The Great Lakes

We have started the Great Lakes chapter of the voyage. Having finished the 45 locks of the Trent Severn, we have put our fenders away and are moving WNW through the Georgian Bay which is part of Lake Huron. Here’s a map which shows our route through the Georgian Bay, the North Channel and down through the Mackinac Straits into Lake Michigan.

Cruisers can choose to zip through the big water to make time or to follow the more scenic small craft route, dodging rocks and islands along the way. Some of the channels are so narrow that we can barely fit through. We’ve done a combination of both depending on the winds. After our stay in Midland, we departed one day too soon and experienced some rough seas. After implementing “plan B”, we found an anchorage in a quiet bay and then moved on to another anchorage the next day at Port Rawson. Two other Looper boats showed up there and we hosted an impromptu appetizer get together featuring the 2 fish Joe caught earlier. Don’t worry, nobody starved. (Of course the night before, we caught 10 delicious bass but threw them all back because we already had dinner.)

Rafted with Errante

Twins at Port Rawson

Evening glow

Dinghy fishing

Port Rawson anchorage from kayak

Morning fog

After leaving Port Rawson, we decided to stop for lunch at Henry’s Fish Restaurant – a gathering place for the rich and famous here in the Georgian Bay! While we were eating, three other looper boats showed up. (Are you sensing a theme here?). It’s fun to watch the float planes arrive and take off, but sorry to say we didn’t spy any famous Canadians during lunch. Being walleye enthusiasts, we were hesitant to order the featured “pickerel” on the menu but, were pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It turns out, around these parts “Pickerel” is actually another name for walleye.

Docked at Henry’s

We did stop for 2 nights at a marina in Parry Sound to wait out some rain and high winds and found about 6 other Looper boats there too. The claim to fame at Parry Sound is the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. On our first night, we met a young woman at a pub from Northfield, Um Ya Ya! The second night, we had a nice dinner on the porch at Bistro on the Bay, a short walk from the Marina.
Today we had a long 60 mile run in the big water to the Bustard Islands where we have dropped the anchor. Although there are no other loopers here tonight, there are 10 other boats anchored in this little bay. We continue to be surprised at the number of people, boats and cottages along the route. The scenery is kind of like the Boundary Waters of Minnesota on steroids. Rocks, water and pine trees are everywhere. Even the Loon sightings are familiar.

Islands

The Narrows

Rocks

Narrow channel in small craft route

Lighthouse

Cruise ship sighting

Bustard Island Anchorage

Bustard Island with full moon

Our plan is to stay in the anchorage here in the Bustards for a second night and await the arrival of a couple we haven’t seen since Peterbourgh. Then, we will shoot for Killarny and move on to the North Channel where we will welcome Lisa and Emily aboard for a few days next week. Before we know it, we’ll be back in the states.