Crossing from Drummond Island, MI to Cockburn Island, Ontario we’re in Canada again. We ended our cruising season here last year and felt rushed to get back in to the US (what were we thinkin’?) to find a place for winter storage before the lakes froze over. We vowed to make this year a backwards loopers journey to explore the remote anchorages of the North Channel, cause we’re “Laid Back Loopers”!
After anchoring in a cove on Cockburn Island with intentions to spend the night, the winds start to pick up. Checking the wind/wave forecasts show a large front coming over Lake Michigan. NOAA forecasts are for gale force winds +40 knots and 4-7 foot seas. With our next stop at Meldrum Bay only a few hours away and leaky portholes (see the next update of “For Motorheads Only”) we decide to move on to ride out the storm at a marina.
Tied up safely at the dock, we officially clear customs by phone (those Canadians are sooo civilized) and display our “official” authorization by hoisting a Canadian Courtesy Flag on our starboard side! Later that night and thru the next day the front passes thru and we’re glad we aren’t on the open water (can you be on the closed water?).
The Meldrum Bay metro area consists of a marina with Customs phone booth, Inn/restaurant and a grocery store (open on the weekends). Meldrum Bay is at the western edge of Manitoulin Island ("the largest freshwater island in the world!"). At dinner at the Inn the next day we meet up with an English and Canadian sailing catamaran crew who came in thru the storm. They were very interested in the wind/wave forecast apps I had!
Arriving at Cockburn Island meant a shakedown test of the new dinghy lift and tuned up outboard of Mudbug IV
Upon arrival, only the captain is allowed to disembark and must clear Canadian customs and immigration!
As a cleared foreign vessel we now fly a Canadian flag on our highest starboard side yard arm!
Love those sturdy canadian aluminum boats.
Rush hour in Meldrum Bay
The grocery store is open on the weekends
Having a cocktail in the parlor of the Inn is the best way to meet the locals and find out whatzup!
Ah! the continental romance of it all!