We made it to Wright's Marina

We saw this good omen on the wall at Gilly's Restaurant at Snug Harbor.

We left Killbear Marina on Wednesday, August 5, after a week of hiding out from high winds and waves.  Will, the dock master said, “You can’t go,” and we felt the same reluctance.  It felt like home. 

We drove five miles to Snug Harbor and anchored in 20 feet of water with two sailboats.  It was a good way to get going again.  The wind was at 15 mph from the NW, but we were protected.  After a nap and a cleaning session focused on the anchor box, we took the dinghy to Gilly’s.  What a charming spot!  We had a delicious meal of fried whitefish, fries, and cole slaw, followed by ice cream cones.  Gilly’s was full of families on vacation. Then we headed back out to Aunt Aggie, a half mile away.  The wind completely quieted in the night, and we slept well.  This morning we had some trouble retrieving the anchor:  The windlass motor overheated and shut off several times.  Since we had put out 125 feet of chain, we were concerned.  Finally, we got it all up and left for Wright’s Marina.  The day is typically Canadian: gorgeous, sunny and cool.

Canoe Channel on our way to Snug Harbor

Just so I don’t forget our stay at Killbear Marina, I am including the following notes from the past week. The bold dates show when I wrote the entry.

July 29, 2015: On Tuesday, July 28, we finished the Trent - Severn Waterway, going down the Big Chute and through Lock #45 at Port Severn.  It was a lovely morning.  We were doing one of those iconic looper events.  We sat on the hood of Aunt Aggie as she descended on the railway track and marveled at the moment.  

We traveled with Sequacious for the morning.  They received sad news about his sister-in-law’s impending death and changed their plans.  Instead of heading into Georgian Bay, they went to Midland to go home.  I hope we can find them again on Lake Michigan.

Georgian Bay surprised us.  Yes, it was beautiful.  The surprise was how many boats were around us.  They were zooming by us and coming at us in tight channels.  We were not in the wilderness.  We were with Canadians on vacation.  

Around 1:00 pm we entered Frying Pan Bay, a national park area.  Our bow thruster had stopped working in Lock #45, so we moved slowly.  We tried to anchor in the center, but the anchor would not budge.  I had almost expected it not to work since we haven’t used it in two months.  For two months it sat tightly wound and being splashed with salt water.  It looked like a hood ornament instead of a useable anchor.  This is a lesson for life:  Use it or lose it.  

So we pulled to a dock at the end of the bay.  Roy came out of his 1960s wooden Cris Craft to help us.  We spent the afternoon swimming off the boat and relaxing out of the sun.  Around 5:00 pm Dream Girl pulled in and tied to the same dock.  We had docktails and told stories.  Roy and Kim set the mood by telling about their 20 year romance. I felt lucky:  sitting outside with the day ending and hearing an important story.

Swimming at Frying Pan Bay

July 30, 2015:  Stunning - that’s my new word.  As we motor through Georgian Bay, we see one beautiful view after another.  Many are stark rock formations that Aunt Aggie winds around.  We pass tiny islands, just rock and a few trees.  But there is a cabin on the island, complete with dock and small boat.  

Our trip on Wednesday (7/29/15)  from Frying Pan Bay to Killbear Marina was lovely.  This is a new, clean and safe marina. We have electricity, a restaurant, grocery, and showers. However, there’s no internet.  So for the second day we cannot send emails or update the blog.  We need to stay here a second day due to high winds out on Georgian Bay. I feel as if I am at camp:  surrounded by beauty and quiet. 

Our next travel day takes us into open water for 10 miles.  Today that would mean 15 mph winds hitting on our beam, which would be miserable.  The seas are high too.  We’ll try again for tomorrow.  I wonder if traveling on Georgian Bay will be two good days followed by two windy days.  

July 31, 2015:  We are spending another day in Killbear Marina. We plan to take off Saturday morning early and travel north for 48 miles.  The wind will be about 14 mph from the west as we arrive at Wright’s Marina in Britt.  We have a 10 mile run outside to get there.  That’s just an hour and 15 minutes of possible stress if all goes well.  

Lots of boats arrived in the afternoon.  We were bemoaning the wind with a couple beside us, and we said it reminded us of New Jersey.  They said they had a terrible time there too.  We said a friend of ours ran aground, and they said we saw him get towed in to Morrison’s Marina.  What a small world!  We had actually met this couple, Peter and Sandy, on the dock at Morrison’s in May.  She made an impression then because she was very upset.  They’d hit something under a bridge IN THE CHANNEL, bent a prop, and been held up there for two weeks.  She wanted the BoatUS captain to escort them out of Barnagat Bay to the Atlantic, and he refused, saying he needed sleep.  When we had the Aha moment, we all took our drinks and spent an hour at a table on the dock, reliving our New Jersey pain and sharing plans.

We went to dinner at the German restaurant here.  It was delicious.  I had parmesan crusted salmon, and George had the roulqden stuffed with bacon and onion, served in its own gravy, with spaetzle and red cabbage.

Lots of time to think here:  It is easier to run away from home than to find my way back. 

August 1, 2015:  There is still a high wind warning out for Georgian Bay, and we are here for day four.  The good news is that four other looper boats arrived this morning:  Penny Pinchin’, Mazal Tug, Always Home, and A Bama Dream.  So happy to see each of them.  

Jesse from Bama Dream tried to help George fix the bow thruster.  They dove below the bow to see if something was hung up in it.  Then they went under our bed to look at the motor.  They decided we do need a mechanic’s help.  We appreciate Jesse’s energy and ideas.

The marina is quiet this afternoon.  Many nappers.

Tonight we will have a fun docktails time and dinner at the German restaurant with a big group.

August 3, 2015:  Yesterday we had thunderstorms, and we went over for the afternoon to Bama Dream.  We played Phase 10.  I was ahead for most of the game, and then George beat me on the final round and won.  That scoundrel! Next we played a game they call Dirty, which is similar to Parcheesi.  Linda and I beat Jess and George twice.  The rain took a break, and we all went outside for fresh air and a brief walk.  

A Bama Dream pulled out this morning to move to an anchorage and do some fishing.  As they exited, Jesse yelled, “Roll Tide!” to the assembled loopers on the dock.  I think most did not know what he was talking about, but he is one of the nicest and funniest guys, so everyone applauded his enthusiasm for whatever.  I wish I could show my father photos of their boat.

This morning after we pushed off Bama Dream, George and I returned to Aunt Aggie to eat breakfast.  We are getting more and more leisurely since we have little to do each day.  Penny dropped by to say they may be moving to Parry Sound for a change of scenery, but they won’t leave until afternoon.  She exited by proclaiming, “It’s wings day!”

“What?”

“Wings Day:  At the restaurant they sell wings all day.  We’re going for lunch.”  We cracked up.  We may join them for wings.  Our meals have become a bit boring here.  We may be here until Thursday.

August 4, 2015:  Question #1:  What month is it when you bring out the blankets, the heater, and the crock pot?  If you said August, you must be visiting Canada.

Question #2:  Looper or Canadian on holiday:  Which person is young,

wearing cute, clean clothes, and wandering from boat to boat at 3:00 pm with a large glass of wine?  Unfortunately, it’s the Canadians on holiday.  They are so cheery now that the sun has come out and they have tied up at a marina after a rainy trip with lots of wind.  We have dirty clothes, are running out of alcohol, and are huddled inside making chili in the crock pot.  

We truly believe we will leave this marina on Thursday.  Please let it happen.  We need a good weather forecast.

This is a typical island with cottage on Georgian Bay.