Frying Pan Island to Beaverstone Bay

7/14/2015

"Henry's Fish Restaurant" on Frying Pan Island 

 Reflection "on the Rocks" at "Henry's"

After a quiet night at anchor, we were on our way at 8 a.m. for a 14 mile trip to Frying Pan Island to “Henry’s Fish Restaurant” which is not only a famous eatery in Georgian Bay, but also a marina, and a seaplane landing area.  We were expertly assisted into our slip at one of their many floating docks with our bow in to the amazingly–close rock ledge that surrounds the island by Paul, the owner, and his efficient dock staff.  Paul has owned the premises since the early 1990s was immediately able to identify Reflection” as a Symbol, which really surprised us, and then he also said that he remembered us from our trip here six years ago, and that he still has our boat card from that time!  Though the internet service is this area continued to be problematic, we did our best to send out and receive e-mail messages when possible.  We made sure to get here early in the day, because a front was predicted to come in with strong winds blowing hard from the north, and by 4 p.m. this indeed did happen.  The floating docks were particularly susceptible to the waves with white caps that developed, and now a number of boats attempted to come into the docks for dinner, but also for safety.  It was quite a scene with boats trying to get fenders over their sides while waves pushed them about, and anxious boaters tried to gun their engines and bow thrusters while aiming at the floating docks which were bouncing, moving targets!  Again, Paul and his staff did an amazing job of catching lines, and fending boats off the docks at the same time.  Afterwards, we finally went in to dine and George had “Henry’s” famous Perch Dinner, and Pat opted for Hot Roast Beef, which was so huge, she took most of it back to the boat, so that she would have room for ice cream, her favorite dessert!

7/15/2015

Parry Sound, Ontario

Paul came to our boat this morning so that we could get any up-dates on his marina that we needed to include in the 2016 “Waterway Guide” for this area.  He is a delightful and gracious gentleman, and is very proud of his historic restaurant, and the fact that they have never had to turn a transient boat away.  After saying our “Good-byes!”, by 9:45 a.m. we were on our way to Parry Sound, a town some 16 miles away.  Our journey took us again through some very tight spots, and we continued to use our GPS chartplotter in conjunction with our paper charts to spot important nuns and buoys.  We also had to time our speed so that we could make the 11 a.m. opening of the parry sound Swing Bridge. All went well and we arrived at the floating docks at Big sound marina a short time later.  Despite having a special antenna, our internet connections were intermittent, and again there was no local T.V. available.  In the afternoon, Klaus and Elizabeth Loehr aboard “Chinook” docked nearby, but when George went to their boat to invite them over for “docktails”, no one was aboard.  They returned sometime later, but Elizabeth was exhausted after their extensive hike into town, so they did not join us, but we enjoyed our Meatball Parmigiana inner with salad a short time later.

 7/16/2015

Chores were on our schedule today: bill-paying, sending out our weekly blog, and food-shopping.  We got the “scoop” from some local boaters on the dock that “Wellington’s Pub and Restaurant” was one of the best places in town to eat, and in addition, they would send a car to pick us up at the marina to take us to there, and would then return us back! So we decided to take advantage of this offer.  Not only was this  a great place, but the food was terrific, and the portions were more than generous.  The owner, Michael Reeves, came over to our table and spoke with us extensively about the town and its history, and George got to admire the model trains which were used as part of the restaurant’s décor along with a multitude of historical photos.  After our lunch, we asked our driver, to take us to “Sobey’s”, a large supermarket in town instead of the marina.  There we did some extensive shopping, and returned to the boat by cab.  After loading up the boat with everything, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, and because of our hefty lunch, we had snacks while watching “MASH” DVDs, in lieu of dinner.

 

7/17/2015

On the way to Hopewell Bay

 Killbear Point

 Kilbear Light

 House on a rock

 Pointe Au Baril Lighthouse

The Barrel at Pointe Au Baril
The sign reads: (Site of the original barrel denoting safe passage through turbulent waters)

With rain predicted, we left Parry sound at 6:50 a.m. for a 32 mile trip to Hopewell Bay.  The winds were out of the southeast, so we hoped to get tucked in to one of the two anchorages there.  As we moved on, it began to drizzle, and we donned full storm gear.

When we got to Hopewell Bay, we at first chose a narrow anchorage, but on further investigation, we weren’t really happy with how close we would be to the rock edges there, so we moved to the same anchorage we were in six years ago.  Then there were nine other boats anchored there with us, but today there were only two other boats, and  we just got there in the nick of time, because as soon as we turned our engines off, it really began to rain!

7/18/2015

Byng Inlet



 



 

Yesterday’s rain was replaced by fog over-night, so we had to wait for it to dissipate before we could safely leave.  We picked up anchor at 8:30 a.m. and headed out on a 34 mile trip to Byng Inlet on Georgian Bay with sunny weather and gentle seas.  Our destination today was Wright’s Marina in the village of Britt. Since we were one of the biggest boats coming in to the marina, we were greeted by two dockhands along with a number of other boaters on the dock to assist us.  Pat thanked everyone for all of their help, and said that they should win an award as the most helpful dock neighbors in Canada!  Once we were settled, we were disappointed to learn that one of our favorite Canadian restaurants from our first “Loop” trip, “The Little Britt Inn”, had closed.  George was, however, able to book the marina’s courtesy car for the early evening so that we could go to the small upstairs restaurant at another nearby marina, the “St. Amant’s Waterfront Inn”.  The inside décor and service was very nice, and the food was quite good.  Afterwards, we went to the combined general store, butcher, and hardware store below the restaurant to check out what items they had.  It included all the basics, and then some, but we sure knew that we weren’t at home in the U.S. anymore!  We were very much in the outskirts of beautiful Canadian cottage country!!!  Hunting, fishing, and camping are the norm here!

7/19/2015

We left the dock at 7 a.m. for a 23 mile trip to the Bustard Islands, but though the skies were blue above us and the wind was calm, by the time we reached the Byng Inlet entrance to Georgian Bay, we were socked in by heavy fog!  Even though we have AIS, radar, and GPS, we really also want to have a certain amount of actual visibility around us as we travel, so we turned around in the inlet, and came back to Britt and anchored.  We waited for a number of hours, and we even spoke by radio with some boaters out on Georgian Bay who were not happy about the conditions out there.  Around noon, however, the fog appeared to lift again, so we picked up anchor, and made another attempt at leaving, but the same thing happened – the fog came in again, even heavier than the first time!  Now we headed back to the same slip we had last night at Wright’s Marina.  Later in the afternoon, George got the marina’s courtesy car and went to the general store at St. Amant’s and returned with the ingredients for his fabulous Chicken Fricasse for dinner that evening.

 

7/20/2015

Beaverstone Bay

 

 

 

 

 

At 6:50 a.m. we left Wright’s Marina under clear skies with temperatures in the low 60s for a 38 mile trip to Beaverstone Bay.  The wind was scheduled to be blowing out of the west around 10 knots with 1’ waves early, but would increase to around 15 knots and 2 ‘ waves later. As we started to make our way through the open waters of Georgian Bay, we started to take the waves on our port beam, and this uncomfortable rocking motion continued for about 24 miles until we made our turn into beautiful Beaverstone Bay.  After we were anchored at about 9:30 a.m., the only boat in the vicinity picked up their anchor, and then motored over to us.  We noticed that they had a “Looper” pennant, and they yelled over to us, “Welcome to Paradise!”  The boat’s name was “Harmony”, and after seeing our stern with Seawood Harbor, New Jersey as our home port, the woman aboard called out that she was originally from Carteret, New Jersey!  What a small world.  After a late breakfast, we both took early naps, since we had been up since 5 a.m.  In fact, we took it easy for the rest of the day with George watching his “Sherlock Holmes” DVDs, and Pat finishing off the novel that she had been trying to read for the past several days.  Steaks on the Barbecue with Baked Potatoes and Salad were on our dinner menu.

Orillia to Indian Harbour Anchorage - Georgian Bay

7/7/2015

We awoke to overcast skies with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected, so “Reflection” became a version of the local library.  While Joyce read, Dave, George, and Pat worked at their respective computers.  However, a little while later, George’s computer “crashed” and he had to take it to a local computer-repair shop to have various diagnostic tests done on it to have it “cleansed” of its problems.  While he was there, he also found a bakery where he purchased delicious Canadian Butter Tarts, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies, and a small thin-crusted Italian pizza for us to share.  Unfortunately, while he was on his way back to the boat with his purchases, it began to pour, and he arrived back at the boat soaked, but with his “buys” intact and delicious. We later had a quiet evening with Chicken Parmesan and Salad for dinner.

 

7/8/2015

Today we celebrated our 43^rd Wedding Anniversary!  The weather had happily cleared over-night, and since George had to pick up his repaired computer, we all decided to walk into town with him to browse in the stores, check out the menus at the restaurants, and pick up items at the supermarket.  Of course, when we got to the computer store, it wasn’t yet ready, so while George waited for it, Pat, Joyce, and Dave went to the market and then returned to the boat.  We had received a phone call earlier from our Banana Bay Marina boat neighbors, Mark and Jodie, who live in Orillia, telling us that they were going to pay us a visit,  and we were delighted to have them join us aboard, so we could catch up on all of our mutual adventures since they had left the marina in March. We had a great time with them, and then Joyce and Dave treated us to an Anniversary Dinner at “Studabaker’s” on the waterfront.  It was a great day!

 

7/9/2015

 

 Inside Lock 42

 

 

 

On the way to Lock 43 (Swift Rapids)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top of Lock 43

 

 

 

Bottom of Lock 43

 

 

Big Chute Carriage





 

 

 

 

"Suroan" going for the Big Chute ride



 

 

 

 

 

Today’s 34 mile trip took us through: Lake Couchiching, the man-made two mile long Trent Canal, the narrow Severn River, a harrowing swing-bridge with lots of current, and finally Sparrow Lake.  From there we went to Lock 42 with a 20’ vertical drop, and then on to the remote Swift Rapids Lock 43 with a 47’ vertical drop.  Our final stop of the day was at the floating dock before the Big Chute Lock.  We would stay here over-night before actually entering this unique “lock”, which is actually a marine rail-way that would portage “Reflection” across land and down a chute on twin tracks back into the water.  The 58’ vertical drop is really something to see, as well as to experience first-hand!  When we arrived, “Suroan” was already tied up at the dock, and again Al and Sue Gonzalez were there to take our lines!  Al said that he thinks that  we are stalking him – but you’re WRONG, Al!  This hop-scotching happens to “Loopers” all the time!  This was really great timing for them, since they had already toured the lock’s Visitor Center, and a little later when they were ready to actually go through Big Chute, we were able to take great photos of them from our vantage point!

 

7/10/2015

 

 

Our Big Chute carriage awaits!

 

Reflection getting ready for the ride

 

Highway crossing

Heading down the other side

 

Back in the water

 

 

 Looking back from the bottom

 

 

This morning we were the first boat to enter Big Chute at 9 a.m., and our experience was great!  The lock-tender was extremely experienced and George expertly brought the boat into the carriage, and with a boat of our size, the stern had to hang off the back.  The lock-tender knew exactly where to place the lift straps, and  we had to show him where the props were located, so that no damage would be done.  The scene from the boat as we looked down was like looking out of a roller coaster car at its highest point before it dips!  The actual process only took about 7 minutes, and then at the bottom the lock-tender simply yelled: “Okay, Captain, you can go!”, and we were back in the water.  Moving on, we then came through a narrow area called Little Chute where the current can reach up to 5 knots, and we called a “Securite” before entering the area to warn others approaching from the other end that a boat of our size was coming through.  Finally we entered a wide area of the Severn River known as Gloucester Pool and Whites Bay which led us to the last lock on this waterway – Port Severn Lock 45.  This lock is often a challenge because it is operated by hand, it is the smallest lock on the Trent-Severn system (only we could fit in), and a 16’ high swing bridge immediately after it has to operate in conjunction with the lock. To complicate matters further, there is a lot of current both above and below the lock.  Our locking went very well (we’ve had a lot of practice!) and Captain George got us through the current area at the bridge expertly.  However, we were now faced with our transit of notorious Potato Channel which is very shallow and very narrow, and has several severe turns that our 48’ boat could barely make without touching a nun or a buoy.  This maneuver  required lots of caution and definitely expert piloting!  So, George called another “Securite” before entering, we all collectively took a deep breath, and again our terrific Captain got us through safely!  We then proceeded into beautiful and open Georgian Bay headed directly to Bay Port Yachting Centre in Midland, Ontario.  This is a 600 slip marina which was previously owned by our friend, Ken MacDonald, who we met on our first visit here six years ago, and who we had asked to be a featured guest speaker with us at one of our all-day TrawlerFest seminars on the Great Loop, but who has very recently retired.  When we arrived at their gas dock we were met by their able staff for fueling, and more staff were at our slip to assist us later for docking.  After we were all tied up, George went in search of Ken, who he learned was aboard his own boat at the marina, and a while later he was back at our boat with Ken in tow!  It was great seeing him, and we made plans to visit with him and his wife, Marlena, when they bring their RV both to Naples and also to Grassy Key near Marathon when we are all in Florida together for the winter. Later we were invited aboard “Suroan” for cocktails with Al and Sue, who were leaving the next evening for a three week visit home while their boat would remain in Midland before they continued on with their “Great Loop” journey.  After our “Good-byes” we returned to “Reflection” for a Steak and Salad dinner aboard.

 

7/11/2015

 



Joyce and Dave at Discovery Harbor

 

 Tecumseh and Bee - wooden schooners at the dock

 

Below decks on the Tecumseh

 

 



One of Bay Port’s customer service representatives shuttled us to historic “Discovery Harbor” in nearby Penetanguishene which was a British Naval and military defense site that was built around the time of the War of 1812 and remained as an outpost for some years afterward.  Costumed docents speak about what life was like here during that period and demonstrate some of the crafts of the time as well.  The buildings here are a mixture of actual and replicated buildings, and a newly- built museum and theater houses the remnants of the sunken schooner, “Tecumseh”, which was razed from the waters nearby.  Visitors can also board two wooden replica schooners of the time, the 79’ “Bee”, and the 125’ “Tecumseh”.  Musical entertainment of the period is performed here several times a day, and there is also an on-site restaurant, and a summer-stock theater. After walking around for several hours, we opted for lunch at the restaurant, and there Joyce and Dave got to taste one of George’s favorite Canadian dishes, Poutine. This is a dish of French Fries covered with cheese curd and gravy – a very “lite” menu item!  Afterwards, we were again picked up by a marina customer service rep who took George and Pat to the supermarket, and Joyce and Dave back to the boat.  Since none of us was very hungry after our lunch, we ordered a medium pizza from a local franchise with a delivery service to the boat – and George moaned that it was the most expensive pizza that he had ever bought!  We retired around 9 p.m. with hugs and kisses all around, since Joyce and Dave would be leaving very early in the a.m.

 

7/12/2015

 

 

Georgian Bay tour boat

On the water food market

Our anchorage at Brown Bay

 

The Johnsons left at 4:30 a.m., since their car service had a ½ hour window on their 5 a.m. pick-up for Toronto airport.  Pat was awake to see them off, and then went to work on “Waterway Guide” up-dates for the Trent-Severn Waterway section of the 2016 edition.  At 7 a.m. we were off the boat taking four loads of laundry to the marina’s laundromat.  While she did that, George reviewed the up-dates and sent them out, and also readied the boat to later leave the dock.  This process took approximately three hours, and after putting everything away, and re-making the guest cabin with clean bedding and towels, we were on our way to Brown Bay anchorage, a distance of 18 miles.  Georgian Bay was very busy on this Sunday afternoon with many boats crossing every which way.  Finally we arrived at lovely Brown Bay where we were anchored with eleven other boats in 40’ of water.  It was fun to have the Canadians on some of the other boats acknowledge that we were Americans and wave and welcome us to their country! The day was lovely and by evening only three other boats remained.  Joyce and Dave called to tell us that they had arrived home safely back in Indiana late in the afternoon, and also to tell us that they had run into Al and Sue at the Toronto airport.  What a small world!  The Johnsons were great guests, and we really look forward to seeing them again in Marathon in January, and in Indianapolis (and vicinity) in May!

7/13/2015

 

 

"Little Gibraltar" - home on Georgian Bay

Indian Harbour anchorage

 

We left Brown Bay around 11 a.m. for a 14 mile trip through Monument Channel to Indian Harbour, a small bay formed by Bernadette Island, Starr Island, and Galbraith Island.  Our paper charts really came in handy, as we double-checked them with our GPS chartplotter to make our way carefully through this area of narrow channels through rock passages. Thankfully, they are usually well-marked.  Depths outside the channels can go from very deep to very shallow in a nano-second.  By 1 p.m. we were anchored in about 20’ of water with about seven other boats in another lovely spot.  We had a quiet afternoon, and George even found three stations on our T.V., but there was no Internet service. In the evening we got a phone call from our friends, Andrew and Clare Zeigler from Savannah, who we had called earlier in the day to tell that we were “on schedule” to meet them in Little Current, Ontario on 7/24.  They are greatly looking forward to coming aboard and cruising parts of the magnificent North Channel with us, and then making the crossing back to the U.S. from Canada through Lake Huron to Drummond Island and on to Mackinaw City, Michigan from where we will visit beautiful Mackinac Island.