Leg 1 - Georgian Bay
8/19/23 - 9/8/23
314 Miles
Georgian Bay you are beautiful and remote! Georgian Bay is the northeastern arm of Lake Huron and the largest freshwater archipelago in the world. Often celebrated for its 30,000 Islands and I would add millions of rocks! We saw rugged shoreline, sandy beaches, and clear blue water. Many boaters dream of making it to Georgian Bay to experience this secluded area, with it being very much off the beaten path, it is often a trip set aside for another time. The beauty of the Great Loop is there is no set path, with abundant side trips it truly is pick your own adventure. Georgian Bay is one of those side trips that requires some extra time and sense of adventure. We entered Georgian Bay at Midland, Ontario and left at Drummond, Michigan. We planned to stay 7 - 10 days, we ended up staying 18, there lies the adventure.
Over 120 miles long and 50 miles wide, Georgian Bay has a lot you can explore.
Giant exposed rocks like this are everywhere. Georgian Bay is part of the Canadian shield, ancient rock at one time called the Grenville Mountain Range. The mountains were as tall as the Himalaya Mountains are today. What is left from that ancient mountain range is exposed bedrock after the glaciers scraped away at the range surface. There are channel and obstacle markers at every turn, along with extensive electronics we found it best to check in with the marina before we headed out confirming our desired route, nothing beats local knowledge.
30,000 islands require either boat or float plane transportation.
Henry's Fish and Chips San Souci, Ontario
Fish and Chips country! Our first of many fish and chips started at Henry's on Frying Pan Island at Sans Souci. Come by boat or float plane, come early or be ready to wait! We were waiting when the lunch doors opened. Milo was welcome, that made us happy! They stick to a pretty simple menu Deep Fried or Pan Fried White Fish or Pickerel, a locally caught fish. A delicious stop!
Float plane passing Coast.
We went for the full on deep fried pickerel!
Milo patiently waiting for something he gets to try!
Milo could be Henry's mascot!
Super tasty Cesars, in the US we know them as Bloody Mary.
Killbear Marina Nobel, Ontario
Killbear Marina located in the sheltered Pengally Bay just west of Killbear Provincial Park was intended to be a quick 1 to 2 day stop for some desired maintenance, it turned out to be 18 days. We stopped at Killbear because of the positive service reviews. Being a part of the American's Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA) we benefit from the loopers traveling before us with their advice and reviews. We can't say enough about young Marina Walt and his team. What started out as simply; we are here, we heard the service team is amazing, let's get some repairs done, turned out to be a comedy of errors. At first it was hard to find parts then parts were located out of the country and ordered - delayed! Oh joy the parts finally came and noooo they were damaged! No problem let's reorder from another source, if we can find them?? Finally located them, then stuck in customs. The ups and downs of thinking we were leaving the next day or the next day after that was frustrating to say the least and as with everything there is a learning in every experience. We learned letting go of expectations, leaning into the adventure we signed up for and digging deep with patience when there are circumstances at play you have little control over.
Pengally Bay
Out she goes.....
The modest, remote, incredibly welcoming and safe Killbear Marina.
Floating sauna anyone?
Capitan Walt and Marina Walt
Josh, boat attendant and adrenaline junkie - he loves the 80s vibe!
Sweet Pat always smiling
Gilly's Fish and Chips Snug Harbor, Ontario
When we were at Henry's in San Souci, a fellow looper recommended Gilly's in Snug Harbor. One bay over from Killbear Marina, we borrowed the marina truck and had the very best fish and chips. Gilly's basically is Snug Harbor. A quaint, tiny waterfront, Gilly's screams summer!
The marketer in me loves their branding!
In the far distance a peak at the Carling Lighthouse.
That's it, pick your fish.
We went with pan fried pickerel. The coleslaw may have been the best we ever had!
Pengally Bay, Ontario
Many of you following us on social media asked what did we do while waiting for the repairs?
Well... there were lots of walks with Milo, lots of ice cream and a visit to Killbear Provincial Park.
A little dangerous there was an ice cream shop at the marina!
We could also walk about a mile to another ice cream stand!
We finally broke down and let Milo go completely nuts one day swimming and rolling in the sand to his hearts delight. A bath back at the boat cleaned him up, we still had a wet dog on the boat for a few hours....always lovely.
Walt swimming in the crystal clear waters at Killbear Provincial Park.
The Super Blue Moon from the bow.
Sometimes he just had to get off the boat!
Waiting and more waiting, can we please leave !!!!
In the end, the boat was repaired, we were well cared for with beautiful landscape to remind us we are on an adventure that may not always go as planned.
Next up we head back to the US!
All our best from the vessel COAST , Captain Walt and crew Aimee and Milo
