I decided to write about our North Channel trip in chronological order, because that's me, I'm orderly. Stop laughing...
So we left off driving from St. Ignace northeast, towards St. Sault Marie to cross over into Canada. Many, many moons ago we family tripped it to the Soo Locks, but I barely remember that. We certainly didn't cross into Canada that day, other than on the water, and I haven't been in the area since. Needless to say, I had no idea what to expect.
So the US/Canada border is directly over water. We drove over a bridge, and came to this:
where we stumbled through seemingly odd questions, fumbled for our license plate number as Miss Border Control expressed her frustration over our bike covered license plate, and then was waved through. Yeehaw!The entire drive from that point on led us down 1 4-lane street for, maybe, 30 miles? then entirely on 2 lane, paved roads with a couple of passing lanes. No highways. It must be like driving through Iowa, only with forests instead of cornfields.
Until we grew close, and the GPS directed us to turn...down a road littered with warning "Construction!" signs. Entirely dirt, with a desolate aura. Exactly like what I felt when we turned down the dirt, water covered road to our property the first time. Only this was 5 miles of desertion...hmmmm.
But, we made it, and ended up nearly in someone's driveway where the 2-lane dirt road narrowed suspiciously into a grass covered 2-track with a small, handwritten sign "Careful!" pointing down, down, down a steep hill. And here's what I don't like about GPS'. The little voice, still demanding, "GO STRAIGHT ANOTHER 200'", and as our common sense told us to turn, TURN! the GPS droned on, "Make a Legal U-turn". Really? Really? I don't think so.
Deer must like us lately, the close encounter with a doe by our house, T's buck just before we left, and then we drove up on 3 deer just hanging out by the side of the road. In fact, when we appeared, one of the deer was walking quietly up to a car pulled to the side of the road WITH PEOPLE IN IT. Unheard of! Unfortunately, the mighty rumble of our diesel engine ended the Kodak moment.
The Gore Bay Marina. The Canadian Yacht Charters rents space from the marina, providing very nice facilities for their customers.
Oh, Canada! All the charter boats flew Canada flags, and most other boats and even cottages gave homage to their homeland. Go team spirit!
Keely put up a good fight for sleep at first. We learned to let her run herself down, till almost sleepwalking, then toss her in bed.
But, we made it, and ended up nearly in someone's driveway where the 2-lane dirt road narrowed suspiciously into a grass covered 2-track with a small, handwritten sign "Careful!" pointing down, down, down a steep hill. And here's what I don't like about GPS'. The little voice, still demanding, "GO STRAIGHT ANOTHER 200'", and as our common sense told us to turn, TURN! the GPS droned on, "Make a Legal U-turn". Really? Really? I don't think so.The highlight of our funky driving path arrived:
Deer must like us lately, the close encounter with a doe by our house, T's buck just before we left, and then we drove up on 3 deer just hanging out by the side of the road. In fact, when we appeared, one of the deer was walking quietly up to a car pulled to the side of the road WITH PEOPLE IN IT. Unheard of! Unfortunately, the mighty rumble of our diesel engine ended the Kodak moment.And so we arrived in Gore Bay and unloaded our possessions onto a 36' Nauticat Catamaran. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a galley kitchen (is that redundant? sorry.), dining area, and control center. We filled the boat quite quick, using every available storage space to cram life jackets, clothes, and other odds and ends. The important thing is, we fit it in.
Papa, relaxing on board, gearing up for adventure.
The Gore Bay Marina. The Canadian Yacht Charters rents space from the marina, providing very nice facilities for their customers.I'll take you on a quick tour of the necessities.
The stove (to the left is a door into the girls' bedroom, to the right is a counterspace and microwave. across from the counter, a sink, and next to the sink, across from the microwave, a fridge.):
The potty (the little pump is to pump the p's and poo's...switch to add water for rinsing as necessary):
The potty (the little pump is to pump the p's and poo's...switch to add water for rinsing as necessary):
Oh, Canada! All the charter boats flew Canada flags, and most other boats and even cottages gave homage to their homeland. Go team spirit!
Keely put up a good fight for sleep at first. We learned to let her run herself down, till almost sleepwalking, then toss her in bed. 
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