Adventures of Sonador

Friday, July 29, 2016

Another week has flown by

Gore Bay was fun! Alison and Rod (LEADING EDGE) did arrive, as did several other boats so on Thursday afternoon they all piled onto SONADOR for happy hour. Then, Alison, Rod and I went to see Kinderkids at the local theater -- a very powerful play about the German children who were evacuated before WWII to England, and the impact it had on their lives -- well done by the local talent.

Friday, the farmers' market and more fresh veggies and baked goods -- a beautiful morning with gusty winds and bright blue sky. CLASS ACT and LEADING EDGE leave for anchorages east. After the market, I trundled over to the local art gallery building and visited my favorite Gore Bay artist, purchasing two prints from her larger originals. Then back to the boat.

Early afternoon, we had some excitement as a float plane crashed on take off in the outer harbor. The pilot was unhurt, but for several minutes no one knew exactly what was going on. Prompt response from the boating community, several dinghies roared out of the harbor and soon we could see them returning dragging an upside down float plane with them. Fascinating to watch, and so happy that no one was hurt -- although I imagine the pilot has some explaining to do to his insurance company.

Saturday dawned as another bright day -- I was considering staying at Gore Bay for a few more days but the forecast of high winds beginning later that afternoon and continuing for several more days changed my mind. So by noon, I was over at the fuel dock and ready to head out.

CLASS ACT was moving to Eagle, so that became my destination. It was a bit rocky, but not as bad as it has been, so I was anchor down in Eagle by 3 p.m. In addition to CLASS ACT, OKAGA (Ann and Bruce), TEAM ZOOMA (Chuck and Linda), and GANESHA (Scott and Nancy) were anchored there. We, of course, gathered for happy hour each of the three nights we were there -- watching the winds swirl around us -- and the anchorage fill as more boats sought refuge. In fact, on Monday the 25th it was so windy that I was doubtful about leaving SONADOR for fear she would drag -- but the desire for good company beat out my fears -- and she didn't move an inch.

Tuesday, the 26th, CLASS ACT and I depart heading west a little before 8 a.m. TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT!! As I was heading up to the McBean Channel through the Boyds Island mark, ms Sophie cuddled between my legs with the rolling seas only to have my coffee -- luckily not hot -- spill on her. Panic! Then real PANIC on my part as I see her on the rolling, pitching bow of the boat. If she went over in those seas I'd never get her back. So, boat into idle and I crawl forward, grab her harness and drag her -- literally kicking and screaming back into the boat (actually there was no screaming except the pounding of my heart) Pour girl, didn't like the coffee, but really didn't like the motion of the boat for the next fifteen minutes until we were able to turn into the wind and progress through Little Detroit and into the Whalesback Channel. Around the end, and into Long Point Cove with anchor down by 11 a.m.

When we arrived there were only three other boats there -- but by late afternoon a total of fourteen boats had sought refuge from the winds and waves. Two quiet evenings in the protection of that great harbor, a couple of short dinghy explorations, and even a swim (shower and hair wash) in the water.

Yesterday, the 28th we left early again heading west with our destination being the town of Thessalon -- normally my point of arrival in Canada. The winds were out of the north east so I was literally pushed along the full forty one nautical miles -- CLASS ACT sailed most of the way. Laundry, shopping, showers, etc. and a quiet dinner on board CLASS ACT.

Today, after breakfast in town we plan on heading over to Beef Island -- at the south east end of St. Joseph's Island and still in Canadian waters. We'll meet up with Ann and Jarma on BASIC BOAT. Planning on spending two days there before heading back into US waters and to Harbor Island for the Wilderness Rally.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Pictures from Sturgeon and McTavish

La Cloche Mountains on the North Shore of the Channel

White caps and waves crashing on the reefs outside Sturgeon Cove

A great place for a picnic and a safe view of the tormented waters of the North Channel

Rod, Alison and Sophie on top of McTavish

Pictures from Eagle Island

Sonador at anchor in Eagle -- July 12

Sophie's personal taxi

Blueberry picking among the rocks at Eagle

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Two Weeks of Sun, Seas, and Wind

Enjoyed two days in Gore Bay -- reuniting with Alan and Margo on ENCORE for happy hour on Sunday evening, had breakfast with Erica and Graham on LADY ERICA before they left on Monday, and then happy hour Monday evening with Nicki and Hugh on MISCHIEF.

You'd think all we do is party!

Tuesday (the 12th) departed Gore Bay for the run up to Eagle, where we teamed up with Alison and Rod on LEADING EDGE and Jim and Linda on HOME FREE for a day that included blueberry picking. The berries are sweet, just very small. On Wednesday two boats from Duncan Bay came into the harbor, so more berry picking and happy hour for all on LEADING EDGE. Thursday, puttered around and planned on happy hour on SONADOR, but very strong winds came up around 3:30 forcing a cancellation of that event and encouraging all the boats to put out additional scope. Even yours truly succeeded in getting another thirty feet of chain in the water before trying to settle in for the night.

Friday, set off for Gore Bay in a light rain and fog. This turned into a very rough ride for Sophie and her mom -- I keep promising her that we won't do this again, and then we do. Into Gore Bay -- met by a dock full of helpers -- thank goodness my one attempt worked and wasn't too shabby. Nothing like an audience to make the captain nervous. After a quick run through the farmers' market, I stopped by INGOMAR (Jim and Bonnie) for a hearty oatmeal breakfast and catching up since I hadn't seen them this year at all. LEADING EDGE and HOPSCOTCH (Georgia and Chuck) arrived later that morning.

Went to the local theater Friday evening to see "Old Love" -- a light comedy that was rather well done by two Canadian actors. Saturday, dinner at Buoys with all, before planning on leaving Sunday.

Sunday morning, had a nice motor to Sturgeon Cove -- about 25 miles north east of Gore Bay. A tricky entrance, but I had left a track on my chart plotter last year, and followed that in very easily. Anchor down and feeling rather smug about my choice of location. HAH!! That night the winds came howling out of the north west right into the cove, making for a very uncomfortable ride rolling from side to side, while also tossing up and down. Sophie was so frightened, she joined me in bed (she never does this) and wrapped herself around my head (this is an eighty five pound dog mind you) for about three hours.

Finally, it was sunlight and the winds were only picking up more. LEADING EDGE moved to a more sheltered position and offered to help me relocate also. No dummy I -- we immediately began looking for quieter waters -- and found them in a corner of the cove where NADURRA (another boater from my past travels) was raising anchor to head into Little Current (Paul had to go pick up his wife, otherwise he would have wisely stayed put.)

By mid- afternoon on Monday (18th), the waves were crashing on the outside of the cove -- and we (Alison, Rod, Sophie and I) made a picnic of sitting on the rocks and watching the North Channel like we've never seen it before. Happy hour (never let a little wind upset your social calendar) was on Sonador.

Tuesday we motored to McTavish, where there is a sandy beach and more protection from the south west winds. For the most part the protection worked, although the rough water outside our anchorage discouraged dinghy explorations. We did hike the spine of the island, only to find tall brown grasses, broken trees and shattered granite, and some of the most bitter blueberries ever. Rod made pizza on the grill and we chattered about moving back to Eagle the next morning.

This morning, Wednesday the 20th, Rod correctly suggested that I might want to take advantage of the relative quiet of the winds (they are supposed to pick up tomorrow) and head into Gore Bay. A split second of pondering that, and I accelerated to 3000 RPM covering the 20 plus miles in under two hours!

And, here I sit -- showered and clean -- relaxing and planning on attending theater tomorrow night, farmers' market on Friday, and who knows on Saturday. I expect to see LEADING EDGE tomorrow (but maybe not) and certainly CLASS ACT (Mel and Sue) will be here. Then we'll talk about heading west.