So many days -- and no internet access

And, so many wonderful pictures which I will try to post -- but right now conserving access to narrative.

So, it is now the 10th of July -- a lot of time and water under my hull.  

After DeTour, I travelled the almost 43 nautical miles across flat seas to Meldrum Bay -- to check into Canada and to dock for the evening accompanied by CLASS ACT and THYME HISSOP & RYE.  We had a delicious dinner at the Meldrum Inn -- first class food in a community at the very end of Manitoulin Island with probably less than 100 full time population.  Go figure.  But, the Inn is a staple of the community.  And, this year the marina had services like fuel and pumpout.  And, biggest surprise was the establishment of a small general store and LCBO.

Next day, the fourth of July, I went to Gore Bay -- my very favorite port on Manitoulin both because of the people, I've been so often that the dock regulars know me and Sonador, and because the staff at the marina goes out of their way to accommodate a single handed sailor.  That's not so important in good, calm weather but when it is blowing like stink or fogged in like last year, the assistance makes life so much easier.  Stayed for three days to replenish groceries and wine, to get laundry done, and to go to the farmers market on Friday.

Saturday, I took off for Haywood Island to meet up with VISION and MOKU HALE.  34 nautical miles.  Mostly easy -- but crossing the Clapperton Channel into the bright morning sun made finding the marks hard -- and it you miss a mark here, you are up on rocks!  After that, it's a fast run into Little Current to catch the 12 noon bridge -- probably a little too fast in the no wake zone, but I pulled back on the throttle and made it in plenty of time.  Then a relatively clear and easy motor into Haywood.  Because of the high water, there is very little accessible shoreline in Haywood this year -- so not the greatest of places for Sophie.  But we were planning on staying two nights.

Next morning, after listening to the Cruisers' Net, MOKU HALE announced they were leaving for Thomas Bay -- which is close to Key Hole where the Wilderness Rally will be held.  Well, I have a rule never to stay in a harbor without knowing at least casually one other boat in the harbor -- and I didn't.  So, up anchor and headed for Key Hole.

Less than 17 nautical miles but at least five of it was in large rolling beam seas after I had passed  through Killarney Harbor and entered the north end of the Georgian Bay.  With strong southerly winds, that meant close to two hundred miles of fetch right to my passage.  Tired and seriously bleary eyed -- trying to keep eyes on all the rocks and the marks for entering the Collins Inlet -- I pulled into Key Hole and dropped anchor near a small island on the south shore.  Turns out the best dog island going -- easy access, flat ground, and I've been here before.

HALLELUJAH was already here, MOKU HALE (who wisely chose not to try the entrance to Thomas Bay in these seas) followed not that long after and then SPIRIT of ALOHA and HOME FREE.  The evening was spent getting settled into the area, and taking dogs ashore.

Yesterday, as more boats arrived for the Rally, we went ashore on the mainland to set up the area for the Rally and to just visit with each other.  This is part of a large Provincial Park, so no cottages just miles and miles of beautiful wilderness.  As often happens with this group, there was a spontaneous happy hour on shore, followed by a delicious dinner on HOME FREE.  It was good to see JE and Michelle from ADAGIO I -- haven't seen them since they visited by boat in Sarasota in 2014.

Today, the 10th is the official beginning of the Rally.  Gathering on shore for happy hour and introductions.