Les Voyageurs at Blind River

Along with the Community Day fair, there were Voyageurs re-enacters camped on the Blind River. The "small" canoe in the front of this picture is only 25 feet long -- they had one in the water (and out of sight) that was 36 feet!

Like our Civil War groups, these enthusiasts travel throughout the Great Lakes area and up to the Hudson Bay -- to experience, as close as possible, the lives of the voyageurs.

Some of the re-enacters are natives (first nation), others of French descent (the real voyageurs), and then others just interested in the history of these fascinating men who opened the west and north to fur trade.

Scenes around their camp -- Some structures weren't yet assembled -- remember it was blowing about 35 miles an hour at this point and even the river was experiencing white caps.

Some local kids had to be rescued from tipped over canoes -- they thought it was a lark -- the grownups didn't. But everything turned out okay.

Around Blind River

Looking out to the North Channel from the waterfront park -- there's a beach here also, but surprise! I didn't see any swimmers.

This was about a quarter mile from the marina on the way into town.

It's called Blind River for the hidden entrance to the river that meanders through the town. On the other side of this park is the down town -- a little over one block of laudromat, pharmacy, clothing store, and LCBO. The grocery store is out of town on the trans Canada Highway.

Oh, there are a couple of watering holes also. This one reminds you that the ladies aren't supposed to frequent the same place as the gentlemen -- and the townspeople seem to honor that.

Evening clouds building to bring strong winds -- some rain, and many boats hunkering down for the duration. This is looking east over the town itself.

New Location!

Arrived at Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island about two hours ago. An uneventful passage across and east in the North Channel -- about 30 miles. Left early to get ahead of strong winds predicted for the afternoon and evening. Yesterday, in Blind River we experienced 35 knots and significant white caps in the marina -- and boats coming in from the open water were pretty beaten up -- so took advantage of the weather window and escaped.

Got several kudos from ladies on the dock who were impressed that I brought Sonador over on my own -- didn't bother to tell them that I've friends who can do this blind-folded! Anyway, Chessie is relieved to be tied up again -- and there is fresh fudge and ice cream at the Marina Store (beat that West Marine!)

Even though this is a smaller community (pop about 900) it's a resort area, so there will be lots to do. I'll post pictures later once I figure out the internet connections which are free only for a few minutes.

Will stay here a week -- and then look for another window to continue east to eventually rendevousing with James and Ellen in Killarney toward the end of the month.

SUN!!!

Today the sky cleared -- the wind died -- and it actually was sunny for a good part of the day. Nothing really exciting to report -- but a nice long walk in the morning.

This afternoon, I purchased the Canadian charts for the GLCC Wilderness Rally at the end of the month. It looks like quite an adventure -- with lots of "when you see this rock" and "keep a bow watch posted as you transit this area" -- and in the end, you are in a very,very, very remote area of the North Channel known as MacGregor Bay. James and Ellen and CtD (Cruiser the Dog) will be company during this part of the journey. No marks at all, just rocks that are identified by their GPS coordinates.

Until then, I'm hanging around Blind River until about Sunday -- all you can eat white fish on Friday, and then Saturday is the Community Day with a farmers' market and all sorts of activities.

I just gotta slow down with the book reading -- have gone thru three books since the 5th!

Did I say I was loving it? 'Cause I am!!

Cold, Rain, and lots of Reading

It continued to blow thru the night -- then today it started to rain and blow. So, Chessie and I hunkered down for a day of relaxation.

Only disturbance, was a request by the dockmaster to move to an inside slip since I was taking up one of the longer T's in the marina. A feat accomplished without hesitation and in fine style. In exchange -- not really -- but that's the way I explain his generosity, I get six/seven nights for the price of four. Can't beat that with a wooden stick!

Tonight, it looks like it might clear a little -- but the forcast calls for more rain overnight and continued winds through tomorrow.

I'm reading, sleeping, walking, and just sitting -- WHAT A JOY!

At last -- onto Blind River

On US Independance Day, Rick Gillig drives up from Cheboygan, BD takes the car.


Rick and I take Sonador out for a pleasant 29 mile trip east to Blind River. Uneventful -- some great little islands for interest, but nothing really for gunkholing. And, a couple of interesting rocks awash in 60 plus feet of water -- never, ever think about traveling up here with bad visibility! Winds built to about 15 knots by the time we tied up in the marina.




The marina at Blind River is larger than at Thesalon -- and the town is considerably larger at about 3,900 population. This used to be the largest pine mill east of the Rockies -- now the town depends a little on that, on some small commercial fishing, and tourism -- also the home to the Blind River Boat Works who fixed Sonador. There may be more, but I haven't had time to explore yet. By land, Blind River is more like fifty miles on highway 17.




This is the old wood burning chimney that marks the end of the marina -- as you can see, the clouds are coming in again.











And, Sonador at her new home for the next several days -- don't plan to leave until there is a clear weather window -- and that looks like Wednesday at the earliest. The Marina has a great little restuarant -- open for breakfast (BD, Rick, and I endulged this morning before they left) and for fresh white fish on Friday nights (reservations required) -- so I might just stay til then since I'm in no hurry.

More of Thessalon

This is the fairy that transports locals from the mainland to Cockburn Island (approximately 35 miles by water) each weekend. The Island is mostly a logging and "camp" location -- so you have to bring EVERYTHING with you. What you can't see is the second ATV in the stern, nor the ten people on board! The next weekend, she took off with same number of people, potting soil and flowers to plant, at least two house windows to install -- and packs of beer.






Chessie and I go exploring on the little island in the Thessalon Harbor -- flowers, fascinating rocks, and every-once-in-awhile a duck or cormorant. What fun!

As you can see -- there was some glorious weather between the rain and cold.












And, another local boat taking off for the Island -- these people aren't afraid of "high wind" warnings by Environment Canada! And, then, there is the business of Thesslon -- this tanker arrived (backing into its dock without tug boat help) around 7 p.m. and was off-loaded before 6:30 am and long gone.

But, these were the types of clouds that kept us at Thessalon after the engine was repaired. Just not my cup of tea!