North Channel Cruise (Finally)

[SailorLiz]

Well, all of that work converting the old water tank to a holding tank and installing a "flexible" water tank payed off! We finally were able to sail into the N. Channel for a short cruise. I ended up being layed up most of the summer do to a surgery I needed. So I had restrictions, which one of them was NO SAILING!! But we had moved the boat this spring to Drummond Island and I recouped on long weekends there, just lounging around on the boat. Not bad for a cabin on the water. Once my restrictions were lifted, off we sailed into the sunset for a short 10 day cruise. I have a few pictures to post. I'll start with Meldrum Bay on Manitoulin Island. This is where we checked into customs!

[SailorLiz]

There is not much in Meldrum Bay, a small marina, a small campground, a general store and Meldrum Bay Inn. This gentleman drives down to the harbor and sells his wive's baked goods to the cruisers. Everything from bread, pies, tarts, muffins and marmelaides and jellies. It was good food! We had muffins and the orange marmalaide jelly with vodka for our toast for breakfast's a couple of mornings.

[SailorLiz]

Our next destination was Sanford Island. We anchored here for two nights. We had the island, anchorage and a sandy beach all to ourselves. The only "visitor" we had was a kayaker, who asked us for a weather report. He was kayaking through some of the islands and camping on them

[SailorLiz]

on Sanford Island

[SailorLiz]

Lets try this again

[SailorLiz]

Some of the other islands around us to explore by dinghy.

[SailorLiz]

We sailed to Blind River for a pumpout, ice, beer and liquor. We planned on only staying one night, but the weather turned bad the day we were to leave, and ended being in Blind River a total of three nights. We were there with several other cruisers who also came in for the protection of the harbor. The facilities were wonderful and we explored the town of Blind River. We had dinners ashore and a breakfast at the marina cafe. We had a great time visiting Blind River and the harbor master Daryl was more than helpful and very friendly.

[SailorLiz]

I'm having problems when I edit my message with a picture. If I upload one that is too big and I delete it to upload the correct one, I don't get the option on the bottom of the screen to add images? Am I doing something wrong?

[SailorLiz]

A picture of the fountain in the river.

[SailorLiz]

Since we were weathered in longer than we planned at Blind River, it was time to think about working our way back across the channel. We sailed next to Cockburn Island. This island is a popular summer vacation and hunting island. There is one year round resident who lives on the island. This building is in the harbor and you can't read the sign in this pic, but they want all visitors on the island to register before you use any of their roads or trails.

[SailorLiz]

We didn't realize that our dock was the "local" swimming hole for the summer kids on the island. There was a ladder attached to the dock in front of our boat. The kids would climb on the old silver boat and dive in off of the cabin top. They would then swim over to the ladder and climb out to do it all over again. I was going to join them, but the water was too cold When one of the kids yelled it is like jumping into a bucket of ice, I knew then I wasn't going in.

[SailorLiz]

This is the old government dock on Cockburn Island. Approaching Tolsma Bay from the water, this is the first dock you see. We thought oh no! But then once we got into the bay, we seen the breakwall and the "newer" docks. The seagulls have taken over this old dock.

[SailorLiz]

at Cockburn Island

[SailorLiz]

a sailor's delight and a perfect ending to a great cruise. We stayed two nights at Cockburn Island and then had a 10 hour sail back to our home port Whitney Bay on Drummond Island. We sailed a total of 145 miles on this short cruise.

[Hull376]

Great pics, Liz. The "salties" out there will oooh and aaah when looking at your freshwater paradise!