Day 100. July 25. On to Beaurivage Thousand Islands. 8.1 Nm. Total. 2078

We slept in and did some boat chores, then launched the dinghy to explore the Navy Island group of the Thousand Islands ( Mulcaster where we are docked is part of this island group).

The major islands in this section of the Canadian St Lawrence are grouped into Lake Fleet, Navy and Admiralty Islands. The Lake Fleet islands are named for important ships in Canadian History. The Navy Islands are named for the captains of those ships and, of course, the Admiralty Islands for the Admirals. Most of the rest of the islands names are based on their shape or an owner of the island.

After our dinghy ride, we prepared to leave the dock and head out into Middle Channel and headed south about 10 miles to the Admiralty group, where we will anchor for the night.

Along the way we passed the Lake Fleet group, but were warned that navigating between these islands with a boat our size can be tricky. So, maybe next year. We also passed the town of Ganaoque, Ontario.

Further south we encountered the Admiralty group of islands. We came in behind Beaurivage Island and anchored with 5 sailboats, one of which was Council Flats which we met in Cape Vincent and was so helpful with info about the Thousand Islands. Once we settled in we set off to explore the islands by dinghy and walk the trails on Beaurivage Island.

The Admiralty Islands has many more small rock islands among the larger islands. Had to be careful to negotiate around all the rocks. In our dinghy travels, we tucked into Half Moon Bay on Lindsay Island , where there is a cove with high granite walls. Boater come here to attend church service which is offered twice a week during the summer. Boaters tie up to the rings along the cove’s tall granite walls to participate. There is a prominent rock which is used as a lectern for the presiding minister. Unfortunately we came about the right time but wrong day to participate in the service.

We then docked at Beaurivage Island. Beaurivage is part of the Parks Canada system. It has multiple small docks around the island, many of which were filled with houseboats and families enjoying the island. There are 8 campsites, lots of picnic tables and composting toilets in the one restroom facility on the island. We enjoyed walking the trails and viewing the scenery as we hiked around the island. We even met a Canadian from Quebec that wants to do the Loop!

After our full day, we had dinner and relaxed and watched the sun set.

Drone shots of Beaurivage and Admiralty Islands.

June 4-5. Day 63-64. On to Cape May New Jersey. 53.4nm. Total 1534 miles.

Left Delaware City at 5:35am to be able to take advantage of the strong currents going with us while traversing Delaware River and Delaware Bay. The Delaware River goes south about 15 miles and flows into the Delaware Bay. As we travel south, New Jersey is to the east and Delaware is to our west. We are traveling just outside the shipping channel and are really moving at 10.9 knots. That is three knots faster than we normally travel, as the outgoing tides are pushing us along. Nice to have Mother Nature helps us save on fuel. The Delaware River is about 8 miles wide so there is plenty of room for the freighters and the pleasure boats. So far, we have not encountered any commercial traffic, but there is a large freighter behind us that will eventually pass us as they travel at 14 knots. The Delaware Bay proper varies from 23-29 miles wide and 26 miles long. There are five lighthouses on the Delaware marking the shipping channel. We went by Ship J...

Reflections on the Bahamas

Reflections on the Bahamas Over the past 10 weeks, we have traveled through Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma Islands and enjoyed the hospitality of the Bahamian people. We have learned all about the islands, its unique geography - limestone, caves, blue holes and chalk cliffs; and colorful history-pirates and rum running, salt ponds and cotton plantations, boat building and wrecking/salvage. Traveling over 1300 miles through narrow cuts and wide bays to vast depths of ocean, we negotiated the islands and found safe harbors, calm coves for anchoring, bays filled with moorings and marinas large and small. This trip required us to pay close attention to the weather, the tides and currents as we traveled between and through the islands. The Bahamian people are warm and friendly, willing to give us rides, advice and directions, as well as some secret recipes!! We enjoyed hiking trails, walking the beaches, snorkeling the coral rocks and reefs, discovering ruins and ol...

Day 98. 2nd year. August 27. On to Manistee. Miles 25 Total miles. 3910.

We weighed anchor on a sunny 50 degree morning. So we put on our sweatshirts and drove from below as we left Frankfort. Going through Frankfort’s channel and breakwater we encountered a few intrepid fisherman and further along as we cleared the breakwater there must have been over a hundred fishing boats. Almost like playing bumper cars, but with boats. Had to negotiate a path between them as the fishing boats were all trolling fishing lines behind them. We were still seeing fishermen 4 miles south of Frankfort. These guys sure take their fishing tournaments seriously! The shoreline that we pass heading south are still sand dunes bluffs some as tall as 200 feet. As we travel, we pass the small town of Arcadia and Portage Lake, each situated on an inland lake which is connected to Lake Michigan by a dredged channel. Interesting to note that the dredged channels were originally small rivers connecting the inland lakes to Lake Michigan. As we passe...

Crustacean Travels

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