Monday - July 21

 No more family birthdays in July - Tessa, Connor, Brooke, Blair and Maeve!   WOW....busy month!   Enjoyed celebrating with them...........from a distance!😀❤    So, on June 30th I mailed Connor and the 3 NC gals, their birthday cards from Tobermory, ON.    Maeve was the first to get hers (a week before her birthday; Connor got his about a week after his birthday; Brooke, 2 days before and still nothing for Blair. )  Canadian mail is as wacky as the states.   

We wiped down Catrina and rid of the bugs and then walked to Curds and Whey for a latte and checked in with Red (dockmaster) about where we'll be next 2 days.    The Lodge and Sportsman's both have a bunch of boats coming in today from Midland, ON and also Journey and Magic, our Port Clinton buddies.    Ruby and one of the guys helped us leave our slip and then just 4/10 of a mile back to the Killarney Mountain Lodge (like coming home).    Red was on the dock waiting for us along with the Captain of Lady O.

Mark took this pic along our walk - this is just one of many homes built on rocks...

If you don't like mowing grass, this is what you do...

Got our power cords and water all hooked up.    It is a gorgeous day but was 51 when Mark got up this morning.    Warmed up nicely but just a high of 69.   We are so thankful for this cool, awesome weather when so much of the country is dealing with extreme heat.

Well.........around 12:15, Magic (Dennis and Teri) arrived from Tobermory - sooo good to see them, but then heard that Journey and crew (Michael and Chris) had to cancel.   They received a call last night that Michael's Dad had fallen, fractured some ribs and was in the hospital.   So, they left early this morning from Tobermory.    They left their boat in Port Huron, MI and ubered to Dayton (4 hours) as there were no one-way rental cars available.   But that plan changed as our friend and neighbor, Bob drove to pick them up. Mr. Hosford had been living in an assisted living facility in Dayton.      

Walking up and down Channel Street - many times

Herbert Fisheries - thee best fish 'n chips

Magic is arriving with Dennis and Teri

Enjoyed a fun afternoon onboard Magic and met the folks on Blessed, (Andy and JoBeth from Catawba Island.)   Had drinks and lots of chatter.

Heard more bummer news from Michael and Chris that their boat had one engine empty oil into the bilge.    Oh dear............they got to Port Huron (on one engine and then towed rest of the way.)   Bob (So Blessed) went to pick them up, bring them back to Superior where their car was so they could go onto Dayton and see Michael's Dad  

Dinner tonight at The Ranch House was excellent - we ate here last Wednesday.   Tonight we sat outside and was delightful...until the bugs and chilly air appeared!     We asked to be moved inside and they were very accommodating including Ross who was our waiter last week - such a neat guy from Australia.   We all enjoyed our delicious dinners....GREAT place and very fun evening!

Mark, Pat, Andy, JoBeth, Teri, Dennis

Our view for dinner (until we moved indoors)

Today is the 1-month anniversary of Ryan and Erin's wedding day....wow...time flies but so many special memories of their big day in Ririe, Idaho.

  

Sunday - July 20

 HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   MAEVE

                                                 Maeve and a stash of presents ready to open

Our little Princess is nine today - another shocker for this Grandma - she's the "baby" of the family", but only cause she's the youngest.   Don't underestimate this feisty, fun, sweet little girl who is into her baby dolls (think that's still the case?), loves her crafts, swimming, anything purple or pink,  and playing video games.   Can't believe our little cutie pie who had sooo many curls (I called her "Moppet") and now has totally straight long hair, will be going into 4th grade.

Maeve and her cousin, Maren

Today also marks more birthdays - Mark's sister, Karen (Auntie); my friend Allie and our dear friend/neighbor Angie who passed away in 2009.  

We went to The Anchorage (in the Sportsman's Club) for breakfast - such a pretty place and big huge hot breakfasts !

 Avocado Sunrise with home fries  - yum yum

It's 1/2 mile between the 2 marinas (Sportsman's Club and Killarney Mountain Lodge) - they are owned by same people and do a wonderful job!  We walked the 1/2 mile this morning - lots of folks out and about on the water and land.   After the gloomy Saturday, today is gorgeous at 73.

Killarney Mountain Lodge

Tinkerbell

This red pontoon ferries folks across from the Sportsman's Club to more docks across the way or to the lodge.   They keep very busy

Mark worked on travel logistics and made reservations for upcoming travels this fall.   He visited with 2 of our boat neighbors.   

We went to Mass at 1:30 at St. Bonaventure (just across the street) with Father Dennis - only 25 people and lasted 35 minutes.   Glad we could finally attend Mass after being so remote past few weeks.

We walked to the Carousel Lounge - huge bar area that is round in shape (building) with great views.   We sat outside by the pool and enjoyed drinks/appetizers (Tempura shrimp and small charcuterie board).   Sooo good and such a pretty setting.

Ten on zoom tonight (missing Marilyn).    Vacation plans; hot weather coming for most of them; upcoming surgeries (all part of the health topic).

Enjoy your week!    My boat sisters (Teri and Chris) arrive tomorrow with the guys!

    

Saturday - July 19

 H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

BLAIR!!!

Birthday Girl and Millie

It doesn't seem possible that this girlie girl (1st granddaughter) is 12 already.   We were there on this happy day (7/19/13) when Blair Bliss arrived and she's kept us on our toes since!    Ha!  Blair is a busy gal who loves dancing, gymnastics, cheer, skin care routine and the color PINK!    She is a delight to be around and keeps her 3 older brothers in line.

This morning

Brooke 'n Blair with Millie peaking out

Maeve - Brooke - Blair

Last night at Camp Lake James - our 3 birthday girls

partying with their friends

We did facetime this morning and watched Blair open her gifts from us - fun!    Then we were off for the short trip to Killarney but it was NOT fun.    After having days and days of sunshine and calm waters, today was calm leaving the anchorage but once we were in open water (Georgian Bay), the last 3 miles were brutal.....wild and wooly with 2-3' waves.   We did a total of 8 miles and so happy to see the Killarney Lighthouse and then enter the calm marina.    We are docked at Sportsman's Club (no room at the Mountain Lodge) but no problem as we're still close to most everything.    Ruby and Jordan were our sweet dock hands and we were soon settled in for the next 2 nights,.

We went to Sporto's Pub for lunch - Mark had crispy fish tacos and onion rings and I had Hawaiian flatbread - all very good.    We got back to Catrina before the rain started around 2:15.   And it came down off and on rest of the afternoon and all evening.

We played 2-handed euchre and I won both games!!!    Tah dah!

Friday - July 18

HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   BROOKE

Wishing our dear daughter-in-law a great day and year ahead!    She's such a special part of our family and so thankful she and Michael found each other and gave us 4 beautiful grandchildren!

We walked to breakfast at Gateway - gosh I love this place (Mark, too).   Each day their pastry shelves are full of so many goodies including desserts but by evening (like last night when I got some ice cream), all those shelves had only 3 slices of banana nut bread.   The owner and one other person are the bakers and they come up with some unique and very yummy items!

Today we each had a hot breakfast and met Bill from Columbus who has 2 cabins in Killarney, and a home and boat in Catawba Island (near Port Clinton).   We had a fun visit and maybe we'll see him around Port Clinton/Catawba.....he is having a family reunion with his 2 sisters and niece coming from Pittsburgh.

Back to the boat and getting ready to leave Killarney, but just for a day as we'll be back tomorrow.   We wanted to cruise back to Collins Inlet and see some of what we missed last Sunday with the fog.   It is a beautiful area and at noon, we settled in Mile 58 anchorage.   A short jaunt today of 11.5 miles.

We've seen some really neat names of boats this summer....."Summer Romance", "Summer Address", "Change of Pace" to name just a few.

A new experience for us this afternoon when Randy and Terry stopped by in their dinghy and asked us to join them for "rocktails"!    That's a first as we've had cocktails (everywhere); docktails (on the dock) and sure makes sense up here to have rocktails.   😀    Mark got the dinghy down at 5 and we cruised over to a very pretty spot on the rocks where we met:

Randy and Terry, Mike and Sue, Peter and Donna, Paul and Paula, Stephen and Pat, Richard and Deb.   What a fun time - all of the couples are Canadian except for Richard and Deb from Madison, WI.    It was a beautiful evening and we had a lot of chatter going on along with some great snacks.

Dinghy line-up

Darn - such a  pretty setting but I was looking right into the sun

Here you can at least see people.

7 boats at anchor - the big rocks in front are where we had our little party 

Catrina is the 4th one from left

Mark grilled brats for supper

Today is "National Daughter-in-Law Day"....we are blessed with 3 GREAT ones....

Brooke - Annette - Erin

Have a great weekend!

Thursday - July 17

 I was really sorry to hear this morning that Connie Francis passed away at 87 in Parkland, Florida.   I was a BIG fan of Connie back in the day.............Alexa is playing her many tunes and I'm reminiscing and sad..."Who's Sorry Now", "Where the Boys Are", "Pretty Little Baby", "Don't Break the Heart that Loves You", "My Happiness" and so many more.

We had a nice rain early this morning (4ish) - and it's chilly.   Not gonna be a very nice day but no special plans, so...most of the Grady Whites (cruise and rendezvous folks from Ontario) left this morning - not fun boating with no protection from the cold/rain.

Just steps away from Catrina here at the marina is "Curds n' Whey" a little coffee/bake shop.   Mark walked up to get me a latte and we shared a big ole cinnamon roll!  😋

We went for a walk to town and got some groceries - it is chilly, windy and very dreary....and then sorted laundry and did 2 loads (laundromat is connected to the Pitfield General Store).  

While we were in the laundromat, 2 families came in with armfuls of blankets, sleeping bags and pillows - all their bedding had gotten wet from the heavy rain as they were camping.  Ugh!  They just used the dryers.

The wind is blowing and the temp is 64, but feels like 55.   That was for most of the day; however, around 5, the sun came out, the wind died down and it was a beautiful evening.  What a difference a day makes!

We walked and I got a heavenly hash ice cream cone.  Mark had his ice cream fix earlier at Gateway.

Wednesday - July 16

Whew....what a big day for we nomads.    Mark was up early (as always) and so in awe of the beauty at our very tranquil anchorage (The Pool), so he took these pics at 6:15.

We left the Pool at 9 and cruised 26 miles back to Killarney.   It was a perfect day with sunshine (although still hazy from the wildfires), calm water and 70's.    A great day in the North Channel.   Along the way we saw these 8 teen boys leaving their campsite in 4 canoes - yesterday they were all set up and had several coolers down by the water enjoying themselves.   

The boys

:

Leaving the narrow passage in Baie Fine

Pretty little island

17 small boats (all Grady White center cockpit) passed us today going towards The Pool.....they spent last night in Killarney (at the lodge) and today were out and about but back here tonight.

  Arrived here at 11:45 and Red was waiting to take our lines at the Killarney Mountain Lodge Marina,.    Got settled with power and water hookup and off to Gateway for lunch and iced coffee.   We shared a chicken caesar wrap with Greek salad (we've had several Greek salads up here in Canada - all delicious).   

And then to make another attempt to see the Killarney Lighthouse - Saturday was muddy and buggie, but this time we took the road versus the trail - part was paved and then more loose gravel/sand and finally climb some rocks............a young couple with boy/girl kiddos (6 and 8) were behind us so we took each others pics - they are from Grand Rapids, MI.   

Resting

Us at the Killarney Lighthouse

Beauty along the way

We saw several elementary school children on our way to the lighthouse - wondered if they were locals and where they went to school or visitors.    We took a different street when we got back into town and came across this school.

St. Joseph Catholic School

This is pre K thru grade 8 - I imagine the classes are small as there are just 397 year-round residents.   Wonder about the high schoolers?

There are several boats here from MI tonight - Charlevoix, Traverse City (2), Petoskey, Bayport, Harrison Township (2), and Clarkston.

We went to the Ranch House for dinner - oh my..............fabulous views, food and service with Ross who was outstanding!!!    We noticed so many employees here at the Mountain Lodge have the neatest accents - well, Ross is from Australia and his wife, from the UK.    They are here for the summer - he talked about the placement service restaurants/resorts use to bring in employees for the summer months from everywhere!  

Cheers!

Today we had a high of 78 - tomorrow, 66 predicted with a 90% chance of rain!   We are ready for a "down" day!    

 

Tuesday - July 15

 Another great day and good to be back cruising in the beautiful North Channel.   We had breakfast, pulled up the anchor (well, the remote did it all) and were on our way at 8:45.   We wanted to make the 10:00 swing bridge in Little Current which opens on the hour.   We knew Little Current was full of boats till Thursday, but thought "maybe" they had something available as we saw lots of empty space on the wall.   But waiting for a 72' yacht to come in and rest were reserved.   Onto Spider Marina for a pump out (no space available) and then wait for the 11:00 bridge to open.    We stopped in Mary Ann Cove for lunch and then resumed the cruising to the Pool in Baie Fine - more spectacular beauty and we were here in the early 90's with Miss Megan (28' sailboat) and Catrina in 2011.

We passed by so many tall rocky cliffs (mountains?  hills? lots of trees).    After getting the anchor secure,  Mark got the dinghy in the water, we used insect repellant wipes and took off for the dinghy dock and thought we would hike to Topaz Lake (1/3 mile).   A big part was flat, but then rocks, lots of tree roots and then came the mud - very wet mud that had no path on either side of the trail.   So, today bugs were not the issue - but plenty of mud.    That's when we decided "this is it" - we tried!!!    We did see Topaz Lake on previous visits.   2 boats here from WI including a sail trimaran from Racine.

Rode the dinghy around the Pool and then settled in for the night with some icy cold beverages and refreshing showers.

Pretty scenery along the way...

Lunch at Mary Ann Cove

 

Baie Fine entrance

Catrina at the Pool

WOW..................................SIXTY (60) years ago tonight Mark and I were in Rochester, MN on a 4-H Exchange trip.   He asked me to dance to the Byrds "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man" and the rest is history!!!       The adventures continue!

Monday July 14

  HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   CONNOR 

 💝"19" 💝

 

Connor is 19 and hangin' out with his pals - Frankie and Gibson

 

Off and running his first marathon

Recognitions

Congratulations to Connor (and Liam) for completing their 1st marathon yesterday; and today, Connor celebrates his 19th birthday!    What a fine young man.....so much energy and always doing something - whether in the classroom, at work, on the golf course or jammin' with friends.    This summer Connor is working 2 jobs and taking 2 online courses!   Sooo proud of #5 in the grandson line-up (age wise)!

We decided to stay put today and enjoy another quiet day anchored out in Browning Cove.  Our next stop (marina) will be Little Current just 6.8 miles away, BUT they are having a cruise and rendezvous with over 35 boats, so....gotta wait till they clear out later this week.

After all the cottages and rocks in Georgian Bay + many small towns and marinas, the North Channel is definitely more remote, with a different kind of beauty.   While we enjoy being at a marina and close to (sometimes) coffee shops, restaurants, groceries, laundry, etc., we love the tranquility of anchoring out.

A beautiful day at our anchorage - 75 and sunshine with 11 other boats.    We read, played games + 2-handed euchre which Mark won 2 of 3 games.   

Mark grilled burgers for supper - the sun is shimmering on the water - beautiful here!    Had a good chat with the Birthday Boy!

Browning Cove

Sunday - July 13

CONGRATULATIONS

LIAM and CONNOR

They ran their "1st" marathon today in Niles, Michigan

Anne and her friend, Sue from Phoenix were there to cheer them on!

Grandpa and I are so proud!!!

 It's Sunday and we walked to The Gateway (great restaurant/coffee/ice cream and fabulous bakery).    Mark and I had hearty breakfasts and then got a peach fritter, pecan cinnamon bun and a mini lemon/blueberry meringue pie to go.   Oh my...............just drooled over that display!    After we ate, we met a really nice couple from Menominee, Michigan - John and Kimmie who are on a 41' sailboat.   We had a great visit - the guys talked their "talk" and Kimmie and I yakked away.    They also have boy/girl twins, ages 27 + a son, 28.   Much younger than us!  😀

Walked over to the Sportsman's Club - what a beautiful place - my boat sister, Chris said  dinner was excellent when she and Michael ate there last summer.   Although Killarney only has 397 full-time residents, they have lots of summer visitors and yet, it is just so quaint and not touristy at all.   Can't wait to go back in a week to meet our Port Clinton friends.

We left Killarney at 10:45 and a very hazy day on the water (we are officially now in the North Channel) but the views were spectacular of the La Cloche mountains.    We cruised to Browning Cove (off Haywood Island) - 2 hour trip and 15.3 miles.   Very pretty and quiet spot with 9 other boats nicely spread apart.   A wonderful breeze is coming thru Catrina's windows - 74.

Sportsman's Club

La Cloche Mountains

We both got alerts on our phones about the not-so-good air quality in our area.   Maybe the haze is from smoke/fires somewhere?   

Took naps, read, relaxed !    Life is good here in Browning Cove

Went to online Mass with Father Jonathan in Port Clinton and then  enjoyed some drinks, cheese and crackers.

9 siblings on zoom tonight but Sharon left early cause of a thunderstorm hitting Louisville and her internet kept cutting in and out.    The usual health talk, vacations, Jim and Lydia in FL till Wednesday, where we are, etc.

Enjoy the upcoming week.

Saturday - July 12

 It started raining at 4:30 AM - nice and gentle that lasted 1 hour.   We were not expecting this - forecast said later this afternoon/evening.    So, when we got up, it was hazy which turned into fog.   UGH....we left at 9:15 (fog wasn't bad at this point.)   We cruised a total  of 43.9 miles and were in and out of fog,   Collins Inlet is a beautiful 10-mile route taking us past tall granite and trees and some narrow passageways.    Before we got to this area, we stopped to anchor at Beaver's Stone Bay (beginning of Collins Inlet) for 45 minutes to hopefully, let the fog go away.    And it did clear up.   Pics from Collins Inlet

Entering Killarney in the fog

The last 4 miles after leaving Collins Inlet, the fog rolled back in and we were surrounded by thick pea soup!   Arghhhh.   But at 1:00 we arrived in Killarney, our destination and a charming little town that we last visited in 2011.   We got diesel and then 3 dockhands helped us dock Catrina.   There was a severe thunderstorm watch for the area so we were happy to be here and tied up nice and secure.

After settling in, we went for a walk....St. Bonaventure Catholic Church is just up the road but only has 1 Sunday Mass at 1:30 PM, so that will not work for tomorrow as we have to check out at 11.   The doors were open so at least we could go in and say a prayer.

St. Bonaventure

We had lunch at Herbert Fisheries = great fish and chips (years ago - from 1981-2014, there was a big red and white bus that folks went up to the window to get their fish 'n chips)  What an icon.   But in 2014, a new building went up for the restaurant and that was the end of the red and white bus.

Mark went to LCBO for some wine and I stopped at Pitfield General Store for milk.   Back to Catrina and waited for the storm that was predicted with heavy rain and high winds.    We did get a real downpour, but didn't last too long.   

It's been fun texting with friends Paul and Kathy from TX who spent many summers on Drummond Island with frequent visits to Killarney.   Been comparing notes as they were last here in 2019.

After the rain we went for a walk to check out the Killarney Mountain Lodge - BEAUTIFUL and huge with several cabins, 2 dining facilities, etc.   We found the path for the Lighthouse which Kathy and Paul have hiked to.   We started out but after the rain, it was  very wet, muddy and buggie.    We walked part way but still had 1.8 miles to go, so that was enough,

World's largest paddle

Killarney Mountain Lodge

Main entrance to the lodge

We walked to the Gateway for ice cream and then back to Catrina's bridge to enjoy this beautiful evening  - lots of US boats here (FL, WI, MI, OH, are a few we saw.)   And this float plane came in very close. 

Came flying right behind Catrina