KILLARNEY ON - END OF GEORGIAN BAY

Trip Day:	134	Latitude:	45°58.20 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	15	Longitude:	081°30.93' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,693	Location:	Killarney – Sportsman’s Inn Marina

Our early morning departure in glass-calm water was a reflective experience. 

Heading east in Collins inlet we glanced to starboard as we rounded a curve and captured what we believed looked like the profile of a Native American in the rocks, eh.

We had about an hour of open-water crossing today in an area known for heavy fog.  As a matter of fact there is a system whereby you can activate a fog signal from this lighthouse at the entrance to Killarney by using the VHF radio. 

 

Killarney, founded in 1820 as a fur trading post, and was not connected to the rest of the world by road until 1962.  It is now a major destination for boaters because it marks the end of     Georgian Bay and has many marinas to take on fuel, water, and supplies. 

After we finished our chores including three loads of laundry, we headed to the Pub for well deserved refreshments.  Dinner ashore tonight was a treat since this is our first marina for a full week! 

 SUNDAY,  JULY 22nd  -  MILL LAKE ANCHORAGE

Trip Day:	133	Latitude:	46°00.09 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	51	Longitude:	081°13.42' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,678	Location:	Mill Lake Anchorage

Sunrise at our anchorage was well worth a photo this  morning.  Light winds were predicted today so we left our anchorage at 7:30 and motored out Byng Inlet. Once we cleared the Northeast     Passage, we raised our sails and crossed open water with a compass  heading of 260°  as we sailed toward the horizon.  This  section is the most exposed portion of the trip up Georgian Bay so we were glad the weather cooperated making for a beautiful day on the water. 

Reaching Toad Island, we sailed into protected waters of Beaver Stone Bay.  Passing into Collins Inlet the small rock islands have morphed into much larger, higher rock hills which are heavily treed.   As we entered Mill Lake we were once again greeted with remarkable scenery. 

We saw very little boat traffic today, but on Mill Lake there was a group of campers and Mill Lake Lodge which seemed to have a lot of activity.  We have been gunkholing for a full week -  tomorrow we head into a marina for groceries, beer, laundry and free Wifi! 

Factoid:  We crossed 46 degrees latitude today.  .  .
  Changes in Latitude!


SATURDAY,  JULY 21ST  -  BYNG INLET

Trip Day:	132	Latitude:	45° '46.16 N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	18	Longitude:	080°' 34.27W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,627	Location:	Byng Inlet Anchorage

Northern Pike for breakfast!  Ron has been trying multiple jigs, lures, and spoons trying to attract these northern fish with no success.  Last night I looked in his tackle box, pulled out a 5” ugly old lure and said, “try this ugly thing”.  The very first cast he caught a Northern Pike!  Unfortunately it appeared it was the only fish in our little anchorage cove.  But it was enough for the two of us to have fore breakfast. 

 Each morning one of our first duties on the boat is to clear all the spider webs.   Spiders are very industrious    workers and I suppose we should appreciate their fine spinning skills, however, we are quite sick of clearing webs every day. 

This part of Northern Georgian Bay required us to sail outside the protection of rock islands in open water where we are unable to see the southern shore.  The morning was delightful, light winds, which allowed us to fly sails and turn off the motor.  Strangely we still had to follow a channel due to unseen rock hazards.

 By 10 o’clock the winds had increased, whitecaps were predominate and we had to make a decision to duck into Byng Inlet or continue for three hours to the anchorage we had selected for the day.  We called Marc and Betty (KatMan2) on the VHF and a joint decision was made to enter Byng Inlet and wait for better weather. 

A dinghy ride into the local general store which was licensed to sell beer and wine was the highlight of the day.  We took advantage of the easy afternoon to read and enjoy life in the slow lane. 


FRIDAY,  JULTH 20th  -  BIG BURNT ISLAND

Trip Day:	131	Latitude:	45°38.25 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	28	Longitude:	080°33.19' W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	2,609	Location:	Big Burnt Island Anchorage

Point Au Baril Lighthouse proved to be an interesting place to visit and Ron snapped a couple of nice photos from the observation deck.  Emmaline, the last lighthouse keeper gave us a tour and showed us historical records and photos taken when the logging  industry was in full swing and when Point Au Baril was a destination with a resort hotel.  Emmaline and her first husband raised their family of four children while  living in the lighthouse. 

She shared stories of the school boat stopping by to pick the kids up to take them to school—quite a unique life!  We took the opportunity to quiz these folks on the facts of just how the people in houses on the rock islands   managed.  Most of the houses now have hydro by underwater cable and they pump water from the bay. There is no way to have an underground    septic field, so the houses have above-ground holding takes and once a year the pump-out boat services all the island residences.

Another day of picking our way through the thousands of rock islands and interesting little coves.  It took a bit of looking, but we managed to find a little cove with 8-10 feet of  water in which to anchor for the night. Ron looked at charts and confirmed our course for tomorrow while Jean uploaded photos, updated the log and blog, then prepared dinner. Yet another wonderful day of extended    vacation!

 Remember.  .  . you can spot us on Google Maps by clicking Location:  Killarney in the footer below.