Exploring Little Current

George is much better today.  He slept well and took his Advil as directed, and he is not having much pain any more.  He stayed on the boat, doing lots of engineering work.

I went to the grocery with Keri from Dream Girl.  We walked up a hill to the store. When we came back, we saw this view of the port of Little Current.  Isn't it lovely?

We are spoiled by these wide open views of lake and land in Canada.

After lunch I walked down the dock and bought us ice cream cones:  Moose Tracks for George and Wild Blueberry for me, both super Canadian flavors.  I did a few other cleaning jobs and then walked down the street and got my hair cut ($15).  It looks much better.  The joy of being in this tiny town is real.  Walking to my errands is pleasant.  

Aunt Aggie sits at the town dock in Little Current.

Thanks to all of you who wrote and called about George's ankle.  It has been a fun day full of sweet messages.  We miss you and appreciate you.  We will stay here one more day and head out on Thursday. 

Surrounded by Kindness

We have had a strange 24 hours.  Yesterday we came to Little Current after our hike and swim at Baie Fine.  After we were tied at the town docks, George said his ankle was sore, so he sat down while I hooked up the electricity.  Jesse and Linda from Bama Dream showed up, and we chatted happily.
We agreed to go to their boat for games after supper.  Once we had eaten, we were tired, and George didn't feel like walking to their boat, so I walked over and told them he was not feeling well.  George showered and got in bed to read.

By 9:00 pm his ankle was really hurting. The ankle hurt where the sheet touched it.  It hurt all around, not just in one spot.  This was strange since he had been fine on the hike and on the three hour drive to Little Current. He could not put any weight on that foot.  He slept fitfully.

This morning he still could not put weight on the foot, but the pain was less.  It was a rainy day, so we tried to wait for clearing before calling 911 for an ambulance.  While we waited, George called Humana in the US and the medical center here.  Thank goodness the medical center is just two blocks away.  We finally gave up on better weather and called the ambulance at 10:28.  Linda and Jesse came by, surprised we were still at the dock. Two great EMTs came on the boat and used a stretcher to take George off.  That made me teary.

At the medical center they took him in the emergency area and did the x-ray at 11:15. We read as we waited for the verdict.  The orderly came back and said the doctor wanted to x-ray his good ankle because the bad one was such a mess. She wanted to compare them. The doctor came in and reported that she cannot see any fracture.  He has a bad sprain. We got crutches ($25) and a prescription for a boot, so he can stand.  She said just to take Advil and Tylenol as needed for pain.

A woman in the emergency waiting room with her mother offered us a ride to the pharmacy where we needed to get the boot.  Sally, our new best friend, zipped us to the pharmacy, saving us time and money. The pharmacist discussed boot options with George and fitted him.  We called a taxi and got back at the boat at 2:00 pm.  Jesse and Linda had come by the medical center to check on us and showed up at the boat to help get George back on board.

The whole experience took just 3.5 hours and cost $680 (med center) and $120 (pharmacy). So many people were helpful:  Jesse, Linda, the ambulance guys, the doctor and orderly, Sally, the pharmacist, and the taxi driver.  We are blessed.

Of course, George is napping now.  We expect to stay in Little Current this week and maybe resume our trip on Friday.

George, feeling better, after the medical center adventure.

Baie Fine and Little Current

Today we went two places, each about 25 miles away.  First, we left Killarney at 7:00 am and drove to Baie Fine, which has been described as the only fjord in North America.  For those of you who have not studied your geography lately, a fjord is a long narrow inlet with steep sides created by glacial erosion. This is one of those looper spots we've heard about for a long time.  It was not what I expected.  I thought it would be so tight that we might have trouble turning around.  It was plenty wide.  It was beautiful with green forests going up rock sides and clear water.  We tried to anchor several places, but they were too deep.  So we moved closer to the pool at the end of the inlet.

We left Aunt Aggie about 3 miles from the end and took the dinghy in for 3 miles.  Our friends, Keri and Monty from Dream Girl, were there too.  We chatted at their boat and then dinghied over to a place where the hike begins.  We hiked up a hill.  Thank goodness Keri and Monty were there.  Otherwise, I would have backed out of the hike.  George and I do not hike together.  He has bad ankles, and I am a chicken.  But with Keri and Monty present, we kept plugging along.  We were wearing inappropriate shoes too, our Keens for stepping into water.

We made it to the top and saw Lake Topaz, a turquoise round lake.  What a treat!  We swam in the cold, clear water.  You could see the bottom.  You could see your legs and toes below the surface.  It was glorious.

They stayed for a picnic, and George and I walked back to the dinghy.  On the way back to Aunt Aggie we ran out of gas.  Oh, no!  But before we could totally panic or start rowing, three kind French Canadians stopped and towed us to our boat.  What great guys!

We pulled up our anchor and took off for Little Current, 25 miles away.  We had some bumpy seas, but not really high waves.  We arrived here at 5:15 pm.  As we were connecting our electrical cords, Jesse and Linda from A Bama Dream walked up.  Yahoo!  So great to see them again.  We are going to their boat to play games tonight.

View from top of hill before we swam.

Killarney, Ontario, the end of Georgian Bay

We went 49 miles today over open water to arrive at Killarney.  The water was lovely, glassy and clean.  We saw no other boats.  We heard little chatter on the radio.  We were alone in a beautiful world of deep water.  The coast was just two miles on our right.

Beautiful trip to Killarney

Our only niggling worry was about the bow thruster.  We have gotten along fine without it, but we needed to locate it and get it back on the boat.  Someone from Killarney Auto said she would bring it to Sportsman's Marina yesterday on her way home from work.  However, when we called Sportsman's today, no one had brought it by.  We called Frank at Killarney Auto, but they are closed on the weekend.  What to do?  We continued moving to Killarney.  We are both reading books featuring private eyes.  Also George watched a Sam Spade movie last night.  Surely we could track down the missing bow thruster.

When we signed in at Sportsman's Marina, we asked again about the bow thruster.  No, they had not seen it.  "Who would know a lot of people in town?" I inquired.  As always, we are staying in a tiny town with a large reputation on the bay.
"Megan.  She knows everyone, and she comes to work at 3:00."
So we walked around town, enjoyed Moose Tracks ice cream cones, and visited with three other looper boats here.  At 3:30 we returned to the office at Sportsman's to meet Megan a friendly teenager.
"Megan, we are expecting a package that hasn't been delivered.  We understand you know everybody in town.  Do you know Frank at Killarney Auto?" George asked.
"Oh, let me call my dad," she said.  Frank was her dad!  Truly a small town/world.
Her mom brought the bow thruster over within five minutes.  All is right with our world again.

This is Megan, on the phone with her dad.

We are going to dinghy across the river for docktails with Penny Pincher and Mazal Tug and Lady J.
Then we plan to eat Herbert's World Famous Fish and Chips for supper.

Trying to get the Bow Thruster Fixed

We came to Wright's Marina because we have a broken bow thruster.  Yesterday they took it out of the boat and examined it.  They said they can fix it next week.  We don't want to lose the good travel weather that's happening around us now. So Wright's suggested that we take the motor to a mechanic they use in Sudbury, 96 km north.  This morning we left Wright's Marina in their courtesy car and drove to Sudbury.

We arrived early, so we went to a coffee shop nearby which had excellent wifi.  Yahoo! I drank too strong coffee and downloaded photos, checked Facebook, and wrote emails.  I have missed the internet.

George had juice and went over to the mechanic when the shop opened.  The guy said he'd look at it and call us.  We went to a really good grocery store and bought asparagus, pears, blueberries, and lots of cleaning products.

Well, this guy didn't have time to fix the bow thruster either, but he suggested a guy in Killarney, a bit further down the road.  We made a plan for him to send the motor to Killarney today.  We will play around in this area of Georgian Bay and head to Killarney on Monday, hoping to have the motor reinstalled then.

By this afternoon that plan fell apart.  Yes, our motor is in Killarney, but the mechanic there cannot fix it.  So they are taking it to Sportsman's Marina in Killarney today.  We will go there on Sunday and stay and pick it up.  We'll just carry it around until we can find a mechanic to do the work.  This means George will get more practice driving without the bow thruster, and we may not get to use it until Michigan.

We are surprisingly unperturbed by this turn of events.  We are changing into relaxed people.  Hey, it's only taken ten months.

Tomorrow we are going to anchor out at the Bustards, a group of islands with lots of safe and beautiful spots, or as George said, "Places to run aground."

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.

High Winds keep us at Killbear Marina on Georgian Bay

The view from German restaurant at Killbear Marina

We came to Killbear Marina on Wednesday, July 29, on a beautiful day, planning to stay one or two nights because high winds were predicted.  Well, the high winds and waves came to Georgian Bay and stayed.  We are still here on Monday, August 3.  George and I have had all the quality time and all the quiet we can stand.  

Every day we write, read, play solitaire, walk and chat with Will, the dock master, about the weather.  There is no internet here.  We just turned ours on today for a minute.  We do have electricity, a small grocery, a restaurant, beautiful weather, cool winds, ice cream, and friendly Canadians.

On Saturday four looper boats entered:  Always Home, Bama Dream, Penny Pinchin', and Mazel Tug. We were so happy to greet them.  Yesterday we spent a rainy afternoon playing cards with Bama Dream.  There are loopers in route and stopped all around this area, but we need better weather to continue our trip.  

Our bow thruster quit toward the end of the Trent Severn Canalway, so we want to go next to Wright's Marina, 48 miles north, where there are mechanics.  There is also internet and a laundry.

Wrights has become Oz for us, a mystical promised land just beyond the poppy fields.  

I will post photos from the Big Chute and Frying Pan Bay and here when we have real internet access.  We had two beautiful days of travel in this glorious bay before the wind changed.  We are totally safe and fine.  Just eager to get moving.