Another sunny day greets us as we weigh anchor to head up Mc Bean channel towards John Island.
Well, ran into a issue with raising the anchor. One of the swivels was twisted back onto itself so the anchor would not pull up into the bridle. After attaching lines and pulling for 45 minutes Bill got the anchor into position. Another boater helped us detach the lines so we could finally secure the anchor. Always something!!!
Heading out of Fox Harbor, we head north and begin to lose sight of the La Cloche mountains. Here the mainland elevation decreases to more forested hills. Much of this coastal mainland area is the Sagamok Indian Reserve.
Cruising through McBean Channel we pass Hotham, Frechette and Eagle Islands and then a series of smaller islands and rocks.
I should have mentioned before now that North channel has a lot fewer cottages than Georgian Bay. We've gone days without seeing one on any island. Also there are much fewer navigational marks as the waters are wider and there are fewer rock islands.
Approaching Aird Island, you must first transit Little Detroit Channel. Luckily we had a Canadian boat to follow through as you must make several turns that form a "Z" to get through Little Detroit. (The range markers were helpful in guiding us also). Bill noted that we were in 148 feet of water before the channel and 12-14 feet in the channel as we passed the rocky cliff that forms the south side of the cut, Then back into 80 feet of water once through the cut. So interesting, the changes in water depth.
Leaving Little Detroit, we enter Whaleback Channel and cruise pass Aird Island and Spanish River and its town of Spragge on the mainland. Turning north we go between Shanly and Passage Island and continue up Whaleback Channel.
We shared Whaleback channel with 5 sailboats out enjoying a morning sail, while we continue passing Aird Island and the Serpent River Indian Reserve on the mainland on our way to the John Island anchorage.
A little history of John Island. In the mid to late 1800's a sawmill owner in Michigan ran afoul of his creditors. So one night he and is family dismantled the saw mill and moved the whole operation to John Island where they set up shop again. Unfortunately, the operation was not successful and was sold to a Canadian who made a go at the business til the early 1900's when the lumber industry in this part of Canada slowed down and halted.
Today there are no remnants of the saw mill of any building on the island, just lots of dead head trees in some of its bay and harbors. These piers were used to collect and maneuver the logs waiting to be milled.
We entered the narrow channel that leads to our anchorage in Moile Harbor at John Island. It is a beautiful harbor, protected from all wind directions, but having been warned about the dead heads, we took it slow and carefully picked out where we anchored near a Canadian cruiser already in the harbor.
Settling in, we had lunch and watched the great display of a bald eagle soaring above the harbor and its barrier islands.
Later we splashed the dinghy and explored. The southern part of the harbor is marshy. Good beaver lodge material here.
The northern end of the harbor is rocky forested shoreline, The east end is filled with small islands.
We discovered 2 loons, three beaver lodges and a golden eagle. Could only get a picture of the one that stood still- the beaver lodge!
Is amazing the ingenuity of the beavers to use existing brush and trees along the shore to anchor the lodge.
Had a spectacular sunset.
Still on the lookout for bear and beaver. Have to use the binoculars to watch the shoreline at dusk.
Should be great star gazing if it does not cloud over. We have been amazed at the quantity and brightness of the stars in the North Channel.
Day 78 July 7. Switching Anchorage at John Island. 7 miles. Total miles 3711
Has been raining since early morning, so we did more planning of our cruise in Michigan while waiting for the sun to come out.
After lunch, we weighed anchor leaving Moiles Harbor on John Island, going past the rocky cliff entrance to head around the north side of the Island to another anchorage on its west end.
Tis a blustery day with north winds coming in after the rain to travel in Whaleback Channel. We are in our windbreakers and long sleeve shirts.
The north side of John Island is 40-100 foot cliffs and forested shoreline with six smaller islands just off its shore. We shared Whaleback Channel with three sailboats and three intrepid fishermen close to the shore.
Turning into John Harbor which is formed by Dewdney Island to the south and John Island to the north. The harbor is a long very protected basin which we shared with 5 other sailboats.
This portion of John Island has large boulders along the shore and forest down to the shoreline.
There is islands and interesting shoreline here on this side of John Island which we will explore tomorrow.
Did enjoy another beautiful sunset and lots of stars this evening,
Day 79 Lay day in John Island Harbor. Aug 8
We decided to stay another day here in John Harbor to relax, explore and get a few chores done. this morning all the sailboats left and we now have three other motor cruisers and a sailboat in the harbor with us.
Bill took the drone up. and got these pictures of the anchorage.
As we explored the island by dinghy
we startled a bald eagle into flight, found three beaver lodges and two more in disuse,
marveled at rock formations and weathering rocks
and were amazed how such large trees can grow with such little soil.
We also met Lee and Barb, from Rhode Island, avid boaters and sailors, who now keep their in Michigan, so they can continue to explore Georgian Bay and North Channel. Best of luck on the remainder of your cruise.
Looking forward to another gorgeous sunset and an amazing star gazing.