The second leg of our cruise the weather was more conducive to anchoring, and so we did! Although wind direction chased us from Brakey Bay, and strong winds kept us at the dock in Ganonoque, Yondering spent most nights comfortably swinging on the hook.
I love being at anchor when the conditions are right. The gentle swing of the boat in the water and the ease of a quick swim. Sunrise and sunset are gorgeous, with an uncrowded sky above. I tried to absorb those moments doing Qigong on the bow of the boat as the sun rose. Such a beautiful experience.
The Thousand Islands were well travelled - we attempted to drop anchor at Beau Rivage but it was too crowded, so we headed back Gan. We needed a few provisions anyhow (ice was $5.30 a bag!!). When we were at our dock a 24' sailboat tied up next to us. She was a mom travelling with two kids, aged 8 and 16. I was very impressed! Turns out Tanya sailed out of Oakville this year but was switching to Loyalist Marina for Haul Out, to avoid the long voyage from west of Toronto all the way East. It is a particularly long stretch to Cobourg, even for us, and we're closer by several ports.
The cost of a mooring ball in the Thousand Islands was only $20, a third of the price of a regular dock. If you are staying a week, the Park Pass makes it even more affordable. We moored at Endymion Island. Although it had closed its trail to protect native plants, there was plenty of flora and fauna to see. Literally. A fawn came out to peek from shore one day in the morning and that same evening, to enjoy the view of the lake and the breeze. We took in the sights as well, and dinghied over to Camelot to breathe in the cedar forest and crouch to admire the mushrooms.
Our first night anchoring in Stella Bay was a sleepless one. Someone in the Bay had put out lots of road (chain and line for the anchor), so they were swinging rather wide. In the middle of the night, we ended up moving further from them as a precaution. Not easy to lay your anchor in the dark with other boats around. We tried two places before settling. Rob kept watch, and then I did my turn. We stayed a second night in the same spot, knowing we were well set. Stella is great for grabbing ice and general provisions in the store, and there's a little restaurant to grab a burger or sandwich.
I had to get home for some appointments (dental surgery!), so we started heading west in earnest. Some long days: 9.5 hours motoring from Stella to Big Sandy Bay; then 6 to tying up along the Murray; another 5 to Cobourg. The conditions were great for our trip home from Cobourg to Bluffers, so we decided to do it all in one day. Ten hours motoring at 5.7 nautical miles per hour. The engine behaved! The whole trip! No tows, no sputters. How fabulous!
I do love Yondering, but it is nice to be home, with the comforts of a real bed, the bidet toilet, a bathtub, and a refrigerator that even has ice! And of course, my garden. And reliable wifi. And Alex! And! And! And!
Sail path
Thousand Islands to Bluffers Park (second leg)
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