Georgian Bay Loop

Well we decided to Loop the Georgian Bay! We were anchored for a few days and it seemed like a good way to spend the month of August. First we stopped in Little Current to reprovision. I think not much is needed as it's never more then a day to a store.  Will see if that is true.

Leaving Little Current.  This bridge will change soon.

Leaving Little Current toward our first stop in Killarney.  Killarney is a favorite boaters and outdoor enthusiasts' destination. We met our daughter and played tourists. It was entertaining to sit at the end of the dock and watch the boats go by.  It's also fun to walk around and look at the different houses.  

Family visit

On our first night, we had a meal at the Sportsman Inn, the oldest inn in Killarney. The following night, we ate at the newest restaurant.  It is in the largest log home in Canada. The Ranch at Canada House is a beautiful place and the food is excellent. 

                                                                                     Largest Paddle!

The Ranch House Restaurant

After two nights in Killarney, we left for a few days at the Bad River. It's a beautiful place for dinghy riding and for fishing. We arrived early and after one afternoon of exploring and fishing, we had a nice rest. 

Bad River

The next morning, we left to meet up with friends at Black Bay. Black Bay is the most beautiful place to kayak. It was fun to meet with our old friends Luc and Sylvie. If you've read my previous blog, you will know that we did the Loop with them in 2017-2018. 

Black Bay

Our next afternoon, we left toward Britt, Ontario.  It is where we originally started our Loop. We followed our friends in, it was like a déjà-vu, following each other in a common destination.  Britt has not much to offer, but there are two marinas, a small general store and an ice cream shop. We walked up there and had to wait for the Canada Geese to cross the road. 

We also drove a few miles to get some take-out lunch. We saw a bear walking on the side of the road on our way back. Bet you, he would have like my burger and fries.

The following morning, we drove to Parry Sound. It was a nice drive in the open waters versus the Small Craft Route. We stopped at the very central Government Dock but we couldn't stay since the power was only for 30 amps. We moved to the Big Sound Marina, also central and its a perfect place for the annual  Festival of Sounds. There was a lot of rocking at our dock, NOT FROM DANCING but from wake. The weather was cooperative until after we walked for dinner at Turtle Jack.  We watched the rain pour as we ate our so-so meal. The rain stopped long enough for us to grab an ice cream cone then walk back to the boat.

The next morning, we headed to Brandy's Cove Marina in Honey Harbour. Beautiful ride on the small craft route. It really is a scenic route. Henry is south of Parry Sound. It's a favorite with boaters, pilots and even some daily cruise stop here for the famous fish and chips. 

 When we arrived in Honey Harbour, it was very hot, so we launched the dinghy and drove around some of the bays there. It is very pretty and there is some prime real-estate everywhere. 

We stopped at a local waterfront restaurant Fin City. A waitress met us on the steps and explained that the restaurant was closing because of the heat. She handed us a take-out. We sat at a picnic table to eat it and they brought us some drinks. WOW, we didn't have to pay for any thing. What a royal treatment we received at Fin City!

We were hesitant to leave the next morning because of the weather forecast. We chanced it after the sky cleared and we decided to go further up to Meaford. We skipped the south basin of Georgian Bay.  It is the most populated part of the Bay, and it is a Covid hot spot. At least compared to our little marina.  We have also visited that area multiple times.  

                                                         Coast Guard Station in Meaford

Meaford is a small rural community right on Georgian Bay. The town marina is modern and in a great shelter. We ordered a part at the local Richardson Marine and it took two days to arrive.  It gave me time to explore. We visited a local favorite restaurant, the Leaky Canoe. So good, we went twice. Not really but the restaurant selection within walking distance is slim.  I did find some delicious cookies at McGuinty's Cafe. It was on my third walk that last morning, so I figured it was well deserved. Did I mention that there was three thunderstorm in 24 hours?                                                                            

                                                                                          Meaford Marina,

                                                                                          Three thunderstorm in 24 hours. 

        Look at these nasty skies.

   

Big Red Chair

Once our part arrived and it was replaced, we headed west to Owen Sound. Owen Sound has a town dock on the west and east side of the river. There are no services and we needed fuel, so we went to the marina.  They have a beautiful office, showers and it is well sheltered from the local boat traffic and the winds.

                                                                                        Downtown Owen Sound wall.  

Leaving Owen Sound

It wasn't long, before we launched the dinghy to find a restaurant and pickup a few groceries. Well it was easy to find a microbrewery. It is just along the river.  Thought it was time for hubby to have some of his favorite food.  Well what a surprise to find not a traditional but more a fusion cuisine. Mud House served a wonderful and totally unexpected meal. 

West view of escarpment

Our Floridian friends live behind those trees.

Famous Wiarton Willy. 

The next morning we headed for Wiarton. The topography in that part is very unusual and beautiful! It really is worth the ride. The town has a beautiful marina within walking distance to the core. Unfortunately,  the streets were in disarray,  but we explored it anyways. We found a lovely restaurant with the $2. ice-cream. It is by the water next to the town park and the beach. The statue of Wiarton Willy is there too. Wiarton Willy is famous for prediction the length of  the winter.

We continued our adventure the next morning. After we turned outside of the bay into the big open water, we were greeted with large side rollers. We've never seen anything like that before. We trudged along for the nearest anchorage at Croker Point. We spent a long day there. There is a few houses on the shore but no reason to go there. 

The next morning we made the decision to turn around and not to make the full Georgian Bay Loop. It would have been nice to do it but the weather wasn't going to cooperate for several days. We have no regrets as tomorrow is another day.. 

We stopped at Hope Island for an overnight anchorage. It has a very pretty beach. Of course, we didn't swim but it was relaxing.

  

On to new adventures on Georgian Bay.

This is where my blog will end for now. It was fun doing part of Georgian Bay. So much to see and so little time

"When One Chapter Closes, Another One Opens."

Mini Loop

 

     Approaching Spanish Municipal Marina

Well three years after we completed the Loop, and many months of quarantine, here we are exploring close to home. Since we really rushed thru this area on the original Loop, I thought I would share a bit of this beautiful area's landscape and hidden gems.

We spent a week exploring what they call the Manitoulin Island, the whale's back and the North Channel.

Since the Loop, we relocated our boat from Britt, Ontario to Spanish, Ontario. Eventhough we knew we would miss our friends and old haunts, we decided on this location because we would be closer to family and enjoy the pristine wilderness.  It truly is a gem of a location.

Spanish is a small town about a mile from the marina. It is off Hwy 17, West of Sudbury so it can be a lovely place to connect with family and friends.  It has a beautiful lookout of the Whale's Back.

We left for our mini Loop to meet up with II AT C. Their home port is in Penetang, Ontario. We first met them in Ottawa, Il, USA while on the Loop. We saw them on and off during our Loop. Now we met-up with them in Little Current.

To get there, we went thru two narrow passes. Little Detroit and at the North West of the Benjamin Islands. It was our first time thru the Benjamin passage and it appeared intimidating.  It is a favorite anchorage, and it was busy, but not too busy. 

A local cleaning the table. 

Swing bridge that will be replaced

         Revisiting with Old Looper Friends

Our first night was spent at the Port of Little Current. Little Current is the first and biggest town as you enter Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin is the largest fresh water island in the world. The area is rich with history of the lumber industry. The railway bridge to cross over to the island was built in the 1913, but in 1940, it started taking vehicles and pedestrian traffic. The railway component was discontinued in the 1980. It is being replaced in the near future with a two lane bridge. 

 The Anchor Inn is a wonderful stop for a meal.  The town square had live entertainment on Friday night. It is a nice stop, as the waterfront is park like with a beautiful boardwalk. There is a beach, roller blade and day park at the end with trails to meander by the water.

We spent two days exploring the town. There are lots of anchorages and four marinas in this area. My favorite marina is the Port of Little Current for it's location and services.

     Local deer eating flowers downtown

            Glimpse of Gore Bay marina

                  Break water is also a pathway

 

Local residents influential in improving marina. 

Our next stop was in Gore Bay. Gore Bay is a quaint town. The marina is very nice. It has a large marine store, a couple of restaurants,  a microbrewery, and a chocolate factory. There is a park and a beach within easy walking distance.  The town is only a street over.  They have a hardware store and grocery store also within easy walking distance.

          Fishing Boats at Meldrum Bay

                      Seasonal boaters

                      Net Museum

 Our third stop was in Meldrum Bay.  Meldrum Bay is the furthest you can drive on the island. The population is approximately 50 people. There is a pretty campground there and an Inn. The marina is small but we were sheltered and comfortable.  There is one restaurant and you must make reservations.  We didn't so, we made do with barbecued burgers on the boat. 

  Blind River Marina

                  Dinner at Pier 17.

For our fourth stop, we crossed the North Channel heading north to the mainland in the Town of Blind River. There is a big marine store, a small café, a museum and an art gallery on site. We took a taxi to Pier 17 for a meal on the Blind River river. I walked towards town and checked the Small Craft harbour. It looked like a place where you could stop but it only had two fishing boats there. The town center would be closer but we are used to marina services. Blind River  was a nice stop. 

The following night we spent the night anchored at John's Island. There are many safe anchorages in the area and it is  a very scenic area.  John's Island is famous for the YMCA children summer camp. We cannot see it from our area. We had some fresh fish to eat that evening as the fisherman was lucky. It was great to enjoy our spoils with friends.

The next afternoon, we left for our homeport in Spanish. It was a beautiful day for travelling on the Whale's back. We enjoyed the local cuisine, broasted chicken and pizza. Our friends left for their journey home the next morning and we will spend a week here. We wonder where our next adventure will take us.