The 30,000 Islands

MJ and Jay, along with their dog, Morgan, cat, Jack and the two of us left early in the morning for Tobermory. It's a long ride - about 100 miles. Many boaters, like us, had to stay in port the last couple of days because the waves and the wind were really bad. One boat has been here nine days. The first thing I see is a 365 ft. ferry, the Chi-Cheemaun (big canoe). It's out of a James Bond movie. It opens up in the front like a big mouth and out comes, or goes in, log trucks, tractor trailers, campers, vans, cars and motorcycles, even a school bus. It holds 143 vehicles and I heard 800 people. When the horn blows telling you it's ready to leave, you better not have a drink in your hand or be holding a baby. It's so loud, your cup goes into the air and you're wearing it and the baby sobs for the next 5 minutes. Tobermory is an old fishing and lumbering town. Now it caters to boaters waiting out the weather before scattering to all parts of the Georgian Bay and the North Channel. We'll stay in Little Tub 2 nights. This afternoon we'll get our last shot at shopping and tomorrow we'll tour the area in the dinghy. Diving is very big here, you wear a dry suit because the water is so cold. There are 22 shipwrecks off this coast in Fathom Five National Marine Park. You can see down 25 feet. My feeling is it's just too cold for anything to live in these waters. We took a ride over to Flowerpot Island. Legend has it that Shining Rainbow and Bounding Deer, a Chippewa prince, fell in love. Their tribes did not approve. They decided to run away to Flowerpot Island, from which no one had ever returned. Little Spirit, the powerful island deity, decided to prove his strength. He turned the lovers into stone. There are two natural stone structures on the island that resemble human figures. If we don't come back it's because the Little Spirit did a job on us too! We said good bye to MJ and Jay. They went north and we headed south to Lion's Head. About an hour out a cloud of fog covered us. We could only see a few feet past the boat. The water was very calm and very deep, 500 feet.

A few years ago, I was very impressed with Bobby O. He took 5 boats across Block Island Sound from Montauk to Newport in a fog. At times we could only see the boat in front of us. Bobby took us right to the entrance marker.

On the VHS we heard a call to the Coast Guard, from a couple we had met in Tobermory. They were very concerned, they did not know where they were. The Coast Guard told them to sit tight, blow their horn now and then and wait out the fog. Mike had them on our radar, he called them and told them where we were and asked if they wanted our help. They said yes they would appreciate it very much. We found them, they followed us to safety...my hero. That night at Lion's Head a real Atlantique storm hit. It lasted 12 hours. The waves would hit the break wall, fly over it and hit us. We rocked and rolled all night. I thought about Nancy A. the day she spent at the ladies room when the boat rocked too much to stay on it. It was so rough it didn't even rock us to sleep. I couldn't wait to get off. Even that was scary, they were floating docks and didn't stay still for a second. The wind would not subside. The town consists of 1 hardware store, 2 restaurants, a library and a fire department. Not too much to do. We rode our bikes for a little while, the hills were too high to pedal up. We found 2 old age homes and thought we would end up there. Finally we were able to leave and the next port was 60 miles away. Penetanguishene, Ont. We met many members of the AGLCA, most of which were at various stages of the loop. We spent 4 days at talks about different parts of the trip. We were especially interested in the 30,000 islands, North Channel and the rivers. We learned that the 30,000 islands have over 90,000 rocks. Some the size of a city block and some as small as a refrigerator just lurking below the surface waiting to take our props, shafts and rudders. The last night we went on a dinner cruise on the Georgian Queen with 80 of our "closest friends". They had a jazz band, the youngest was around 85. We really enjoyed them, the scary thing is I knew most of the songs. I guess my parents used to play the songs. I sometimes wonder why we created this stress for ourselves. We could be docked at Fire Island and not worry about rocks. We left Penetnguishene and headed north to the small craft channel. Before you knew it we were in a very narrow channel about 20 feet wide. Twist and turns rocks and cliffs on both sides and water as low as 3 feet. We were at Big Dogs....we should have gone the other side of Robert's Island. From there to Royal Island, Inner Canal to Honey Harbour. This was well marked and we were surprised at how busy it was since today is Thursday. We went to Gwetchewan Island and dropped anchor. It's 1:30 in the afternoon-quiet very quiet. We're sitting on the cockpit looking at a white sandy beach with high cliffs of rock and large green trees. The stress of 2 hours ago is gone and a nice swim is in order. We had a great dinner and then a John Wayne movie. Mike has 47 John Wayne movies with us. Even on the hook I can watch a John Wayne movie, I'm a lucky girl!!!! Most of these movies are in black and white. Mike said he has a lot more at home. We are now staying on the hook 2 nights and in marinas 2 nights. I can not describe the beautiful, pristine, colorful anchorages. You must be getting tired of my saying it over and over again. Once again we are sitting on the back of our boat in Regatta Bay. A big and I mean big turtle just popped his head up to say hello. I ran and got him some bread. He's not at all afraid of me, however, I'm afraid of him. Tom and Tilly are in a boat a few feet from us. They're from the area. Tom tells us the history of Archie, the turtle. He's about 90 years old. He has a bullet wound on his back and lots of moss and scars on him. Really ugly. Tom said his father used to tell him stories about Archie. Tom is 72 and said Archie has been here as long as he can remember. We took a dingy ride with Tom and Tilly to Windsor Bay. Boats drop anchor and then tie up to a tree, real cool. The bay that we are anchored at now you can tie up to the rocks. Many put out their fenders and tie up to a shear rock wall. Mike hasn't developed the nerve to do this yet. Mike made a statement about the ugly American. Tom said, "You should be so proud being an American." He couldn't imagine what shape this world would be in today if it wasn't for America. Our chest swelled up with pride. What a wonderful comment!