More North Channel and Beyond

After Killarney we anchored in Portage Cove. This is a don’t miss place even if there are a lot of boats there is plenty of room. We anchored next to a 100ft plus “real yacht” as Pat says, one that has a PAID CREW. Aside, we saw the same boat 3 more times this season.

Next anchorage was Baie Fine, another don’t miss place. This is where I got the picture of the full-grown bear swimming across the bay. I should have taken a picture of Pat, as she got hysterical that the bear was going to eat us or something. The picture of the bear is on the web site.

The computer navigation went down and I had to break out the compass, parallel bars, pencil and eraser, etc. Actually navigated for 25 miles or so.

Tied to the wall at Little Current and met some real nice people while there and waiting for the wind to moderate. Watched a large Sea Ray trying to dock, down wind on the wall. He finally made it in on the third or fourth try with the help of 3 dock boys and his completely frazzled wife. Of course he tied the dock firmly to his boat.

About the Little Current Bridge it opens ON the hour and NOT for 15 minutes on the hour. This is important, as it is wide open for only ONE MINUTE. So be there and be ready ON THE HOUR.

There are so many great anchorages in this area one cannot use all of them and one is better than the next we used the following: South Benjamin Islands, take your choice; Thomas Kirk Islands; Bear Drop Harbor; Serpent River @ Morrison Island; Navy Island.

Then over to Drummond Island in the USA. Stayed a day to clear customs and get water then headed to Mackinaw City marina in Michigan. End of anchoring as few anchorages in Lake Huron. But the State of Michigan has built harbors of refuge about every 15-20 miles on both Great Lakes coasts. $1 per foot plus tax so not too bad but compared to anchoring, expensive as it was every night. This all the way down Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

Canada recapitulation: Trent Severn 21 days; Georgian Bay 18 days; North Channel 10 days. Total 53 days and we could have stayed longer except we still had all of Lakes Huron, Erie and the Erie Canal back to Geneva, NY to do.

Of course we visited Macinac Island, by ferry, as there was no slip available. Just as well due to the huge number of tourists---not our cup of tea, especially after the natural beauty of the North Channel and Georgian Bay. It was like leaving the Smoky Mountain National Park after weeks stay and arriving in Gatlinburg!!!!!! Culture shock.

The trip down Huron was pleasant enough even fighting the windy days. On our arrival in the garden spot of Michigan was interesting as both of the harbors or refuge, translated, meaning affordable were in, shall we say, less than pristine neighborhoods.

We made do by renting a car to see the town and the sights. Spent a whole day in the Henry Ford museum and another day in the Detroit Museum of Art.

It was then down current to Lake Erie. Many ports to choose from but, again, after the Canadian leg kind of anti-climatic. Still it took us 32 days to get to Tonawanda, NY on the Erie Canal from Drummond Island. From here it a bit over 125 miles to Geneva, NY where we started this season’s cruise and we have a month to do it, nice.