Back in the USA and Down Lake Michigan

We quickly checked into customs at Drummond Island, MI and proceeded to DeTour Village Marina. The next day we crossed to Machinac City, MI and enjoyed our walk around one of our favorite towns. We had dinner at Audie's, a lodge-themed restaurant that we greatly enjoyed on our previous trip in 2014.

With Lake Michigan wind and waves favorable, we started down the 300 mile journey ending in Chicago, IL.  The towns along the east coast of Lake Michigan are each unique and enjoyable to visit. 

First stop is Charlevoix, MI, home of the mushroom houses designed by famed architect Earl Young. Also, many homes put out a welcome to tourists with their colorful landscaping.

Next stop, Leland, MI, an historic Fishtown.  The heart of the commercial fishing village is still active shanties, smokehouses, docks, fish tugs and charter boats - designated an historic site. The harbor, where we stayed, is a beautiful new marina, meticulously cleaned and maintained.  

On to Pentwater, MI and meeting a Great Loop kayaker, Matthew Pierce.  Matt has his gear stored in the red caboose.  Unfortunately, not many miles down the Lake waves come and his caboose gets water-logged. Matt is currently making plans to resume his loop next summer with new gear.  

Flag ceremony.  Matt did not have an AGLCA flag, so we presented him with ours.  Anyone doing the loop in a kayak needs a AGLCA flag for sure.  Other Loopers will gladly lend a hand.

On our previous loop we thoroughly enjoyed downtown Chicago and especially the Architectural Boat Tour.  The waterway tour of more than 50  buildings is led by volunteer tour guides, called docents. The second time around was just as enjoyable.

The skyline from Navy Pier.

According to the 2014 tour docent, Marilyn Monroe and husband Joe DiMaggio would meet at the Chicago Palmer House because it was half-way between New York City (Yankees) and Hollywood (movies).  We had to go and see this historic hotel on this trip through Chicago.  We learned some additional history of the hotel:  by the turn of the 20th century, the Palmer House had become Chicago's liveliest social center, hosting a long list of prominent figures - including U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde.  The Golden Empire Dining Room hosted legendary entertainers, including, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Liberace.  

Even the elevator doors received special decorations.

Next, from extravagance to rust.

Into Georgian Bay

We left the Trent-Severn behind and started into Georgian Bay, a water of 30,000 islands on the Northeastern arm of Lake Ontario, CA and often referred to as the sixth Great Lake.  We traveled to Midland, ON for fuel, then on to Frying Pan Bay and a stop at the famous Henry's Fish Restaurant. We anchored in a very shallow and rocky anchorage for the night.  One we would not select again because of the granite bottom.  Fortunately, we had no problem avoiding the bottom, but it made us nervous.

We took a side trip to Parry Sound, ON, a very enjoyable small town with beautiful anchorages, quaint marinas and fun restaurants and shops.

A beautiful anchorage at Hopewell Bay.  Lee, Suzan and Max go for a swim.

King took the dinghy to the island to look for a fish or two.  He came up empty-handed.

Port Au Baril Lighthouse

Killarney Village is a narrow passage of marinas, lodges, and homes that stands at the entrance to the North Channel of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron.  Going across the river to dinner at the Sportsman Lodge.

Killarney sunset.

Sailing from Killarney to Little Current, ON

Boats must time the arrival to the hour because the bridge only opens for 5 minutes every hour.  We arrived a few minutes early and then passed through the opening.

  On across North Channel, beautiful anchorages and wide open water.

We met other Loopers at Blind River Municipal Marina, Ontario.  The owners of a local restaurant drove all of us to their restaurant.

Lazy Suzan and Blue Moon headed for Drummond Island, USA and customs. For the third summer, we enjoyed Canada very much.

Trent Severn times 4

The Trent Severn Waterway in Ontario Province must be our favorite part of the Loop because we've been up and down four times!  The beautiful waterway, colorful cottages and scenic sights make this a totally enjoyable part of the trip.  We hope to someday go back by land and see the fall colors on the Trent.

Here we are once again - at the start of the Trent-Severn.  This is one of Canada's national historic sites and is so magnificent that it has been named "one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world".  Parks Canada maintains and operates the 43 locks and 125 dams of the waterway.

We met new friends, Lee and Suzan on Lazy Suzan at Trent Port Marina.  Trenton is a great little town with a fabulous marina, one of our loop favorites.  It is a new marina with wonderful amenities, including a snack and ice cream at the canteen.

Lazy Suzan and Blue Moon starting out at the first lock.

King in a double lift lock. The stain from leaking water make a giant colorful canvas.

Many houses are built on remote islands.

Kawartha Voyageur, is an Ontario Waterway cruiser.  The ship holds 45 passengers and navigates a 150 mile section of the Trent-Severn Waterway.  We watched the ship ready to enter the lock.  The front blue portion folds up in order to fit into the lock.  It looks like an iron.

Lee and Suzan in the Peterborough Lift Lock.  The lock in number 21 on the waterway and raises boats 65 feet in two identical bathtub-like caissons in which vessels are carried up or down. The lock was built in the early 20th century without the modern machinery used for today's construction projects.  The lift lock functions by gravity alone using the counterweight principle.  One caisson always ascends and the other always descends during each locking cycle.  We learned that in the winter months residents and visitors use the waterway below the canal for ice skating.

Bobcaygeon! A favorite stop with shoe stores and more shoe stores, cute restaurants, gift shops, music in the park all in a cottage country atmosphere.

See the really large orange chair below. Chairs are for sale at Bigley's Shoes in Bobcaygeon.  We were told that this is the Bigley family home.

We liked this house and boat garage.

A narrow section of the Trent-Severn.

Lazy Suzan navigating the same narrow passage.

There are two lift locks on the Trent-Severn, Peterborough and Kirkfield.  Lazy Suzan in the Kirkfield Lift Lock.

Most locks are operated manually.  King volunteered to walk around the crank which opens the lock door.

Suzan, Mike and Lynne.  Mike and Lynne are 80+ and live near Orillia, off Lake Simcoe.  They travel the Trent in a small C-Dory.  We enjoyed visiting with them and gaining the important local knowledge.  

Best seats to watch the Pipes and Drums parade in downtown Orillia with Lee and Suzan and Grant and Cindy, Canadian friends from As The Crow Flies.  We first met Grant and Cindy in 2014 in Peterborough, traveled with them on the Illinois and again in Florida.  Great to have them spend the weekend with us.

King and Grant off to catch fish!!

Enjoying visiting and dinner on Lazy Suzan.

The Big Chute Marine Railway is a boat lift at lock 44 on the Trent-Severn Waterway.  It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet.  It is the only marine railway of its kind in North American still in use.  

Lazy Suzan in the sling.

Back in the water again.

Getting all our ducks in a row!

The end of the Trent-Severn Waterway, headed out into Georgian Bay.