Parry Sound to Byng Inlet

Wednesday, July 16

With hopes that the winds would continue to calm we left the Big Sound Marina and went out the west entrance to Parry Sound which was fairly open and wide.

Our view was mostly water, rocks, trees and sky with an occasional
house or marker

 We passed Killbear Point, and went into the small craft channel and passed more rocks and more small homes on rocks.

Lighthouse at entrance to Parry Sound - no longer in use

  

With a cold wind blowing, John drove from the lower helm as we
entered the open waters of Georgian Bay

 

John's new table top
 

Over the winter John made a new table top for the salon. It is a combination of teak and maple and the sides fold in when we don't need them to give us more room, but are handy to open when spreading out charts. The arm of the sofa at the left gives the captain a perch while he is driving from the lower helm.  

   

Several other boats were already at anchorage when we entered
Hopewell Bay

 

A loon was there to greet us

  

There was a pair of loons getting ready to settle in for the night.
At sunset they were joined by another. We decided that this was
their teenage offspring and they all cavorted in the water together!

The water became very calm by sunset and that is when the mosquitoes came out to play! They clamored to be let in as they buzzed around our screens - unfortunately some did get in and we were slapping wildly as we tried to go to sleep. Finally we drifted off and we let them have their way with us.

Hopewell Bay at sunset. We are hoping for a good travel day tomorrow!

Captain’s Log: July 16, 2014

Departed: Big Sound Marina, Parry SoundEngine hours: 4.4 hrs.
Actual hours: 4 hrs.  25 min.
Nautical miles covered: 28.95
Arrived: Hopewell Bay anchorage at Shawanage Inlet
Wx: Clear, breezy cool northwest wind 10-15

Thursday, July 17, 2014

We saw the loon family one more time as we left Hopewell Bay early the next morning and stayed on the inside channel until we reached Point Au Baril Lighthouse, where we went out on open water. We bypassed the next small craft channel because it was reported to be very narrow and included many sharp turns.

Barrel at Pointe Au Baril

This barrel signifies safe passage from turbulent passage. We should have turned around there! The wind had stirred up the open water on Georgian Bay - the same size as Lake Ontario, and we hit choppy waters and large rolling waves. We hung onto any surface we could and anything that wasn't on the floor soon ended up there. Our Skipper Bob guide to the waterways got doused with water and it was not the most pleasant journey - with over ten miles to go in this condition, John upped the RPMs and sped up to 8 1/2 knots which helped to smooth out the ride and get us there quicker.
We were relieved to turn into the entrance to Byng Inlet, the waves were on our stern and finally quieted down as we got closer to shore.

A welcome sight - entrance to Byng Inlet

Sweet house - lots of gingerbread

Diminutive lighthouse marks this cottage

Before we knew it we were approaching St. Amant's Waterfront Inn and Marina which sounds like more that the one-stop building that was there. There was no town and the same store sold groceries, liquor, hardware and gas. The crew was welcoming and quite a few other boats followed us in seeking shelter from the winds, including Pat and Lon on CARIB II. We were glad to see them and later on we went to another gathering of loopers and other boaters.

Old boats at St. Amants Marina

Captain’s Log: July 17, 2014

Departed: Hopewell Bay anchorage 6:50 a.m.
Engine hours: 4.7 hrs.
Actual hours: 4 hrs.  45 min.
Nautical miles covered: 30.34
Arrived: St. Amant’s Marina, Byng Inlet 11:15  p.m.
Wx: wind west at 10kts – 2-3 ft. waves quartering on port bow. Rough ride