As we headed out to Georgian Bay we crossed paths with Coconuts who had stayed behind in Orillia a few days back. (Actually Pam & Sandy had worked this rendezvous out via text) We set course for Henry's Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island. It wasn't long and we were entering the small boat channel near Honey Harbor and weaving our way through the rocks.
We worked our way along the channel arriving at Henry's around 2pm.
Since we were staying overnight they put us on the fuel dock with our bows nearly touching the shore. Henry's gets several float plane loads of people each day who fly out for lunch from the nearby towns. Having now been there I can't see what the attraction is other than the novelty of the whole place. The food was OK but not as special as I had hoped and other than eat, there's not much to do. Looking back I think I would just stop for lunch and then move on to an anchorage. Oh well, at least we can say we did it.
Thursday 7/28/11 Pam's kind of morning. we didn't leave Henry's until 10am! Must be something about the smell of fried fish wafting through the air that made us all lazy about moving on. Anyway we got going and headed towards Parry Sound for fuel and provisions. The route in is clearly marked but has a few narrow spots with limited visibility of oncoming traffic that require a Securite' warning on the VHF. Our warning saved a dangerous situation from happening at the last tight spot due to an outbound 100' barge which would have filled the entire channel!
We arrived safely in Parry Sound and took on fuel. OUCH! Then went to the public dock where we tied up and caught the free shuttle to Sobey's grocery store to provision. Once back at the boats we headed down Parry Sound to anchor in Blind Bay for a couple nights.
Shortly after our arrival Coconuts had a visitor from one of the cabins who rowed out in a canoe. After visiting for awhile he left and headed back to shore having invited us over to the cottage for cocktails and to meet the other campers. After settling in we took him up on his offer and went over. Seems it was like a high school reunion that takes place every year at the same cottage. Reminded me of the movie "The Big Chill". We spent an hour or so and then headed back to our boats.
Friday 7/29/11 Today was an off day spent changing oil on Coconuts. Waxing on Tourist. And just hangin out in Blind Bay. Nice and peaceful compared to the more open water that was a bit bumpy from reports.
Saturday 7/30/11 An earlier start to the day at 7:45am found us almost alone on the water leaving Blind Bay. Again we followed the small craft route ending up anchoring behind Stairs Island. Once settled in we dropped the dinghy in the water and took a ride to check out the Ojibway Hotel. A former playground for the rich and famous of the early 1900's it is now the clubhouse for the Pointe au Baril Islanders Association. (http://www.ojibwayclub.com/) We arrived to find they were holding their annual get together complete with canoe races and jousting in canoes. People everywhere. Once a neat old place it now no longer rents rooms but just serves the needs of the islanders.
Sunday 7/31/11 Shortly after leaving our anchorage we passed by Pointe au Baril Lighthouse and the site of the elevated barrel that once signified the safety of calm water coming in from the bay.
We headed offshore to avoid the tight route through Hangdog Channel which warns boats over 40' not to transit it. We came back in at Byng Inlet and headed to Britt to check it out. We found dockage at St. Amant's Marina and Campground for $1.25 a foot Hydro & water included. Shortly after we arrived the wind kicked up and an arriving boater said the bay that we had transited with ease a few hours earlier had 6' waves on it when he came across!
Boat cleaning and laundry were on the list of things to do which pushed cocktail hour back a bit. By the time we were done and ready to eat we found the 2 restaurants nearby to be closed at 8pm! Not only were they closed but we were rudely informed by their respective staff's that they were closed! Their loss.
Monday 8/1/11 Can you believe it's August already? We retraced our steps out of Britt and headed for the small boat channel through the rocks once again. Our first obstacle of the day was the 90 degree turns of Cunningham's Channel. Tight turns with no room for error. We held our breath as we made it through this well marked channel. A few miles later it was time to transit the shallows of Rogers Gut. Narrow and not much water, we made it safely through.
We wanted to anchor in the Bustard Island area but found the anchorages full of boats hiding out from the wind so we pressed on across open water to Beaverstone Bay. Once we arrived we tucked in below a rock bluff in 15' of water with a mud bottom. Good holding in any weather condition. Later we took Coconuts dinghy and checked out the shallow channel leading into Mill Lake that we would pass through the next day.
Narrow with a lowest point of just over 5' it looked like we could make it being very cautious. Satisfied we returned to the boats getting a little wet from spray on the way. Cocktails, dinner, and bed. A good night on the hook.
Tuesday 8/2/11 Wanting to move through the shallows before the wind picked up we upped anchor at 7:40am and proceeded towards Mill Lake. Slow and easy we made it through without touching bottom. Into Mill Lake and then a turn into Collins Inlet, a beautiful stretch of water with rocks and trees lining the route.
Collin's Inlet Passage
With only a short way to go to Killarney we took our time and soaked up nature's beauty as we passed by. Even at our slow pace we arrived in Killarney at the Killarney Mountain Lodge at 10:30am. A neat old place that offers the use of the pool and facilities while you are docked there.
One of the added bonuses were the two amphibious planes sitting there. The red & white plane had just come from Oshkosh where it had taken a trophy at the air show.
Oshkosh Winner
SeaB
We explored the Lodge and had dinner in the dining room followed by time in the bar listening to the one man show of Andy Lowe. Apparently Andy has been the featured entertainer here for the past 5 years. All in all a fun evening.
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