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It looks like I will finally be able to head up and cruise the North Channel of Georgian Bay this summer. It looks like as of right now it will be myself and my friend (50/50) on my boat. My father is going to join up and will either bring his 22 guardian along or ride with me as well. I am looking for the time to be somewhere in the First couple weeks in August and thought I would float it out there for all.

Let me know if there is any interest. Also, if there are others who would like to go but would not be able to bring their whalers let us know as we might be able to work something out... Joe or Tom?:D

Also other G2G ideas:
Memorial Day in Grand Haven or Frankfort.
4th of July or sometime around there for Frankfort / Sleeping bear / and Manitous
The Inland Water Way Septemberish
Lake Erie islands for a long weekend
any others?

Any who....just got boating on the brain since we just got or first snow the other day so I am trying to think warm thoughts.

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Jeff -

Count me in. I'm thinking the Benjamins, Bay of Islands, MacGregor Bay (Pothole Portage is a must-see) and Baie Fine should be on the agenda for overnights.

Let's make it official:

**************
URGENT COMMUNICATION
**************

From: Fleet Command, Boston Whaler Northern Expeditionary Forces

Mission: 2007 Northern Expeditionary Force Objective: North Channel, Lake Huron, Ontario Canada

Mission Parameters: Camping, Fishing and Exploring the North Channel of Lake Huron, in and around Benjamin Islands, Bay of Islands, Little Current, McGregor Bay, Baie Fine and Killarney and environs.

Duration: One Week

Objective: Total and complete restorative relaxation

Launch Date: TBD

To Boston Whaler Northern Expeditionary Force Fleet membership:

You are hereby summoned to begin readiness assessments for a late July or early August deployment to the North Channel of Lake Huron. Assessments and readiness level reporting are due as soon as possible so that preparations can be made to ensure the fleet is adequately supplied and prepared for deployment.

A mission-specific checklist will be developed to assist each individual unit in planning and preparations.

Additional instructions, details, recommended equipment checklist and information will follow.

That is all.
********
END TRANSMISSION
********

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Dave,

What charts should I pick up? I have the my GPS loaded with all of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay however, it is always good to have back up.

Also where were you thinking of putting int at? Tobermory?

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Richardson's is a must-have for the entire area, however, it will be important on a trip like this to buy the actual charts for Bay of Islands, and McGregor Bay, at least.

Last summer for McGregor Bay, I borrowed a chart and still managed to mangle a prop and shave some gelcoat on an uncover. I was in the furthest backwaters of the bay though, really exploring!

Anyway, I just ordered a new GPS for the boat (Garmin 2210) and will be buying my own copy of the full paper charts from the Canadian Hydrological Service this spring.

RE: Launch point: either DeTour or Tobermory are fine with me - Tobermory is a little further for me to trailer and is a 60 or so mile run up to Little Current, while DeTour is more like 110 miles to Little Current, with a possibility for nasty Westerlies and associated seas on a return run (there are places to hide, it's just that it will add 30 or so miles to the trek). Call me undecided on launch point for now. I still need to scare up a crew member once we get a date set...perhaps Pat will tag along in his Revenge.

Re: McGregor Bay. The best bet on charts is to let someone else lead! Seriously though, when you get to the top of McGregor Bay (Iriquois bay or North Bay, depending on the chart), you won't believe it. it's like you entered a whole new lake (340 feet deep in places) and is truly a spectacular area. I just missed bidding on a cottage up there a few months ago...keeping my eyes peeled from here on out...

Dave

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McGregor Bay is chart # CN 2206, available for about $25 from the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

Chart # CN 2245 is a good overview chart, including the Killarney area, but CN 2206 is the detailed one.

Chart # CN 2207 is also a good one, since it includes the Bay of Islands.

Here is just one source for the paper charts you may need.

Also the latest Blue Charts from Garmin should include these, although the resolution and perspective are better using the paper chart (as I learned last summer).

Buy the chart. You'll see that you can easily spend two or three days in McGregor Bay alone just exploring, fishing, swimming and relaxing. The other benefit of this area is that the water is about 8-10 degrees warmer than the rest of the North Channel. It is tannin-stained; the water is darker in color and is fed from some of the nearby rivers and lakes. Last August, it was pleasant enough for Pat and I to spend several hours in the water with snorkel gear in Pothole Portage, and when I jumped in the water to inspect the damage to my boat after grinding up to that uncover, it was not "shockingly refreshing" - I went right in and was comfortable. Of course, it was a nice day!

I recommend packing snorkel gear for this trip, if you have it.

Also, consider a ball-fender or two for sidling up to sheer rock walls to protect your gelcoat when going ashore. You can usually come right up to the edge and still have 8 feet of water under the keel. Sheer dropoffs!

This is a spectacular area...I'll see if I can't post some photos to my Photobucket account and link them here later.

Dave

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Additional information for this trip. I assume that people will want to fish as well.

For Fishing Licenses in Ontario, the best deal going is the Eight Day Conservation License, which allows you to economically fish and enjoy your catch on a day-to-day basis, however, it does not permit you to bring a large amount of fish back across the border.

The North Channel is in Zone 14 this year, and permits holders of a conservation license to possess (either physically or by consumption) 2 walleye, 1 bass, 2 pike (no muskies), 25 perch or sunfish, 10 crappie, 2 brown trout and 1 lake or ranbow trout, or 2 salmon and 6 whitefish.

Lots of options there for dinner, and well prepared, one Walleye, trout or salmon is a whole meal for a person.

Note: Brook trout and splake are closed to fishing all year.

The bass fishery up there is said to be really, really good. A conservation license costs about 22 bucks (CAD) plus the VAT tax, and generally is well worth the cost.

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I managed to pull a quick one at work, some scientific bidding on my part let me take my furlough time split 1 week in February, one week in July, & One week in August....by a week I mean Monday - Friday, plus I have all weekends off so I'll have nine days off in February, Nine days off in July, and Nine days off in August....I definitely want to put some water under the hull of the Revenge....putting in as much overtime during the cold weather to fund trips this summer.......So at this point & time I'm in hopefully with one or both of my sons...

Pat

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Pat,

That is great to hear. Looking forward to finally getting together on the water with that Revenge.

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Keep me tuned in guys. I'm just booking summer camps for my boys at this point so I'll see how it all fits. And although I'm so far planning to be further south this year I'd like to be in the NC at some point. Probably trailer up depending on the current fuel prices.

I'll show this post to GBayWhaler and Georgian Bay Boater since they've asked to be kept informed. It's a hike for them but I know they're keen to meet some more Whaler folk.

I honestly think you should tow closer to Little Current or where ever you want to be rather than Detour or Tobermory. Between the possibility of $ 1.40 a liter for fuel and very ugly weather I think it'll be worth it. If not in time then in cost.

If you decide to tow around the Canadian side of Huron and Georgian Bay let me know. I've been in discussions with an acquaintance whose company transports vehicles and and he may transport our rigs so we don't have to back track in our boats. For a fee of course, but it seems to work out and give us more time on new water and make it less of a marathon.

Peter

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Jeff -

Have you zeroed in on a date yet? I'd like to provide notice at work in the next couple of weeks. Not that everyone has to be together the whole time. I hope to sleep on the hook most nights...I'll stop by Spider Bay or Birch Islands for showers.

Thinking also of spending an evening/overnight in Mill Lake for some real fishing action.

Wow. I wish I had weeks and weeks to spend up there.

Dave

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Dave,

I will call ya tomorrow in the morning...What time is good?

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Jeff -
Anytime after 9:30 AM ET. I'm going to be stuck in a service bay all morning having brake work done, then it's off to Wolf's for supplies for my projects...you know how it goes!

Dave

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Jeff,
Good to hear from you, I'm working a lot of OT lately to strengthen my Gas Fund for the summer and do some things on the Revenge I'd like to get done.
As I said I probably won't know for sure which week I will have off until late June, that being said If you've set a date by then, I am very confident I can bid for that week and get if for my furlough....as Buckda would say "No Worries".....something to be said for seniorty...Of course I think my Revenge 22 WT should get to know some of the other Whalers in the fleet long before August....

Pat

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Jeff -

Thinking on this further, I'm starting to formulate a rough outline of plans for getting to/from this particular rendezvous.

I'd probably be "on location" on a Saturday afternoon/early evening, after spending the night at Drummond Island yacht Haven on Friday night, passing customs at Blind River and running down Whalesback Channel, through Little Detroit and across the McBean Channel to wherever folks are on that day (Benjamins, Bay of Islands, Neptune or Little Current). I could even make Killarney by nightfall without a problem if necessary, if a group of folks is crossing the lake from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula and meeting another group coming up from Britt (CDNWhaler?).

I'd return to Drummond Island the following Saturday morning to spend Sat. Night at the Yacht Haven (and allow time to clear customs) before returning home on Sunday.

Thoughts?

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Dave,

I am going to head home tonight and get on my garmin mapping program to have a look around these areas. It all some fine to me as I have never been up there. Have you heard anything from John Flook, Don McIntrye, Jim, or others as to when they are going to be up there. What is your vote Last weekend in July to start or start on Aug 10th?

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I know approximately when John Flook is planning to be up at Neptune, and approximately when JimH is planning to be up there, and approximately when Don is planning to be at Northernaire Lodge (on Manitoulin in Bayfield Sound) as well. If we go the first week of August, we may overlap with all of them at some point or another. If we go the week of the 11-19th, we will miss at least some of them, if not all.

I know Dave Pendleton is considering coming over from MN as well. I'll advise him to talk to GEP about how long it is to DeTour- I think Mike spent 14-15 hours to get there in 2004. The UP stretches on forever, it seems. Nice thing for him though is that at the 12 hour point there are a few nice lakeside/roadside stops (on US-2) that would be nice to stop at and sleep in the boat cabin, if necessary. He could get up and still catch me at Drummond Island no problem.

Dave

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I haven't logged in here in ages...

Yes, I am in for a North Channel trip. MapPoint indicates my drive time to DeTour would be ~10 hours. I don't much care if it's a few hours more.

I'll stay tuned...

Dave

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So,

#1 July 28th - Aug 5th

OR

#2 Aug 4th - Aug 12th

I would be up for #1....I would kind of like to run across others for the GLBWCC while up there.

Dave, Have you heard anything for Larry as of late?

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David -

Talk to Mike Gephart if you get a chance. I think it took him much longer than anticipated to get across the UP.

Jeff -

Any reason you're avoiding Aug. 4-12? Just curious. I'm putting in for the week of July 4 and am trying to determine if it would be better to put an extra week in between the two vacations, or to just have "two weeks" in July!

Are you using Garmin software? I can e-mail you a .gdb file with the route across the north channel, starting at Drummond Island Yacht Haven, stopping at Blind River and again at Neptune Island (to see if John is home) and finishing at Spider Bay Marina in Little Current. If not planning to stop at Neptune, we can save some time and go directly to Little Current. Mileage is about the same though, as Blind River is along the way (avoiding the prevailing winds and looking for best scenery).

Dave

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No Dave the 4 - 12 is fine also. We can plan for that.

Yes I am using Garmin Map Source so email the file. I really do not like the Damn program. I may have to give you a ring if I can not load your file.

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Dave....Of course the files you have are saved from Blue Charts Version 5.5 and I have 7.5. I can not open them. I HATE THIS PROGRAM....what a pain.

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Jeff -

I re-sent a file in a .mps (mapsource) file. Let me know if you have trouble with it.

I'm suprised you don't like the BlueCharts software. I really like the program.

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I suspect he's referring to MapSource, which all Garmin mapping software runs under. I use it for BlueCharts, City Navigator, and City Select and I'm not real thrilled with it either.

I really like Microsoft's MapPoint better, but it doesn't do nautical.

Anywho, can you shoot me a copy of the file, also?

Thanks.

Dave

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Dave -

You have mail.

Guys - feel free to directly e-mail me with these requests in the future so we can leave this forum for trip planning.

Dave

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I love the blue charts but hate the Map Source software to use them on you computer. Garmin puts Mircosoft to shame when it comes to creating software that is only good for 6 months and the new version is out and nothing is ever backwards or forwards compatible.

Anywho, I talked to my father yesterday and it sound like he is back on again? Who knows. I know I am looking forward to the plan and with it be +1 degree F outside right now I am doing everything I can to think happy thoughts.

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I have Aug 4-12 blocked on the work calendar as a vacation for me. That's not to say that it can't be revoked, but getting on the calendar is 90 percent of the battle.

Dave

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Back on track with this thread, it's been a while...

I've read quite a lot of what's available on the internet about the NC, but I don't remember reading the answer to this:

What is the organizational status of the area we plan on visiting? Is it National/Provincial Park? Private?

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There are few National or Provincial Parks to be concerned about in this area except for Killarney Provincial Park if you make it that far. There is Crown land which you are free to use in most cases. There is Native owned reserves that you are not free to use. A lot is Private and generally it's considered a good rule of thumb and respect to not tie to the private islands nor to anchor within sight of their dock or cottage. Some island owners are downright nasty, some just ask, some yell at you.

While Richardson's is a good chart book it should be noted that every page in their Canada area is stamped with NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION. This is their disclaimer in case you go wrong or the channels & buoys have been changed. (which does happen around here) It's also less expensive for them to keep it up to date. This happened to them a few years ago when they printed grossly incorrect and dated Lake Ontario charts. The advantage to them, on our center console boats, is the spiral bound layout. Disadvantage is the cost if you don't plan on coming back to the area. If you're on Gambler for a cocktail just borrow his;)

There is no substitute for purchasing the most recent charts from:
Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS)
http://www.charts.gc.ca/pub/en

The Garmin Mapsource software also tells you what the chart numbers are.

The next piece of important information is Ports Cruising Guides. Not just for it's pictures and maps but also for it's information about Park land, Private land etc. It has some great advice/dialogue about other do's and don'ts for the area. If you go to this link you can download a good sample page.
Ports Cruising Guides
http://www.portsbooks.com

[color=red]EDIT[/color] I should point out that PORTS is updated every 3 years, not every year. The information it provides does not need to be updated annually. Another reason to purchase the CHS charts.

Ontario Provincial Parks
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/i...index.html

National Parks and Topographical Maps
http://www.fedmaps.com/index.htm/index.htm

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So, do we actually get to get off the boats? :|

I wasn't going to buy a copy of Richardsons, but I was going to get the appropriate C-Map cartridge for the area. I wouldn't mind having a few of the paper charts as well.

Can someone post the most relevant numbers so I can order them?

The PORTS book looks interesting, as well.

Thanks for the info, Peter. You're planning on joining us, aren't you?

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David -

See my post from 1/15/07 for chart numbers from the area. (back a page)

I'm working to get landowners permission to camp at Mosquito Island (in the Wabuno Channel next to Great LaCloche Island). There's a nice little anchorage there unless the wind is blowing out of the SW.

The Benjamin's offer some great camping and I'm sure there are some spots in MacGregor bay where "beach camping" for overnight will be fine.

I'd count on using a camp stove rather than a fire though - like Isle Royale.

Dave

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Great, this was starting to sound like Deliverance. ;)

Stove works for me. I just picked up a couple of Colemans this winter.

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David -

Don't forget to buy a set of aluminum props just in case! :)

Peter -

Thanks for the continued quality information from a seasoned camper/cruiser in this area. Will we have the opportunity to see you and the boys up there this summer?

Dave

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I'm in the process of configuring camp weeks for the boys and such this week now that I have most everyones dates. It's a hard call at this point. Lots going on.

Chart 2206 and 2207 both come waterproof now. If you're ordering make sure you request it. I'm not sure if they still even issue the regular paper ones but it's worth mentioning, especially for CC Whalers. To use one of my teens expressions, there are a gazillion places to get out and hike around David. I'll have a dog with me so I HAVE to get to shore. Snorkeling can be great in some areas.

By the way. Having real charts is the LAW around here I think, unless you can prove you have very good local knowledge. Like as in owning a cottage. I've never heard of anyone being taken to task on this but it should be noted. GPS's and Guide books don't count.

I'm assuming Aug 4 to 12th is still the time. Remember that Aug 4,5,6 is a long weekend up this way so traffic on the 2nd and 3rd could be slow when heading up.

Peter

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Looking forward to this trip....I was just out this past weekend honing my camping skills on the shore line of Lake Michigan. Hopefully it will not be quite as cold in August;)

Update on the crew...well my father is still a maybe and so is my friend Geoff. If Geoff does not make I will have to ask nicely as he has all of the expedition and mountaineerings goodies.


Vessel Gearing:
What types of extra boating gear do you guys think will be needed? Extra fenders, extra long ropes, extra anchors (danforth or grappling hook), etc, etc.

Budget planning:
Dave how many gallons of fuel and oil did you burn last time you were up there with the Merc?

Did you guys ever stop and have dinner at an Inn or Marina?

Launching fees?

Mooring Fees?

Canadian Fishing license maybe?

Launch of trip:
Where is the planned launch of the trip? Detour?

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Jeff -

Last time I was up there with the Merc, we ran 630 miles, and I burned about 4 gallons of oil on to p of what was already in the full oil tank (if I remember correctly). I don't have an actual log of that time. I don't remember fuel either, but I remember averaging around 3 MPG, which I was happy with!

Dinner was almost always at a Marina or Inn. Of course, we stopped every night at a marina for sleep - not camping out at all except for one night that trip.

I detailed Canadian fishing licenses in an earlier post - I think it's a definite must - whether you're going for trout, salmon or pike/walleye or even bass or perch.

My plan is still to launch at DeTour - launch fee is non-existent ($20 season pass for Michigan DNR facilities) and parking is rustic there. I'm recommending that Dave Pendleton go a little more upscale there to have a deeper launch facility.

Mooring fees only apply if you tie up at a Marina overnight - figure $2 or $2.25/foot (CDN). I'll see if I can pull up some receipts from my credit card records to confirm.

As far as gear goes - I'm planning to have two anchors aboard, as well as extra lines and extra fenders that are thick enough to protect the hull sides if nestled up against a rock on shore.

I'm also bringing a tent for shore based camping and my dock-side chair (in case we decide to stay at a marina for whatever reason). Plan on the marina's charging for shower use - figure $2 CDN, and figure close to $5CDN per gallon for fuel on the water.

In a week, we can easily traverse several hundred miles in this area - depending on what you want to do or see, or where you want to go. I'm calculating close to 600 miles again, unless weather closes us in somewhere for a day - but even if it's blowing like stink, you can find a good spot to hide and still explore - and if it's raining - well....that's what canvas is for!

I'm looking forward to snorkeling in covered portage cove too.


Dave

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I too am looking forward to this.

I'm going to buy paper charts to supplement whatever my C-Map covers. The PORTS guide book(s) looked amazing! I'm definitely going to pick up one of those.

No such animal as aluminum props for the BIII. New ones have gone up slightly to just over $500 per, so wherever we go, I'm planning on following you guys in...

How many people have expressed an interest in this trip, BTW? Did anyone include Paul (Cicada) and Suzanne, or Jerry (Spouter) in the loop?

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Always have 2 good anchors. Extra long lines as well. If these links work here's 2 examples of how I spend the night sometimes.

In this first setting I have the bow tied close to access land. There's 100 ft line off the port spring cleat to shore. Another off the port stern cleat to shore. A 50ft line off starboard spring cleat to shore. A Fortress FX7 anchor off the starboard stern cleat. Under the motor is 5+ ft of depth

tying to the rocks

In this next situation the bow is again tied close for access but using 2 lines. Off the stern is the Fortress. Off the starboard spring cleat is a 100 ft line to shore. Off the port stern cleat a line to shore. Under the prop is 2 -3 ft of water then sand. I think I added another line to shore off the starboard spring cleat later.

tying to rocks2

Some refer to this as spider webbing your boat.

Most lines to shore are attached using rock climbing hardware as in chocks and pitons. In some spots you may find rings, steel stakes and pitons drilled into the rocks. Please do not remove. Some were put there by my father 30-40 years ago with help from his little kid whom he made swim to shore with the line.:)

This will be prime time in that area. If you have dinner at a marina make sure you're staying there first because all available spots could be taken up. Otherwise I don't recommend dinner at a restaurant. It's best to find your mooring spots for the night early like 3:00pm or earlier because all the good anchorages will be taken. If you want restaurant food make it lunch, and a fuel stop.

Last year fuel was in the $1.20 to $1.35 per liter range. I'll let you do the math.

Mosquito Island has good coverage on both sides. But no matter where you are be aware there's a good chance the winds could change 180 degrees in the middle of the night. And typically the weather prefers to change in the middle of the night! A good reason for my goofy spider webbing lines to shore with anchors in the pictures.

If want the Ports guide I suggest ordering well before departure. It's great read and best done before you go.

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Peter -

I've been fortunate to not have had a problem with insects in the past, however, I know that when they're out, they can be legendary.

Do you and your boys have any tips for keeping them out of the boat when you're camping? Have you had any luck using citronella candles and/or the like?

I have a full chemical and physical arsenal (bug sprays, mosquito netting) that I purchased for the Isle Royale trip, and when we got there there were no bugs. Apparently they went on vacation when we did! :D

I'm wondering if you've had any firsthand experience with "the battle of the bug" and care to share any "key learnings" from that experience. That is, if you're not shell-shocked from the experience still.

Dave

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Dave,
I'm unsure of the product names but I buy the best name brand bug spray I can for the boys. I only use the burning coils on board, not because I like them but because they're readily available. What ever you use remember it's not just the mosquitoes but the black flies as well. Bring thick socks and spray from the knee down heavily. The flies like our feet and ankles.

Mills canvas is wonderfully weather proof but not bug proof. A long time Whaler owner and long time frequenter of the the North Channel gave me this tip which has proven excellent.



In the morning I wrap the cheese cloth up and store it in a tupperware type container for the next night.

And don't wait for dusk to button up. By then you're too late.

Peter

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Peter -

How you manage to get those two young men to go to bed before the sun goes down is beyond me!

This makes my idea of a "curtain" on the shelter mission critical. I can burn a citronella candle on the console and then enter the boat enclosure and then hopefully give those flying hypodermic needles the slip on the way to bed!

I also have the cheesecloth strips. I believe Don followed that very same sage advice with "...otherwise, it will look like two blind guys had a knifefight in the morning."

That is an instance where the cabin of a Revenge/Conquest would be nice.

Dave - I know Jerry is following along to this thread. I think I mentioned it to Paul, but haven't heard from him in awhile. Perhaps I'll give them a call this weekend to check in. I'm pretty sure they'd be all over staying at marinas. In that area - there are generally two ports that have adequate facilities: Little Current and Killarney - and these aren't especially close together. I don't think the Birch island marina facilities are sizeable, although I could be wrong, since that is prime-time cottage country jump-off. I don't know if cottagers come up late and stay the night before running out to their cottage in the morning or not.

One other thing: re: connectivity. I was thinking about this today on my flight. Essentially, if you are leaving a loved one at home, they can keep in touch only via the modern day equivalent to smoke-signals. You could arrange for messages to be posted on the spider bay marina bulletin board in Little Current and then just promise her to check in every other day and return the call as necessary.

There may be a better way to get hold of you in an emergency (perhaps via VHF call from Spider Bay?) - but generally folks who go to this area don't want to be found while they're there! I'm giving work instructions to relay messages via Spider Bay marina, as I did last time.

Dave

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Dave,
That cheesecloth advice from Don is some of the best advice I've ever received to make boating a pleasurable experience for my kids.

Most cottagers, no matter how late, will head to their cottage. They've been doing it for generations and can find their way in the dark without all our gadgets. Maybe a flashlight only. And you should see the scary shortcuts they use !

West of Little Current there is excellent cellular coverage. At the docks in LC it's spotty but as you climb the hill to the grocery store, liquor store and video store it gets better. Once you leave Spider Bay Marine westbound into the Waubuno Channel it's great and is great all the way to Benjamins. It was while sitting at the Benjamins I posted on CW a few years ago from my Blackberry and then Don called from Port Huron and it was like he was sitting right next to me for clarity. This coverage continues east into the Bay of Islands and west to Spanish and further. One quiet evening while the kids were watching a movie in Sturgeon Cove I spent an hour or so emailing back and forth to a local island owner in Michigan from my Blackberry but was unable to get voice contact? On his island there is absolutely NO coverage but if he heads out into the main channel it's fine. I suspect from the Mosquito Island you mentioned coverage is quite good.

Traveling east from Little Current to Killarney is another story. Killarney has no coverage, from any cell carrier. At least not last summer.

The current President, Scott White, of the Georgian Bay Association comes from a family island in McGregor Bay and I know they've been working very hard with Rogers, our large cell provider, to find tower locations to extend coverage. Coverage should be improving soon. Check the link and look under Communications, Presidents Email briefings. Also, when on their website open, or download, the current newsletter Vol 17, No 1, Spring 2007. On page 10 it gives you a map of the current cell coverage and the proposed coverage.

The Anchor Inn in Little Current has high speed access and provides a PC in the bar for email etc access. Free I think. And I believe they're working on having wireless on the patio so you can use your notebook should you want to carry one on board.

Peter

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Hello Everyone,
I'm planning on making the trip also, I have 10+ days of vacation and while I won't draw my days for sure until the end of June, "Seniority Rules"....
I have a Boat Trip Check List that was put together by Steve Farnsworth, I'll attempt to link it here for you, which I will do when I locate it buried somewhere on my computer......
My Dad does this when battling the Bugs in Northern Michigan, he puts a fabric softener sheet on his shoulders under his shirt......works like a charm....I stuffed them into all the crevices around the canvas on my Montauk and had no problems during the Georgian Bay/ NC trip....

lookin forward to seeing you all on the water....

Pat

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Pat,
I had totally forgotten about that idea. Seems to me we used to spray some home kitchen product around gaps and screens at our cottage. Downey maybe?

Sure will smell better than the cheese cloth soaked in bug juice ! :D

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Guys,
Seems I may have shot my mouth off a little prematurely about the cellular coverage quality.

Our main cell providers, like Rogers, are quickly switching all systems to GSM. In fact they are offering free phones to their customers who are still using CDMA & TDMA telephones and as their CDMA/TDMA services i.e towers, break down they are not fixing them.

Because of my switch to GSM / Blackberry 3 years ago I'd not noticed an interruption in service.

So if you're visiting Canada with a non GSM cell phone you may have problems connecting.

Apologies.

Peter

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I'm really looking forward to this trip....I'm plotting all the fishing holes on Google Earth!

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Pat--still wating on that Boat Trip Check List...

You find it yet?

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Dave,
I just sent it to you in an e-mail attachment, sorry for the delay, talk to you soon. I'll also send it to Joe so he can possibly post it here...

Pat

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Nuts, it looks like I'm going to beat everyone up there by a week; I have a cottage rented on Drummond Island for the week of July 22 through July 29. If anyone gets up to DeTour early, you'll find me in the river between the green can and the Detour Reef Light every morning.

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Everyone still out there?

What's our headcount? Any more plans?

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Anyone?

Hellloooo...

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David,
I have no idea what's going on and I've not heard from anyone about this trip since these posts. My time is very up in the air right now although I did just finalize my kids weeks at summer camp, one of which I have to be back in civilization for by August 4th of 5th. If I make it up that way it'll be in the last few weeks of July I think. Probably too early to catch up with you if the dates in this thread are still on.

Peter

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I don't know what's going on.

I have email out to Dave and Jeff R, and I haven't heard from either.

I'm trying to put my schedule together also. I may just have to pass on this one in favor of something a little more together...

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David -

I've not received any e-mails from you in the past month or so. You may want to check my address to make sure you used the correct one.

I just confirmed with my supervisor this afternoon that I want that week off. I am planning various projects around it.

I don't know who is in or out at this stage, but I know that I've bought some additional camping gear specifically for this trip, and am looking forward to it with great anticipation.

I've been traveling a lot for work lately...this site isn't the most blackberry friendly site - so my surfing is curtailed when on the road - sorry for the delay to respond.

Hope this finds you guys well and well along the way to planning to make this happen.

Not much more to be said until the days leading up to the departure. I still plan on leaving from DeTour/Drummond Island on Saturday morning. I'll be driving up Friday afternoon/night...should be there by midnight local and will likely launch the boat and camp aboard at Harbor Island that night - showers at Drummond Island Yacht Haven the next morning, as well as leaving word to them that I'll need customs on the return trip. Depending on wind/waves, will clear customs into Canada at either Blind River or Meldrum Bay - although I may just make the run all the way to Little Current to declare the crossing. I'll be playing that portion by ear and whatever others are comfortable with.

Cheers.

Dave

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As of right now I have a lot of things in the air in my life and many of those have BIG question marks following them. This trip has become one of them. As much as I would love to say I can make it the odds at this time have become slim.

BTW Dave P. I still have the graphics and need to send them out.