Our Summer Cruise 2015

July 27

Blue skies greeted us this morning with a promise of good weather. "Deborah Ann" and Albin both left this morning so we only have one boat keeping us company. Had a relaxing day after wiping the boat down and disposing of the few bugs we had overnight. Took a dinghy ride around the end of the Fraser Bay and was lucky enough to see a bald eagle circling overhead. Didn't think too much more about it until, a short time later, the eagle swooped in and landed in the treetops above a nearby island. Managed to get a couple of shots but really needed a longer lens.

The Eagle Landed

Fishing was a bust again but the ride was good. We also went out checking for blueberries in a spot we has good success last year and were lucky to find four. I think the poor crop is due to low rainfall in the spring and warm temperatures early summer. Most bushes were very shrivelled.

 

Part of the Varied Shoreline

One of the Two Houses in the Whole Area

July 28

Not much happening today apart from the usual boat jobs but warm weather as we relaxed under the bimini. We were treated to a good sunset as a bit of cloud moved in to give the setting sun something to work with in front and behind us.

 

 

 

July 29

Woke early for a short run to Thomas Bay in on the north shore of Georgian Bay, a few miles west of Killarney,

Blueberry Island to Thomas Bay - 21nm

 

Red Rock Lighthouse - Killarney Channel

and we were anchored with six other boats by 9:15 am while the Cruisers

Net broadcast was on. It was a good run with sunny skies and calm waters. The autopilot worked like a charm as well.

Later in the morning, "Wings" and "Tug'n" showed up to join us from Little Current.

"Wings"

 

"Tug'N"

 

It was good to get together with them again for Happy Hour and a game of dominoes.

Thomas Bay is our favorite anchorage almost surrounded by rock with a steep rock slope to the north. It provides excellent protection from most winds (a good thing) and we will be here for some time.

 

July 30

The Ride to The Park - 2.5nm

The weather today was mixed; warm but very windy, but fine for dinghying to the Chikanishing River to take a short hike on the trail leading southeast to the water. Along the way we picked a reasonable amount of blueberries but even Fran ,a world class picker, was struggling compared to last year. It was so slow, we didn't even make it to the end of the trail while the wind was steadily building .

We hustled back to the dinghies and had a wet ride back to the boat in 20-25 kt winds. It was like a water ride at Disney with spray coming over the whole boat - we were soaked to the skin in the couple of miles.

Had a good game of cards on "Wings" to conclude our day.

July 31

Randy arrived late morning and we helped him tie to shore before he did the grocery delivery run to distribute the goodies to all three of our boats. Our anchor had been slowly dragging in shallow mud over rock since we arrived yesterday and, when we moved to another spot, we sucked the anchor ball line into the bow thruster jamming it. Despite the cold water (65), I had to go in to try to free it but it was solidly jammed. After about 15 minutes, I was ready to get out and warm up when Stephen volunteered to get his wet-suit on and help. Fortunately, the line was not wrapped around the prop but just wedged between the blade and the tunnel. Once we figured out which way to rotate the prop, a tap on the thruster control freed the line. Thanks Stephen!! A wet-suit is on the shopping list for next season

Happy hour on "Wings" tonight with the crews from "Whisper" and "Tumultuous Uproar", two sailboats heading for the Bahamas together. A special sunset tonight to welcome us to Thomas! Just a few of many shots tonight.

 

"Tumultuous Uproar" and "Whisper"

 

 

"Whisper" and the Full Moon Rising

Aug 1

Good day again and we all met on STB for coffee and to listen to the Cruisers Net. As we had been talking for a while about our plans for our Down Eat Circle trip, a couple of others had expressed interest in joined us so we had a discussion about the topic and it looks like w will have three other boats joining us next year.

Since it was a good day for a walk, we packed our lunch and headed out for a dinghy ride to the Park - much calmer than the previous visit.

A Fine Trio of Walker Bays

We enjoyed a good lunch at George lake before walking further on to the Park store where we loaded up on some goodies for the grand kids.

They Have Some Interesting Signs!

The Crews

Quite late when we arrived back at the boats and we helped Randy move location to a better spot using the dinghies as mini-tugs. No happy hour tonight.

"Heart Tug"

Aug 2

A cool morning with on 57°F showing on the thermometer but sunny skies. After wiping the boat down, I mixed up the ingredients for some blueberry scones that we will all share for breakfast tomorrow.

As we finished listening to the Cruisers Net, "Sea Dog," a 42 crewed by Bob and Kim (some friends) called us to say they were heading our way so we arranged to meet them and escort them in. Before they arrived though, we were alerted to a squall watch by the radio with thunderstorms heading our way. Bob from "Wings" was out fishing and was unaware of it coming so Randy and I quickly headed out in our dinghy out to fetch him back. Bye the way, Stephen and Fran also went out fishing this morning and Fran caught a good sized Northern pike.

"Sea Dog" made it through the rocks OK and we ran his stern line to shore just before the rain came. The major part of the squall went north and south but we did see lightning and thunder to either side of us. Randy's shift in position yesterday didn't work out as we shifted around our anchor with the wind and ended up too close to him. We pulled the anchor one more time and moved the boat a couple of hundred feet to give him more room as he was tied to shore with an anchor off his bow. Third time lucky we hope.

"Heart Tug" in the Foreground with "Sea Dog" Behind

We all joined Bob and Kim on "Sea Dog" for some great hors d'oevres this evening.

 

Double Rainbow Over "Wings"

We had a few showers again this evening and were lucky enough to have a double rainbow to the east against the purplish - blue sky. The camera didn't quite capture the colors as well as they appeared. We were not only treated to a rainbow but also a spectacular sunset. So ends another great week in Canada!!