July 15

Arrived in Harrisville, found a nice beach to clean the moustache that covered Algernon’s hull from brown to pearly white, just like in the commercials. On and Off is a wonderful cleaning agent. We felt a little more respectable going into the marinas after she was cleaned. We decided to head to Presque Isle and then take False Detour passage to Drummond Island before heading into Canadian waters. We had a beautiful sail – used the spinnaker for the first time since we left Naples. Just as we were approaching Drummond Island the sails started luffing, so we leisurely packed in the spinnaker. It was still a beautiful day, blue skies. Not five minutes later, the wind really picked up, then picked up some more and before we knew it we felt one of the hulls lift off the water. Oh my! Clay quickly turned into shore and I pulled the mainsail down. At just about the same time a severe storm warning was called on the radio. Shortly thereafter, the sky turned dark and the heavens let loose. We were able to tuck in around Drummond Island and the high cliffs to avoid most of the wind. Once again we found that we were extremely fortunate. When we got in to Drummond Island they told us that there had been tornadoes, a monohull that had left Presque Isle with us had gone to the west side of Drummond and they were knocked down without sails and at last registered the wind at 55 knots. Another 42 foot trawler was capsized, fortunately no one was hurt.


We left Drummond and headed to Cockburn Island to check in with Canadian Customs. When we arrived there they had no power or phones because of the storm. We were advised to head to Meldrum Bay. Once again, no power or phones and our cell phones didn’t work either, but they did let us spend the night. Finally when we arrived at Gore Bay, they still had no power but the phones were working. Customs wanted to know why we had waited so long to check in? We found Manitoulin Island beautiful and the people very friendly. From Gore Bay we moved on to Clapperton Island where we anchored. We had a spectacular evening watching the stars – they were just vivid. In the morning we pulled anchor and headed to Mudge Bay to the little village of Kagawong. Our goal was to visit Bridal Veil Falls. After getting the boat docked we headed for the falls. After making a check, Clay went back on board to get the camera. We hiked through the woods, up, up and finally made the falls. They were beautiful. Lets take some pictures…. Clay reaches in his pocket and pulls out the cellphone… oops – “I thought I grabbed the camera!” Well, no pictures, but we enjoyed the falls. Kagawong was a tiny little bit of a village, but it was big on being friendly. They had a sail race and asked us join them in a pot luck dinner after the race. They gave us lots of great information about the best places to visit and the best anchorages.

From Kagawong we headed to Little Current. Little Current is another tiny little village, but it’s the place to reprovision before heading into the Georgian Bay or North Channel. Again we met many interesting people on the town dock, fueled and stocked up on groceries before heading out. Next stop is Killarney. We were told that you have to stop in Killarney if you go to Georgian Bay. Another tiny tiny town. The town was established in the 1800’s but didn’t have any roads into it until 1962! It’s basically a fishing village, but now is a major tourist attraction. There’s a fish house where you can watch them bringing the catch in off the dock and then go around to the front of the building (and stand in a long long line) and get the “best fish & chips” in the region. We felt that we were obliged to take part in the ritual – and they were actually very good. Killarney is on a channel between the mainland and Manitoulin Island. The docks are on the island side of the Island, so when you want to go over to the town you have to take the water taxi. You can call on the radio or you can just go out of the dock and call the taxi by name “Tinkerbell”. I met some women who said they just love to stand on the dock and call Tinkerbell, Tinkerbell. I got the impression they probably carry drinks in their hands at all times also! Then the highlight of the day is at sunset. As the sun sets, the bag pipes are played. It was definitely a tourist destination, but one shouldn’t miss out if you are in the area.

Just a short ride Northwest from Killarney we stopped at another recommended spot – Coverage Portage Cove. This was a beautiful cove with rock cliffs and beautiful clear water. I had gotten a temporary 8 day fishing license in Killarney, so I had my hook in the water catching lake perch. Orion wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. We had a delicious dinner. We spent the night anchored. In the morning we headed West again and then north, then East to Baie Fine. This is a 10 mile channel with lots of rocks. The scenery was magnificent – breathtaking. We followed the channel to the end to a spot call the Pool. We anchored here with about ten other boats, but plenty of room. We spent two nights here. We took the dingy to shore, hiked, picked wild blue berries, hiked up to another lake and went swimming, got a big bass and visited with the other boaters. We had little bluegill jumping out of the water trying to get my hook. Then a huge snapping turtle came along, a couple beaver and just about dinner time a moose came down to the water for a drink! We left Baie Fine, stopping in several little coves on the way back to Little Current. Dottie and Van left us in Little Current to go back home, so we’re on our own again. We will be leaving this afternoon to head into the North Channel for another 7-10 days and then to Mackinaw City.