Out of Canada

Friday, July 25, 2014

We got up and left early while the winds were still calm – didn’t need a repeat of yesterday’s rollers and taking waves over the bow. Today was much nicer but still cool so we were in the cabin with John driving at the lower helm for most of the trip. The one exciting thing that happened is that we turned over a 1000 miles for this trip. No mean feat since our speed is an average of 7 1/2 MPH and we only travel a few hours a day!

That little speck in the lower left corner is our boat on the chart plotter.
 

We arrived at our destination and hardly anyone else was there. Meldrum Bay Marina had nice docks, but that was about it, with a small building housing the office and the washrooms. We walked down the road in one direction and stopped in the old and quaint country store and browsed through a very rustic museum. The town does have an inn which offers rooms and meals, and with just a couple of houses we didn’t see much of a town.

Marina office on left, inn and store. Rain was threatening for the evening
 

John remarked, “I think we have reached the end of the earth.” It was the end of Manitoulin Island, anyway! They did have some ice cream at the store, however, so all was not lost.

Captain’s Log: July 25, 2014

Departed: Gore Bay Marina 6:50 a.m.
Engine hours: 5.1
Actual hours: 4 hrs. 50 min
Arrived: Meldrum Bay Marina 1:45 p.m.
Wx: Clear, SW winds 5-10 kt. No problems, comfortable cruise

Saturday, July 26, 2014

The forecast was for rain but the winds were calm so we both woke up at 5 a.m. and got ready to go. It was overcast, misty and the dawn was barely breaking when we pushed off. We did catch a glimpse of the rising sun later as it peeked through a break in the clouds, looking red as if in warning.
 

Sunrise over Georgian Bay

Our highlight for the day was reaching the United States on Drummond Island, MI and going through customs. The agent who cleared us was very nice and since we didn't have any illegal drugs, citrus fruit, red peppers or onions on board she gave us our approval and sent us on our way. We motored over to DeTour Village, MI to the state operated marina there where we spent the night.

John was excited to spot US land in the distance!
 

Our experience in Canada has been wonderful. All the people we met there were so friendly and helpful and we couldn't help but enjoy their sense of humor. The water in the North Channel is crystal clear - we were amazed at how we could see the bottom even at the end of the dock - and have seen rocks impressive enough to write home about.

Captain’s Log: July 26, 2014
Departed: Meldrum Bay Marina, 5:50 a.m.
Engine hours: 6.8 hrs.
Actual hours: 6 hrs. 50 min
Nautical miles covered: 42.76
Arrived: DeTour Marina, DeTour Village, Michigan 1:30 p.m.
Wx: Overcast, mist, winds SE at 5 kt.  Smooth ride, no rain

 Sunday, July 27, 2014

The early morning in DeTour was very foggy and we could hear the fog horns from two tankers that were making their way to Sault Ste. Marie. The forecast called for rain and possible thunderstorms. Thinking that we would spend a weather day in DeTour, I did a load of laundry and was ready to walk through the little village.
However, John was talking to a Michigan boater on the Mainship, Bellissimo, next to us and they decided that with the calm winds and no imminent threat of severe storms it would be a good weather window to make the fairly long run over toward Mackinac. We untied and off we went, following Bellissimo since they had made this trip several times before.
We traveled through clear skies, into a fog bank, then into a light rain shower but the water and winds cooperated.

DeTour Point Lighthouse
 

The first landmark we passed was the DeTour Point Lighthouse. You can see the fog bank behind it obscuring the land. This lighthouse was actually manned and we are not sure if the little boat in front had just dropped off the lighthouse keeper for the changing of the guard or not, but I was able to zoom in and see him clearly.

Lighthouse keeper looking out over Lake Huron and
perhaps wondering what to do all day
 

We had made reservations at Mackinac Island for the next day so we proceeded to St. Ignace which was nearby on the Upper Peninsula, or UP, of Michigan. We were glad to enter their protected harbor and make a brief stop where the residents of the UP or Yoopers (rhymes with Loopers) proudly call home. The town is a launching pad for some of the ferries that cross over to Mackinac Island all day long so it was a good introduction to our much anticipated next stop.

Ferryboat with it's rooster tail plume
 

At the end of 8 weeks of cruising we have traveled over a thousand miles, that's a total of 976.2 nautical miles, maneuvered through 83 locks, taken on 411 gallons of fuel and made countless new friends. We have great memories to carry with us as we travel on.

Captain’s Log: July 27, 2014

Departed: DeTour Marina 10:55
Engine hours: 5.7 hrs.
Actual hours: 6 hrs.  25 min.
Nautical miles covered: 38.61
Arrived: St. Ignace, MI
Wx: winds calm to NW 5 kt. Fog, rain north and south of us but just experienced a light shower