| CHAPTER 4 North Channel Page 2 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Back of the Anglican Church The stained glass window
< Looking down on Bridal
Veil Falls into the pool.
The pulpit at Kagawong
Church is the bow of a boat
>
Veil Falls into the pool.
The pulpit at Kagawong
Church is the bow of a boat
>
anchorage and had to try a few times before we held. Our bow thruster pin snapped again, and since
there were quite a few boats in here, we wanted to stay away from the other boats. We finally
held in the open area right in front of the entrance to the anchorage from the lake. The surge of
water did come in and we rocked until the sun set and then it calmed down, yet there was still some
movement. I slept on the salon couch because of the slapping of water on the bow, but was able to
see the stars. I woke up at 0230 when I felt the wind shift and pick up and the flag clinking. We
moved around and around the anchor for hours, each time the scene changed and it got confusing with
anchor lights reflecting in the windows.
AUGUST 12 We spent another day at the Benjamin Islands. It was warm, sunny, and very quiet. I
took the time to take a long nap which I really needed. Jim washed the screens and it was a day to
relax. At 1900 we met at a smooth rock area, had a bonfire in a huge stone pit that the guys
prepared. Southern Comfort brought marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers, and we
found sticks and had samores. There were thunderstorms all around us in the afternoon. We did get
a brief shower and a few claps of thunder, but it seemed we were right on the edge of the storm,
at least for this one!
there were quite a few boats in here, we wanted to stay away from the other boats. We finally
held in the open area right in front of the entrance to the anchorage from the lake. The surge of
water did come in and we rocked until the sun set and then it calmed down, yet there was still some
movement. I slept on the salon couch because of the slapping of water on the bow, but was able to
see the stars. I woke up at 0230 when I felt the wind shift and pick up and the flag clinking. We
moved around and around the anchor for hours, each time the scene changed and it got confusing with
anchor lights reflecting in the windows.
AUGUST 12 We spent another day at the Benjamin Islands. It was warm, sunny, and very quiet. I
took the time to take a long nap which I really needed. Jim washed the screens and it was a day to
relax. At 1900 we met at a smooth rock area, had a bonfire in a huge stone pit that the guys
prepared. Southern Comfort brought marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers, and we
found sticks and had samores. There were thunderstorms all around us in the afternoon. We did get
a brief shower and a few claps of thunder, but it seemed we were right on the edge of the storm,
at least for this one!
< Rock scene of the Benjamins.
safely land a dinghy to pull up
to the rocks for Lily.
Sunset at the
Benjamin Islands >
safely land a dinghy to pull up
to the rocks for Lily.
Sunset at the
Benjamin Islands >
| Click on the pictures to enlarge. |
< South view of the Benjamin
Islands
Rain storm looking south. It
almost looked like a tornado. >
Islands
Rain storm looking south. It
almost looked like a tornado. >
AUGUST 13 We pulled up our anchor at 0900, headed for Blind River, Ontario. It was about a 40 mile
stay with the group of boats, but we will catch up with them at Drummond. Jim rode one of the marina
bikes downtown, then we had supper at the Blind River Cafe. I had delicious grilled white fish. We met
up with 3 looper boats, 2 who are leaving tomorrow for Drummond. We will leave with them at 0700 as
long as the lake is calm. We need to pick up mail and it will be good to have an extra day at Drummond
for Jim to read it all. We haven't had mail since June 25!
stay with the group of boats, but we will catch up with them at Drummond. Jim rode one of the marina
bikes downtown, then we had supper at the Blind River Cafe. I had delicious grilled white fish. We met
up with 3 looper boats, 2 who are leaving tomorrow for Drummond. We will leave with them at 0700 as
long as the lake is calm. We need to pick up mail and it will be good to have an extra day at Drummond
for Jim to read it all. We haven't had mail since June 25!
< Sunset at Blind River
AUGUST 14 Blind River, Ontario to Drummond Island, Michigan, USA!!
The alarm was set for 0500. I pulled up the shades to get a good view of the sunrise. We wanted to
be ready by 0630 since we planned to go with the other looper boats to Drummond Island. We got
underway at exactly 0700. The North Channel picked up some wind as we traveled southwest. We
picked up 3 other looper boats who had anchored at an island about 10 miles west of Blind River. We
had a convoy of 6! The lake water picked up some swells, and we were lucky it was a following sea.
Golden Lily stayed straight on course, but it was a funny feeling being lifted on a wave, then sliding
down the other side. It was a perfect sea condition for our boat. Just as we entered the USA, Bella
Luna played "Stars and Stripes" on the radio.
boats here. We plan to stay another day and night to meet up with loopers coming from Blind River. The
post office closed at 1300, so we missed checking for our mail today. We will have to be there early
tomorrow. Jim, with the help of Adagio lowered the dinghy to check on the engine. They have a
mechanic here who will check it out since it's still stalling when going slow. That would sure ease up the
trip; the dinghy has to be dependable and rowing may not be good in an area with current.
We, all 14 loopers, went to Northwood Restaurant for dinner. It began to pour, and the wind blew, and
it poured some more. When we left, it was warm and sunny, so the weather back in the USA is the
same since we are still in the North Channel. You never know what's around the corner with weather.
We left the stateroom windows open, but we were lucky, no water got in!
AUGUST 15 Day at Drummond Island Marina
The day started out with wind and more wind. It you close your eyes, if sounds like the winds in a
winter storm. Flags are almost straight out and there are white caps on the bay. However, it IS a
beautiful sunny day, no clouds, and blue skies. Two loopers left for St. Ignace today, 4 others are
leaving to anchor half way, and all left at 0800. We needed to pick up mail and have our dinghy engine
fixed. The mechanic came promptly at 0800 and drove it away to the shop. He was back at 1300 with
a dinghy that finally had an engine that was humming away quietly, so we are all set! True happiness!!
All 16 loopers here on 7 boats went out to dinner at Northwood again. We had a little room all to
ourselves and had a lot of laughs. Jim and I hoisted the dinghy and tied it down ready to get an early
start tomorrow to St. Ignace across from Mackinac Island.
The alarm was set for 0500. I pulled up the shades to get a good view of the sunrise. We wanted to
be ready by 0630 since we planned to go with the other looper boats to Drummond Island. We got
underway at exactly 0700. The North Channel picked up some wind as we traveled southwest. We
picked up 3 other looper boats who had anchored at an island about 10 miles west of Blind River. We
had a convoy of 6! The lake water picked up some swells, and we were lucky it was a following sea.
Golden Lily stayed straight on course, but it was a funny feeling being lifted on a wave, then sliding
down the other side. It was a perfect sea condition for our boat. Just as we entered the USA, Bella
Luna played "Stars and Stripes" on the radio.
boats here. We plan to stay another day and night to meet up with loopers coming from Blind River. The
post office closed at 1300, so we missed checking for our mail today. We will have to be there early
tomorrow. Jim, with the help of Adagio lowered the dinghy to check on the engine. They have a
mechanic here who will check it out since it's still stalling when going slow. That would sure ease up the
trip; the dinghy has to be dependable and rowing may not be good in an area with current.
We, all 14 loopers, went to Northwood Restaurant for dinner. It began to pour, and the wind blew, and
it poured some more. When we left, it was warm and sunny, so the weather back in the USA is the
same since we are still in the North Channel. You never know what's around the corner with weather.
We left the stateroom windows open, but we were lucky, no water got in!
AUGUST 15 Day at Drummond Island Marina
The day started out with wind and more wind. It you close your eyes, if sounds like the winds in a
winter storm. Flags are almost straight out and there are white caps on the bay. However, it IS a
beautiful sunny day, no clouds, and blue skies. Two loopers left for St. Ignace today, 4 others are
leaving to anchor half way, and all left at 0800. We needed to pick up mail and have our dinghy engine
fixed. The mechanic came promptly at 0800 and drove it away to the shop. He was back at 1300 with
a dinghy that finally had an engine that was humming away quietly, so we are all set! True happiness!!
All 16 loopers here on 7 boats went out to dinner at Northwood again. We had a little room all to
ourselves and had a lot of laughs. Jim and I hoisted the dinghy and tied it down ready to get an early
start tomorrow to St. Ignace across from Mackinac Island.
| BACK TO THE USA!!! |
| Sunset at the Benjamin Islands. Our boat anchored at the Benjamin Islands viewed from the rock cliff. |
| Dinner with all the loopers from Drummond Island. |
