BAIE FINE - SAILING UP THE FJORD

We are sitting at the town dock in Little Current and have connectivity, so I am posting the last two amazing days in Baie Fine.  The weather is cloudy and cold with a chance of more rain, so we have come to civilization to provision (out of beer) for the next week of gunkholing. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25th - BAIE FINE FJORD
  

Trip Day:	136	Latitude:	46° '00.61 N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	8	Longitude:	081°'38.55 W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,729	Location:	Baie Fine

Not wanting the leave Baie Fine, we simply moved our anchorage to the upper portion closer to Frazer Point.  Our target was a hidden area known as Mary Ann Cove, but there were at least 8 boats in the cove, too crowded for our comfort.  So after a little time searching for a spot, we tucked in behind a small rock island which felt protected for the predicted winds.  After anchoring, we immediately went exploring ashore.  The cruising guides report this area to have blueberry bushes—we found the bushes, but no berries—probably due to lack of rain. 

 However, it rained most of the afternoon, so there was no urgency in our day.  It was a day to relax, fish, read and simply enjoy the beauty surrounding us.  Seagulls are  a common sight, unfortunately we have not seen bald eagles as we expected.

Occasionally we spot beaver and there are      suppose to be back bear in this region, which we would have loved to see from a distance, but to date they have alluded us.  

Turns out sitting in a fjord on a rainy day means no cell service.  Jean wanted to make a few calls and post the blog, but no connectivity put an end to those plans. 

TUESDAY,  JULY 24th  -  BAIE FINE, ON
 

Trip Day:	135	Latitude:	46° '02.55 N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	28	Longitude:	081°' 30.64W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,721	Location:	Baie Fine

Sailing today began a new chapter called the North Channel, which runs from Killarney to Sault Ste. Marie, a total distance of 155 miles.  The 28 miles we travelled today was a mix of       protected water between large islands with much higher elevation and open water.   Navigation takes on a whole new meaning now since there is no longer a prescribed “small craft channel” with a dotted line marked on the charts and  chart plotter.  The course is the captain’s choice for the day.  The land masses and water depths are charted, but the decision of how to navigate from point “A” to point “B” is optional.  There are many choices of islands and anchorages on both the north and south side of the channel and our plan is to cross the channel and check out gunkholing possibilities as they are presented.  There will not be many towns on this route, so provisioning for more than a week at a time will be required. 

Baie Fine is listed as a “must see” in every cruising guide.  As we rounded Frazer Point, we entered what can only be described as a fjord which is eight miles of unmatched scenery.  At the end of the eight mile fjord is the “Pool” where some boaters happily anchor for long periods of time.  This area is prime landscape for those who carry kayaks; crystal clear water, steep rock shores and picture-perfect scenery as you round each bend.   

A short hike up the rocky shore gave us a nice vantage point for photos and sightings of a chipmunk and a beaver further enhanced our afternoon.  We are two lucky retirees!