Victoria Island to Big Sound Marina, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

 It was a pleasant evening in the anchorage and we lowered our radar arch so we could fit under the Parry Island Swing Bridge which only opened on the odd numbered hours. We got our diesel, pump out and two mechanics came on board and determined we were good to go so we continued on to Big Sound Marina and got into our slip. We headed out to Trestle Brewery and realized we had been on a camping trip to the nearby Provincial Park and had toured the town and eaten lunch at the brewery. This time we sat in their beer garden and enjoyed a cider and a raspberry sour beer along with veggie panini sandwich. We walked to the hardware store and got our bug hats stopping at an outdoor store and local craft store on the way before heading back to the boat for happy hour.

Tour boat heading to town dock

Trestle pedestrian bridge looking back at train trestle

Echo Bay to Victoria Island Anchorage, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

 We explored around Echo Bay and the other anchorage in the Provincial Park before raising anchor and heading to Henry's Fish Restaurant and Marina that was closed on Monday. There was already a crowd when it opened at noon and we got a nice table on the patio. We got the recommended pickeral fish and chips and the brew made for the restaurant. Then we were off again headed to Parry Sound, We stopped at the anchorage at Victoria Island and were by ourselves for the evening. We plan to head in for pump out. Diesel and for a mechanic to check out the squeal in Port engine at the Sound Boat Works before heading to Big Sound Marina for a slip for Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Docked at Henry's right next to seaplane

Wearing Glenn's hat

Beausoleil Island to Echo Bay at Masssauga Provincial Park, Georgian Bay, Canada

 We got up early to pull anchor on Monday morning and headed out  Big Dog Channel past Honey Harbour where the ferry takes you to the island park that is filled with marinas. We passed Frying Pan Bay which was another popular anchorage on the island and still busy with boats. We followed the Small Craft Channel through open water before getting back into the winding channels. We passed by Henry's Fish Restaurant and Marina on Frying Pan Island planning to come back on Tuesday for lunch as they are closed on Mondays. We crossed in the narrow channel into Echo Bay and it is absolutely gorgeous. There are two lobes of the bay that is part of the Ontario Provisional Massassauga Park. We were the first boat anchored here for lunch as the other boats are in the other section of the bay. Glenn pulled out his fishing rod.

Along the way in Georgian Bay

Looking out porthole window

Beautiful Echo Bay anchorage

Midland to Beausoleil Island, Geogian Bay, Canada

 We finally ended up at Ted Horton's for breakfast on Friday since there was not a closer place. We should have gotten the scones but instead got the bagel sandwiches. The coffee was also excellent and they sell it in the local grocery stores. We left the dock and headed towards Big Dog Channel and the Beausoleil Island, Parks Canada National Park. We anchored in Beausoleil Bay off McCabe Rock dock as it already looked crowded in the protected Ojibway anchorage but we took dinghy over to the dock at Ojibway Bay. It turns out they do not allow dinghies tied to the dock so a friendly Canadian looper tied us up to a friend's boat. We got a park map, his hiking stick and walked the Masssauga trail to Chimney Bay before turning around  They were well marked but buggy so we headed back to the boat for happy hour. It was the most pleasant afternoon with a cool breeze on the fly bridge.

Ducks on board

Beautiful historic buildings in Midland

On the Midland Silos on the waterfront

On Saturday we slept in an had a leisure breakfast before taking the dinghy down to the Cedar Spring Visitor Center. We dragged the dinghy up beside the swimming beach and Glenn got us a Parks Canada beaching permit that compliments are mooring permit. We stuck the sticker on the transom and a park ranger suggested the trails to take. We hiked the Heritage Trail and then the Christian trail which went across the island to Christian Beach. We took a lunch break at the picnic table by the water before heading back and over the Lookout Trail to stop at the visitor center before returning to the boat. Glenn took a plunge off the swim platform to beat the heat. There was little wind so it was hot sitting out but we had some shade on the back bench for happy hour.

Hiking the island trails

Lookout Point

Interesting fungus

On Sunday we cooked breakfast and enjoyed a cooler morning with our coffee on the fly bridge. We took the dinghy into the dog beach and landed there and caught the Massasauga Trail to the Huron Trail and across the Island to the Georgian Trail. We spotted the Brebeuf Island Lighthouse off shore. The Georgian Trail was the most difficult with muddy stretches and downed trees and was the least maintained trail and buggy in stretches. We intersected the Christian Trail across the island and took the Huron Trail that bypassed the Visitor Center all the way back to the Massasauga Trail and to the dinghy. We ended up hiking over 8 miles and were glad to get back to the boat and relax in the breeze.