Day 47-51. 2nd year. July 6-11. Lay days in Midland and off to explore Georgian Bay with sister Kathy.
Day 46 and 47. July 6-7
We went downtown to try out the local town bakery and bought two breakfast tarts and dessert. Delicious! We did save the dessert for later.
Next we returned our rental car and were driven back to the boat.
I will be doing boat cleaning and catching up on the blog these next two days. Bill will be trying to fix a air leak in our pressure toilet system. Sound like fun, eh? All good things to do on a rainy afternoon.
Everyone in the marina has been so thoughtful and provided us with even more stops to explore in Georgian Bay which we have not yet seen!
Here are some shots of this very large marina - Bay Port Marina at Midland
Day 48. July 8 Exploring Georgian Bay with Kathy and Dick Miles 22 Total miles 3423
After some last minute preparations, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my sister, Kathy and her husband Dick. They will be with us for three days on the boat.
My sister, Kathy, and her husband arrived. They were all ready for a boating adventure. After we got them settled and all acclimated to the boat, we left Midland Bay Port Marina and traveled north to sight see the northern coastline of Georgian Bay. They oohed and ahhed over the cottages and rocky islands and formations as we cruised through Honey Harbor and the channels that led to Indian Harbor and its anchorage.
It began to sprinkle toward the end of the cruise and we’re lucky to find a spot to anchor in the harbor as this is one of the locals favorite anchorages. We told Dick he was in charge of making sure the rain ended by 7:00, and true to his word he pulled it off.
Bill decided to add to the excitement by jumping in the 70 degree water and swimming about 75 feet to the rocky island. We wondered whether he had it in him to swim back, but after posing for a few pictures he and his trusty walking stick, which he found on the island, made it back to the boat. According to Bill the water temperature was easier to handle than his standing dripping wet on shore. We were not sure we believed him.
The sun came out and we cooked dinner on the grill and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and each others company.
Day 49 July 9 Exploring Georgian Bay with Kathy and Dick. Mile 20. Total miles 3443
Had a lazy morning with breakfast and their required cup of coffee for Kathy and Dick. Once fully awake, we investigated the invasion of Mayflies. These flying bugs look like small dragon flies and hatch from eggs on the bottom of fresh water lakes and rise to the surface in an air bubble to land on anything and everything. They were everywhere on the boat. Kathy named her favorite Fred. Dick armed with dust broom and broom, took on the job of dispatching the critters!
We then launched the dinghy to explore the coves and rock men of Indian Harbor and also circumnavigated the neighboring Starr Island. Found a few more rock men and a few cottages along the way.
Getting back to the boat and securing the dinghy, we weighed anchor to head south, taking a few of Fred’s relative May flies with us. Was amazing how tenaciously they clung to the boat while we were cruising. Along the way we stopped in Honey Harbor's Fin City Restaurant and enjoyed a lovely lunch of shrimp and fish and a lovely view of the channel. Yum!! Thanks Kathy for the treat.
After lunch we continued to Chimney Bay enjoying the rock islands as we headed for our anchorage. Managed to secure of spot for anchoring and settled in to relax with cocktails and sunset and loon watching. Kathy introduced us to the Merlyn bird app and she helped me identify the unique bird song that I frequently heard along the trip as the call of the Song Sparrow. We also heard a loon calling for his mate then watched the mate appear and reunite with the partner and circle above us and fly off.
Cooked out again on the grill and ate our fill. After this full day we retired to bed.
Day 50 July 10. Exploring Georgian Bay with Kathy and Dick Miles 9 Total Miles 3452
Had a nice leisurely breakfast and then launched the dinghy to explore Little Dog Channel- a narrow 4 foot deep channel between Beausoleil and Little Beausoleil Islands. There were even a few cottages along the shore near the entrance and exits to the channel.
Returning to the boat, we left Chimney Bay headed to Midland Bay Port Marina.
Once we were settled into port, we had the ominous task of locating the local ice cream parlor so we could imbibe. Of course, it was delicious. Thanks for the treat Kathy and Dick. Next we headed to the grocery to restock and the prettied ourselves up to go out to dinner. We ate at the Boathouse Eatery with a great view of the downtown harbor, enjoyable music and dancing and great food and the best company!! Thanks Dick for a lovely meal. Kathy and Dick are spoiling us.
Day 51 July 11 Lay day in Midland
Had a nice breakfast and discussed and solved all the worlds problems before Kathy and Dick had to leave. Their visit was all too short, but we had the opportunity to see the beautiful forests and rock islands and visit some local anchorages and small towns along Georgian Bay. Was fun having family visit and share in our adventure. Wish them safe travels home. Give a long scratch to Daisy.
Bill and I spent the afternoon doing chores-laundry, odd fix it jobs, caught up on the blog, etc. Spent the evening planning our next days in Georgian Bay as we travel to further north into new territory.
PS For Kathy an Dick - The blue light special is still in use.