Footnote from yesterday: For some reason, about 25 bees decided to take up residence in our flybridge as the wind picked up in John Harbor later in the afternoon. Intrepid Bill with his trusty towel tried to shoo them away. The bees were very persistent in wanting to stay. Bill kept after them and managed to scare most of them off with only one bee sting as a consequence. After the wind died down and evening fell, the rest of the bees left. Thus ends the saga of Bill the Bee Hunter!!
Now back to August 9
This morning we woke to a beautiful sunny day, as we weighed anchor to go further north to the Turnbull Islands - a collection of islands about 9 miles away.
We traveled with Encore, Lee and Barb, who changed their plans to come explore the Turnbull Islands with. us. Leaving John Harbor we returned to Whaleback Channel, the waterway between the mainland and its off shore islands - all thirteen of them. The Turnbull Island group marks the end of these offshore islands.
Taking a slight detour, we headed up to the mainland, passing Taschereau Bay and Long Point. We had heard this is a beautiful area and wanted to see it for ourselves.
Taschereau Bay is filled with rock islands which would make for interesting dinghy exploring. Some of the islands had quite impressive rock formations. The anchorage behind Long Point was similar to John Island but was a lot more crowded.
On the detour we passed a large mining operation the focus of all the mainland towns in this part of North Channel- Bruce Mines, Thessalon and Blind River. The mining is still a vital part of their economy today. We watched the large freighter docked at the berth, finish loading and back out and turn to return to Lake Huron.
Our detour over, we headed Northwest for a few more miles to get to our final destination today- Turnbull Islands. Turnbull is a collection of smaller islands, 21 of them to be exact. Some mere rocks just above water and though small, others large enough to support the pine forests so typical of the North Channel.
We approached the island group cautiously as the charts show shallow water, but the boaters all say there is plenty of water to get inside the ring of islands. Guess what, the boaters were correct! We never saw less than 16 feet in the entrance channel. We anchored with Encore and three other power boats in the protective harbor behind Bassett and Turnbull Islands.
Was amazing to watch a colony of cormorants numbering over 200 birds on the rocks and swimming in the water greet us as we passed into the harbor.
We settled in and had lunch on the flybridge enjoying the view, but also watching as rain clouds gathered to our northwest. Knowing rain was eminent, we headed inside to wait out the rain and completed our chores for the day. Chores completed, we both decided a deserved nap was in order. I awoke to a hard rain and what sounded like hail. Luckily that was short lived and though cloudy the rain has past.
The rest of the day was spent researching Michigan ports/marinas and reading. Will stay here tomorrow so we can explore more of these islands.
Day 81. 2nd year. August 9. Lay day in Turnbull Islands
Explored the Turnbull Islands via drone. Bill got sone good shots of the island grouping.
Also explored in the dinghy, landing at a sandy beach area that is obviously cared for by someone. There is a grill, hammock, two picnic tables and foldable chairs for the boaters in the anchorage to use.
There is also a forested path that winds around to the east side of Turnbull Island for great views to the south and east.
We then returned to the dinghy and continued to explore driving around multiple islands and finally circling back to the boat. Some of the islands are just large rocks and others are a bit larger with trees and bushes.
As we meandered around we saw a flock of Merganser ducks and what we thought was a beaver diving below the water near a very large beaver lodge. Always hopeful!!!
As this is our last full day in Canada, we reflected on what we remembered the most.
Red Adirondack chairs
Island cottages with the Canadian flag proudly flying
Evening fires with boaters gathering on the shore.
Climbing rocky cliffs to discover expansive views - especially Covered Portage
The haunting call of the loon
Historic fishing, lumbering and mining towns dotting the mainland coastline.
The scenic Trent Severn Waterway with its 44 locks. Especially going through the tallest lift lock at Peterborough and the Marine Railway, the Big Chute.
Beautiful sunsets and sunrises
Cute little towns along the Kawartha Lake region - Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Buckhorn
Friendly Canadians, eh?
Bald eagles, Canadian geese, ducks and the wonderful songs of the forest birds.
More bays and coves than we could explore in Georgian Bay and North Channel
Giant glacial rocks and freshwater fjords
Long summer days with up to 17 hours of daylight!
Poutine, locally made ice cream, butter tarts and fresh fish and chips and more locally made ice cream. We loved the ice cream
Wonderful star gazing
Canadians that obviously love the beautiful outdoors, bays and lakes. They sure have every water toy imaginable.
Hiking to Lake Topaz from Baie Fine
Picking fresh blueberries
Finding a large cruise ship in Parry Sound
May flies or Shad flies, as the Canadians call them. Or as Kathy called them- Fred
Searching for bear and beaver, binoculars at the ready.
The Bustards, Benjamins and Turnbull Island groups - so much fun exploring and climbing all over these islands
Such a variety of trees - firs, maples oaks, birch, beech and popular
Bad River rapids running - what a thrill!
Gunk holing amidst all the rocky bays and islands in Georgian Bay
Dodging dead heads in the North Channel anchorages
Wearing long sleeve shirts and windbreakers in July and August
Operating Peterborough Lock with the Lockmaster Ed
Beausoleil Island and hiking to Fairy Lake
The world's largest canoe paddle located at the Killarney Mountain Lodge
Collecting rocks and pinecones. Its now quite an impressive collection!
Yielding to seaplanes
Really narrow channels which tested out boat handling skills- Hangdog, Parting and Little Detroit
And most of all the camaraderie of cruising boaters