Croker Island to Blind River Marina, Blind River, Ontario, Canada

 It was a chilly morning as we watched Red Dog trawler depart and we were not far behind them. We maneuvered around the rocky islands to find the wide passage and continued on with the wind behind us. It warmed up and was a nice sunny day as we pulled in behind the rocky sea wall to Blind River Marina. We took a walk to find RJ's Pizza for lunch but it turned out to be take out only. We then changed directions and went to Pier Sports Bar on the riverfront which had just closed unexpectedly 3 days ago. We retraced our path and crossed the bridge to the downtown to 17 Restaurant, It was the busy local diner and we had a delicious meal of potato perogy pasta with salad and sausage, We stopped at the LCBO Liquor store for a six pack of local brews and some wine before returning to the marina. Next to the marina was an Art Gallery and Timber Village Museum showcasing indigenous art and artifacts. We got our five miles of walking in. 

Blind River Marina

The beach

Kites along the marina front

Art Gallery exhibit

At the Timber Museum

South Benjamin Island to Croker Island anchorage, Ontario, Canada

 On Sunday afternoon the wind calmed down and we dashed across the two mile stretch to go behind Croker Island, There was one other boat tied stern to shore in the small cove we anchored in. It was another scenic anchorage with high stone cliffs that we could spot fire rings on. It was a pleasant evening up on the fly bridge.

On Monday, we had a flotilla of 4  looper boats come in and raft up and then another sailboat anchored behind us and another catamaran went around to the other anchorage but we could see the through the narrow dinghy passage. We took the dinghy and landed on two of the beaches on Croker Island and had a dog from the campsite join us for a walk. We could not find any trails through the thick forest and decided not to climb the slippery rock slopes.

The rains came on Monday night and Tuesday it was cloudy and cool and still windy, The flotilla took off and it just left one boat with us overnight. We had a peaceful day and planned to leave on Wednesday when the winds calmed down.

Little Current to South Benjamin Island anchorage, Ontario, Canada

 We got up in time on Friday to have another great breakfast out at Elliott's Restaurant before filling our water tank and stopping at the fuel dock for a pump out and to fill dinghy gas can. We only used a quarter of tank of diesel so we still need to transfer diesel out of our front tank that has been sitting all winter. It was a calm sunny morning as we headed out to the Benjamin Islands.  It is a huge anchorage with a large, smooth pink granite rock known as the ski slope for hiking to the top for an amazing view of the bay.

South Benjamin Island

Ski slope hill

On Saturday the rain came in overnight and continued raining for part of the day and we did sorting and cleaning of the floor lockers while we waited for rain to pass. The winds were going to change direction so we moved closer to the other shore once most of the boats left the anchorage in the late afternoon.

Looking out the pass

On Sunday it was a chilly, windy day but we were in the lee shore and the sun was out. We took the dinghy to the point after the tour boat had come and gone. We circled the anchorage and went out the back narrow pass that looked like you would need local knowledge to take the big boat. We went over to the ski slope hill but it was too choppy to land the dinghy. We waited for the winds to die down and then went across to Croker Island to be in a better spot for when the winds shifted again overnight.

Tour boat landed passengers on the point

Baie Fine to Little Current, Ontario, Canada

 It was a beautiful sunset last night and a beautiful sunrise as we backtracked along the Baie Fine Channel to more open water headed to the town of Little Current. We expected the wind to pick up so we wanted to get there early. We dashed to join another boat going through the swing bridge and then waited to get into our slip at Port Little Current Marina. The city marina stretched all along the waterfront boardwalk down to Spider Bay Marina and the recreational trail that went down to the beach. We immediately headed downtown to enjoy a delicious late breakfast at Elliott's Restaurant. We went back to the boat and got our grocery bags to go to the grocery store and the liquor store. We also found the library to take advantage of their book sale since my electronic books require cell phone coverage to be able to read on my phone. Luckily I brought 4 books with me and was able to exchange them at the little lending library along the way.

Port of Little Current Marina

Ruins

Tour boat leaving the marina

Blueberry Island to Mary Ann Cove and Baie Fine anchorage, Ontario, Canada

 On Monday morning we left Blueberry Island anchorage and headed into Baie Fine thinking it may be less crowded after the weekend. We stopped at what was rated the best anchorage in Mary Ann Cove and we were the only boat. By the evening we had several more boats and the next day we had several more that tried to anchor but left in frustration. We took the dinghy to the old dock and took the marked hiking trail almost to the top deciding not to scramble in the rock crevass to reach the top. The trail was marked with orange ribbons and went across rock scrambles and over downed logs deep in the forest. It was a great hike even though we missed the view from the top.

More rock scrambling

Lush ferns in the deep forest

The last scramble where we stopped

Looking for a view through the trees

The old dock for dinghy landing

Mary Ann Cove anchorage

We stayed the day on Tuesday in anticipation of rain and thunderstorms. A small catamaran came into the anchorage during the rain and put up what looked like a tent since they had very little space in the pontoons and no cabin in the center of the boat. It rained more overnight but not the storms we expected.

On Wednesday we continued on down the Baie FIne channel and stopped to anchor before the channel narrowed to the pool at the end. It was a great spot and we took the dinghy to the pool and found the dock to start the hiking trail to Topaz Lake. The trail is part of Killarney Provincial Park. The trail took us up to the cliff overlooking the turquoise water. We stopped in the shade and had our picnic lunch as we watched folks who had taken the trail down to the water jump off the overhang. We were happy just to enjoy the view. We met some backpackers who were doing the 6 day loop trail through Killarney Provincial Park. By the time we got back to the anchorage there were six more boats in addition to the dozen anchored in the pool. We met the owners of a larger PDQ who stopped by in their dinghy. We decided to get up early and head to Little Current in the morning.

Island house along the way

Looking across to the pool anchorage

Looking down at Topaz Lake

One of Group of Seven artists rendition of Topaz Lake

Our anchorage looking at larger PDQ

Great sunset

Gorgeous sky