August Yondering 2026

August Yondering could be a pen name, couldn't it? A wonderful time on the lake, July 31 to August 30. 

Rob and I had a great stretch of anchoring out for ten nights (!!), in and around the bay and then on to Wolfe Island with a stop in Kerr Bay. Alcyone (Alex and Aldo) was en route with us for the trip, with Freya (Caroline and Dennis) joining in the Bay. Feasting with more friends (Laura, Peter, Mike, Kaarina) at Heron's Run. 

This was our first (and second!) time anchoring in Kerr Bay. We opted for there instead of Stella, since Kerr Bay has lots more room. We were still able to dinghy over to Stella for ice and lunch. The Fair Jean anchored with us one night - a beautiful Brigantine. When I looked the boat up later, learned that someone built it in their backyard and used it as their family boat, prior to donating it to a youth charity. Gorgeous ship.

Alex and Nora came up for a few days; unfortunately Parshvi was a it under the weather so couldn't join. This was Nora's first night away from her Mama, but Dada was a comfort. Nora seemed to enjoy her time in the boat, dinghy rides, picking blueberries, and strolling along the lakeside path on Waupoos Island. We also walked over to check out the fireflies in the marina thicket with Griskit following close behind. Not as many on Ausust 15th as there were a month ago in July.

We lent our car to Alex R. with the hopes he could drive into Toronto and return the next day after keeping an appointment, but the brakes started leaking fluid. Yikes! So he set sail back home for the season on the 17th. Aldo left the 16th, and Caroline and Dennis on the 19th. It didn't feel quite the same without their company. Before she left, Caroline gave me a watercolour lesson on Freya. 

With brakes repaired, we took an enjoyable County tour. One of the best roast beef sandwiches I've ever had in Milford at a place called Say Bruce. Homemade bread, onion butter, horseradish and potato chips. My mouth is watering thinking about it! And Rob and I split a slice of triple layer pineapple rum cake. So good. Also checked out a couple galleries on the Arts Trail (Mad Dog, Andara, Melt and the Base 31 Collective. I ended up buying a piece at Melt featuring an owl. We'll have to pick it up when we return for the car, I don't want it taking up space in the boat or potentially being damaged in the car. Not sure where I'll place it when we finally get home.

A day trip into Kingston for the extended Kingston Penetentiary tour. The architecture is imposing. We were there on a rainy day, and the grey sky matched the mood of the place. It looked like the inmates had more space in their cells than we do on our boat - table, bunk, storage, t.v., toilet. But then we definitely have the better view. Got the inside scoop about the 1971 prison riot from one of the guards. As violent as it was, no guards lost their lives even though taken hostage. As a result of the uprising and negotiations, conditions did improve.

We spent a couple nights away from our preferred slip because westerlies made it very bouncy, and we were concerned for the cat. I missed our view! The sheep returned to the island from their grazing at solar farms. The nights were getting chillier and the water a bit cooler for swimming. Summer comes to its end and it's time to think of going home.

What I love about our past two summers at Waupoos is a long list! A short motor or sail from our dock to drop an anchor. Being able to jump in for a swim on a whim from off the boat and dock. Yoga and Qigong on the dock and on the boat. Uncluttered views of the sky at sunrise, sunset, and moonrise. Clouds! Rainbows! Simple living. Meals on the boat taste better because you've been outside all day. Appreciation for the rhythms of nature. The quiet. The sound of crickets and tree frogs. The gulls and terns lined up along the tire wall. How the view is never the same, because of the changing wind, light, and weather.

We were back in our slip for the last night in Waupoos. I watched a beautiful moonrise there, as I had on the first night at the dock. All things must end.

Time to go home.

We set out early morning on August 26 and arrived back in Toronto 7 pm August 30. Two nights at anchor in Sandy Cove, one night anchored in Cobourg Harbour and then one night reciprocal at the dock. When we were anchored there was a much better view of the skies, especially moonrises, sunrises and sunsets. I found myself waking up early just to see what the sky was doing.

We weren't really in any rush to get home so took the inside route. The last two days were a bit of a slog, one bumpy 12.5 hour day to get to Cobourg, and then ten more hours motoring to Toronto. Our last day was day cold, wet and rainy; in parts very poor visibility. A hot lunch on the stove warmed us nicely. 

Back in our BPYC slip, we really noticed the noise of the jet skis and how much closer the boats were in the slips. Still, it was great to be back in town and safely home from our adventures. The only motor problems we had this year were the car's!

Sturgeon Moon - August 2026

The moon was full when we travelled east at the end of June, and was full again when we brought Yondering home the end of August. We had open skies at anchor and an incredible view of the skies. It feeds my soul. Of course the phone's camera doesn't really do the moments' any justice. It's the feeling in the air, the breezes on the skin, the sound of the crickets and the frogs, the water gently lapping. The calm, the stillness. The gratitude felt at the end of the day.

The moon was officially full August 28 but we enjoyed it fully during the journey home. It was only the last night at the Cobourg dock we weren't able to get a good look. I'll have to try to seek the moonrise in the city to enjoy the magic.

Summer In the City

Took a vacation from our vacation and drove back to Toronto from Waupoos for 10 days of summer in the city.

We both had medical appointments but also wanted to be there to celebrate Nora's birthday on the day. Then there was her birthday party a few days later. Also, Amita's birthday. So lots of cake!

Our visit was timed with Bluffers Park Basin Party. That afternoon Alex and Nora came and saw the firetruck - always a big hit with the kids. In the evening there was a live band and I danced for hours. 

Dim Sum lunch and a game of Mah Jong. An afternoon sanding Muskoka deck chairs at the club to get in a few work hours. 

Great entertainment and catching up with friends. Watching the Odyssey film at the VIP theatre in big comfy reclining chairs. A three hour spectacle. Dinner at The Nose and Our Town live theatre with Mike, Kaarina, Mike, and Lyn. Dinner at Liz and Darcy's. Dinner in Greektown with Irene, Christina and Sophie.  

Oh - a morning nature walk at Rosetta Maclean gardens with Friends of Miles, and a Toronto Master Gardener lecture at Bridlewood Library.

Also checked on the progress of my ring with Chris at Platinum. There was to be 3D printer design, but we seem to have jumped that step. The ring was cast but the gems not yet set. It seems a bit chunky without the diamonds, but  I'm sure added sparkle will make a difference.

And lots and lots of time in my garden.

Had to get back to Waupoos for a rest!

Summer Garden

One of the reasons I plant this Eastern Prickly Pear is to enjoy the blooms. They last only one day over the course of a short week. Both last summer and this summer I've missed the display, but people have been sending photos so at least I could enjoy remotely. This year they put on quite the show, starting July 4.

We came back from Yondering to Toronto on July 20, and the first thing I did was tear into the garden to weed and water. Ended up getting stung by some bees when I was removing seed heads from the lambs ears. Ouch! I learned the hard way that our native bees have smooth stingers and can sting again and again. So when I staked the sea holly I wore full body protection (gloves, boots, mosquito netting hat, long sleeves etc.). So many different kinds of  bees, wasps, hornets and flies feeding on one plant. The 'common' European blue butterfly, so called because it's open wings are such a beautiful blue. The Great Golden Digger Wasp looks like a sting could really hurt, but they don't bother humans so much as grasshoppers, which they paralyze to feed their young. 

We were back to Yondering July 31, so I had  ten days in the July garden. Hours spent tending or enjoying the view. 

In other notes:

• I was happy to see the Tulip Tree and Grey Dogwood I'd planted in the ravine were still growing strong. Hopefully the rains continue into August. 
• A wet season brought some mushrooms that seemed to like the shelter of pots. iNaturalist identified as a species of mica cap.
• I'm trying to get the primrose to grow all in a row in front of the bench, so transplanted a few. They didn't seem to like it, hopefully their roots will find their way. Would like to create a space where we can enjoy watching them pop open.
• My brother Dave gave me a watering system that we're trying out in August in the back garden, set to water twice a week. We'll see how it goes. Most of these plants were chosen because they could withstand summer neglect and periods of drought, and it's been a wet summer.  Anyway, an experiment. Meanwhile we still rely on family to drop by and water the planters and the front in dry spells.
  
  
  
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