Category: Cruising Canada and Great Lakes – 2019

We begin a new year of cruising with many changes. We driving north this year in a “new to us”rig, staying more focused on the COVID 19 updates than weather apps. We listen and watch for any changes in openings or closures in states north. And instead of sunscreen, we keep our face masks handy. It’s definitely a new year and a different thought process for us.

Back in the wonderful USA!!!

We reentered the US at DeTour Village, Michigan on Labor Day, September 2, about 3 months since we left her. It seems so much longer and even now, thinking about all we have done, I am surprised. We’ve cruised up and back on the Rideau to Ottawa and Montreal. We completed the Trent /Severn Waterway, have cruised Georgian Bay and the North Channel. It has been a wonderful summer, but we can feel the seasons changing and it’s time to think about snugging the boat up and heading south. When asked when we would be coming home, I usually said, ” We’ll go home when I get cold.” Well……mornings have gotten down into the 40s, Tim is wearing pants, long sleeves and wool socks, a heater warms our bedroom in the evenings when we prepare to take showers, and Maggie and I snuggle under a blanket on the fly bridge on these blustery, cloudy mornings. While we may be ready to put the boat away, I’m not sure we are ready for the heat in Texas. Ugg. Continue reading We’re back! Gore Bay to DeTour Village

There is a good reason Little Current has its name; actually I think it is an understatement. It should be Major Current. This narrow passage serves as a bottle neck between the North Channel and Georgian Bay. With winds forecast to increase, we moored behind the Reinkens on an inside wall. Being with folks who have local knowledge paid off for us. When reservations were made, Barb asked that we be put on the wall rather than in a slip at a dock. This ties the boats away from the fast moving water that squeezes through the narrow channel. We talked to some loopers who came in later and who were put in an outside slip; they rocked and rolled when the wind kicked up. One family even had to abandon ship after getting seasick at the dock. Continue reading Little Current, Hotham, Benjamins and Gore Bay – Aug. 27

No, I have not neglected you. We’ve been without decent internet service for several days. Now on our way to Little Current, our phones and iPads have been lighting up with emails and messages. I’m hoping to post after we get settled in. Continue reading Britt, Bustards, Bad River, Killarney, Baie Fine, Little Current- Aug 20

Weather- that seems to be our primary focus the last few days. We’re on our fourth day in Parry Sound at Big Sound Marina. We thought we’d be leaving today, but the weather gods aren’t recommending it. It has been blowing like STINK the last couple of days and that’s got everyone hunkered down. The winds last night were well into the 35+ mph range and it was white capping in Parry Sound. It was blowing so hard I had to latch the stern windows. Just leaving them closed wasn’t enough, the wind could still blow them open. Today we’ll see some reprieve, but we’ve decided to let the waters settle a bit. Tomorrow will be an improvement and we’ll get moving again. Continue reading Georgian Bay – Aug. 10

I want to get one last post in before we leave Midland and are in the NO WiFi zone again. We planned to stay here 3 nights (pay for 2 get 3rd free) but have decided instead to stay a fourth night as well. Ken, the manager at Bay Port Yachting Center, is renown for his 2 hour seminars where he guides you through the dos and don’ts of Georgian Bay. Unfortunately he was unable to give one on the 3 nights we planned to be here, but he’ll give one tonight and so we’ll stay. Continue reading Midland, On. July 30- Aug2

Check another one off our bucket list. Tim and I read about the Big Chute Marine Railway at least 15 years ago when we owned our Marine Trader and first dreamed about doing the Great Loop. I remember feeling awed by the engineering of a cradle that picks boats up and carries them across a road, then gently sets them back in the water. Really! How cool and yet scary at the same time. I always thought- someday, maybe someday. Well, this was our day! Continue reading Big Chute- July 30

Orillia is a the first good size city we have seen since Peterborough (pop. 30,000). It lies at the northern end of Lake Simcoe and has a busy waterfront and downtown area. In between chores, Tim and I have enjoyed the colorful and active town. Scattered through downtown are artistic bicycles and shops. The Saturday we were there they were having a sidewalk festival with tents set up with various wares for sale, street musicians and an evening concert in the park. Continue reading Orillia. July 26-28

Today we’ll cross Lake Simcoe and I hope to get most of this post written as we cruise along. I’ll add photos and publish once we have some decent WiFi again. Continue reading Peterborough to Orillia – July 26

This was started several days ago. Wi Fi has been minimal at best and mostly nil. I want to get this posted, so I will have to do it incomplete. Pictures will follow when we get back to civilization. We are at Rosedale lock 35 for tonight . We should cross Lake Simcoe on Friday and be at a marina for 3 nights before moving on. I hope to get caught up then

Today I come to you from Lock 22 Nassau Mills. We left Campbellford Thursday morning, spent a night on the wall in Hastings and have been through the infamous Peterborough Lift Lock and are now waiting for 9 am, lock opening time, on the wall in a rural, quiet park area. Continue reading Campbellford to Lock 22. July 17-20