Pictures of the Whalesback etc.

Into the Whalesback, surrounded by rocks, and cliffs

The Whalesback, at least that's what the Voyaguers thought

Leaving Cousol Bay

                                              Anchored in Wilfred Laurier

Turnbull, Coursol Bay, Wilfred Laurier

No pictures right now -- too iffy an internet connection.  But, to bring this up-to-date, spent two nights at Turnbull with friends Jo and Ron on Annwfyn and Jarma and Ann on Kalua III.  Then thru the Whalesback -- which is always pretty even with the heavy overcast -- and into Coursol Bay. 

My first time there -- and it's really very pretty -- except for the deer flies which drove Sophie and the three humans (Jo and Ron wanted to go there and I was happy to find a new spot) nuts!  The water is very dark and there are a lot of weeds, but we had a nice day and evening.  Ron caught two small bass so they were part of our happy hour on their boat.

Today we've made a very short run to Wilfred-Laurier (only three miles away).  Described by one boater as the hurrican hole in the North Channel.  We'll stay here if the deer flies aren't two bad -- both because there is supposedly good fishing and because they are predicting strong winds this evening and into tomorrow morning.  Ron has made a dinghy run to Spanish to buy worms.

Pictures later in the week.  Two new anchorages to add to my places to go, see, and do in the North Channel!!

Gore Bay

Came down from Turnbull on Wednesday, and have been at Gore Bay since. 
Today, Friday, the town has it's farmers' market down at the waterfront.  Bought the most delicious rasberries, added a few vegetables, and a loaf of home made seven grain bread that, based on last year's experience, will be sinfully good and nutty.

Staying here today, but think I will be leaving in the morning to meet up with Jo and Ron on Annwfyn back at Turnbull -- awaiting a call as to their plans.  Meanwhile Sophie and I are keeping cool, and relaxed -- have consumed two books this week alone. 

Oh, and I got in touch with my favorite North Channel mechanic, Norm Fogel, who fixed my outboard -- the fuel filter was clogged.  So I should be good to go.

Planning a week in the Whalesback, then into Little Current to pick up BD and Rick.

Gore Bay, Manatoulin Island

Spent four wonderful nights at Turnbull Island -- meeting old and new friends.  I guess that Sophie, Sonador and I make quite an impression since a lot of other boaters will come up and remind me that we met two/three years ago!

My only complaint is against the outboard which decided to work all the way until last evening, when the winds had really picked up and I had to row Sophie ashore (and back) and then repeat the process this morning but thankfully in calm waters.

Today, I raised the anchor before 8 a.m., and was underway toward Gore Bay.  This is one of the nicer towns that I like to visit -- a well protected marina, that is also very well managed.  The crossing took a little less than three hours -- and a little more than 22 nautical miles.  Also had to great pleasure to "check into" the Cruisers' Net mid journey -- that's the daily broadcast where Roy Eaton provides important world and Canadian news, as well as notes about happenings around the North Channel.  Then, boats from around the Channel call in to tell their locations and destinations.  It's a great way to keep in touch.

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!!!

Departing Cheboygan, MI on July 6th

After some discussion with friends here at Duncan Bay, have decided to leave tomorrow rather than wait for the weekend.  Don't NOAA says it's supposed to be ideal for us power boaters -- winds less than 10 out of the North West (good when you are near the top of Lake Huron) and waves 2 feet or less.  Let's hope they are right.

I'll be buddy boating with Chuck and Joann Mead -- they are on a Tartan 43 named Moku Hale -- and we will join up in Thesalon Ontario.  Since they're in a hurry to get to the GLCC rendevous down in the Georgian Bay, I'll only stay with them for a couple of days -- and then linger at some of my favorite places in the North Channel.  Since I travel faster, we will be in radio and radar contact, and probably visually for some of the trip.  The important part of buddy boating in addition to having friends to see in the evenings is to have someone on the water know where you are and where you are planning on heading.

Pictures when available -- and I have access to wi-fi.

Around Cheboygan

 Looking out the entrance to Duncan Bay, on a warm and bright July 4th morning. 




The Boat Club really takes to heart the celebration of the 4th, and each year many of the boaters decorate their dinghies and themselves to participate in the Cheboygan celebrations.  Down town via the water is about two and a half miles -- so only those with larger dinghy motors participate -- if Sophie and I were to try, we would be just arriving when the rest of the gang was leaving (that's two horses vs nine and twelve)

There is a great deal of competition among the revelers -- not certain how they plan to keep all the tall hats on during the outing, but I'm pretty sure they have it figured out.  This year, the winning boat was loaded with grandparents and two young girls ready to make as much noise and have as much fun as possible.





Later today, several of us will go over to BD and Rick's place on the shores of Lake Huron for a picnic -- they really are most kind to invite us.  Then tonight, there aren't any fireworks in Cheboygan (at least nothing official), but I'm sure the Duncan Bay crowd will find a way to continue the celebrations.




Later this week -- probably Saturday or Sunday, I'll take off for the North Channel with my friends Jo and Ron -- they are on a 35 foot sailboat named Annwfn (pronounced "a-new-vin").  We'll hang out together for a few days, before I head off on my own to favorite places.