Cabot Bay - Sans Souci

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We finished our Tobermorian experience by sailing to Flowerpot Island for lunch and a 3km "difficult" hike. Along the way, we visited an old lighthouse keepers home/museum, manned by volunteers, caves and the famous flowerpot rock formations. Leaving about 2:00pm, we sailed 14nm to Cabot Head and overnighted in Wingfield Basin. Here we were greeted by 7 already anchored sailboats, an adult eagle bathing on the beach and a black bear roaming the shoreline for fresh berries.  

Saturday, we left the harbour at 6:00 am to cross Georgian Bay.  We started out with a spinnaker run until 11:00 at which point the wind was taking us 26 degrees off our destination.  The balance of the day was a spectacular reach doing almost hull speed.  We are amazed at the vastness of the deep blue ocean-like conditions of Georgian Bay - no land anywhere, clear blue water to be treated with respect. We had an opportunity to practice a "man overboard" drill when we spied a boat bumper drifting aimlessly. The drill was successful and the bumper has found a new home. We have come to affectionately call him Bouy George but we encourage you to come up with your own name.  Other top contenders were OB1, Freddy Fender, Manny and Sven.  The day was rounded up with some navigating through rocks to our final destination, Sans Souci.  To that end, those from Manitoba will be glad to know that the bug screen has come in handy the past few nights, as we fend off  pesky mosquitoes and ankle biter flies.  

Doug

Tobermory Sidetracked

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It was an 11 hr. motor from Baie Fine to Tobermory.  Wind  was 10 knots on the nose for most of the day therefore we motored.  We stopped in a cove on a uninhabited island for lunch.

While there, a pair of sand cranes took flight and flew right past us - what an awesome sight!  The water here on Georgian Bay is unbelievably clear. You can still see bottom at 40 feet. The changing water color relative to the depth reminds us of the Carribean - too bad the temperature wasn't similar!  It's been rather cool on the water!!

We arrived in Tobermory at 6:30 p.m., ready to be in out of the wind and ready for a cocktail. Then we were off to the "Crowsnest"  for dinner.  As you can see in the pictures, the seagulls are very accustomed to people and always looking for a handout!

We woke up on our layover day in Tobermory to the strains of nearby bagpipes. Tobermory used to be a fishing village but now is a quaint tourist town.  One of the major attractions here is scuba diving the many shipwrecks that litter the depths. Doug went diving in the morning to the wrecks of the schooner "Caroline Rose" at 50 ft. and the tanker "Niagara II" which lies from 90 - 120 ft.  He said it was quite interesting but really cold despite the wet suit. ( See below for a You Tube link).  

Click Here for a replica of Doug's scuba dive

In the meantime, John & Kini Meyer (Andrew's parents), drove 2.5 hrs from their home in Holyrood to spend the day with us.  We had a great day wandering the streets, poking into assorted shops & galleries and dining on the local fish & chips.  We also hiked the "Burnt Loop Trail" out to the tip of the  Bruce Peninsula. Hopefully some of our pictures will communicate the natural beauty we have seen these past few days. The day ended back at the "Crowsnest" with great live entertainment and cold beer. In case anyone questions, the live entertainment was not Doug and Andy!!! Just saying.....

Today began with a few boat chores and provisioning. Once that was done, we left Tobermory for Flower Pot Island. We are now cruising in the Fathom Five National Marine Park which requires a boat and individual passes to transit.  Flower Pot Island is made of dolomite, a type of limestone, which has resulted in intriguing cave and rock formations due to water erosion. We did another great hike - rock, trees and water - they never appear the same twice and you never get tired of them!

We are now sailing on a lovely beam reach with 12 knots of wind under warm, sunny skies headed for our next anchorage of Cabot Head.

To those who know of our alternator problems, it remains intermittent but the bypass method works perfectly!

Joann

Laundry to Baie Fine

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Lake Huron is divided into basically three parts - the North Channel, Georgian Bay and the main lake south of Manitoulin Island.  We have just completed sailing through the North Channel and are on route to Tobermory on the west side of Georgian Bay. This is another 40 mile leg.

The North Channel was beautiful with its high islands and deep clear waters, a guy could spend a life time sailing here and not see all its nooks and crannies. 

Last night we pulled into Baie Fine about 6:00 pm after a great day of sailing.  We left Dave and Margaret in Laundry Harbour and sailed through a rainy, misty morning to Little Current. We had to wait about 40 minutes there because the swing bridge only opens on the hour to let the boat traffic through. That was our first time through that type of bridge.  After that the winds picked up to 15 - 20 knots and we sailed close hauled to the long narrow Baie Fine.  We anchored off the stern and tied the bow off to a tree in Mary Ann's Cove. This is one of the most picturesque bays and the easiest to anchor in that I have ever been in. The sun came out just as we arrived and the water was so clear we could drive around and scout the area for rocks with no problems. The only thing missing in Mary Ann's Cove was our good friends Stephen & Marianne!

We got in just in time for cocktails and a swim- who would of thought?😀.    Doug 

Gore Bay to Laundry Bay

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Yes Gore Bay to Laundry Island because the trip from Meldrum Bay to Gore Bay was completely uneventful - full of no wind, lots of motoring, yada yada. But once we arrived ar Gore Bay it was a wonderful time.  A walk on the boardwalk, fantastic marina store with lots of toys - folding bicycles for $185!  Then we went downtown for groceries and supplies - thank goodness it was open, being Sunday in a small town, pretty much everything else was closed.  I think we were the sole transients strolling downtown other than a couple of skateboarders.

But on to sailing .... this morning we started at the usual time - up at 6:30 am - we have found this is the best time to start.  Up, shower or whatever you have to do, leave and have breakfast underway - today was awesome mile high pancakes, bacon, peanut butter and syrup.  Today we sailed across the northern channel into the "Whale Backs", a chain of islands where you really need to navigate carefully!  Half way across we got a text from our new friends Margaret and Dave Steele - they let us know that through  "Find My Friend" they could see us enroute to John Island.   We then proprosed a rondezvous on the south side of the island where we rafted together for lunch.  Afterwards, we made plans to meet later in Laundry Harbour. We had a great sail this afternoon and anchored in Laundry Harbour around 6 p.m.  I have no idea why it's called Laundry Harbour!???

Today; winds around 10-15 knots gusting to 25.  Great sailing day and saw some pristine Canadian shield. 

What a great day:)

Andrew

Milford to Meldrum

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The water is like glass and the bullfrogs are singing.  I cannot believe how crystal clear the water is!  Doug decides its a good time to go for a swim - he thinks everything looks bigger in the water.  The time is 6:30 am and we have 30 minutes to departure.  Leaving under the iron Genoa, the days forecast will be winds light, off the stern with a spinnaker run for 60 minutes and a chance of steak and eggs for breakfast.  The day rounded up with an early arrival into Meldrum Bay where we found 

a sleepy village with a closing general store and an historical restaurant with live entertainment.  There was spotty cell phone service at best but we were able to get a quick call into Doug's mother to wish her a happy birthday.   We're on the Rock were there is no Clock!

Andrew

The Soo to Milford

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Left Sault Ste. Marie at 0815 this morning under overcast skies, 7C, calm waters. Motored down the St. Mary's River with a following 1-2 kn current, keeping mid channel and out of the path of big tanker ship traffic. Doug cooked a gourmet breakfast while underway. We managed to sail once out of the channel, each of us taking 2 hr. shifts at the helm.  Today's top speed was 7.8 knots over ground with 5.8 over water. Top winds today were 28 knots but sailing under head sail only was no problem.  Doug & I were dressed for winter and Andrew was in shorts and a light jacket!  Life jackets are mandatory on deck and the helmsman must be tethered in at all times - captain's rules! For those of us use to sailing in remote regions without traffic, this is a great introduction to marine traffic and AIS systems. We were worried worried about 100 ft wide tankers in St. Mary's River but once we experienced the first one there was no issue.  We are now in the North Channel on Lake Huron and arrived at our destination of Milford Haven and anchored down at 4:20. Only 1 other boat in the anchorage. We enjoyed a cocktail with the last of Keith's gin. It gave Doug the courage to test the waters. He's now trying to convince Andy & I that it's really not that cold!!

Enjoyed a great steak BBQ for dinner and are now chillin' for the evening. Doug's reading and Andrew is teaching himself the harmonica ( everyone needs a hobby!)  Fishing line is in the water but no takers yet!  We are off to Meldrum Bay tomorrow and hoping for sunny skies....

Joann

Soo Captain

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As we write this we are listening to the Blue Bomber home opener.  Go Bomber's Go!  

Joann and Andrew rolled in Tuesday night around midnight with Andrew's parents, a day after Brooklyn's grade 12 graduation, and were welcomed by the members of the "4 Corner Yacht Club."  

Yesterday was Canada Day and the harbour front was the centre of celebrations including music, hot dogs and an  awesome display of fireworks!

Dave, our "Soo" ambassador, rounded up two more bikes for us so the 3 of us were able to visit the Canadian locks and parkland.  Today was a lay day to provision and prepare to take off for Lake Huron - we leave in the morning. 

I had a wonderful time in Sault Ste Marie, thanks to Dave and Margaret Steele and all the members of the Four Corner Yacht Club, Cliff MacKay and the gang on the tugboats. The marina staff were wonderful and the  facilities were terrific. If any of you read this blog please know that it was you who made my stay so memorable. Thanks to all of you.

Doug