North Channel East

Heywood Island was where we spent our first rain day of the trip, hard to believe it had been 39 days since we were stuck inside the cabin!  The island is about 8 miles east of the bridge in Little Current and about 15 miles west of Killarney.  The anchorage was well protected, and we had a great view of those La Cloche Mountains that I have been going on about.

First Gloomy Day

The weather didn’t stay grim for long and the next morning, the sun returned to its usual place in the sky and we headed out across Frazer Bay to the storied Baie Fine, about 5 miles north.  The camera got a workout here, as Baie Fine (or Bay Finn) is an amazing 9 mile fjord with steep quartz and granite rock faces on either side.  We stayed in Mary Ann Cove, about 3 miles into the bay.  Mary Ann has just enough room for about 15 boats, and we were the 15th, but it was worth the work to shoehorn in.  We took the dinghy up the bay scouting anchorages, which were endless.  We can see why people keep coming back; it would take you forever to run out of places to drop the anchor!

Lonely Dragon Fly - One of the Few

Ours is the White Boat!

Mink? Muskrat? Otter? Rat?

Rock

Rocks and Trees

Buddy

Cormorant - or as fishermen say goddamn Cormorant

The next morning, we put on our runners (and socks…ugh!)took the dinghy to the east of the cove  and walked to the top of Casson Peak.  Formerly Frazer Peak, it was renamed for the Group of Seven artist who painted extensively in the area.  It took us about 45 minutes to get to the top, and the reward was a view of the North Channel that is to die for.  I’ll let the pictures tell the story…

Uphill all the Way

Sir Edmond and Tenzhig

Just like at the Eiffel Tower...NOT

McGregor Bay from Casson Peak

Frazer Bay Looking South

Baie Fine

After the hike (and a swim) we headed to another famous-for-cruisers anchorage, Covered Portage Cove.  We spent 2 nights here under the watchful eye of the Covered Portage spirit, a rock formation that looks like an Indian head from certain angles.  We met up with fellow Catalina owners Tim and Cindy on Serendipity, who we met a week earlier at Hawthom Island the week before, as well as Day and Craig on their boat Toucan.  It was great to hear their stories of their experiences here, and to share our love of the area with kindred spirits.

Can you See Him?

Our last night in the North Channel was spent at the docks at Killarney Mountain Lodge.  The experience this time was far superior to the last fiasco at the Sportsman’s Inn!  The staff at the Lodge was friendly, we were able to get a good dock, AND they let us use the washrooms!  

We had a great meal a Herbert’s World Famous Fish and Chips where you can watch them clean the catch of the day on the boat which is about 15 feet away.  It was fantastic!  After dinner we splurged at the Lodge with Margaritas for the Captain and Stellas for the Skipper. 

Monday morning, we left Killarney Channel astern and headed for the Beaverston Bay and the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay, the adventure continues!