Many Days Later...

One thing you learn about international travel on a boat -- access to the internet isn't easy.

So, today is the 2nd of July -- I've been in Canadian waters since last Saturday, and today is the first day at a marina -- so now I have internet!!  Before blogging, I've paid bills (thank goodness) and read well over two hundred emails (mostly from sites I need to unsubscribe to) and frankly tried to catch up on a little news from my friends.

Back to the beginning.  As planned, I took off on Friday the 24th for Harbor Island, Michigan --- the entry to the North Channel.  After an uneventful crossing of Lake Huron, I set anchor mid afternoon and waited for my travelling companions to catch up.  By early evening, there were four of us anchored, dogs had been taken ashore, and everyone agreed that we should leave bright and early the next morning.  Sophie was good with that idea -- we are way above the 45th parallel here and the mornings begin around 5 a.m. with a bright sunrise!

Raised anchor and followed SPIRIT OF ALOHA out of Harbor Island, tucking around a back route that I had never taken before and isn't marked for hazards.  Then on into the open waters of the North Channel -- heading mostly due east to try to reach Turnbull Island for the evening.  That's about 53 nautical miles of open water -- with a stop toward the end to clear Canadian customs.  The two countries have devised a way to just call in and all your information will make the clearance easier -- HAH!  After answering the series of questions about guns, alcohol, cash, etc. Canadian customs asked that I divert and come into the harbor at Blind River.  I did just that -- they didn't.  Found out after waiting forty five minutes, that if the Customs agents don't show up at the appointed hour you are free to leave.  Which I did, catching up with SPIRIT just south of Blind River in increasingly bouncy seas.  But, we motored into Turnbull without incident and set anchor.

Winds for the next three days were from the west -- gusting at one point into the low 30's -- and Turnbull is open to the west.  There were some very wet dinghy rides to shore, but the surroundings made it all worth while.  On Tuesday, the 28th the winds died during the middle of the day and we set out for an exploration (which we've all done before) of the Turnbull group of islands.  For over an hour, we slipped through the waters hoping to see wild life (gulls, cormorants, and one loon were our reward).  

Each evening we had happy hour on one of the boats -- and didn't need dinner after since the food offerings were so great!

On Wednesday, we raised anchor and went the considerable distance to Long Point Cove -- a total of 5 nautical miles :)

While Long Point is closer to the north shore, it stills seems to be the wilderness.  A perfectly protected anchorage with a great little island in the middle -- the three dogs (that's right both SPIRIT and HOME FREE have dogs aboard) got to run off leash several times a day.  On Thursday, we explored nearby bays and islands.  Friday, we had rain in the morning -- a cold, wet rain that should have convinced ms Sophie that she could hold off on her morning trip to shore but undaunted we motored to the island for a little dog free time.  Friday night I hosted happy hour on SONADOR and we all planned on an early departure for Saturday.

Today, we left Long Point at around 8 a.m. -- trip to shore was at 6:30 -- and started to head to Gore Bay.  The distance is only 20 miles -- but the seas were horrible with waves coming from the west and north, tossing SONADOR, her captain and the terrified Sophie around for almost the whole journey.   At 10 a.m., I called the marina at Gore Bay and talked to the Harbor Master (Lee) who welcomed me back and had a hand standing by to help me get into my slip.  

Now, after a day of showers (YEAH!!!!!!) and cleaning the boat, tossing out garbage, and simply sitting still -- we've all been to a nice white fish dinner and settled back on our boats.  I'll stay here another day and then head back out to more adventure.

Pictures on blog posts before I leave here.