Today is the start of a new chapter in Loop Life. After the cozy and protected Trent Severn Waterway ended, (and three days of recuperation in MIDLAND), the navigational challenge started immediately! There are granite rocks everywhere...
We are now in Lake Huron's Georgian Bay. The Georgian Bay is so large it could almost be called the sixth Great Lake. Our course is to take the Small Craft route the next 165 miles to Killarney. The Small Craft route is very well marked by the Canadian Coast Guard...it is imperative you pay attention every second of the way, following all of the trickey twists and turns between the granite islands above and below the waterline!!!
This area is often referred to as the 30,000 Islands. It should really be called the 300,000 islands since there are so many pieces of land just under the surface.
We are happy to welcome Bill & Carolyn aboard Thistle for a few days :)
Our journey the last three days:
MIDLAND to BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND - Yellow Line (Only an hour trip).
BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND to FRYPAN ISLAND - Orange Line (four hour trip).
FRYPAN ISLAND to PARRY SOUND - Red Line (two hour trip).
BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND is a popular Canadian National Park. It was established in 1929. After an early departure from MIDLAND, we were able to secure a prime spot (Yelliow Star on the Map) on the main dock. The Park is only accessible by boat!
After docking and a swim (to cool off...) we decided to ride our bikes around BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND. It was about a 10 mike ride on all types of trails (some groomed and some not?). The trails were beautiful beyond words ... But, full of poison ivy and bugs!!!
Our first stop on the bike ride was at the Light House (Purple Star on the BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND Map).
We saw lots of wild life on BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND. The ranger showed us "Pineapple" the Fox Snake. We saw a porcupine climb a tree by the Light House (Red Circle) and there was mention of a Bear warning from the ranger...Guess what??? We ran into the Mom Bear and two cubs (Pink Star on the BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND Map)! CRAZY and more than a little scary!!! We turned around on the trail and rode our bikes very fast, taking time to make a sighting report at the ranger station.
We "Bearly" made it back to Thistle for Bill's Birthday Dinner :)
Under cloudy skies we departed the following morning for FRYPAN ISLAND.
A few of the 30,000 Islands on the Small Craft Route.
We make it to FRYPAN ISLAND and the four of us took an SUP (tandem on each board) trip to a nearby small island. On our private island we enjoyed a glass of wine and party music from a neighboring island.
FRYPAN ISLAND is famous for Henry's Fish Restaurant. You can only get there by boat or float plane! We shared fish and chips family style, while watching the boats and float planes come and go :)
The day ended with smiles and a nice sunset XO
The next morning we swam, enjoyed ️breakfast and departed for PARRY SOUND with Captain Greg at the helm.
More of the 30,000 Islands, one had a bird nest (maybe an Eagle?).
Entering PARRY SOUND, the swing bridge opens on the hour... We made it with perfect timing!
Saying Goodby to Biil & Carolyn as they take a float plane back to MIDLAND. Thanks for a wonderful visit :)
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