Into Canada -- July 6th
On Friday, I left Cheboygan following Moku Hale across Lake Huron and into Canada. The light house is Poe Reef, just off Bois Blanc Island by Cheboygan...after turning there, it's about 30 nautical miles across open water. Saw a tanker from a distance and followed my "normal course" -- that is to say, I went from way point to way point to enter the DeTour Passage. That's still in Michigan, but this big tanker is Canadian coming down from Sault Ste Marie and Lake Superior. There is lots of room in the Passage, but I still give these big ladies lots of room just in case they change their minds.
From this point to entering Canadian waters is about 5 nautical miles, winding thru US and Canadian Islands to come into the open waters of the North Channel. Then another 25 nautical miles to Thesalon, Ontario (on the north shore of the Channel) to check into customs by phone. It's a pretty simple process -- especially since I've been in and out so many other summers, they have the boat in their "system." Thesalon is a nice small town with several good restuarants, an LCBO (liquor store, in case you want to know), and a nice town marina. Still, I couldn't hail them on the VHF or by cell phone, and no way am I going in without their assistance dock-side, Partly my fault (needed to adjust the volume) -- partly theirs (the kids were out painting the welcome sign and couldn't hear their radios) Anyway, it all turned out well -- and Moku Hale pulled in a little over an hour later. Three other boats in the marina also are GLCC members, so there was lots of visiting back and forth, before going to dinner.
Next morning, to clearing sky and building north west winds, I left to motor about 35 nautical miles to one of my favorite anchorages in the North Channel. At the entrance to the Whales Back Channel (think, channel within a channel, in the remote wilderness), Turnbull Island has a perfect harbor once you get in. A shallow, and rocky entrance helps keep out the uninitiated -- and even though I've been in there many times, it's still a bit intimidating. But set the anchor in blowing winds, launched the dinghy and took Sopie ashore. Thank goodness the outboard worked last night, it was pretty bouncy. This is Sunday morning looking out from the shore west into the anchorage. The outboard won't start today -- heaven only knows why, but at least I can row the distance -- but it will limit my exploration of these islands (there are many islands that form the harbor and surrounding areas). Moku Hale has left since they are on a tight schedule. I plan to stay here for several days, hopefully joined by others in the next day or two. Will try to keep posting as long as reception is okay. It's great to be back!!!
On Friday, I left Cheboygan following Moku Hale across Lake Huron and into Canada. The light house is Poe Reef, just off Bois Blanc Island by Cheboygan...after turning there, it's about 30 nautical miles across open water. Saw a tanker from a distance and followed my "normal course" -- that is to say, I went from way point to way point to enter the DeTour Passage. That's still in Michigan, but this big tanker is Canadian coming down from Sault Ste Marie and Lake Superior. There is lots of room in the Passage, but I still give these big ladies lots of room just in case they change their minds. 
From this point to entering Canadian waters is about 5 nautical miles, winding thru US and Canadian Islands to come into the open waters of the North Channel. Then another 25 nautical miles to Thesalon, Ontario (on the north shore of the Channel) to check into customs by phone. It's a pretty simple process -- especially since I've been in and out so many other summers, they have the boat in their "system." Thesalon is a nice small town with several good restuarants, an LCBO (liquor store, in case you want to know), and a nice town marina. Still, I couldn't hail them on the VHF or by cell phone, and no way am I going in without their assistance dock-side, Partly my fault (needed to adjust the volume) -- partly theirs (the kids were out painting the welcome sign and couldn't hear their radios) Anyway, it all turned out well -- and Moku Hale pulled in a little over an hour later. Three other boats in the marina also are GLCC members, so there was lots of visiting back and forth, before going to dinner.
Next morning, to clearing sky and building north west winds, I left to motor about 35 nautical miles to one of my favorite anchorages in the North Channel. At the entrance to the Whales Back Channel (think, channel within a channel, in the remote wilderness), Turnbull Island has a perfect harbor once you get in. A shallow, and rocky entrance helps keep out the uninitiated -- and even though I've been in there many times, it's still a bit intimidating. But set the anchor in blowing winds, launched the dinghy and took Sopie ashore. Thank goodness the outboard worked last night, it was pretty bouncy. This is Sunday morning looking out from the shore west into the anchorage. The outboard won't start today -- heaven only knows why, but at least I can row the distance -- but it will limit my exploration of these islands (there are many islands that form the harbor and surrounding areas). Moku Hale has left since they are on a tight schedule. I plan to stay here for several days, hopefully joined by others in the next day or two. Will try to keep posting as long as reception is okay. It's great to be back!!!
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