Wind is coming up this evening. We will move on to Mackinac City or St. Ignace tomorrow if weather is good

Drummond Island

Still in Drummond Island. Both Louis and Louise on General Delivery and us are waiting for our cruising permits. We had understood that it was just a matter of purchasing the permit when we got here; apparently we should have applied and received the permit in advance. Not sure how long we will need to wait. In the meantime, Russ and Cindy from LadyBug and Eddie and Nancy on Dream Fever are waiting with us.
Got together for a group dinner on the dock again tonight; they are fun.

Vidal Bay to Drummond Island

Appetizers and cocktails on the beach at Vidal Bay

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Community meal on the dock at Drummond Island

Drummond Island Yacht Haven

Spent a pleasant day here at Drummond Island. Eddie, Nancy and I went to church this morning. It was the Lighthouse Christian church. For the first half of the service, a praise band led the congregation in singing, then the pastor gave what seemed like an informal talk, including a part in which he just answered questions submitted at the beginning of the service. Went up to the vegetable stand after lunch to stock up and prepare for our community meal. Eddie and Nancy, Russ and Cindy, Louis and Louise and Wayne and I got together on the dock for a wonderful meal and good fellowship tonight. Nancy and Eddie plan to move on tomorrow, we will wait here for our paperwork.

Drummond Island

Left Vidal Bay this morning, beautiful peaceful place to spend the night. Moved on to Drummond Island Yacht Haven, met the customs officer. We need a US Customs Decal and a cruising permit, may take a couple of days to get, so we will wait here until they arrive. Went out for dinner with Russ and Cindy from Ladybug, Louis and Louise from General Delivery, Eddie and Nancy from Dream Fever. Nice evening. Unfortunately, the other couple that we were travelling with (NaMaka) were not able to enter the US, they had to go back to Canada and will wait another 15 days before they can come back.
Water was a little rough today, with a wind from the southwest.

Vidal Bay

We left Gore Bay this morning with 3 other loopers, Ladybug, General Delivery, and NaMaka. We all came over to Vidal Bay and anchored. Our first time anchoring, so we were grateful to Louis, Jean Louis and Russ for their help. We all met on the beach for cocktails and appetizers after a walk inland along a trail. Very quiet peaceful place, no wind tonight. We are listening to the loons.  If the weather is good, plan to move on to Drummond Island tomorrow.

Gore Bay

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At home, we share the dock with Canada geese, here with seagulls.

We left Little Current at noon today, after the winds had dropped. Nice trip up through Clapperton channel, rough going in the open area before we turned down into Gore Bay. Very nice area here. Found a part forwarded by Sound Boat Works in Parry Sound and mail from home, nice to get it, and thank you to Canadian Yacht Charters for hanging on to it for us. Caught up with some other loopers, some we had met before, some new ones, and our friends, Eddie and Nancy on Dream Fever. Went for a walk around town, seems like a very nice neat place. Population is about 900 according to our Ports book, has a good grocery store, 2 drug stores, car dealership, several churches and a school, factory outlet store, what more could one want?

Little Current

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Mr. Perch at Herbert Fisheries, said to be the best Fish and Chips anywhere. They were good.

Lighthouse at Red Rock Point, entrance to Killarney Channel

Portage Cove from the rocks above the cove

Travelled from Killarney to Little Current today, a trip of about 2 1/2 hours. Luckily, hit the swing bridge (which opens on the hour for 15 minutes) just about right, only waited a few minutes. Pleasant trip.  Came past Badgley Island which has a mining operation on it.  A lady at the ice cream parlour in Killarney told us that Manitoulin Island is the world's largest fresh water island.Little Current is on Manitoulin Island, actually the largest town on the island. Population is 1500 and there are two marninas besides the town docks wehre we are docked, two good grocery stores, drug stores, banks, plus Turners which is a department store with almost everything you could ask for, including a good selection of nautical charts.Quite windy here tonight. Once picture is of a poor little tree bending with the wind. Sounds almost like winter. Good internet access tonight, so am posting pictures from the past few days.

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Some of the rock at the entrance to Covered Portage Cove

Killarney

Spent the day on pleasure activities instead of in the engine room. Took the dinghy up to Covered Portage Cove and hiked up a trail for a beautiful view out over the cove, and over to Fraser Bay. Thought we might see some wildlife, but the sum total was two chipmunks and 2 tiny toads. Three other sets of people also hiking up the trail, some from boats that were anchored in Portage Cove, two other couples from the same dock that we are on. Just after lunch, saw the fishing boat coming back in to Herberts so walked over; bought fresh whitefish and perch, plus some smoked fish. A gentleman had set up a small vegetable stall across the street from the fish place, so stocked up on fresh vegetables. Had some for supper, almost like getting them out of your own garden.  Yummy! This afternoon walked up to the lighthouse, good view out over the entrance to the channel into Killarney.Will move on to Little Current tomorrow if the weather is good.

Killarney

We have finally been able to move on. Left Wrights marina this morning, came through Cunningham’s and Rogers Gut, both narrow areas where you need to watch your markers. Had a few miles in the open, but today it was a nice smooth ride. Then up through Beaverstone Bay and into Collins Inlet, a long narrow rock cut separating Philip Edward island from the mainland. It was a very pretty run. We’ve seen a lot of rocks in Georgian Bay, but they vary from Southern part to up here in the northern bay. We came around Red Rock Point and the lighthouse and into Killarney. And all without any “incidents” with either engine. Cloudy this morning but nice and sunny this afternoon, a beautiful day to travel.


Killarney, with a population of 430, was founded in 1820. It was once a busy commercial fishing village; it only became accessible by road in 1962. One must do for Killarney is to eat Fish and Chips at Herbert Fisheries’ Mister Perch; fresh fish is cooked in an old school bus right at the public dock. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

We are docked at the Sportmans Inn, a beautiful lodge and marina. Met some other loopers here, Mark and Sylvia from Florida and David and Mary in Ganymede, from Houston Texas.

Family visit

Spent part of this morning visiting with Barb and Bill from the other "High Spirits". Fun to compare notes on our travels.

Megan, Jeffrey, Taryn, Tali and Tori

Family visited this afternoon. Megan and Jeff, with Taryn, Tali and Tori came up for the day. Very nice to get caught up with adults and children. Won't see them again until November. First day Wayne has not spent in the engine room for some time.

Taryn and Tori

Tali wants to learn to drive the boat

Taryn

Britt, Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay

Washing the boat

Have spent a little bit of time looking up the history of this area. This is a protected inlet off of Georgian Bay, fed by the Magnetawan River. There is a town on the north side of the inlet, Britt, and another on the south side, Byng Inlet. Both have been lumber towns; lumbering operations started here when the first mill was built on Mill Island in 1866. French Canadian families from the Three Rivers area in Quebec moved here with the decline of lumbering in their area.

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Main store at the gas dock

In 1875, the lower mill school was built in Byng Inlet North and it was their first. It was a small frame school and became known officially as S.S. #2 Wallbridge since #1 was already operating in Byng Inlet South. It ran until 1883 when the teacher, Miss Armstrong was drowned while skating home across the river. The school did not reopen, partly because of declining students due to a slackening in the lumber business, partly because of the difficulty in finding a teacher who was willing to come to the area. For the next three years Byng Inlet North children went to school across the river, walking on ice in the winter and across the log booms the rest of the year. It is during this time that Michel Boucher with his large family moved from Penetang and helped to increase the Byng Inlet population from then to this day (from http://www.cottagetorent.ca/history-byng-inlet.html.) The inlet has a channel deep enough to allow steam ships to enter, allowing millions of tons of lumber to be shipped to Chicago and Collingwood. In 1908 the CPR built the line from Parry Sound to Sudbury, which came within a mile of the town now known as Britt. The building of a railroad spur into the town allowed lake steamers to bring coal to the docks, which was then put on the train for use further north. Over the years, the town of Byng Inlet on the south side of the inlet was as large as 5000 people, it is now just a store and a post office. The north side of the inlet, the town of Britt, flourished until 1956 when the coal companies stopped using the docks and railway line for coal tranport. Oil companies took over, building oil tanks and dock facilities for tankers, but that employs few people. The town of Britt is now dependent on the tourist industry, with marinas, cottages, tourist parks and camps, guiding and fishing.  It has general stores, restaurants, a post office, LCBO, churches, a nursing station. Wrights marina, where we have been staying, is a busy place with boats coming in to dock, take on fuel and/or repairs. The owners and staff are friendly and helpful.

Taken on the way to Byng Inlet, can you tell which way the prevailing wind is from?

Wayne got the air all bled out of the lines this morning, engine running smoothly when tied to the dock. Next test will be how it behaves under load. Will test it later, plan to to move on to Killarney tomorrow weather permitting. At this point there are still strong wind warnings, so we may be here a little longer. We really don't want to slosh the fuel around in the tanks any more than we have to for a while. Took a dinghy ride up to the store. There is another boat named High Spirits anchored just off the island past the marina. They are loopers from Boca Raton, Florida. We have e-mailed back and forth with them, but never met them. They did not seem to be around the boat as we went by.

Wrights Marina in Byng Inlet

We left this morning, came back after engine started to cough again. Wayne spent the day replacing fuel lines, found dirt in some of them.

Britt, on Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay

Thunderstorms and rain this morning, then this afternoon turned warm and sunny. Wayne cleaned the boat, I walked up to the store and did a few chores.
Filled the boat with fuel and conditioner, plan to leave first thing in the morning. Another boat came in last night with major damage to a prop. The rocks in Georgian Bay are quite unforgiving. Ed and Nancy from Dream Fever have gone to pick their prop up in Buckhorn; it should be back on either tonight or in the morning, then they too plan to move on. We all hope to be in Killarney tomorrow night.

Coastguard boat coming in for fuel

Have watched the small coast guard boat come in and out all week, they stop here for fuel, seems like for crew change as well sometimes.

Wright's Marina in Byng Inlet

Well decorated house along the road to Britt

Three of the looper boats left this morning; we decided to stay and wait for a wind out of the north, which is apparently much safer on this part of Georgian Bay because it does not give the water a chance to build big waves. Walked into Britt and got some groceries, also walked around a very pretty church and graveyard on the edge of the town. A sign says the church was built in 1917, but the graveyard has graves from the 1800's. Got together with Nancy and Eddie from Dream Fever for dinner; Nancy made a great stew, my contribution was homemade biscuits and salad. The weather is a little cooler, so it is a pleasure to dig into my tub of baking supplies and make something.
A couple of sailboats docked near us late this afternoon; the people had just come from Georgian Bay and they said the waves were terrible; they had a very difficult trip down from Killarney today, so we were glad we decided to wait a little longer.  We just hope that the people who left this morning had a good trip. At this point, the best forecast seems to be for Friday, so we plan to leave then.

Britt, on Byng Inlet

Still windy today. The coast guard told someone here today that the waves out on Georgian Bay were 3 meters; we heard tonight that they are now 2 meters, so quite rough out there. Did some grocery shopping and made bread to take to our looper dinner tonight. Joseph and Rhonda on Rho-Jo made pasta sauce, very good. Wayne went with Eddie from Dream Fever to Buckhorn to take their prop for repair. Looks like tomorrow's weather forecast is not great, so may be spending another quiet day.

Britt, on Byng Inlet

How many loopers does it take to light a barbeque?

Some of the clouds passing by

The whole group at dinner in the lounge at the marina

Stayed at Wright's marina in Britt today. High winds and storms passing all day, even saw one water funnel in the distance. Very windy here in the protected inlet, hate to see what it would be like out on the bay.  All of the boats here just stayed for the day. Some people went out in their dinghies, but it was apparently a wild ride. The people from the 5 looper boats here got together for dinner tonight, fun to get to know these people a little better. Weather predictions for tomorrow are continuing wind, so we may be here a little longer.

Britt, on Byng Inlet

Sunday August 15th


Spent the day quietly here at the marina in Byng Inlet, just outside of the town of Britt. Three other looper boats came in tonight, so all of us went out for dinner at the Little Britt Inn in town. Always nice to meet other loopers and hear about their adventures. All of the others are from the US, so have been on their travels much longer than we have. Weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for high winds, so we will probably stay put. Wayne changed fuel filters today, we hope the boat will be ready to go when we are.

Wright's Marina in Byng Inlet

Lighthouse at Point au Baril

Left Kilbear this morning heading out of the protected channel into the open Bay for part of the run up to Byng Inlet. The open bay was a little rougher than we like, so it was nice to get back into the protected channel entrance to Byng Inlet. One engine stopped again along the way; now that we know it is dirty fuel, Wayne will change filters etc in the morning. Weather forecast is calling for high winds the first of the week, so we will stay until weather is good.
Followed Dream Fever up here, they have another issue with a prop, so will stay here for a few days as well.
We walked up the town of Britt this evening, nice walk along the water.

Kilbear

Eureka!!! We think we have found it.

 We have moved on! Wayne was opening lines, checking everything, found a little piece of plastic in the first T connection between the fuel tank and the Racor filter. Has that been the problem all along? We don't know, but do wonder if dirty fuel has been the cause of all of our issues. In any case, we seem to have plenty of fuel coming through, so decided to try it. It's only a few miles to Kilbear, but there were no problems coming here (touch wood).  Went out to dinner here at the restaurant with Ed and Nancy from Dream Fever to celebrate Nancy's birthday. Her birthday present was the return and installation of their prop.  Beautiful evening, hope to move on to Byng Inlet in the morning.

Parry Sound

Still in Parry Sound, still trying to find the root of the problem. Seems like we are getting closer, the issue currently seems to be not air in the line but the lack of fuel in the line. The good news is that Wayne is learning a lot about how our systems work. The mechanics here are busy, but always available for consultation. Meanwhile, we are tied to a secure dock, weather is good.

Parry Sound

Just a hint of colour starting in the leaves

Foggy this morning, then cloudy, very still, sunny this afternoon

Did a water test today, problem not entirely gone so have stayed another day at Sound Boat  Works. The mechanic here is booked up, but has been great to spend time discussing what the issues might be and giving suggestions. Ed and Nancy from Dream Fever very kindly invited us over for lunch.

Parry Sound

Left Parry Sound this morning bound for Byng Inlet; got as far as Kilbear Point and the starboard engine coughed and stopped. Came back to Sound Boat Works in Parry Sound. So far have changed an engine filter; starting to wonder if dirty fuel is the cause of all of our problems.
Again, we were lucky that we were not far from Parry Sound, and that Sound Boat Works were able to accommodate us. Scott and Marlene from Nomad passed us this morning just before we turned around, they planned to be in Killarney by tonight.
Had a nice visit with Ed and Nancy from Dream Fever, they will be here until their prop is repaired.

Parry Sound

Georgian Airlines taking off to Henry's Fish Restaurant, $158.95 for flight and dinner.

Stayed in Parry Sound today, good place to get caught up with laundry, groceries, etc. Good WalMart and Canadian Tire here. Also a new Sobeys. Ed and Nancy from Dream Fever were over, they have a bent prop which will need to be sent out for repairs, result of meeting a rock when their GPS chip ran out. They will be delayed for a few days.
 Met Scott and Marlene from Nomad, out of  Crysler Park Marina. They left last Monday, so have come this far in a week; the same distance has taken us a month. We did have a few delays, and we are taking our time. Had a  nice visit with them. Also met Mark and his wife from Star Port Marina near Orillia; they are docked near Scott and Marlene, and were very helpful with ideas for nice places to anchor, good routes.
We are docked near the Georgian Bay Airlines, so see the float planes taking off and landing. They run tours of Georgian Bay, trips to Henry's restaurant for dinner, other flights.

Parry Sound

Weather forecast was for wind and rain this morning, so stayed at Henry's Restaurant Dock for the morning, had lunch in the restaurant, then moved on this afternoon. In the end we travelled in  rain, but no major winds. Dream Fever had had an issue with GPS chips, their chip just ran out of maps on the way to Henry's yesterday, so they followed us into Parry Sound.  We are at the Town Dock, met several other Loopers here, some we have met before, others new to us. Everyone very friendly. Met one couple who have completed the loop who were very enthusiastic about the trip ahead of us and the experiences we will have. Rained until just before we arrived in Parry Sound, then the sun came out, it has been a beautiful evening.

Frying Pan Island

Wayne ready for lunch at Henry's

Collection of damaged props on display at Henry's

We have moved on!! And so far, so good, although we are reluctant to say that too loudly. No issues with the engine today at all, and we travelled for about 4 1/2 hours. Arrived at Henry's Fish Restaurant in time for a late lunch.Thought we would treat ourselves and eat here twice today, but once proved enough.The servings are massive, and the food delicious. Just had a salad and sandwich then for supper.This restaurant is set on an island, so the only way to get here is by boat or plane. We started to go for a walk, but apparently the trail is closed because of bears. We thought maybe we would respect the closure. Two other looper boats here tonight, Dream Fever and All That Chas. We will travel to Parry Sound with Dream Fever in the morning.

We want to thank the people at Bay Moorings for their care and concern. They were as upset as we were with the difficuly in solving our problem. In the end they didn't charge us for the work done yesterday, and last night's stay was complementary.

Penetanguishine

We are still in Penetanguishine; started out this morning, got about 20 minutes out, and the port engine quit again. So far, we have tightened lines, changed fittings and connections, changed filters, and had the injection pump re-done. The mechanic changed a filter again, thinking it might be the problem, and went out with us for a water test; all seemed well. By the time all was finished, it was getting later in the afternoon, so we decided to stay here another day and head out in the morning. Walked into Penetanguishine for pizza for supper.

Penetanguishine

We think our stay in Penetang is coming to an end. The fuel injector pump has come back; it did have a broken O-ring. It has now been re-installed, and so far, so good. Will run it again in the morning, then if all is well, we will move on.
Again, the people at Bay Moorings have gone out of their way to help, good place to be when in trouble. Spent the day doing routine chores.
Had a visit tonight from Barry and Alice from Prowess, nice to see them again.

Penatanguishine

We are still in Penatang; we had both the mechanic and the manager of the marina on the boat today trying to diagnose the problem. The fuel injection pump has now been sent away for testing and hopefully repair, should be back tomorrow.
Walked up to Discovery Harbour for the guided tour - very interesting. There once was a full naval base here, then it was replaced with an army base, all in the interest of defending Canada and the Great Lakes. The army base was moved here from Drummond Island when that became US territory. They have maintained houses from the period, as well they have recreated two boats as they would have looked in the 1820's.  A few things I learned from the tour:

• seamen were given rope and some canvas when they joined the navy; out of that each man had to fashion his own hammock. That hammock was used to sleep in, it was also used to store his possessions. If the ship was under attack, the hammock with all of the seaman's possessions was laid along with all of the others along the side of the ship so that if a cannonball hit the side of the ship, the splinters went into the canvas and clothing rather than into the men. Also, if the man died, he was rolled up in his hammock and it was sewn shut. The last stitch went into either his lip or his nose to ensure that he was not faking. (since he was about to be thrown into the water sewn into a canvas hammock, not sure that I see the value of faking).
• A man named Bayfield was given the task after the war of 1812 to chart all of the great lakes. He made charts that are accurate to this day; the comment was that only GPS would be more accurate.
• Either living conditions changed considerably between the 1820's and the 1840's, or the army was willing to spend more money to support their men. There was quite a difference between the two areas.
• The surgeon had laudanum for pain control for the officers, but used sugar and water for the ordinary seamen.

Guide describing the hammocks at Discovery Harbour

Laudanum for the important people, sugar water for the less so.

Pill Maker from the 1820's

Penatanguishine

We are still in Penatanguishine; now we're starting to get frustrated. The mechanic here spent the day on the boat; thought we had our issue with the engine suddenly stopping on us solved. Ran the engines tonight, and the port engine stopped again. Had hoped to leave in the am, but it seems more time with the mechanic is required.Went for a long walk tonight into Penatanguishine, pretty town, lots of parks and nice waterfront.
Had walked up to Discovery Harbour, a historic harbour which has been restored last night.When I say that we are frustrated, it is with the situation, certainly not with the people here at Bay Moorings. They have gone out of their way to make our stay as pleasant as possible.The manager, Ken MacDonald, went over all of our charts of Georgian Bay and marked routes, good anchorages etc. Much appreciated and very useful.

Penatanguishine (day 4)

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Historic sailing ship Badger out of Port of Penatanguishine, out for a cruise

Penatanguishine (day 3)

Spent a quiet day here in Penatang. Added some pictures to the blog, now that I have a good Wifi connection. Went to the Presbyterian church in Penatang, wonderful music and very friendly people.
Water outside the marina very busy with boat traffic today, calmed down late this afternoon when the rain started.