Lake Huron

After clearing customs we headed for DeTour Village, the cruising could not have been better today and we did 66.4 NM, not much by car standards but it will be very seldom we cruise that many miles in a day.  This was our first Michigan state marina and we were delighted by it, right in town, non ethanol fuel at the dock and a price that cannot be beat.  DeTour Village was a small town but very neat and tidy.  We ate at the Village Inn and Rory was allowed to come into the bar with us, such a treat.  The large ships go right past the marina breakwall on their way to St. Mary's River - note the size difference!

We were a little nervous about Lake Huron as we had heard some wave heights when the winds were howling and seas were 8 feet but we awoke to another calm day, our second perfect cruising day.  We had thought of heading to the north of Lake Huron and visit the islands up there but with such a perfect day we went directly to Mackinac Island.  The other reason we had been nervous about Lake Huron was the freighters but we were fortunate on that as well, no issues.

Mackinac Island was high on my list of places I wanted to visit while on the loop and it did not disappoint, we were able to get into the marina which was located on the waterfront, such a wonderful location. The town was packed with tourists, most of them came across on the ferry which makes for a great deal of movement at the docks but it is a small price to pay for being in the heart of things.  Everyone rides bikes or takes horse drawn carriages and I have never seen such a concentration of bikes or fudge shops!

 

 Deliveries were also done by horse and cart

 Ferry and the Round Lighthouse

 Transportation

We walked through the rain to visit the Governers Mansion which had a fantastic view of the harbour and while talking to other visitors we realized what better way to spend the day than eating so we made our way to the Grand Hotel to indulge in their lunch buffet.

 Piggy #1

 Piggy #2

 The Grand Hotel

We decided to take a bike ride around the island, 8 miles of flat, paved road with only other bicyclists to worry about, it was wonderful. 

 The Arch

 The road we biked on

 

After two days enjoying Mackinac Island we decided to move on, we headed out and discovered that the conditions were not good at all, very confused seas and it was only 9 in the morning.  We contacted Dovekee and Blue Skies (other loopers) by VHF radio to see if the conditions improved after the bridge and were told no.  We were able to quickly change our plans and head to Mackinaw City, just 5 miles across the Straits of Mackinaw.  The next day was just as bad so we stayed on the boat, did chores, walked with Rory, and met more Loopers!  We met a couple from Australia who had read so much about the Great Loop they flew to Florida, purchased a boat, and started their loop.  We also met our first Canadian Loopers, a couple from Stratford, Ontario, Terri and Mark with their boat dog Smudge, who keep their boat TerrMar in Goderich - by looper standards practically neighbours.



Georgian Bay and the North Channel

The first day of our trip was through waters that we had previously cruised on, some of them many times before but a beautiful cruising area regardless of how many times you have experienced them.  Rory is going through an adjustment period, quite a bit of shaking and panting happening but we know he will settle into the cruising lifestyle. 

 Pointe au Baril lighthouse

 Navigation Nightmares

Our first night we spent at Wright's Marina in Britt.  Our slip assignment put us beside a fellow looper, Sweet Pea, exciting for us to realize that although we may have had a late start we are still running with the pack, even if we are at the end of the pack.

Small world, turns out Frank's childhood next door neighbour, Jo-Anne and her husband Doug, were spending the weekend in Britt visiting friends of theirs.  It was great to have a chat in the morning getting caught up on family and each other.

Walk to town was about a mile to have fish and chips, I'm sure that is only the first of many times that fish and chips will be sampled this trip.

 More navigation nightmares!

The next day we headed for the French River where we planned on staying at Camp McIntosh which was recommended to try by Wright's Marina.  Turns out they were closed and had a no parking sign on their dock but as the forecast was terrible  we decided to stay where we were and hope they would understand.

 A very water logged log came by the dock,  we managed to retreive it and move it to shore so there is one less thing to "bite" in the river 

We left  at noon as the winds had decreased and the forecast was good.  We've seen three Rosborough's, one out cruising yesterdy, one at a dock on Mill Lake and one at a marina in Killarney, very popular little boat.

 Camp McIntosh

 The French River

 Typical Georgian Bay scenery

 Collins Inlet - beautiful but narrow

 The LaCloche Mountains coming into view

 Killarney Lighthouse

 Salty Paws in Killarney

 The Sportsman Inn

We had an enjoyable day of cruising from The French River to Killarney, 37 miles, the Collins Inlet was a highlight, I had read about the area in kayaking books and it was as amazing as I had anticipated.  We watched two otters in the marina in Killarney, incredible how big they are.  The second dinner of fish and chips, we knew there would be many, at Herbert's, as good as we remembered.  The fish is taken directly off their boat and prepared at dockside, does't get any better.

 Seagulls following a free meal

Left Killarney and headed to Little Current, we knew that we had left late to start the loop and at this point we decided we would rather miss the North Channel as it was a place that in the future we would be able to return to, it was hard to move on but we knew we were at the back of the pack.  We arrived in Little Current and met Larry and Christene on Blue Skies and Patty and Eric who were all doing the loop.  We all had drinks together and Roy from the cruisers net joined us, our first taste of the friendship and good times that are so much a part of doing the loop.  Flying the Looper flag is such an easy way to meet other people who are also doing the loop but also such a conversation starter with so many people who are out walking the dock.  We ended up staying three nights as the winds picked up.

 Roy Eaton, harbor host and cruisers net facilitator broadcasted from the second floor at the Anchor Inn

When we could next move on we went to Kagawong on Manitoulin Island, a small but pretty town.  The ride was a little rough, the bay had not settled down.

 The Anglican church had a nautical theme

 The pulpit in the shape of a ship's bow

 We walked to Bridal Falls were lots of families were enjoying a warm summer day.

Our next stop was Gore Bay where once again we spent an extra couple of days as the winds picked up.  We arrived to the a farmers markeet with a fellow playing the guitar and singing oldy goldies.  Rory and I walked to the Harold Noble Memorial Lookout which gave wonderful views of the marina and bay.

There were at least two beavers who seemed to live in the marina, I tried hard to get photos but they only appeared at dusk (I'm sure beavers are not what marinas want to see setting up home).

 Manitolin Island

 Our last day of cruising in Canada was wonderful, flat waters and we were able to head to Drummond to clear into the U.S.

We're off!

Well it has been a long time coming but we are finally on our way, ready to start The Great Loop, usually about 6,000 miles and taking about one year (although we are breaking it up).  All kinds of last minute things are now taken care of, at least the most important ones, said our good-byes to family (and yes they were tearful) and we are casting off. 

You'd never know by looking at the v-berth that we were ready to go!

The boat, a 2003 Rosborough, ready to go, all systems working and polished inside and out.

The captain, ready for the challenge of the loop!

The crew, Cathy and Rory, ready to help but not take orders!  O.K. maybe the little one will take orders.

 A very, very empty dock

  Last look at the cottage.