Byng Inlet to Killarney

Leaving Byng Inlet on Sunday, we twisted and turned through some narrow, shallow passages as we headed for the Bustard Islands.  We pass very close to the granite so we can appreciate the swirling patterns on the rock.

This passage is called Roger's Gut--narrow!!!!

Beautiful patterns on the granitel

We arrived at the bay in the Bustards to find three other boats already anchored there.  It is not a large bay, but we found a spot and started to let out our anchor.  The anchor jammed and would not budge.  After much pulling and hammering, Tom was able to get it moving.  But the windlass would not work, so he had to anchor the old-fashioned way--letting it out by hand.  He later discovered the main fuse had blown when it jammed.  With all the spare parts we have on board,  that is one we don't have.  And we later found that the marinas and parts stores do not stock this either.  To be continued.....

 After Taxes rafted with us and we again tied to shore.  After a short rest, we took a dinghy ride through Gun Barrel Cut into the other arm of the bay.  The scenery was gorgeous, but the black flies were ferocious.  The flies won over the scenery and the ride was quite short!

Raydiance with buddy, After Taxes

Cottages on the small islands of Bustard Islands

Looking back through Gun Barrel Cut

As we came back into our bay,  this small remote controlled sailboat came to greet us.  Boaters just can't seem to get enough of boats!

The sunset that night was so pretty.  Wished I had Sarah or Diane's camera to capture the deep pink on the horizon.

Sunset and reflection

Monday we had a long stretch of open water to run before ducking into the small boat channel at Beaverston Bay.  Luckily the wind and weather cooperated and we had a smooth ride.

Three lighthouses on one of the granite islands.

"The fleet" entering Beaverstone Bay.

In the distance, we began to see the La Cloche Mountains.  As the day progressed, we got closer and closer.  The appearance of snow is actually quartz.  We will soon be climbing on them when we reach Baie Fine in a few days.

La Cloche Mountains in the background.

After going through Beaverstone Bay, we came to Collins Inlet--VERY narrow and VERY shallow.  The lake is down this year to chart datum, so we went very slowly and even so stirred up the bottom.  In places we were marking 4.6 feet and we draw 3.5+.   Yikes!

Typical scenery in Collins Inlet

Low water buoy!

Narrow channel in Collins Inlet

Since the anchor was now a manual labor job, we opted to have After Taxes anchor and we rafted to them.  Once set, Gary called the Mill Lake Lodge that we had passed at the entrance to Mill Lake and managed to get us dinner reservations.  Around 5:30 we set off in the dinghies for a 2 mile ride to the lodge.   What we won't do to get out of cooking!

After Taxes dinghy bound for Mill Lake Lodge

Arriving at the lodge we stepped onto rickety docks and everyone was wondering if this was such a good idea.  But the lodge was quaint and the meal was made from scratch and delicious.  We were the only people there that night.  

Gary,  Kathy, Carol, Tom and Jimmy

Linda and moose
This is the closest I have come to seeing a moose.

Tuesday, the 14th , we left Mill Lake and headed for Killarney.  The wind had picked up a bit, so it was choppy when we reached the main body of Georgian Bay.  But we only had a few miles of open water and then we were in the protected harbor of Killarney.  Killarney is a very small town that at one time was a busy commercial fishing port accessible only by water.  The one road into it today opened in 1962.  We stayed at the Sportsman's Inn and had lunch at the infamous red bus.  We had been told by everyone we met that we had to eat there.  It was a fun experience and the fish was very lightly breaded and good.

The fish are caught and brought to the dock on this boat.

Then they are taken in the back door, cleaned and fried.

And served out the front of the red bus.

Sportsman's Inn

Kathy and I decided to try the floating bikes for an hour.
Mine had a mind of its own.  Did not want to turn!
We had great fun, but I'm sure my legs will feel it tomorrow!

Across the channel, but visible from the back of our boat, a movie
was shown on this screen at night.  We tuned in to an FM radio frequency
to hear the audio.  Reminiscent of drive-ins from days of old!

We are leaving Georgian Bay today and heading into the North Channel.  As beautiful as this has been, we keep hearing that the North Channel is the true jewel.  Stay tuned!