We’re back! Gore Bay to DeTour Village

Back in the wonderful USA!!!

We reentered the US at DeTour Village, Michigan on Labor Day, September 2, about 3 months since we left her. It seems so much longer and even now, thinking about all we have done, I am surprised. We’ve cruised up and back on the Rideau to Ottawa and Montreal. We completed the Trent /Severn Waterway, have cruised Georgian Bay and the North Channel. It has been a wonderful summer, but we can feel the seasons changing and it’s time to think about snugging the boat up and heading south. When asked when we would be coming home, I usually said, ” We’ll go home when I get cold.” Well……mornings have gotten down into the 40s, Tim is wearing pants, long sleeves and wool socks, a heater warms our bedroom in the evenings when we prepare to take showers, and Maggie and I snuggle under a blanket on the fly bridge on these blustery, cloudy mornings. While we may be ready to put the boat away, I’m not sure we are ready for the heat in Texas. Ugg.

When I last blogged, we were waiting out winds in Gore Bay. What we hoped would be a 4 night stay stretched into 6. The winds were relentless and helping catch lines for other boats coming in made us happy to be safely tied up. Not to say we are experts at docking in high winds, but watching some others struggle to get their boats to the dock makes me realize how much we have learned and continue to learn.

Actually, getting “stuck” at Gore was not a bad thing. We made lots of looper friends, took long walks, and got lots of chores done.

We took daily walks with Kiwi loopers, Bob and Karen, Mo’ Whiskey.

Looking out at Gore Bay from a cliff opposite the marina.

Another view.

Another day we hiked out to the Janet Head Lighthouse.

Maggie loved Gore Bay. Finally she was welcomed at a local brew pub.

Our last few days in Canada were spent at Beardrop on the north shore. Such a wonderful, peaceful spot. We were joined in the anchorage by new boat buddies, Mo’ Whiskey and Alcyone who we met during our extended stay in Gore Bay. We dropped our dink in and decided it was time to drown a few worms. Such fun! Lots of little guys biting, and finally a keeper hung on. Momma caught dinner.

Maggie wanted to met this little guy before I set him free.

and here’s dinner

Maggie’s attention is drawn to the racket being made by our future dinner as it makes a racket in the cooler.

Once we had diner covered, we headed back out to enjoy the beauty of the area.

We enjoyed Beardrop so much that Tim and I decided to stay another night. We had still had some Canadian worms to use up and this seemed like a good spot. The day before was my day for catching, this proved to be Tim’s day.

She can hardly hold back her excitement. I was afraid she was going to jump in if Tim didn’t get the fish in the dink soon.

Once again, the winds were going to send us to a marina. Gale force winds were predicted for Lake Huron and not wanting a part of that we headed into port at DeTour Village and the USA.

There’s not much to see or do in DeTour, but we did take a walk to an interesting structure being built on the northern shore. Someone told us about this “house” being built from the bow of an old steel boat. We found it on Google maps and decided to check it out.

Our last few days before putting the boat away will be spent at Mackinac Island. We’ll play tourist on this small island off the mainland. Cars are not allowed so we’ll fit in with everyone else and our bikes will get a good workout.