North Channel Anchorages & Back to the States

Thursday morning we helped Kismet and Cbay leave the docks then stopped at the local coffee shop before going to sit in on the daily Cruiser’s Net.  The net is broadcast every day in July and August and provides weather, news and other information to all the cruisers in the North Channel area.  In addition to the information provided they have boats call in with their location. Typically between 120 to 170 boats will check in by geographic area each day.  We had been listening and reporting in to the Net for the past five or six days and it was nice being able to see the operation first hand.

Our last Looper docktail party with the crews form Seabiscuit, Kismet, Cbay, Blue Heron, and Marc's Ark 

Roy Eaton brodcasting the Cruiser's Net.

The admrial watching the scenery.

 We left Little Current around noon and headed to what Mary thought was one of her favorite anchorages at Bell / Sturgeon Cove.  We had been there before and one cove is very easy to get into but not as protected as the adjacent one.  We chose to anchor back in a corner of Bell, the easy one.  The winds picked up as the day progressed.  We were ok where we were but a shift of the winds could be a problem.  We took the dinghy over to the other cove which I remembered had a range set up to guide you through the narrow inlet.  The cove was well protected from all winds but it was too rough to attempt entry.  As it turned out this was not the anchorage Mary was thinking of after all.

Shortly after going to bed the winds shifted and being back in the corner of the cove we were now much closer to shore.  We turned on the depth finder and kept an eye on the chart plotter to make sure the anchor was holding.  The winds died down around midnight and allowed some sleep before picking up again around 3am.  By 5am Friday morning we had had enough and pulled up anchor and headed to our next spot at Croaker Island.  There are two anchorages at Croaker the more protected inner one was full so we anchored in the outer one.  We took showers and had breakfast and rested a bit.  As boats left the inner anchorage we moved over and ran a line to shore to keep the boat from swinging.  I found an iron stake in the ground that I used to secure the stern line.

Friday afternoon we took the dinghy to shore where we climbed the rocks and were treated to some fantastic views.  We tried but were unable to reach the highest rock.  Back at the boat Mary took a nap while I took the dinghy to shore and gave it a good cleaning.  I then tried climbing to the highest rock from a different location and was able to make it.  I came down what I thought was going to be an easier way but ended up at the water’s edge a 100 yards or so away from the dinghy.  I decided to walk along the rocks back to the dinghy, holding the camera up incase I slipped.  Well slip I did and not only did the camera go under I banged up my shin pretty good.  The same one I banged up when I slipped in the Dismal Swamp.

John determinded to get to the top

View from Croker Island

I was able to upload the pictures from the SD card but the camera seems to be history.  We had brought our old camera along just in case but after going through many storage spots could not find it.  Many other Loopers had arrived during the day and were all anchored in the outer bay.  There was a beach along the shore where we all got together for drinks and snacks.  We had a very quiet night with no wind or swinging on the anchor.

Saturday morning we really tore the boat apart looking for the spare camera.  We emptied out all compartments under the bed in the side stateroom where all of our assorted souvenirs and gifts were stored.  No camera was found.  With our Loop nearly over we needed to get them out as well as our duffel bags, which were in another compartment anyway.  It is amazing how much we had accumulated and had stored away.

After a second search of our hanging lockers the camera was located.  Two new batteries and we were in business.  We took the dinghy over to the South Benjamin Island and took a hot hike up the pink granite rocks.  We then went over to North Benjamin and went to look for a swimming spot we used to go to.  With the low water levels the spot was not useable.  By this time we were very hot.  We took the dinghy around the corner of the Island out of the wind, pulled it up on shore and jumped in.  This tuned out to be an even better spot to swim as there was a small pool of water between the rocks that was just like a shallow hot tub.  After lots of swimming we headed back to South Benjamin and went through a winding channel where we found a couple of sailboats tied to the rocks.  We found a spot with at least 6 rings installed in the rocks where if we had a couple of extra dock hands (Don & Kelly get your passports) would be able to tie up Passport. 

Loon

The Benjermin Islands

Notice ring placed in rock to tie a boat up to

The winds had shifted and picked up by the time we returned.  John decided to get out the spare anchor and put it out just in case.  We have never used this anchor and it has at least 200’ of line that was all knotted up.  It was quite a challenge to un-kink the line, I think we had it stretched around the decks of the boat at least three times.  After what seemed like hours I got back in the dinghy and dropped the anchor while Mary used the windless to  pull it in and set it.  With the wind shift I was concerned about the stake holding our stern line.  Mary convinced me it would be ok.

Sunday morning we awoke to winds from a different direction and gray skies.  The weather forecast was for 25 mph winds in the afternoon  and our original plan was to move to a different island with a bit more protection.  The wind increase seemed to have occurred earlier than expected and decided to just stay put.   

After listening to the Cruiser’s Net and taking showers we were treated to bright blue skies.  We decided to celebrate the beginning of our last week of the Loop with a special breakfast of eggs Benedict and Champagne.  We moved the table to the back deck and set up a couple of chairs.  Mary even put on a dress for the occasion.  Just as we were going to sit down Mary says, “John we’ve moved”.  Sure enough our stern line was no longer attached to shore, the stake must have come loose.  I pulled in the line and we had a very un-leisurely special breakfast.  It took a while but we were able to get the line around a tree this time and the boat back in position. 

The winds continued to blow all day and into the night.  One minute we had bright blue skies and the next many shades of dark gray. We did a lot of reading today.  We both finished the books we were reading.  I got caught up with all of the magazines on board, one of which had an article on Roy Eaton who runs the Cruiser’s Net in Little Current. 

Crocker Island

Monday it took nearly an hour to pull up both anchors and coil up the stern line.  We had a bit of wind and waves until we turned into the McBean Channel.  There is a tight passage called Little Detroit in the McBean Channel where you have to announce that you are going through it on the marine radio.  In previous trips to the North Channel it was thought to be a really BIG deal.  Well, after all we have been through it was no big deal at all.  Today was full of bright blue skies with no clouds.  A perfect day to pass through the Whaleback Channel which is either the beginning or end of the North Channel depending on your direction.  We anchored outside of our favorite anchor as we thought it was to shallow for Passport.  We took the dinghy in and had some fond memories of great times there.

Narrow passage named Little Detroit

Whalesback 

John Harbor

Cleary Cove

Tuesday we went to another familiar place, Meldrum Bay.  The old rustic marina is being up dated, there is a new breakwater,  harbor building and new docks.  They will be tearing down the old warf building as well as the warf.  It was in this old building that we first checked in with Canadian Customs on our first trip to the North Channel 22 years ago.  At that time the customs office had a small office in the building.  The new docks were nice and the town still has it’s rustic appeal, but it will  not be the same without the old warf building.

Meldrum Bay

Wednesday we had gray skies and some wind when we left.  The seas were not to bad and we had a comfortable ride.  By the time we crossed over into US waters the sun came out and the water calmed down and was nearly flat.  We decided to push on all the way to Hessel.  With the smooth water we were tempted to go home to Mackinaw City but it would have been another 3 hours and we didn’t get into Hessel until 4pm.  Plus we wanted to stay for the Antique Boat show and see Pam and Bill from Seabiscuit who will be exhibiting their 1964 Chris Craft Roamer in the show.

Morning sky as we left Meldrum Bay

Hessel Sunset

It just kept getting better.

Thursday we were greeted with a higher wind forecast than we wanted.    There was much debate as to our next move.  Due to the boat show “all plastic boats” need to be out of the harbor by 5pm Friday.  Our original plan was to just anchor in Hessel Bay and dinghy in for the show on Saturday.  With higher winds forecast the crew was not comfortable in anchoring out. 

After giving the boat a good cleaning (hopefully removing most of the spiders) we borrowed the Harbormaster’s car and drove to the next town a few miles away.  While there we stopped at another marina and decided that even with the lower water we could make it in there.  We reserved a slip for Friday night.  Pam and Bill arrived while we were gone and we made plans to go out and grab a burger with them for dinner.  When we returned to the harbor the wind had died down and the water was flat.  Maybe anchoring will still be an option.  If so it will mean we wont have either a 4 mile bike ride or 7 mile dinghy ride (one way) to the show on Saturday.  It will also mean less of a ride to Mackinac Island Saturday afternoon where we have reservations. 

Friday we really slept in and when we awoke it was still relatively calm in the bay, plus the wind forecast had been reduced.  We will have to just wait an see if the wind gods are nice to us this afternoon and let us anchor here in the bay. 

All for now, hope everyone has a great weekend.

John and Mary