Drummond Island to Mackinac Island

Thursday 8/24 we left Drummond Island headed for Government Bay anchorage in the Les Cheneaux Islands.  Wasn't too far out onto Lake Huron when we got into some really thick fog.  Good thing we have good electronics!  

We anchored in Government Bay.  There was a beach that Roxie loved.  

The little town of Cedarville was just a short dinghy ride away and we enjoyed dinner at Cattails Cove.  Crazy....I could get Bud Light in Canada, but not at Cattails!  Blue Lite it was!  Cedarville also had a  grocery store where we were able to provision for our trip to Mackinac Island.  

Saturday we got up early and started our way to Mackinac Island.  The lake was calm and the skies clear.  It was a great ride.  

Entering into the bay at Mackinaw.

We stayed 2 nights docked at Mackinaw Island Municipal Marina.  It was so pretty and the marina was very nice except for the wake from the ferries....it wasn't terrible, but it was pretty constant.  The view couldn't be beat and the water.....it was the prettiest water we have seen so far on the trip.  

We enjoyed the many restaurants, shopping, forts and the view from all over the island!  

 

Woke up Sunday to the sound of something really big thrusting it's way into the dock.  Turned out to be a cruise ship, docked right behind us!  

Hike up to the stone arch (207 steps). 

Bike ride around the island.

Visited the forts.

View from Fort Mackinac.

Next will be Lake Michigan!

Gore Bay to Drummond Island

Saturday we left Gore Bay headed to Drummond Island.  We can't believe we have just another week left in Canada.  We decided to drop anchor in Bear Drop Harbor on the west end of Whalesback Channel.  We had heard that it is a good stop to see bears and find blueberries.  Unfortunately, we found neither....but it was a beautiful anchorage.  We shared the anchorage with 6 other boats and there was plenty of room.  

The ride across the North Channel was nice and smooth.

View of Cheers from the island.

What a sunset!

Sunday morning we pulled anchor and landed at our next anchorage, Turnbull Island.  I was a little breezy, but the islands that were clustered around were fun to explore. 

Monday morning we pulled anchor headed to East Grant Island.  The water was calm, light winds with gray and gloomy skies. 

We got to East Grant Island and it pretty much stayed gray and cool all day.  

The next morning we started towards Drummond Island.  This would be our last day in Canada.  It was a great day to cross the lake back into the U.S.  Bill took a picture of the Simrad screen showing the water depth at 107ft and the water temp at 55 degrees!

We made it to Drummond Island, checked back into the U.S. using the ROAM app.  We enjoyed a little bit of sun before the clouds came in and the rest of our stay was rainy and gloomy.  

 

Little Current to Gore Bay

Thursday 8/10 we had a great ride over to Little Current.  After clearing the swing bridge, the current was about 3 knots.   We got a dock assignment at the Port of Little Current, I started to deploy the fenders and ready the ropes when Bill said he had no throttle control.  It was gone!  Just like that!  

I took over the helm and tried to keep us in the channel while Bill went down into the engine room to see what was going on.  Turns out the throttle bracket had broke leaving us with nothing but manual control.  Bill was able manually adjust the throttle to a fast idle allowing us to push through the current to a safe anchorage behind Picnic Island.  

Once settled, Bill was back down in the engine room.  He removed the throttle bracket and was able to drill and tap the pin and bolt it back in place.  This will have to work until a new bracket can be secured.  After doing research Bill talked to Kadey Krogen and learned that this part is no longer being manufactured and we will need to have a new part made locally.  

Friday morning we were able to secure a dock in Little Current where we spent the next two nights.  It was a great stay!  Boat work, laundry, shopping, live music, new friends and we even got to sit in on the Morning Cruiser Net broadcast with Roy Eaton and other boaters docked in Little Current.  

Friday night live music.

On Saturday we got a great surprise.  A twin to Cheers can into Little Current!   Her name is All's Wells from Wisconsin.  

Sunday morning Little Current Cruisers Net

After the broadcast we started our way to the Benjamin Islands.  Unfortunately, winds were expected from the north and we weren't able to get a good hook, so we anchored across the way in the well protected Croker Island Bay.  It was really pretty there.  We ended up staying 3 nights.  Roxie loved the beach and it was just a short ride in the dingy over to the Benjamin Islands. 

Monday dinghy trip to South Benjamin Island

The forecast for the next couple of days was looking a little grim with wind gusts up to 35 knots.  We decided to take a dock in Gore Bay and ride out the weather.   Gore Bay is a really cute place to visit.  It has a boardwalk that extends the bay, shopping, a couple of restaurants and hiking trails.  

 The weather finally passed Friday afternoon and we were able to hike the East Bluff Lookout.

Saturday we left Gore Bay headed to our next anchorage.....somewhere near Blind River.  More to come!