July 25th - Aug 5th: Georgian Bay and North Channel

When last we updated, we were in a place called Byng Inlet on the Georgian Bay.  The routine for the last two weeks has been several days of anchoring in some wonderful little bays and coves, followed by a day or two in a marina to load up on water and re-charge batteries.  We have moved from east to west finishing the Georgian Bay and have now entered the final leg of our Canadian voyage, the North Channel.

From Byng Inlet we moved into a nice little bay known as Sandy Bay, since there were several nice sandy beaches to take the Boyz ashore.  Sandy Bay was protected on three sides - north, east and west.  Unfortunately, we got some pretty strong winds from the south and the long fetch of the bay made for an uncomfortable evening.  Moving on the next day, we traveled to Tie Island in the Bustard Islands chain where the girls (Teresa and Bonnie Burke) did some serious kyaking.  From there it was through Collins Inlet, a pretty narrow passage with high rock walls on either side.  The pictures will not do it justice - you really need a panoramic view to get the full effect of the passage.  There was a georgous anchorage named Keyhole Island at the end of Collns Inlet where we stayed for a couple of days before moving onto Killarny.

Killany marked the end of the Georgian Bay and the beginning of the North Channel.  We spent a couple of nights at the Sportsman Inn marina, an OK place but nothing to write home about.  Killarny did have a fish and chips place (an old School Bus) that was absolutely excellent.  Would you believe lunch there 2 out of 3 days?

From Killarny we moved onto Covered Portage Cove.  This was by far one of the nicest anchorages of the trip.  A small cove surrounded by granite walls.  Teresa, Bonnie Burke and I took a hike to the top the morning of our departure and got some birds-eye view pictures.  From there it was a couple of days at anchor just outside of Little Current, our present location.  We will spend two days here before moving on.  Right now it appears we will re-enter the US sometime around the 10th of August and begin our trip down Lake Michigan toward Chicago.



Bonnie and Charlie as we prepare for a night on the town




Going out to dinner at Byng Inlet



Not for the faint of heart

So Charlie - What am I going to do about the Chocolate one??

Shipmate - I know it can be tough, but he is your brother and you
can get into a lot of trouble doing something like that. 

Bonnie and Teresa kyaking through Tie Island

Tie Island anchorage at sunset

SONATA at anchor

The men doing their business ashore

GREAT ESCAPE at Tie Island

Going into Collins Inlet

Collins Inlet

Enough room to meet another boat, but not much to spare



Bonnie and Charlie coming to GREAT ESCAPE



The Loon family

Keyhole Island at Collins Inlet

Keyhole Island

Taking the Boyz for s sunset cruise

GREAT ESCAPE at Keyhole Island

Entering Killarny

Sportsman Inn Marina

Rules of the Road applay to him as well

Boats "Med mooring" (an anchor off their bow and a rope tied to a tree
ashore) in Covered Portage Cove

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to hike we go!!



A view from the top at Covered Portage Cove



That tiny little spec down on the water is Charlie
trying to take our picture

There he is !!

                                      

Looking west from the top of Covered Portage Cove

Bonnie at the summit

Teresa looking for the wise one at the top

She found the wise one !!!

Sheer walls at Covered Portage