July 2nd
Don is packed and ready to go. I think he is somewhat disappointed to be leaving my good little ship. This morning it's a little overcast but, like all the past week it soon turns sunny. We have scrubbed and cleaned Simpatico and are now watching for JR and Sandi to arrive. They had a long, long wait at customs in Sarnia and got here kind of late.
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| Good by to a great crew in Port Sevren. |
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| Don hands over his duties to Sandra |
July 3rd
Today was a bit overcast when Sandi and I set out into and up the East shore of the Georgian Bay.
Winds were calm and the sun came out around 1pm. turned into ABD.
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| Pte AuBaril Lighthouse. |
Sandi and I traveled 40 miles today and stopped at Sans Souci Island, home of Henry's.
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| What a neat little place. The very fresh fish dinner was excellent! |
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| We played with Horatio, had a sundowner while enjoying the vista of the waterway. Pleasant evening |
July 4
ABD! Some beautiful scenery! Many twists and turny passages - necessitates reading the charts well and double checking your location, making sure you are in the right channel. There are many veering off the main 'small boat channel'. Thankyou JR and Sandi for the Software, coupled with my charts and other guide info it was a Godsend. Don and I discovered I did not have the charts on my existing chip and had to use strictly paper charts. It was not difficult and we did very well. But, is always better to have redundancy.
We did 60 miles today through some of the most beautiful, rock strewn waterways. Almost Lava- Like. The area is called "40,000 Islands"! I read somewhere there are actually 80,000.
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This our first Anchorage , Byng Inlet just inside
the entrance to the open water of Georgian Bay. |
July 5th We head out into the Georgian Bay to cross directly to Kilarney. 39 miles. We have been very fortunate, the wind was light and the waves minimal. ABD!
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| New owner in the last few years has made marked improvements to this Marina. |
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| Oh my! Many seasons, many years ago, with great boating friends we spent many evenings sitting across there in the 'crows nest' drinking pina coladas, watching the doings and going on of Kilarney. Ann was the proprietress of the George Islander Marina and that boarded up little cottage was her home. She had a garden out front for all her boating clients to share. Great memories there! and a bit sad to see it as it is now. |
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The Sportsmen's has been renovated as well. Unfortunately, powers that be, declared the "Bus" serving fresh fish and fries has been removed and a little pavilion has taken it's place. The fish is still just as fresh and good. We were just ordering when we heard someone call out. It was Terry and Randy (an earlier crew) who had dinghied in from their anchorage at Little Portage Cove.
Was fun to have Sandi finally meet them. |
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| We're good! Life is good! |
July 6th
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| Being a day ahead of schedule we decided to head out to Portage Cove, only 4 miles. Had a chance for a nap, relaxation and reading before sharing supper with Terri and Randi. Did a little dinghy tour and enjoyed their camaradarie. That is their red Nordic Tug "Hogsbreath" |
July 7th
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We arrived in Little Current around 1030 under a beautiful fluffy cloud and sun sky. Little Current also has been much improved over the years. The boat got bathed and cleaned, laundry done and Sandi packed for her departure tomorrow. There was a cruisers get together at the Anchor Inn we didn't want to miss. Met lots of nice folks and shared lots of stories.
On the 8th my next crew arrived happy but a bit tired from their long drive. Above, Sandi handed over the crew duties to Kelly and Chris |
Kelly, Chris and I then proceded to provision for the next leg. First Lunch! The Grocery, a few blocks up the hill from the Marina does a delivery service for boaters. Nice! They even stopped and waited at the Beer Store while we stocked up on "those" supplies.
July 9th
Our first anchorage, the Benjamin Island group.
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| We took the dogs ashore and I let Horatio off leash! He never stopped running, run, run, run, so happy. Kelly and Chris went snorkling and Horatio found a frog. |
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King Neptune!
July 10th |
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| The little Detroit channel, only good for one boat passing. We had to call a "Securite" to announce our entrance since boats on the other side cannot see what's around their next corner. |
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| Anchoring near Bear Drop Harbor. We were the only boat. We deployed the dinghy and went through the passage into Bear Drop proper and found 7 sailboats and 3 power boats. |
July 11th
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| "long" trip today, all of 7 miles, sort of around the corner to Long Pte Cove. A favorite among cruisers as you can see by the boats anchored to left of Simpatico (below). |
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At our bon fire tonight we tried to do
modified version of Jiffy Pop!
Needs some work! |
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| We have been having a great time! |
July 12
This day was Rainy and overcast. The winds were 10-15 from NE and forecast to 20 for tomorrow, so we decide to head out for Meldrum Bay. Seas were 3 to 4 ft then built to 6-8 as we got toward the center of the trip. Right at first it took some getting used to the rolling action and finding the sweet spot with speed for the most comfortable ride. Turned out to be a good move as the winds did increase on the next day.
July 13th
I woke early to rain and howling wind and cold; took Horatio out and got back asap and crawled back in bed. We all just took advantage of what we determined to be a weather day.
In years past we always referred Meldrum Bay to Doldrum Bay. But to my very pleasant surprise the floating docks, electrical pedestals and services are all new. Contrary to what we heard, the Grocery with just basic needs, ice cream (a necessity) and a Lunch Kiosk for burgers and dogs. For dinner there is the Meldrum Bay Inn. Now a Bed and Breakfast and an excellent restaurant. ur meals there were outstanding and it is a full bar service. Very special. I would highly recommend a stop here. At this time Gas and Diesel are not available but the owners assured us it is in the plans.
After our great dinner we took a famous butter tart and ice cream home to savor desert a little later.
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The upper level of the Marina building offers tables, chairs and couches for guests. Chris caught up on some of his work and I worked on my blog, Kelly took care of Bosun and Horatio while it rained and blew! Around 3 pm it seemed to be easing. At 5 the rain stopped and the wind went completely flat. Along with 3 other boats that had arrived after us yesterday decided to make a run for it. We only had 19 miles to Pilot Cove. We left at 6pm on flat seas.
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| Here is a screen shot of chart showing entrance to my very favorite anchorage over all. Pilot Cove. |
We arrived at 2045 with plenty of light to get into the harbor. On the 14th we andexplored, gave the dogs a run stayed another night.
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| This is taken on shore at the entrance. notice the rocks going a bit deeper? Its like that on the other side also. The whole entrance is maybe 30 feet wide. We just idled nuetral and slid in. Never saw less than 6 ft. Inside it is over 20 ft center. |
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| although the day started drizzly and rainy til about 4 pm. the sun came out, we had our bon fire and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. |
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| My intrepid crew, Kelly and Chris helped celebrate a very special anchorage with me. These past few days, my being so close to completing the journey; I am overcome. Overhelmed and have come to realize that dreams can come true. I'm anxious, excited for what tomorrow will bring |
July 15, 2017 at 1425
It's a beautiful morning, we approached Drummond Island Yacht Haven and checked in with Customs then headed home. We approached the Cabin, sailed by to say, "Hey, Simpatico here!"
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| and. . . crossed our wake at the entrance to Detour Harbor. |
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Strike the white and bend on the Gold!
I am a Looper!
Thank you one and all for the support and especially my family and my crews. You are ALL awesome. I am overcome with appreciation to everyone.
God Bless and Keep you all safe, on land and sea!
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After our great dinner we took a famous butter tart and ice cream home to savor desert a little later.
